On 16 August 2024, India’s Election Commission announced the dates for Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The three-phase election will begin on 18 September 2024 with the counting of votes on 4 October 2024, along with those of Haryana, which will vote on 1 October 2024. What came as a surprise though was that the dates for Maharashtra, […]

As the Taliban celebrates three years of reign, global powers/regional neighbours are forced to ponder (just like the authors) the regime’s sustained grip to power, which appears to strengthen with every passing year. In these three years, the Supreme Leader (Emir) Haibatullah Akhundzada has strengthened his grip to power, formulating new federal institutions functioning under his decree and implementing policies […]

Southeast Asia finds itself at a pivotal moment as the global power structure shifts from unipolarity to multipolarity, driven by China’s rise, Russia’s resurgence, and India’s growing influence. The United States remains a key player, but its dominance is increasingly challenged, resulting in a more fragmented and competitive global order. Southeast Asia, strategically situated between international powers, holds geopolitical and […]

The 9th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostok creates new power dynamics and reflects the strategic intent by Russia to further bolster its weight and extended influence in the Global South and emerging powers in the non Western bloc. It sends a message to the West that despite the sanctions and the efforts to isolate Russia, it still has the […]

India recently launched its second nuclear-powered submarine, the INS Arighat, in Visakhapatnam. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other high-ranking defence and military officials attended the event. This comes at a time of heightened border tensions with China. Once the INS Arighaat joined the Indian Navy, it was placed under the Strategic Forces Command, responsible for managing India’s nuclear weapons. By […]

A clash between Pakistani and Afghan border forces in Zazi Maidan district in Khost provinces was brought to an end after the Ministry of Borders and Tribal Affairs stepped in. Reports indicate two Pakistani security posts were destroyed in the clash, Multiple reports also indicated that at least five Pakistan soldiers, including an officer, and four Afghan border guards had […]

The bloc composed of Russia, Brazil, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) has emerged as one of the most influential economic and political alliances in the 21st century. With a combined GDP of over $25 trillion, BRICS represents a significant force in global economics and international diplomacy. For Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy and a member of the G20, joining […]

Naval power in South Asia has evolved significantly over the decades, with India and Pakistan representing two critical players in the region’s maritime dynamics. The rivalry between the two nations extends to their naval capabilities, which are influenced by their distinct strategic requirements, geographic contexts and external alliances. Over the years, China has become a pivotal factor in shaping Pakistan’s […]

The Taliban rulers of Afghanistan have achieved significant success breaking Afghanistan out of its diplomatic isolation, including recently posting ambassadors to China and the influential Gulf state United Arab Emirates (UAE). Even though a growing number of countries have established ties to the Taliban, the United Nations insists member states withhold formal recognition of the movement as Afghanistan’s rulers until […]

It is ironic that Pakistan and Israel are both countries created in the name of religion, at around the same time (in 1947 and 1948, respectively), and yet they have no formal relations. All Pakistani passports include the inscription that the document is valid for travel to all countries around the world, except Israel. While Pakistan’s animosity toward Israel is […]