In ongoing discussions between representatives from Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, it has been conveyed that the Taliban is prepared to either neutralize all Pakistani militant groups operating within Afghanistan or facilitate their extradition to Pakistan. The interim government of Afghanistan has put forth a formal request to Pakistan, urging them to acknowledge the legitimacy of the Taliban-led interim administration […]

The recent assault in Dera Ismail Khan, which led to the tragic loss of numerous soldiers, serves as a stark reminder of the grim challenges facing us. Pakistan finds itself in a critical juncture, demanding adept handling. Hafiz Gul Bahadur, the militant commander hailing from the Datta Khel area of North Waziristan, was formerly associated with Jamiat-e-Ulema Pakistan (JUI-F) and […]

Like his predecessors, General Asim Munir has also conceived of an economic recovery plan for Pakistan. However, any meaningful reform would require major sacrifices from all stakeholders. Details have begun emerging from a high-powered gathering where the Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, met business and industry leaders in a marathon 5-hour meeting. Insider accounts lead one to conclude […]

Recently, Pakistani leaders have repeatedly signaled a shift from geopolitics to geoeconomics. In 2021, Pakistan officials have repeatedly spoke of the term ‘geoeconomics’. When the Prime Minister Imran Khan visited Sri Lanka in February, he emphasized the importance and possibility of connectivity of the country up to Central Asia through CPEC (China‐Pakistan Economic Corridor). In March, at the first held […]

Functioning as a security state, Pakistan has long formulated its foreign policy choices based on security needs and the aspiration to establish itself as a hard military power. This approach has allowed the military to play a leading role in shaping both domestic and foreign policy decisions, often overshadowing civilian institutions. However, with changing global dynamics, the current civil-military establishment […]

Preparing for a Long War With China Over the past decade, the prospect of Chinese military aggression in the Indo-Pacific has moved from the realm of the hypothetical to the war rooms of U.S. defense planners. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has significantly accelerated his country’s military buildup, now in its third decade. At the same time, China has become increasingly […]

Operation 1027, launched on Oct. 27 by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, has led to coordinated attacks throughout Myanmar and seen the fall of 20 towns and over 300 military posts. But violence is now starting to spread to the cities, a strategic tipping point. Since that offensive against the military in northern Shan state by the alliance – the Arakan […]

As the world witnessed the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, concerns have escalated regarding the potential resurgence of the Taliban and the subsequent threats it might pose to global security. This piece delves into the historical context, post-withdrawal concerns, and the imperative for the United States to actively monitor the Taliban, ensuring that Afghanistan does not become a threat […]

The US became a superpower through the two world wars and the Soviet collapse. China emerged as a superpower in the post-Soviet peace era. For the US, war is an opportunity to achieve its goals. This is evident in its involvement in the conflicts between Ukraine and Russia, and Hamas and Israel. However, for China, war is a disruption to […]

After the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014, India has accelerated its ‘Act East Policy’ (AEP) to link more closely with its Southeast Asian neighbours to consolidate its geo-political power through trade and infrastructure development that reflects China’s Belt and Road Initiative. But, with civil war in neighbouring Myanmar spilling over the porous 400km long border into […]