Myanmar’s junta expected to consolidate power within a few days of their Feb. 1, 2021 coup d’etat. Nearly three-and-a-half years on, they continue to lose territory. They never had any legitimacy to lose. The military have always acted as if time was on their side. But that’s no longer the case, and there are signs that the junta is moving […]

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to North Korea on 18-19 June 2024, his first in 24 years, and the signing of a new treaty explicitly displayin Russia’s formalised backing of the Kim Jong-un regime, raises concerns about the escalation of military cooperation and its impact on regional stability. This visit to North Korea came after July 2000. At that time, […]

Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, most of the international focus has been on the worsening humanitarian situation in the country. Millions of Afghans live in poverty and the economic situation remains bleak. This month, Afghanistan also reached a grim milestone: It has been more than 1,000 days since young girls were able to attend school. But there […]

A team from Qatar visited India and met Indian Air Force (IAF) officials to discuss buying 12 used Mirage 2000 fighter jets from France. Reports suggest that the used jets are in good condition, with at least 30% of their airframe life remaining. The IAF has been using Mirage 2000 jets since they were bought from France in the mid-to-late-1980s. […]

The Taliban: Bad for Health A report titled, “Afghanistan: Violence Against Health Care in Conflict 2023“, published on June 24, 2024, exposed the horrid situation of health workers and staff in the country under the Taliban regime. More than 80 per cent of cases of violence against health care were ascribed to the Afghan government, Police, and intelligence forces, all […]

There is enormous appreciation among Iranian intellectuals, diplomats and politicians regarding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s stellar support for their country’s membership of the BRICS grouping. Modi played a key role to navigate Iran’s membership purposively at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg last August. The Russian President Vladimir Putin couldn’t be present at Johannesburg. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the […]

The internal political dynamics of any sovereign state are crucial to its identity, governance, and autonomy. Pakistan, a country with a rich and complex political history, stands at a pivotal point as it approaches its elections. These elections are not merely a routine democratic exercise but a crucial determinant of the country’s future trajectory. However, the involvement of external powers, […]

Ever since the inception of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project, the eyes of Pakistan have been firmly fixed on Balochistan. The vision of a developed and verdant Balochistan is seen as a cornerstone for Pakistan’s bright future. Prioritizing the alleviation of the deprivations faced by the people of Balochistan, tackling pervasive poverty, and ensuring widespread access to education and […]

Since the terror attack at the Crocus city centre in Moscow, allegedly by the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP), in March 2024, Moscow has intensified efforts to prevent Afghanistan’s resurgence as a terror haven. One way of doing this, as Russian actions suggest is greater engagement with the Taliban. Recently, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry […]

Introduction The Islamic State Khurasan Province’s (ISKP) capabilities and intent to carry out attacks outside of its nucleus in Pakistan and Afghanistan are increasing. After a recent flurry of activity, ISKP has conducted several successful operations, including a bombing in Iran that took the lives of nearly 100 people in early January and a sophisticated attack in Moscow that claimed […]