Defence strategies are still restricted to elite circles and shrouded in extreme secrecy
In a globally competitive world characterised by the dominant neo-realist perspective, nation-states, in their interactions with one another, have always sought to maximise their interest by increasing their power and influence. The primary objective of nation-states has been to protect their territorial integrity and sovereignty from external security threats.
Earlier, the primary external threats for nation-states came from each other. However with the advent of information communication technology, globalisation and weapons of mass destruction, the nature of threat perceptions has undergone a transformation over the last half of the 20th Century.
Second, nation-states have realised that the use of force or extreme action through warfare to symbolise power has now become irrelevant under a nuclear umbrella. Hence the nature of warfare has expanded to a battle space from being restricted to a battle field. Earlier, the rules of warfare restricted face-to-face confrontation to a battle field and mostly during the day. However modern warfare is not only fought from behind the scenes but also around the clock and throughout the year.
Third, in the contemporary international security environment, a full-fledged war has been replaced by challenges including low intensity conflicts, covert action, asymmetric warfare and non-conventional threats. The emergence of state-sponsored violence or terrorism, covert action or intervention as was witnessed in Operation Neptune Spear, asymmetric warfare such as the war in Afghanistan and Iraq and non-conventional threats in the form of cyber attacks and chemical and biological terrorism have drastically transformed threat perceptions.
Four, the nature of threats has also witnessed a new dimension with the emergence of internal challenges where a disgruntled section or group within a territory can pose a significant obstacle with the active assistance of external actors operation from outside a nation-state’s territory. This has made internal threats unpredictable and potent than before. The emergence of home grown terrorism like the Indian Mujahideen in recent times is a relevant indicator.
Five, hence modern nation-states are being compelled to reformulate their defense strategies to negate these challenges. A significant change in defense forces will be the advent of increasingly sophisticated technology including radars, unmanned aerial vehicles, stealth aircraft, drones and a significantly leaner armed forces.
Six, foreign policy, characterised by diplomacy, is gaining increasing salience in this international milieu. During times of peace, nation-states conduct foreign policy in an effort to increase their power and influence which in turn enhances their security from varied external threats.
Seven, traditionally, foreign policy was conducted at the highest levels of the government and restricted to the elite sections of the society. However, with changing threat perceptions, the characteristics of foreign policy have also undergone a rapid transformation. In its present form, foreign policy cannot be just restricted to the elite sections of the society but also involves more active forms of garnering public opinion and participation of civil society.
Eight, foreign policy is not merely aimed at the government and elite sections of another nation-state but also at its people and the larger sections of its civil society. Public diplomacy has gained critical importance since it relies on the use of soft power to covertly influence significant sections of foreign population in order to enhance the impact of hard power if ever required during times of confrontation.
Nine, the more participatory nature of foreign policy has given space for the media to emerge as a powerful and influential player. Today, nation-states are using the media as a platform to indulge in information warfare which is intrinsically linked to public diplomacy. The state is also being thrust increasingly under the spotlight while making decisions which has put it under immense pressure and prone to making mistakes.
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