Shaza Arif

Senior Research Associate

Shaza Arif

Shaza Arif

Professional Experience

Shaza Arif serves as a Senior Research Associate at the Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) in Islamabad. Shaza Arif serves as a Senior Research Associate at the Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS) in Islamabad. Ms Arif’s expertise spans National Security & Strategy, Defence Modernisation, Nuclear Security, and Artificial Intelligence. She has made her mark by participating in various international conferences and workshops, including those at Stockholm International Peace Research Institute in Sweden, Durban University of Technology in South Africa, Tsinghua University in China, and the Royal Scientific Society in Jordan. Furthermore, she has collaborated with the British American Security Information Council (BASIC) on the Nuclear Responsibilities Project and various Policy Cycles. She currently serves as a Board Member for BASIC’s Emerging Voices Network (EVN). Her insights are frequently featured in both domestic and international newspapers and journals, underlining her contributions to her fields of study. She has completed MPhil in Public Management from Fatima Jinnah Women University, Pakistan, after having graduated with distinction in BSc (Hons) Defence and Diplomatic Studies from the same university.

Publications

Golden Dome: Capabilities and Constraints

In an era of novel threats, a layered defensive shield is once again at the centre of US strategy. The announcement of the Golden Dome by President Trump shortly after assuming office has given rise to new expectations, questions, and concerns regarding the project.
The capability is envisioned as a comprehensive missile shield for the continental United States (CONUS) against ballistic missiles, hypersonic vehicles, cruise missiles, and UAVs. Conceived as a multi-tiered system, it aims to integrate existing missile defences with new space-based platforms. The layered system, combining land, sea and space-based sensors

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Pakistan in 2025

As 2025 draws to a close in few days, it is time to reflect back on the chain of events that have shaped the year. Apart from the typical highs and lows – the year saw some unprecedented events that will have a lasting imprint.

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Understanding Adversarial AI: The Military Lens

Modern warfare is characterised by the race to compress the Observe-Orient-Decide-Act (OODA) loop. Militaries that can process information faster will undoubtedly have an edge in future conflicts. In this context, machine learning (ML), a prominent subset of

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Safer Skies: Aviation Safety in the Contemporary Era

November is commemorated as Aviation History Month every year to mark the advancements in the field, while reflecting back on the lessons learnt from the past. Today, the aviation dynamics have marked a notable transformation, spread over numerous digitally linked airways.

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