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India Gazette
12-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Relationship is complex, don't think any US tech going there soon": Warfare expert John Spencer on US-Pak ties
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): Stating that America's relationship with Pakistan is complex, a leading security expert has said that he does not see the possibility of Islamabad getting US technology antime soon and that the United States administration has conveyed that it 'will not back those who back terrorism'. In an interview with ANI, welfare scholar and chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute, John Spencer, said that India is not the same India of five years ago, and for him, studying the country from elements of economics, military, and politics is the same as studying the United States. Asked about Pakistan's wish list in the wake of its Army Chief Asim Munir and its Air Force chief visiting the United States, he said that there are conditions attached to the earlier supply of F-16s to Pakistan and there is unlikely to be further exports. 'I know that that relationship is complex. I don't think you'll see any US technology going there soon. And they'll have to be looking elsewhere. Although there's a history with the F-16, multiple Presidents have been involved, and there are limitations on how they can use it, among other things. I always say geopolitics is complex, but terrorism should not be. And the United States makes statements and, through action, especially this administration, that we will not back those who back terrorism,' he said. Spencer said the opportunities between the United States and India are much different from what they were a few years back. '....India is not the same India of five years ago. For me, studying India from every element of economics, military, and politics is the same as studying the United States. The threats to the world are different. I think one of the threats is just the geopolitical, global, international order. When you have things like the Russian-Ukrainian War, you have the uselessness of the United Nations, in my own words,' he said. 'These aspects make it a different paradigm from the Cold War, and the relationships and opportunities between the United States and India are much different from what they were. From a geo-connected or globally connected economy, the impact of India's data, artificial intelligence, and innovations on the world, and particularly the United States, is significant. And I think that there's more opportunity than there ever was during the Cold War, in my own opinion,' he added. He said it's hard to understand war without understanding geopolitics, international relations, political science, and even economic ties. Spencer, who is a scholar, author, combat veteran and security analyst, said India was demonstrating will to do what's necessary if Pakistan wanted to continue to escalate and a change in India's strategic doctrine will really change the entire region. 'As we talk in military terms, I've read lines and things, and clearly India demonstrated that with action. But the words matter, the cultural aspects, so it's understood. That's why it was important to talk to active military, former military, think tanks, media. I can absolutely clearly see a change in India's strategic doctrine that will really change the entire region in my opinion,' he said. India launched Operation Sindoor early on May 7 and hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to Pahalgam terror attack. India repelled subsequent Pakistani military aggression and pounded its airbases. India and Pakistan agreed to cessation of hostilities after four-day conflict following call made by Pakistan DGMO to his Indian counterpart. Calling Operation Sindoor a 'unique strike,' Spencer said it showcased India's strategic independence and leadership. He said many countries, including the United States, wanted the escalation to stop. 'The (US) Vice President's comments, and again, understanding the American changes in foreign policy. As Operation Sindoor was escalated by Pakistan, of course, many countries, to include the United States, wanted to see that escalation stop because of how catastrophic it could be. But every strike, to include Noor Khan, Muridke, others, that India sent a message with each one of those... As a military guy, I can say that the spot was hit to send a message about capability, as much as it was for the actual evidence of destruction,' he said. Spencer, an internationally renowned expert on urban warfare, military strategy and other related topics, said India demonstrated a capability to hit whatever it wanted. 'Demonstrated that one, it can do it; two, it has the will to do it, but also it was restrained and even all the places they hit, the amount of destruction and precision guided munitions that they used was a sign, a signal, rather than a destructive act. Because people think that war is about destroying everything. War is a contest of will. India was demonstrating will to do what's necessary if Pakistan wanted to continue to escalate. And that's strategic independence and strategic, basically, leadership. The United States, of course, was concerned, I'm sure, again, about not wanting something to escalate beyond what it was.' (ANI)
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor proved India's readiness; exposed inefficiency of Pak's Chinese military gear: US warfare expert
. NEW DELHI: Operation Sindoor , India's military response to the Pahalgam terror attack , sent a strong message to the world — not just about capability, but about intent, says John Spencer, a leading expert on modern warfare. Speaking to ANI, Spencer — who chairs Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute in New York — said India showed it could strike with precision and restraint. 'This was not just about targeting terrorists. It was also a demonstration of India's indigenous military systems, tested against Chinese-made weapons used by Pakistan,' he said. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, days after 26 civilians were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam. Strikes were carried out on terror infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India also repelled Pakistani military attempts that followed and targeted their airbases. The conflict de-escalated after a call from Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) to the Indian side. According to Spencer, Pakistan, being heavily equipped with Chinese military systems, became a kind of 'testing ground' for Beijing's defence technology. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo 'China uses Pakistan as a lab. And this was a chance for India to show what its homegrown defence tech can do,' he explained. He added that the world — including adversaries like China — was watching closely. 'Wars are the ultimate test. It's not about what you say, but what satellite footage and strike videos actually show.' Spencer also stressed the difference between a full-scale war and an operation like Sindoor. 'This had a clear trigger and a clear objective. It wasn't open-ended. But it does sit within a larger pattern — where countries use proxies, borders, and pressure tactics to weaken neighbours.' On future conflict risks, Spencer said wars are unpredictable, but preparation matters. 'You can't predict when the next war will break out. But you can prepare. And India has been preparing — from reforms in the military to tech innovations and doctrine changes.' He added that his interest in Operation Sindoor wasn't just about the four days of strikes — but about India's build-up over the past decade. On Pakistan's use of Chinese weaponry, Spencer said the strikes may lead to a rethink in Islamabad. 'If something you bought doesn't perform well, you either go back to the seller or look elsewhere. But Pakistan has money problems, and that limits their choices.' "Every Indian strike was a message not just to Pakistan, but to the world" says John Spencer He also pointed to "user error" as a possible factor in how poorly some systems performed. 'They want advanced systems, but affordability is a challenge. Still, they'll be forced to look for alternatives.' Spencer concluded that India's show of preparedness and capability during Operation Sindoor was a lesson in deterrence — one that the world, including its adversaries, took note of.
