Shashank Joshi - Defence editor
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Shashank Joshi, Defence editor
Shashank Joshi is the defence editor at The Economist, where he writes about wars, security and how countries protect themselves. Before that, he researched global conflicts at leading universities and has written books and appeared on TV and radio to help people understand world events.
What next?
Have a go at Shashank's challenge here.
If you could meet Shashank, what would you ask him about security and how countries protect themselves?
Let us know in the comments below.
Comments (33)
Are there any fundamental characteristics to a country to become an ally so that they are defended when needed?
Many western governments believe that wars to come may be short and technology-driven, but countries now have nuclear missiles and weaponry that could make wars more difficult, so what could be some consequences of these assumptions that may turn out wrong?
What are the different ways that countries protect themselves with? What is one way that inspired you? Do you think NATO can help countries protect themselves or it can cause problems and limit independence? From your point of view, why do you think it's important to understand the world news?
Hi Shashank I like what you do it is very cool 😎😎
I would ask him countries probably protect themselves by making sure that they have eyes in the area and to make sure have missiles in case of an invasion.
Do allies have to take action that might be harmful to them to serve another party only because they are allies? What otherown points that you find for article 5? If you were to rephrase article 5,how would you phrase it? What will happen to one of the allies that refuses a decision made by the allies and what if the attacker one of the allies is an ally to another one of the allies?How ould that go?
Question 1: Dependence on alliances is risky currently, like NATO and the USA. Are alliance-based military funds or aid or alliance-collaborated defense powerful?
Question 2: Countries that are economically unstable and in spending on military resources really need alliances to support them, or due to threatening or limitations on the expression of freedom, can they still be independent without an ally?
Question 3: Does building military strength create tension or prevent the country from random attacks, terrorism, or war?
Question 4: What makes a security alliance truly reliable during times of crisis?
Question 5: How do countries decide which partners they can genuinely trust in matters of defense and security?
Question 6: Should the United Nations/ policymakers play a greater role in regulating or monitoring the actions of military alliances or global alliance?
1. Is NATO strengthened by asymmetric burden sharing?
2. If you were supposed to advertise a government with not enough resources, what should you prioritise?
3. If countries are meant to expand, grow or protect themselves, should they go in the way of AI and other different technologies?
I'd ask Shashank Joshi how cyberattacks, AI and misinformation are changing the way countries protect themselves. Are traditional alliances (like NATO) adapting fast enough to these modern threats, and how does Article 5 fit into modern security strategies beyond its original Cold War purpose?
I'm also curious how smaller or politically unstable countries can stay secure without over-relying on allies, and whether building military strength alone can prevent attacks or just create tension with neighbors.
For example, recent cyberattacks on critical infrastructure show that technology and intelligence-sharing are now as crucial as armies. I'd love to know which countries are leading in innovative security strategies and what lessons others can learn to strengthen their defense.
Finally, how can alliances balance deterrence and cooperation so that they protect members without provoking unnecessary tensions globally?
Understanding this could reveal how global security might evolve in the next decade.
If two powerful countries both think they are defending themselves, how can we tell who is actually making the world safer?
Could investing more in climate action and education protect a country better in the long term than investing the same amount in new weapons?
How can smaller countries protect themselves without causing bigger countries to feel threatened?
If every country says we’re just protecting ourselves, who makes sure nobody is secretly getting ready to start a fight?
How does NATO maintain unity with all when different members share their own priorities?
Can NATO remain united even in the future?
If NATO members can't trust each other, what does that mean for smaller countries that depend on the alliance for security?
Also, since they too will also live with the consequences, should younger people have a larger say in military affairs?
Is it that there is a selected group of people who are actually sent to support and defend other countries or everyone comes together to defend other countries?
Question 1: What is the newest kind of security in some tehnology developed countries?
Question 2: Are there some predictions that the robots will defend country from enemies in the future?
Question 3: Does tehnology and AI change battlefields and how?
Hi
Shashank please how do people outside the country get use to their rules and regulations you talk about security,why is it that the people who are outside the country still get injured and still get robbed why I thought their have tight security.
If I could meet Shashank Joshi, I would ask him:
First, I would ask how modern technology like drones, cyberattacks and AI is changing the way countries protect themselves. Are traditional armies still the most important part of security, or is cyber warfare becoming more powerful?
Second, I would ask whether alliances like NATO are more important today than they were during the Cold War. With new threats like terrorism and cybercrime, how should alliances adapt?
