INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES,
RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES, RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS

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INSIGHT
‘Act of War’ in Modern International Law
The concept of an "act of war" has evolved significantly in modern international law, shifting from a formal declaration of war to a more flexible and context-dependent approach. Historically, legal frameworks required declarations to justify the use of force, but post-World War II, the United Nations Charter redefined war as illegal, with exceptions for self-defense and Security Council interventions. Today, terms like "armed attack" and "countermeasures" replace the once-central "act of war," and legal assessments focus on the severity of actions rather than their terminology. Despite its decline in legal precision, the term remains politically significant, particularly in South Asia, where it influences state responses and national narratives regarding military actions and sovereignty.

December 10, 2025

Author(s): Maham Ayaz

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INSIGHT
Pakistan and the Singapore Convention on Mediation: From Signature to Implementation
Pakistan’s signature of the Singapore Convention on Mediation marks a significant shift toward modernizing its commercial dispute-resolution landscape. The Insight reviews the Convention’s scope, enforcement mechanisms, and refusal grounds, while assessing Pakistan’s current institutional gaps. It argues that without comprehensive domestic legislation—both for international and local mediated settlements—the benefits of the Convention will remain unrealized. The author concludes that Pakistan must adopt tailored implementing laws and reconsider its reservations to fully leverage mediation for investment confidence and judicial efficiency.

November 27, 2025

Author(s): Habib Ullah

PODCAST
Reflections from the 27th NSW


Announcements


Call for Papers
Strategic Thought - 2026
December 31, 2025

INSIGHT
Afghan Obduracy
November 17, 2025
Author(s): Lt Gen Tariq Khan (Retd)
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INSIGHT
Understanding the Role of Private Sector Education in Pakistan
November 10, 2025
Author(s): Humna Samad
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INSIGHT
The Endless Wait: Crisis of Backlog in Pakistan’s District Judiciary
November 4, 2025
Author(s): Noor Ul Ain Tahir
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INSIGHT
Global Battery Politics and Emerging Trends
October 31, 2025
Author(s): Urwa Adeen
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INSIGHT
From Incidence to Justice: Taking Terrorist Incidents to their Logical Conclusions
October 29, 2025
Author(s): Javeria Noor Sawal
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INSIGHT
Rwanda: From Genocide to Geopolitical Pivot in Africa
October 27, 2025
Author(s): Ayesha Afgun

Upcoming Events

Dec
16 - 19
2025
NDU-RDDC Joint Roundtable Conference "Security in the New Global Order: Integrating Geo-Economics, Connectivity and Defence"
Sponsor: ISS Branch, ISSRA, NDU


Feb
9 - 13
2026
6th International Workshop for Leadership and Stability ( 6th IWLS)
Advertisement - Apply online / Application Form
Application Status - Open
Sponsor: KC&PP Branch, ISSRA, NDU
Tel: 051-9263444 / 0317-7737777
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Amidst the picturesque Margallah Hills; lSSRA offers an intellectual forum for candid and informed discussions


Pakistan’s Kashmir Strategy: A Conversation with Jamal Aziz
Washington to Islamabad: A Conversation with Kugelman about South Asia
Pakistaniat: A Journey from Indus to Islam

Global & Regional

Margalla Papers

Margalla Papers is a biannual publication of National Defence University, the premier institution for security and strategic studies. The journal is a unique publication of the country, which primarily deals with the issues related to Contemporary World Politics, Globalization, Foreign Policy, Strategic and Economic Relationships, Regional Organizations, UN Peacekeeping Operations, International Law and Global Commons. The journal has its standing among the students, researchers, experts, policymakers and intelligentsia.


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E9 Quarterly

E9 Quarterly is a periodical publication of INSIGHTS written by our research community. These briefs discover new dimensions of subjects related to National Security while focusing on practical and objective solutions to the issues for the consumption of respective stakeholders and academia.

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e9title

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INSIGHT

Islamophobia: A Western Problem Demanding a Western Solution

October 24, 2025

Author(s): Sonia Bashir

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INSIGHT

Pakistan-Russia Relations in Changing World Order

October 13, 2025

Author(s): Dr. Muhammad Shabbir

Defence, Security & Technology

Strategic Thought

In an environment of rapidly transforming geopolitical realities, a more comprehensive all-encompassing deeper understanding of the issues is necessary. Pakistan’s existence and success in achieving its critical objectives is dependent on our comprehensive understanding of the environment around us, as well as our ability to convince others about our positions. Given the complex global political and geo-strategic environment, Pakistan needs a delicate strategic balancing and intricate policy maneuvers.

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NDU Journal

NDU Journal is an annual publication of National Defence University, the premier institution for security and strategic studies. The journal is a unique publication of the country, which primarily deals with the national security issues of Pakistan. The journal has its own standing among the students, researchers, experts, policy makers and intelligentsia. Keeping the flag high, the articles appearing in the journal are selected after a rigorous scrutiny and blind peer reviews at home and abroad.

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INSIGHT

Rare Earth Metals: A Strategic Tug of War


June 2, 2025

Authors(s): Umair Ahmad

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INSIGHT

Digital Payments: Challenges and Opportunities for Pakistan

March 12, 2025

Author(s): Muhammad Umar Farooq Baloch

Domestic & Legal

ISSRA Papers

ISSRA Papers is an annual publication of Institute for Strategic Studies, Research and Analysis (ISSRA), National Defence University. The Journal is a unique publication of the country which promotes awareness and understanding of the issues related to governance and public policy. ISSRA Papers welcomes contributions from all around the world and has a wide range of readers that include students, researchers, experts and policy makers. Articles appearing in the journal are selected after a rigorous scrutiny and blind peer reviews at home and abroad.

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Journal of International Law

The NDU JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW is an annual publication of the Centre of Excellence for International Law (CEIL), at the Institute for Strategic Studies. Research and Analysis (ISSRA), National Defence University. CEIL is Pakistan’s first public sector think tank on international law, conducting cutting edge research on the international law aspects of defense and strategic matters, under the auspices of ISSRA. The NDU Journal of International Law aims to promote the dissemination of ideas and findings for the multifaceted challenges facing Pakistan from a law and policy perspective.

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INSIGHT

A Case for Formalising Pakistan’s Recycling Industry

September 29, 2025

Authors(s): Naveen Khan

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INSIGHT

Effective Governance Through Empowerment of Local Governments

September 25, 2025

Authors(s): Tanweer Ahmad

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INSIGHT

Conviction Rate in Pakistan: Challenges and Way Forward

July 8, 2025

Author(s): Dr. Abdul Rauf Iqbal

Date of Publication: November 21, 2025
Author(s): Muhammad Shoaib & Iram Shahana
ISSRA
PODCAST
Europe’s War and Asia’s Strategic Realignment: In Conversation with Roxolana Zigon
IPDS - 2025
International Programme for Development and Stability (IPDS)-2025

September 15-17, 2025

Activities at ISSRA

  • +92 51 9262066 (Ext: 7230)
  • +92 51 9260663
  • issra@ndu.edu.pk
    feedback.issra@ndu.edu.pk

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