India Gazette
12-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"It was a test of India's indigenous systems vs Chinese systems...": Warfare expert Spencer on Pakistan's escalation during Op Sindoor
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): Noting that Indian strikes during Operation Sindoor were a message about its capability not just to Pakistan, but to the world, a leading international security expert has said that New Delhi demonstrated not just capability but showed the will to strike with precision and restraint. In a video interview with ANI, warfare scholar and expert John Spencer, who is Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the New York-based Modern War Institute, also said Operation Sindoor came to be a test of India's indigenous systems versus the Chinese systems, and the world was watching. India launched Operation Sindoor early on May 7 and hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 civilians were killed. India repelled subsequent Pakistani military aggression and pounded its airbases. India and Pakistan agreed to a cessation of hostilities following a call made by Pakistan's DGMO to his Indian counterpart. Spencer said Pakistan is a Chinese-equipped military, so 'this is absolutely a test of Chinese military technologies, both for the rest of the world and also for China'. 'It (China) uses it (Pakistan) as a lab for this does share a border with China. Turkey does provide capabilities to Pakistan... Absolutely, a test of those technologies. There is an element of proxy warfare where it's kind of geopolitically who has a military defence agreement with whom and what's the extent of it. But absolutely, this is a test of Indian indigenous systems versus Chinese systems. And everybody was learning from that demonstration because war puts everything to the test,' he said. Spencer said that for the military capabilities, the evidence was in the video, satellite footage, 'not in the words about how you said your Chinese systems performed'. He said there is a difference between a war and a named operation like Sindoor, which was a response to a terrorist attack that had a clear start and a clear ending 'There are a lot of nuances there, even from the geopolitical perspective of China or any adversary to India, using Pakistan and these borders to isolate India economically and militarily in all aspects... There is a difference between a war and a named operation like Sindoor, which was a response to a terrorist attack that had a clear start and a clear this broader kind of state of conflict where nation states are trying to weaken what they view as threats and weaken their neighbours, which is unfortunate,' he said. Answering a query, Spencer, who is a scholar, author, security analyst and an internationally renowned expert on urban warfare, military strategy and other related topics, said nobody can predict the future, but one of the ways to prevent future wars is through preparation. 'War is always uncertain, political, and human. You can't predict the triggering moment of the next war. You can definitely identify the underlying current or the underlying issues that persist... The underlying condition within India, which is a pattern of response to cross-border terrorism, leads to the formation of a doctrine that an enemy takes advantage of. Nobody can predict the future, but one of the ways you prevent future wars is through preparation, change and being on the ground,' he said. 'This was why I studied Operation Sindoor. It wasn't just about the four days. It was what was happening in the decade preceding and the five years preceding, from India's emergence to the Indian military's transformations and preparations, to the small business innovations that were taking place with the technologies and so many elements that were preventing and leading to being prepared for a war. I can't tell you when the next one is because the enemy always gets a vote. But I can tell you that India is more prepared,' he added. Regarding the effectiveness of Chinese weapon systems used by Pakistan, Spencer suggested potential shifts in procurement strategies by the Western neighbour, also highlighting 'user error' while managing the equipment. Spencer indicated that Pakistan might seek advanced technologies elsewhere also, despite financial constraints. 'Absolutely. You would think we put rational actor theories in place, like if what you bought doesn't work, then you go back to the seller and say, 'This didn't work like it was supposed to.' But you also know if there's user error. Absolutely, they'll try to identify their weaknesses and look towards solutions, but they have a money problem. The IMF has to bail Pakistan out,' he said. 'So, where can they get it cheaply? They also want advanced superior technologies. It is a challenge for Pakistan and some other nations, but they'll definitely be looking to integrate... For the military capabilities, the evidence was in that video, satellite footage, not in the words about how you said your Chinese system performed,' he added. (ANI)
India Gazette
12-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
India sent a message with Op Sindoor, change in its strategic doctrine will change entire region: Warfare expert John Spencer
