1. THEME FOR 12 TH ARF HDUCIM NDU ISLAMABAD - PAKISTAN MILITARY OPERATIONS OTHER THAN WAR (MOOTW)

2. In contemporary environment, military’s growing involvement in combat and non combat military operations other than war (MOOTW) necessitates reassessment of challenges in order to formulate an effective response strategy THEME

4. Topic 1.Is conventional military structure capable of effectively handling operations other than war with present organization and equipment? Topic 2.Human resource will always play the lead role in any such operation. Does MOOTW necessitate changes in existing doctrine and curricula of our defence institutions? Topic 3.Examine the possibility of cooperation among ARF countries for a mutually beneficial action plan Topic 3.Examine the possibility of cooperation among ARF countries for a mutually beneficial action plan

6. Criteria for Theme Selection  Theme must be politically neutral  Profession ‘oriented’ i.e. military science related  Broad theme indicated at closing ceremony of each ARF meeting, to be later extrapolated into two or three sub-themes

7. THEME – 2 ASYMMETRIC THREATS The asymmetric challenges posed by insurgency, terrorism and non state actors have changed the concept of security and has seriously challenged the existing military capability. This entails serious need to examine threat, rethinking existing military culture and need to evolve a new security concept, so as to formulate suitable measures to restructure organization and training to combat this menace The asymmetric challenges posed by insurgency, terrorism and non state actors have changed the concept of security and has seriously challenged the existing military capability. This entails serious need to examine threat, rethinking existing military culture and need to evolve a new security concept, so as to formulate suitable measures to restructure organization and training to combat this menace

8. Topic 1.Examine the emerging non traditional security challenges with a view to update the training curricula of military leadership to counter asymmetric threat Topic 2.Asymmetric threat necessitates a swift and bold response from armed forces. Are conventional outfits capable to meet this challenge effectively? Topic 3.Strategic suitable response to meet the challenges posed by rapidly growing non state actors with a view to curb their ever increasing influence

9. THEME – 3 CURRENT ISSUES IN DEFENCE ECONOMICS AND MANAGEMENT The rising demand to modernize military and equip them with sophisticated weaponry, calls for maintaining balance / management vis-à-vis the economic state of a country. The lessons may be drawn by the ARF countries in their individual capacity

10. Topic 1.Examine modernization in defence equipment vis-à-vis economy constraints Topic 2.How ARF countries can cooperate with each other to minimize the defence expenditures require to meet budgetary constraints Topic 3.How management affects Defence economy and military capability to fight conventional and unconventional warfare

12. Previous Themes 2007 Topic – 1.Examine what developments are needed in curricula to prepare military officers and defence officials for their roles in dealing with future defence and security challenges Topic – 2.Military officers and defence officials are expected to do so much – can professional military education cope with current and future demands? Topic – 3.Examine what constitutes a complex security environment in a regional context

13. Previous Themes 2006 Topic – 1.“Enhancing Cooperation To Counter Terrorism Threats”. A total 7 papers were presented Topic – 2.“Multilateral Approaches/Cooperation For Effective Response To Natural Disasters”. A total of 7 papers were presented

14. Previous Themes 2005 Topic – 1.The security situation in the region, the trend to peace, stability and development in Asia-Pacific, the perspective and cooperation in the first decades of the 21st Century Topic – 2.The role of the Armed Forces in handling non- traditional security and in preventing and overcoming natural disasters and infectious diseases Topic – 3.The relationship and cooperative results among ARF National Defence Universities/Colleges/Institutions

15. Previous Themes 2004 Topic – 1.Enhancing strategic and security studies to meet the challenges of the 21st Century Topic – 2.Security challenges of the 21st century: A Regional/National Perspective.