Fighting Without Fighting: Super Powers Wage War by Other Means

Wars are no longer fought only on battlefields. The twenty-first century has transformed the nature of conflict: the weapons are now economic sanctions, cyberattacks, and proxy alliances, while the targets are national economies and public perceptions. The art of modern warfare lies not in destroying armies but in destabilizing societies. This is the new face of power — fighting without fighting.

During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union perfected the strategy of indirect confrontation. They waged proxy wars in Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan, where others fought on their behalf. That same philosophy now defines global politics once again. Today’s superpowers — primarily the United States, China, and Russia — prefer to engage through economic blockades, digital espionage, and information manipulation rather than direct military confrontation. The logic is simple, global integration makes total war too costly to win and too dangerous to survive.

Economic warfare has become the preferred tool. The United States uses financial sanctions and trade restrictions as strategic weapons. Russia, in turn, employs energy supplies as instruments of coercion. China manipulates market access and technology exports to shape global alignments. In this arena, a single executive order or export ban can inflict more damage than a missile strike. The global financial system has become a silent battlefield, where currencies, commodities, and credit replace tanks and artillery.

Cyber warfare adds another invisible dimension. State-backed hackers can paralyze banking systems, shut down power grids, or steal sensitive data — all without firing a shot.

The 2022–24 conflict in Ukraine, for instance, has shown how digital attacks and disinformation can amplify physical wars. The battlefield now includes social media platforms and data networks, where narratives are manufactured and public opinion is weaponized.

Meanwhile, proxy conflicts continue to shape regional politics — in the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe. These low-intensity wars allow great powers to test new technologies, weaken rivals, and expand influence without bearing the political cost of direct involvement. The blood is local, but the strategy is global.

The danger is that “war without war” is harder to detect and even harder to end. Economic sanctions, once imposed, linger for years; cyber weapons, once unleashed, spread uncontrollably. The absence of visible warfare creates a dangerous illusion of peace while societies quietly erode from within.

In this new world order, victory is no longer measured by territory captured but by systems disrupted, economies weakened, and narratives controlled. The future of conflict will not be marked by explosions but by silence — the silence of power grids failing, economies collapsing, and truths being rewritten.

The War That Will Never Be Fought — But Never End

The United States and the Soviet Union never fought a direct war, and their modern successors — Washington and Moscow — are unlikely ever to do so. Both possess nuclear arsenals capable of ending human civilization within hours, a reality that forces restraint even in the fiercest confrontations. Yet, the absence of direct warfare does not mean peace. From Korea to Ukraine, the two powers have fought shadow wars through proxies, sanctions, and propaganda — proving that while a nuclear world discourages combat, it encourages competition without limits.

The Cold War, which dominated the second half of the twentieth century, was essentially a struggle for global dominance without direct confrontation. The US and USSR armed their allies, financed revolutions, and competed for ideological influence from Asia to Latin America. Conflicts such as Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan became testing grounds for superpower ambitions. Each side bled indirectly, ensuring that nuclear deterrence remained intact while smaller nations paid the human cost.

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, many believed the Cold War had ended for good. But three decades later, the same strategic rivalry re-emerged — this time between the US and Russia. The Ukraine war has become the modern version of a Cold War battlefield. The US supplies advanced weapons, intelligence, and economic support to Kyiv, while Russia frames the conflict as a defensive war against NATO encirclement. Both powers fight fiercely, but indirectly, ensuring no direct clash between American and Russian troops.

The logic remains the same - nuclear deterrence equals survival. Direct war would mean destruction for both, leaving only proxy wars, cyber battles, and economic coercion as tools of power. Each side tests the other’s limits without crossing the line of mutual annihilation. The contest has moved from ideology to influence — from red flags and capitalism to control over energy routes, technology, and global alliances.

