Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, "I have snatched the morsel from your mouth, but your turn will come," after ordering the Indian Navy to hold back from a planned BrahMos missile strike on Karachi port during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. This statement came as Modi reviewed the operation with the service chiefs amid rising tensions with Pakistan, praising the Army Chief and Air Chief Marshal for their successful missions. Although the Navy was ready to retaliate with strikes, Modi called off the naval offensive, giving full operational freedom to all service chiefs and preparing for potential Pakistani counterattacks, including missile threats to Gujarat.

Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, was a coordinated military response to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people. The Indian Air Force bombed terrorist camps and critical military targets inside Pakistan, including fighter jets, radar installations, and airborne early warning aircraft, significantly weakening Pakistan’s air power.

The Indian Army and Air Force targeted several key airbases such as Chaklala, Rawalpindi, and Jacobabad, destroying F-16 fighter jets. Indian air defense systems like the Akash missile and S-400 intercepted nearly 99% of incoming Pakistani drones and missiles. The conflict featured cross-border fighting with jets, missiles, and artillery from May 7 to May 10. Pakistan launched multiple drone and missile attacks on northern and western Indian military positions, but India’s integrated air defenses largely neutralized them. A ceasefire was agreed upon on May 10 after Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations requested it, and India accepted, having achieved its objectives.

During Modi’s review on May 10, the Navy, with 30-35 ships ready to strike Karachi and other strategic targets, was called off at the last minute. Modi’s message to the Navy Chief symbolized a strategic pause—while naval strikes were postponed, the opportunity would come in the future. This reflected a carefully measured decision amid a complex military and diplomatic situation. PM Modi’s words acknowledged the Navy’s preparedness and promised eventual action, while Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s integrated use of Army, Air Force, and Navy forces in a decisive response to terrorism and Pakistani aggression.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.

The U.S. Army is moving to speed up negotiations over a crucial training ground in Hawaii, underscoring its growing importance in the broader Indo-Pacific defense strategy. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll revealed earlier this week that he is eager to finalize a long-term lease agreement for the Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on the Big Island — a site that plays a pivotal role in training American ground forces for potential conflict in the Pacific. Driscoll met with Hawaii Governor Josh Green on Monday to discuss the future of the Pohakuloa site, where the U.S. military currently leases a significant portion of land from the state. That lease is set to expire in 2029, and although that may seem distant, the Army is pushing for urgency. With China ramping up its military posture in the region — particularly around Taiwan, a self-governed island that Beijing claims as part of its territory — the Pentagon sees Hawaii as a critical launch point for rapid deployments. Securing uninterrupted access to Pohakuloa ensures that soldiers in Hawaii remain combat-ready and close to potential conflict zones in Asia andU.S. Army Pushes to Secure Key Hawaii Training Ground Amid Growing Indo-Pacific Tensions

As geopolitical tensions rise across the Indo-Pacific, particularly over China’s claims to Taiwan, the U.S. Army is taking steps to secure one of its most strategic training sites: the Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii’s Big Island. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll announced this week that he’s looking to accelerate negotiations with the state of Hawaii to renew the military’s lease on the site — a lease that is currently set to expire in 2029. Driscoll met with Hawaii Governor Josh Green on Monday to discuss Pohakuloa’s future. While there are still four years left on the current lease, Driscoll stressed that the military cannot afford delays when it comes to strategic readiness in the Indo-Pacific. As security challenges intensify, having access to a large-scale, permanent live-fire training facility in the region is viewed as vital for maintaining U.S. military preparedness and rapid response capability.

Pohakuloa Training Area is the only facility of its kind in Hawaii where ground forces can conduct realistic, live-fire combat simulations. Spread across more than 133,000 acres of high-elevation terrain between Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, the rugged landscape provides essential conditions for replicating real-world combat scenarios. For military leaders, the site’s role is clear: it allows Hawaii-based units to stay sharp and deploy quickly if tensions in Asia boil over.

However, not everyone in the Islands shares the military’s sense of urgency — or its priorities. At a lengthy public hearing in May, a wide range of residents voiced strong opposition to extending the Army’s use of the training grounds. Many Native Hawaiians and environmental advocates expressed outrage over the military’s history of environmental damage and disregard for sacred land. They cited previous fuel leaks, unexploded ordnance, and the desecration of cultural sites as reasons why the lease should not be renewed at all. The central demand: return the land to the state and restore stewardship to the local community.

For many in Hawaii, the conflict goes far deeper than military strategy. It touches on questions of sovereignty, cultural preservation, and environmental protection. The military has long held a dominant presence in the islands, and for some, the lease debate at Pohakuloa is just the latest chapter in a broader story of occupation and loss. Driscoll acknowledged those concerns but emphasized that the Army is working to become a better steward of the land. He said his team is committed to open dialogue with the public and local leaders, and noted that future operations would prioritize transparency, environmental safeguards, and community engagement.

