National strategic policies, planning & reforms: Discussions

[Rational Philosopher]

What are the foundational domains that represent a country’s real national power and influence? (Beyond the rhetoric)

These critical pillars form the very basis of on how a nation functions, protect its interests, and projects power globally. The measured strength across these areas will determine a country’s ability to maintain & defend its sovereignty and compete on the world stage.

Here are some models used by various global countries to assess the level of strength of a country's National Power and influence:

1. China – 'Comprehensive National Power (CNP)'

Developed by Chinese think tanks and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS)

Measures economic strength, military capability, science and technology, human resources, governance, culture, diplomacy, natural resources, and geography

Used for strategic planning and assessing China’s overall national power relative to other countries


2. United States – DIME / DIMEFIL

DIME: Diplomatic, Information, Military, Economic — foundational framework for instruments of national power

DIMEFIL: Expanded to include Financial, Intelligence, Law Enforcement domains

Used across U.S. Department of Defense, State Department, intelligence community, and interagency planning

3. Russia – Informal Hybrid Warfare Concept (e.g., Gerasimov Doctrine)

Not a formalized “framework” but a strategic doctrine blending military, information warfare, intelligence, economic leverage, and cultural influence

Emphasizes asymmetric and multi-domain approaches to power projection and conflict


4. European Union – Integrated Approach to Security and Defence

Combines civilian and military instruments, including diplomatic, development, humanitarian, economic, and security tools

Not a strict framework but an institutional approach blending soft and hard power


6. India – Emerging Hybrid Framework

No formal codified national power model, but strategic thought draws from classical sources like Kautilya’s Arthashastra alongside modern DIME/CNP concepts

Emphasizes strategic autonomy, demographic potential, and regional diplomacy

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Here are some 10 points Pakistan should adapt as the basis of developing its national strategic policies:

1. Economic Power (DIME / CNP)

GDP, industrial base, trade leverage, sanctions, economic resilience


2. Military Strength (DIME / CNP)

Conventional forces, nuclear deterrent, power projection, defense industry


3. Science and Technological Power (CNP + modern necessity)

AI, cyber, biotech, space, semiconductors, innovation systems


4. Intelligence Power (DIMEFIL / Russian lens)

Covert ops, strategic foresight, SIGINT/HUMINT capabilities


5. Geographic and Environmental Positioning (CNP)

Geography, natural resources, chokepoints, climate resilience


6. Infrastructure, Demographics, and Human Capital (PMESII / CNP)

Transportation, energy grid, digital infrastructure, skilled labor, population structure


7. Governmental Efficiency and Social Cohesion (CNP / Governance)

Institutional capacity, rule of law, administrative effectiveness, efficient organizational structure, crisis management, elite consensus, public trust, internal unity


8. Diplomatic Power (DIME)

Alliances, treaties, international leadership, global legitimacy


9. Information, Narrative, and Cultural Power (DIME / CNP / Soft Power)

Control over narratives, media influence, propaganda, cultural exports, education, value systems, psychological operations, and perception management


10. Law Enforcement and Internal Security (DIMEFIL / PMESII)

Domestic control, border security, counter-subversion tools

@FuturePAF @Falcon26 @Developereo @Meengla @Lion @_NOBODY_ @Dalit
@Blain2 @Watandar @Panzerkiel

 

[FuturePAF]

Internal cohesion is at number 10 but can’t be under-estimated. It’s less so that it will make you significantly stronger, than it will prevent your enemies from being able to hurt you where they can find local collaborators to undermine all your other capabilities.

It’s the easiest and hardest element to national power.

 

[Rational Philosopher]

Internal cohesion is at number 10 but can’t be under-estimated. It’s less so that it will make you significantly stronger, than it will prevent your enemies from being able to hurt you where they can find local collaborators to undermine all your other capabilities.

It’s the easiest and hardest element to national power.

It's also at #7, but I definitely agree that it's extremely extremely important. It's one of those sub-conventional domains where probing has the potential to entirely negate and render those big fancy conventional weapons and nukes useless.

There is a reason China is so extreme in domestic control, it doesn't want to give away that opportunity and it has many flashpoints that could theoretically be weaponised.

 

[Developereo]

I would put accountability as the prime prerequisite and also the most important goal.

Everything that a country achieves is ultimately done by individuals and those individuals will ask themselves at some point whether their actions truly benefit the 'nation' (whatever it means to them) or are they simply filling the power elite's bank accounts while the masses suffer in villages.

Lack of accountability will destroy motivation, destroy cohesion, and create spies and saboteurs for use by the enemy.

Given the reality of Pakistan's power elite, there is zero chance of accountability so everything we discuss in this forum is academic (sorry).

Anybody who is not plugged into the power structure in Pakistan will escape at the first opportunity.

 

[RescueRanger]

Please sir no more doctrines, khuda kay wasta please spare us anymore "doctrines".

 

[Rational Philosopher]

Please sir no more doctrines, khuda kay wasta please spare us anymore "doctrines".
View attachment 132988

May I introduce you to the Munir Doctrine?

 

[RescueRanger]

May I introduce you to the Munir Doctrine?

View attachment 132991

Bohat mehrbani apki... But I am all doctrined up right now.