Even hawkish voices in Washington calling for tougher action against Moscow know the line that cannot be crossed. Sanctions may strangle economies; drones and missiles may change the battlefield; but a direct strike remains unthinkable. Moscow, too, understands this calculus. The nuclear shadow keeps both in check — unwilling to yield, yet unable to attack.

In truth, the Cold War never died; it simply evolved. The battlegrounds have changed, but the mindset remains: weaken the rival, avoid direct war, and dominate the narrative. Proxy adventurism — from Eastern Europe to cyberspace — will persist as the preferred weapon of choice. The world’s two great powers may never face each other openly, but their shadow duel ensures the war that will never be fought will also never end.

Investors to pay the price of gold bubble

Gold prices recorded the steepest daily fall in five years on Tuesday, as investors booked profits. Spot price was down 5.5% to a one-week low of US$4,115.26 per ounce at1745 GMT, its steepest fall since August 2020. Prices scaled an all-time peak of US$4,381.21 on Monday and have gained about 60% this year, bolstered by geopolitical and economic uncertainty, rate-cut bets and sustained central bank buying.

Readers may recall that in my post titled “Warning for Gold Investors” dated September 30, 2025 I had informed the investors taking significant position not to panic, but keep close watch on the commodity market, especially gold. By that time the precious metal had rallied more than 10% this month, but took a breather after reaching another record early Tuesday, last trading day of the month. The prospect of an imminent United States government shutdown added to the metal’s appeal as a safe haven investment. 

Gold’s dramatic fall has exposed the fragile foundations beneath its record-breaking rally. The message is clear: even gold, long considered a bastion of stability, is not immune to engineered market forces.

One cannot ignore the role of central banks in this saga. In recent months, major central banks ramped up gold purchases aggressively, creating artificial demand and fueling a meteoric rise in prices. While presented as prudent diversification and a hedge against inflation, these purchases effectively inflated a bubble, enticing private investors to chase gains without understanding the underlying dynamics.

Profit-taking by investors was inevitable once the price peaked. The frenzy generated by central banks had drawn private money into the market, but when the momentum stalled, those same investors rushed to lock in gains, triggering the sharp correction.

Compounding the drop, the US dollar strengthened, making gold more expensive for international buyers. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions—the usual excuse for gold’s safe-haven appeal—have eased, and seasonal demand from India’s post-Diwali slowdown further weighed on the market. Analysts also note that prices had become technically overbought; the correction was overdue.

This episode exposes a fundamental truth - gold’s recent highs were less about organic demand and more about engineered interventions. Central banks, in effect, played puppeteer, manipulating sentiment while ordinary investors bore the brunt of volatility.

Despite the fall, gold remains up roughly 60% for the year. The long-term narrative of gold as a hedge against uncertainty remains, but this correction is a warning - markets can be steered to extremes by institutional players, and what shines today may be a bubble tomorrow. Investors chasing gold’s glitter must remember—it is not immune to human engineering.

Can Takaichi be “Iron Lady” of Japan?

Sanae Takaichi has won the parliamentary vote to become Japan’s prime minister, making her the first woman to clinch the nation’s top job in a country that ranks low in female political representation. Here’s a look at the new premier who’s an admirer of the hard-nosed politics of Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher.

Her real challenge will not come from rivals or parliament — it will come from the economy. She could well become Japan’s Iron Lady, not through war or ideology, but through her ability to steer the country out of its prolonged economic stagnation.

Japan’s economy, once an emblem of post-war recovery and industrial excellence, has been losing momentum for decades. Aging demographics, shrinking productivity, and mounting debt have created a complex policy maze. The nation that built the world’s most efficient industries now faces declining competitiveness, reliance on imported energy, and a vulnerable yen. A true reformist must confront these realities with courage and consistency — qualities that define an iron leader.

The parallels with Margaret Thatcher are not misplaced. When Thatcher came to power, Britain was sinking under inflation, labor unrest, and fiscal weakness.

Similarly, Takaichi would need to challenge decades of bureaucratic comfort, revive investor confidence, and make painful structural reforms — even if those choices upset entrenched interests within her own party.

