Power Transition in New Great Game: Strategic Options for Pakistan

Abstract

Power transition in international politics is an ever-evolving approach owing to the rise and fall of the superpowers and great powers. Historically, the quest for more territories and resources has led to conflicts and wars between powerful empires and states, resulting in colonization, imperialism, and power transition. The first half of the 20th century witnessed long-running conflicts and wars among the great powers concerning power transition, which caused unheard-of violence and destruction in the history of humankind. However, in the second half of the foregoing century, the competing superpowers never resorted to direct confrontation during the Cold War but rather engaged in proxy conflicts and shadow wars by using proxy forces. The rise of China, the resurgence of Russia, and the emergence of transnational non-state actors in the early 21^st century have ushered in the debate of power transition in international politics yet again. The 21^st century power politics, based on geo-economics and the quest for energy resources and trade corridors, has been dubbed the New Great Game. Unlike the Cold War, the U.S. and China, the key players of the New Great Game, have avoided proxy confrontation by preferring competition and engagement. Pakistan, the closest U.S. ally during the Cold War and War on Terror, and now the closest ally of China in the emerging great-power competition, has fewer strategic options for maneuvering than ever before. This paper critically analyzes the future power transition in regional and far-regional geopolitics vis-à-vis the strategic options available to Pakistan’s policymakers and decision-makers.