I would also be interested in how smaller countries can protect themselves against more powerful nations. Is it better for them to stay neutral, like Switzerland, or to join strong alliances?
Finally, I would ask him what he thinks is the biggest security challenge the world will face in the next 20 years. Will it be cyber warfare, space security, climate-related conflicts, or something we are not even thinking about yet?
Hello mister Shashnak! My name is successful attention and I m from Greece. As a little country I know we support our defence in our allies in military equipment because its not easy to defend ourselves in a big danger . As many other countries do. According article 5 , if a member of the alliance attack another member, that means it attacks all the members .. so could it be continue be member of the alliance?
hey topical talkers i have a good question that i need a feedback can political instabilities cause country ally and does training help military to gain strength so that they can be have ability to fight for their enemies ?i hope i will get today a star
If I chance to meet Shashank Joshi, I'd ask him how countries manage to keep people safe without taking away to much freedom in the name of the security. I'd also want to know which global threats young people should be paying more attention to especially as technology like ai and drones change the way conflict work. Finally I'd be curious about the role ordinary people can play in protecting their country.
What wars have been written and recorded so far that have made a huge impact on the world?
And was there any solution found for the reason for that war?
Were the solutions also written and recorded?
1. Why do countries still join alliances like the Nato even if it means they'll likely have to go to war for someone else.
2. If you were a leader how would you maintain independance while still ensuring friendship with other countries.
3.
Do you honour or agree with rule 5 in the NATO alliance?
Is the NATO alliance still impressive like when it was in the cold war?
Does the NATO cause security and safety or it causes tension between countries?
What do you think about the concept which is the alliances.
If you were a president, would you ban alliances to be independent or be in alliances but lose some of your independence?
If I could meet Shashank Joshi, I would ask him how countries balance national security with protecting the rights and freedoms of their citizens. I would also want to know what modern threats—like cyberattacks, terrorism, and misinformation—worry him the most today. Another question I would ask is how technology is changing warfare and defence strategies around the world. Finally, I would ask him what young people should understand about global security and what skills are important for anyone who wants to work in defence or international affairs.
When countries become allies, does it have to do with the countries' personal affairs?
How do they (I mean, the countries to defend) react depending on the situation at hand?
Question 1:What tipe of characteristics does a country need to believe that it would be a good ally?
Question 2:does military strenght make the country more safety or does provoque more tension with the other coutries?
If I could meet Shashank Joshi, I would ask:
How do countries decide when to use military power and when to choose diplomacy instead? In today’s world, conflicts can start quickly because of technology and social media. So how can countries protect themselves while still keeping peace and avoiding war? I would also like to know what young people should understand about global security to better follow world news.
Does joining an alliance mean greater variation of resources or greater risk of conflict?
In today’s world, would you recommend joining an alliance or staying neutral and independent?
Does relying heavily on allies and support mean there are just more ways for other countries to bankrupt you?
How do war/conflicts start?
Why can't a country humble itself and end war?
Is war really the best way to solve disputes?
How do countries protect themselves?
Which country should be considered a threat?
I would ask him:
-Is it really compulsory to follow article 5?
-What will happen to those who ignore it?
-Why do you think Article 5 is important?
-Do countries have the opportunity to decide how to help the other?
-How can countries maintain independence?
-What's the best way to honor Article 5 if you do not agree with your ally?
- Does it matter regarding the situation or does it depend on it?
-Can you tell me some examples of times Article 5 was honored?
How do you stop security problems, like wars
How do countries balance traditional defense with cybersecurity in today’s world?
What are the most overlooked vulnerabilities that governments face?”
How do nations collaborate internationally to prevent cyber attacks without escalating conflicts?”
Why don’t countries know and understand that support doesn’t always mean military action?
Why are governments of counties so full of pride that they don’t want to be given support by allies?
Why do they do this if they know it’s only hurting their country in the process?
Do you believe that terrorist attacks are only happening because people are not happy with the way their government is dealing with issues?
Do you believe that most problems today arise in the first place because people don’t know how to balance responsibility with power?
Do you believe that people are becoming increasingly power-hungry and that’s why governments and world leaders are making these irrational and irresponsible decisions?
If we can’t find a way to forgive, is there a way forward or will we be stuck here for the foreseeable future?
Do you think we should spend more financially on defence, aid military equipment or alliances? If we spend more financially on one, should we spend more mentally on others?
If we forgive and look to the future, can we make it there eventually?
As I have stated before, killing a murderer doesn’t change the number of murderers in the world. Do world leaders and governments understand this?