 

[FuturePAF]

It's also at #7, but I definitely agree that it's extremely extremely important. It's one of those sub-conventional domains where probing has the potential to entirely negate and render those big fancy conventional weapons and nukes useless.

There is a reason China is so extreme in domestic control, it doesn't want to give away that opportunity and it has many flashpoints that could theoretically be weaponised.

But in a diverse and open society like ours, we have to use somewhat different methods to build unity and deprive miscreants the domain to operate within.

90% carrot and 10% stick. When the stick has to be used, the public has to be willing to accept it as justified. Not begrudgingly, but with at least some neutrality, some acceptance of the state’s authority. Otherwise top talent and capital tend to flee, making it hard to apply the 90% carrot strategy.

 

[Rational Philosopher]

@Waz Can you change the thread name to "National strategic policies, planning & reforms: Discussions" — I can't edit it unfortunately

 

[Rational Philosopher]

But in a diverse and open society like ours, we have to use somewhat different methods to build unity and deprive miscreants the domain to operate within.

90% carrot and 10% stick. When the stick has to be used, the public has to be willing to accept it as justified. Not begrudgingly, but with at least some neutrality, some acceptance of the state’s authority. Otherwise top talent and capital tend to flee, making it hard to apply the 90% carrot strategy.

I agree with the overall point you're trying to make, not sure about the exact proportions though because sometimes that fails to work. Maybe it should be 50-50.

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That aside I think one of the most significant and pressing concerns Pakistan faces is to identify why the dysfunctionality is so persistent around us and a workable solution to address it so it can be avoided.

Firstly, we see dysfunctionality around us because Pakistan, structurally, is still run like a feudal feifdom where exoloitative feudals impede growth and development for selfish gain. Nepotism is built in to the top of the system around us, they have no intention for growth, they aren't even trying.

Look at Sindh and South Punjab, it runs entirely on the whims of a feudal elites.

Secondly a major thing is that the whole educational ecosystem and how the government/bureaucracy is structured is extremely outdated, most of it still runs from the British era. These are the so-called "strategic minds" at your highest levels producing policy. If they are extremely low quality, not only will the country be dysfunctional but every institution and future generations will be too. It's unable to produce high quality human resource that can handle the complex tasks of the modern era. They aren't equipped with the skills or requisite knowledge for running an actual progressive Republic. They are more like low quality colonial administrators. Your generals, beuracrats, ministers — everything in between are a product of this subpar system. Those that aren't, are an exception to the rule (outliers). Ironically PAF works because it's the opposite of this, heavily propped up by USAF in its early days and learnt positive qualities from there.

All of this added up, you get the condition of Pakistan today. A feudal feifdom paradise where no institution can be considered as functional by any global standard, let alone professional or competent. Add in the existing cultural issues, where competence, merit and ambition is completely ignored, it excaberates the issues. Even the reformers struggle to implement truly effective reforms.

 

[Fatman17]

Very comprehensive details and discussions but unfortunately Pakistan’s Strategic Policy and Planning is determined by GHQ and the PM just puts his signature to it.

 

[Fatman17]

May I introduce you to the Munir Doctrine?

View attachment 132991

With due respect to the now FM. This is not his job to determine.
Policy is driven by the civilian government in power with input from the military and not the other way around

 

[Rational Philosopher]

With due respect to the now FM. This is not his job to determine.
Policy is driven by the civilian government in power with input from the military and not the other way around

In principle I agree with what you're saying, it's generally not the military's job and goes outside their areas of expertise and where their focus should be.

But Pakistan is a unique case that urgently needs major reforms at very grass roots level and in a competent manner. Whichever party is willing to step up to ambitiously pursue them in my opinion should be supported. Regardless of our opinions on the reasons behind it but as it stands today a lot of the centre of gravity and capacity sits within the military.

I really see no competent critical mass building in the civilian domain that can undertake this. As crazy as it sounds they are often more incompetent and unambitious and contrary to popular belief, just as corrupt if not more. We at the least need some civil-military fusion to get the ball rolling.

 

[Mighty_Dragon_Strike]

only doctrine we need:

1. pay your taxes to fully restore budget deficits
2. stop bribery and corrupt taxes
3. develop thinking and critical mindset (but more so in rural children)
4. develop ability to understand paradoxes and dilemmas, esp. for women and children!
5. loosen up religiosity (although, with 3 it will happen in time)
6. Be proud of your women and let them do jobs in factories

 

[Fatman17]

In principle I agree with what you're saying, it's generally not the military's job and goes outside their areas of expertise and where their focus should be.

But Pakistan is a unique case that urgently needs major reforms at very grass roots level and in a competent manner. Whichever party is willing to step up to ambitiously pursue them in my opinion should be supported. Regardless of our opinions on the reasons behind it but as it stands today a lot of the centre of gravity and capacity sits within the military.

I really see no competent critical mass building in the civilian domain that can undertake this. As crazy as it sounds they are often more incompetent and unambitious and contrary to popular belief, just as corrupt if not more. We at the least need some civil-military fusion to get the ball rolling.

Bro people are available who can discuss and draft policy papers. Eg Rabia Akhtar and Ejaz Haider as 2 examples. There are many more. Government MNAs l agree are not capable. Let them present their opinions to the military and the parliament for actualization. There are people in the military who are capable to construct such policies but my only objection is that it is not the military’s sole domain as it exists today.