In a striking new development, the Government of Pakistan has issued an official notification directing all federal departments to refer to Baloch insurgent groups as “Fitna al-Hindustan” — a term that translates to “the mischief of India.” The circular, dated 31 May 2025 and issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior, instructs all government agencies and security institutions to use this […]

A new framework for resolving state-to-state disputes may be viewed by China as means of further extending its influence in the Global South—but some observers say the newly minted International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) is more show than substance. China was joined by 32 other founding members on May 30 for the launch ceremony, where Beijing’s top diplomat Wang Yi […]

Sources told Afghanistan International that the Taliban have arrested Rahim Sekandar, a prominent supporter of the group on social media. His detention reportedly followed criticism of a Taliban official’s remarks opposing the participation of Taliban fighters in clashes between militants and Pakistani security forces. According to Taliban sources in Kabul on Tuesday, the group’s Reform Committee arrested Sekandar after he […]