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): Operation Sindoor showcased India's capability and the will to strike with precision and restraint and a change in India's strategic doctrine will change the entire region, John Spencer, Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at New York-based Modern War Institute, has said. In a video interview with ANI, Spencer, a scholar, author, combat veteran, and security analyst, noted that India demonstrated its willingness to take necessary actions in Operation Sindoor, should Pakistan continue to escalate the conflict. He said the Operation Sindoor was also a demonstration of India's proactive, precision-oriented doctrine. Asked about India's national security doctrine reshaping in the wake of Operation Sindoor, Spencer said, 'Absolutely. And it's still evolving.' '...As we talk in military terms, I've read lines and things, and clearly India demonstrated that with action. But the words matter, the cultural aspects, so it's understood. That's why it was important to talk to active military, former military, think tanks, media. I can absolutely clearly see a change in India's strategic doctrine that will really change the entire region in my opinion,' he said. India launched Operation Sindoor early on May 7 and hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to Pahalgam terror attack. India repelled subsequent Pakistani military aggression and pounded its airbases. India and Pakistan agreed to cessation of hostilities after four-day conflict following call made by Pakistan DGMO to his Indian counterpart. Calling Operation Sindoor a 'unique strike,' Spencer said it showcased India's strategic independence and leadership. He said many countries, including the United States, wanted the escalation to stop. 'The (US) Vice President's comments, and again, understanding the American changes in foreign policy. As Operation Sindoor was escalated by Pakistan, of course, many countries, to include the United States, wanted to see that escalation stop because of how catastrophic it could be. But every strike, to include Noor Khan, Muridke, others, that India sent a message with each one of those... As a military guy, I can say that the spot was hit to send a message about capability, as much as it was for the actual evidence of destruction,' he said. Spencer, an internationally renowned expert on urban warfare, military strategy and other related topics, said India demonstrated a capability to hit whatever it wanted. 'Demonstrated that one, it can do it; two, it has the will to do it, but also it was restrained and even all the places they hit, the amount of destruction and precision guided munitions that they used was a sign, a signal, rather than a destructive act. Because people think that war is about destroying everything. War is a contest of will. India was demonstrating will to do what's necessary if Pakistan wanted to continue to escalate. And that's strategic independence and strategic, basically, leadership. The United States, of course, was concerned, I'm sure, again, about not wanting something to escalate beyond what it was.' India's national security architecture demonstrated the strength of jointness and strategic foresight through Operation Sindoor. The response to Pahalgam terror attack t embodied precision, professionalism, and purpose. Operation SINDOOR was conceived as a punitive and targeted campaign to dismantle the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deeper inside Pakistan. (ANI)
India Gazette
12-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Operation Sindoor wasn't just 4-day war, it was a decade of preparation put to test": Warfare scholar John Spencer
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): John Spencer, warfare scholar and chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute, stressed that Operation Sindoor which was launched by the Indian Armed Forces against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, was the culmination of a decade of preparation, not merely a four-day mission. In an interview with ANI, Spencer, who has served over 25 years in the US Army as an infantry soldier, said that through Operation Sindoor, India not just sent a message to Pakistan but to the whole world. Spencer highlighted that India's change in strategic doctrine after Operation Sindoor will change the entire region. 'I can absolutely clearly see a change in India's strategic doctrine that will really change the entire region in my opinion. It wasn't just about the four days. It was what was happening the decade before, the five years before, from Make in India to the Indian military transformations and preparations, the small business innovations that are going on with the technologies, and so many elements that were preventing and leading to being prepared for a war,' the warfare scholar said. 'I can tell you that India is more prepared, and from what I'm hearing on the ground, they're not resting on what they just did. The priority is development to strengthen the nation as a whole while you also strengthen your deterrence, your red lines, and your capabilities so you do have military overmatch, which is deterrence,' he added. Emphasising the significance of India's outreach, Spencer said that India's national security doctrine is evolving after Operation Sindoor. 'Absolutely. And it's still evolving. I know the Prime Minister is just on a multi-country trip; communicating a strategic doctrine is as important as implementing it. As we talk in military terms, I've read things, and clearly India demonstrated that with action. But the words matter, the cultural aspects, so it's understood. And that's why it was important to talk to active military, former military, think tanks, and media,' Spencer said. On May 7, the Indian Armed Forces launched 'Operation Sindoor,' hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed. This was in response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22 that killed 26 people. Indian Armed Forces destroyed nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in air strikes on May 7. Following Pakistan's retaliation, the Indian Armed Forces significantly damaged their air force bases on the intervening night of May 9th and 10th, including the Nur Khan base. Later, a cessation of hostilities was agreed upon by the DGMOs of both countries. (ANI)