Still, critics remain skeptical, and the road to lease renewal is likely to be a bumpy one. With local activism growing and public scrutiny intensifying, the Army will need to do more than make promises — it will have to rebuild trust in a population that’s increasingly questioning the long-term costs of hosting the U.S. military. The debate over Pohakuloa is part of a larger conversation about America’s footprint in the Pacific. As Washington doubles down on preparing for potential flashpoints — from Taiwan to the South China Sea — Hawaii finds itself caught between two worlds: a strategic stronghold for global power projection and a homeland with unresolved histories of colonization and resistance.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from AP.

Pakistan’s military leader, Field Marshal Gen. Asim Munir, firmly rejected suggestions that the country received “external support” during its recent military engagement with India, emphasizing that the conflict was “purely bilateral.” His comments followed remarks by Indian Deputy Army Chief Lt. Gen. Rahul Singh, who had alleged that China provided Pakistan with real-time intelligence during the four-day missile exchange in May.

Speaking to officers at the National Security and War Course at the National Defense University in Islamabad, Gen. Munir labeled such allegations as “irresponsible and factually incorrect,” according to a statement by the military's media wing. He added that these claims reflect a persistent unwillingness to recognize Pakistan’s own military capabilities and the institutional strength it has developed over years of strategic discipline.

Lt. Gen. Singh had claimed that India faced two adversaries during the clash—Pakistan and China—suggesting that while Pakistan was on the frontlines, China offered comprehensive support. The conflict ended through a U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Gen. Munir dismissed these claims, stating India’s failure to meet its military goals during “Operation Sindoor” led to a post-conflict narrative designed to deflect blame. He criticized India’s attempts to portray the conflict as part of broader geopolitical rivalry, calling it a tactic to maintain its role as a supposed regional security provider, despite rising concerns over its “hegemonic and extremist Hindutva ideology.”

He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to diplomacy grounded in mutual respect and regional stability, and warned that any future aggression targeting Pakistan’s territory or strategic assets would be met with an immediate and decisive response. Any attacks on civilian areas, military sites, economic centers, or ports, he stated, would provoke a response that would be “deeply hurting and more than reciprocal.” India has not officially responded to Munir’s statements.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from AFP.

Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu’s recent visit to the United States marks a crucial shift in Pakistan’s defence diplomacy. It is the first visit by a sitting PAF chief to the US in over ten years and comes at a time when Pakistan is actively reevaluating its strategic partnerships. This outreach closely follows Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir’s rare meeting with former US President Donald Trump, signalling Islamabad’s intent to reset ties with Washington amid growing concerns over the reliability of Chinese military equipment. These concerns intensified after the performance of Chinese-supplied defence systems faltered during the recent Operation Sindoor, a conflict with India.

During Operation Sindoor, Indian missiles and drones were able to penetrate and, in several cases, destroy key Pakistani air defence positions guarded by Chinese HQ-9P and HQ-16 (LY-80) systems. The apparent failure of these platforms raised alarm within Pakistan’s military and led to internal reviews and reported dissatisfaction with Chinese suppliers.

In Washington, Air Marshal Sidhu met senior US officials, including US Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin and Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs Kelly Seybolt, to discuss enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, joint operations, and technology transfers. He also met with US lawmakers to strengthen political and defence ties.

Pakistan is now seeking to modernise its air force through the acquisition of American equipment, such as the F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles, and possibly the HIMARS rocket system. These platforms are viewed as vital to closing the gaps revealed during recent engagements and to reestablishing a credible deterrent posture.

This pivot towards the United States reflects a broader reassessment within the Pakistani military. While China remains a key defence partner, the underperformance of its systems has spurred Pakistan to consider alternatives, including from the US and possibly Turkey. Analysts see this as a calculated balancing act by Islamabad to reduce its dependency on Beijing, diversify military assets, and restore strategic flexibility.

The shift carries regional implications. A renewed defence partnership with the US could significantly enhance Pakistan’s operational capabilities and alter the balance of power in South Asia. At the same time, China’s muted response and its reluctance to accept fault over its systems’ failures expose reputational risks in the global arms market. Ultimately, Pakistan’s outreach to the US is driven by both tactical frustrations and strategic foresight. It underscores a desire to modernise, diversify, and mitigate the risks of over-reliance on a single defence supplier, especially as tensions with India persist.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.

On May 18, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that Israel would relax its blockade to allow limited food supplies into Gaza, following the military’s declaration of “extensive ground operations” in both the northern and southern regions of the enclave. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman provide the latest updates from Stephen Zunes, Professor of Politics at the University of San Francisco.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

India's military operations chief is set to meet with his Pakistani counterpart to discuss the next steps following the ceasefire. After some initial violations, there were no reports of explosions or projectiles overnight. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman provide the latest update with insights from Dr. Christopher Snedden, a political scientist and author.
Disclaimer: This Video is taken from CNA.