She has to focus on restoring economic sovereignty. Japan’s dependence on foreign energy and global supply chains exposes it to external shocks. A bold policy mix — energy diversification, digital transformation, and innovation-driven industrial growth — could gradually restore national resilience. Instead of expanding debt to stimulate demand, she may prefer fiscal prudence, targeted spending, and reforms that attract foreign investment without compromising independence.

At the same time, she has to navigate global economic warfare. In an era where sanctions, tariffs, and currency manipulation replace military confrontation, Japan is often caught between Washington’s strategic interests and Beijing’s market influence. Balancing both relationships without hurting Japan’s trade or technology sectors will require diplomatic finesse and strategic depth — the real test of her strength.

Internally, the toughest challenge will be political. Japan’s ruling establishment is dominated by conservative men who resist change. A woman at the top would have to prove that strength is not measured in volume but in vision — and that discipline and clarity are as powerful as confrontation.

If she succeeds, Japan could witness its own economic renaissance. Her iron resolve could redefine governance — less about charisma, more about competence. She would not be remembered for waging wars, but for rebuilding Japan’s confidence in its own economic future.

Japan does not need another populist; it needs a reformer with steel in her resolve and clarity in her economics. If that leader happens to be a woman, she may well be remembered as the Iron Lady who reshaped Japan — not through power, but through policy.

Does Hamas Still Have Muscles to Violate Ceasefire?

After nearly 800 days of relentless Israeli bombardment, Gaza stands shattered — its people displaced, cities flattened, and infrastructure destroyed. Yet Israel continues to accuse Hamas of violating ceasefire terms. The question naturally arises: does Hamas, after such devastation, still possess the means to breach a truce, or is this accusation yet another attempt to justify continued aggression?

Since the beginning, Tel Aviv has framed its military operations as “defensive,” aimed at dismantling Hamas. But the scale and duration of the campaign tell another story — one of collective punishment rather than defense. Civilian areas, hospitals, and refugee camps have been repeatedly struck, erasing the line between combatant and non-combatant.

The power imbalance is stark. Israel, equipped with one of the world’s most advanced militaries, faces a besieged enclave surviving under blockade. In such a context, claims of Hamas violating ceasefires seem less credible and more like political cover for ongoing strikes. Each new round of violence devastates Gaza further while bolstering Israel’s domestic narrative of self-defense.

Globally, the reaction remains divided. Western powers still defend Israel’s “right to protect itself,” while UN bodies and human rights organizations warn of violations of international law. The destruction of civilian infrastructure, denial of humanitarian aid, and use of starvation as a weapon have drawn growing condemnation — yet no serious accountability follows.

Ironically, despite the prolonged war, Israel’s strategic goals remain unfulfilled. Hamas has not been eradicated; instead, its symbolic strength has grown amid Gaza’s suffering. Meanwhile, Israel’s moral and diplomatic standing continues to erode.

By insisting that Hamas alone violates the ceasefire, Israel attempts to retain moral high ground. But after 800 days of devastation, that claim sounds increasingly hollow. The real question is not whether Hamas still has the strength to fight — but whether Israel has the courage to stop a war that has already lost its purpose.

Fire at Dhaka Airport: Accident or Sabotage?

A roaring blaze at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport cargo complex has ignited more than flames — it has sparked suspicion. Was it a tragic mishap born of negligence, or a calculated attempt to disrupt Bangladesh’s export lifeline? The line between accident and sabotage has rarely appeared so blurred.

The massive fire that swept through the cargo complex has raised troubling questions. Was it merely another case of poor safety and outdated infrastructure, or does it point to something more sinister — a deliberate act of sabotage? The truth is yet to emerge, but the scale of the damage and timing of the incident demand a deeper look.

