US Think Tank Warns: India-Pakistan Conflict Possible by 2026 Amid Arms Race, Terror

• US think tank CFR warns of a "moderate likelihood" of India-Pakistan armed conflict by 2026, citing an accelerating arms race and terror triggers.
• The warning follows a four-day "mini-war" in May 2025, Operation Sindoor, triggered by a terror attack in Pahalgam.
• India retaliated with drone swarms and precision missile strikes against terror infrastructure across the LoC and in Pakistani territory.
• Both nations are rapidly boosting defense capabilities; India cleared a Rs 79,000 crore package, while Pakistan seeks systems from Turkey and China.
• A new concern is a potential Afghanistan-Pakistan border conflict, which could lead to a dangerous two-front crisis for Pakistan.

Why It Matters: US think tank warns of potential India-Pakistan conflict by 2026 due to arms race and terror.