According to initial reports, the blaze engulfed multiple warehouses, destroying export-bound goods and disrupting one of Bangladesh’s busiest trade arteries. Officials have launched a probe, but as of now, the cause remains “unknown.” Electrical short-circuiting — a common culprit in Bangladesh’s industrial fires — cannot be ruled out. The fact is incident occurred inside a high-security airport zone making it difficult to accept negligence as the only explanation.

Bangladesh has witnessed a string of devastating fires this year, from markets and garment factories to chemical depots. Each tragedy has exposed the country’s weak enforcement of fire safety codes and inadequate emergency response. However, when such an incident occurs within an airport’s cargo village — a zone under tight surveillance and restricted access — suspicion naturally grows.

If investigators find multiple ignition points, traces of accelerants, or evidence of tampering with security systems, the narrative could shift toward deliberate sabotage. In recent months, regional instability and heightened smuggling crackdowns have disrupted illicit trade networks. Could the fire have been intended to erase evidence or cripple exports? The possibility cannot be dismissed outright.

At stake is not just property loss, but international confidence in Bangladesh’s logistics chain. The cargo complex handles billions in textile exports; even temporary disruption can ripple through global supply lines. Authorities must therefore pursue this probe with utmost transparency and professionalism.

Whether the Dhaka airport fire proves to be an accident born of negligence or a calculated act of sabotage, it exposes a deeper vulnerability: the fragility of Bangladesh’s critical infrastructure.

The incident should serve as a wake-up call — to upgrade safety systems, tighten surveillance, and confront the culture of complacency before another disaster strikes.

 

United States Still Eyes Afghanistan

Washington’s withdrawal ended its military presence, not its strategic ambitions in the heart of Asia

When the United States hurriedly withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021, it claimed to have ended its “forever war.” Yet, Afghanistan has not slipped off Washington’s strategic radar. The methods have changed, but the motives remain. The US still views Afghanistan as a vital piece on the Eurasian chessboard — prized for its geography, intelligence value, and economic undercurrents.

First, Afghanistan’s narcotics economy remains an unspoken factor. Despite Taliban claims of banning poppy cultivation, UN data confirms continued opium production, which fuels regional criminal networks. For decades, allegations have persisted that Western intelligence agencies — especially the CIA — have tolerated or even exploited the drug trade to fund covert operations. Renewed US engagement, framed as “counter-narcotics cooperation,” could restore informal oversight of these financial flows.

Second, the chaotic exit left behind billions of dollars’ worth of military hardware — aircraft, vehicles, ammunition, and advanced surveillance systems. Much of it reportedly fell into Taliban hands or black-market networks. Washington would prefer to track, retrieve, or neutralize sensitive technologies before they reach Iran, China, or Russia. A covert re-entry, through intelligence operations or private contractors, serves this purpose well.

Third, Afghanistan’s location remains uniquely strategic. It borders Iran, China’s Xinjiang region, and several Central Asian states under Russian influence. For US planners, it is an ideal observation post to monitor three rivals simultaneously. Hence the growing emphasis on “over-the-horizon” intelligence operations launched from Gulf or Central Asian bases.

Fourth, China’s expanding Belt and Road Initiative through Pakistan and Central Asia heightens Washington’s unease. Beijing’s efforts to stabilize Afghanistan and integrate it into regional connectivity projects threaten to edge the US out of Eurasia. Re-engagement under humanitarian, counterterrorism, or anti-drug programs provides Washington a convenient pretext to retain influence.

Finally, a chronically unstable Afghanistan serves certain geopolitical interests. It prevents regional integration and complicates projects like Iran’s Chabahar port or China’s CPEC. Controlled instability ensures continued leverage without the burdens of occupation.

In essence, the US may not reoccupy Afghanistan with troops, but it seeks reassertion through intelligence, proxies, and influence networks. The 2021 withdrawal ended one phase of occupation but opened another — quieter, subtler, and more strategic. Afghanistan remains too valuable for Washington to abandon — not for peace, but for power.