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 […]

The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, ending in August 2021, created favorable conditions for Russia to reassert itself as a regional hegemon in broader Central Asia. Historically, as great powers retrench from a territory, the resulting void can be filled either by rival powers or by friendly successor states responsive to the retrenching power’s agenda. While the United States has lacked […]

The rise of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan has sent shockwaves throughout South Asia, reverberating far beyond the borders of the war-torn nation. Ahmad Massoud, the leader of Afghanistan’s National Resistance Front, has warned of a growing threat that is now impossible to ignore—the resurgence of terrorism, particularly in Pakistan. This alarming trend is a direct consequence of the […]

Pakistan-US relations have evolved significantly. Despite concerns by US lawmakers over the alleged rigging in Pakistani elections in February 2024, the Biden administration has been consistent in engaging the new Pakistani government. With a new government in Pakistan and the US gearing up for its elections this year, both countries have an opportunity to transform the bilateral relationship in light […]

Southeast Asia, a region known for its diverse cultures, vibrant economies, and strategic geopolitical location, faces a multitude of security challenges in 2024. These issues range from territorial disputes and terrorism to cyber security threats, transnational crimes, political instability, natural disasters, climate change, regional rivalries, militarization, arms proliferation, and public health security concerns. The interconnected nature of these challenges necessitates […]

China’s recently increased maritime and aerial operations near the Philippines, Japan, and Taiwan is part of Beijing’s attempt to gauge the United States’ commitment to supporting allies in the Indo-Pacific region, say analysts. They noted the increased activity comes as Tokyo and Washington gear up for elections in the coming weeks. “China sees an opportunity to test the United States’ […]

On 16 May 2024, Cambodia and South Korea agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a “strategic partnership” during Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet’s official visit to the Republic of Korea (ROK). This strategic partnership, part of Cambodia’s hedging strategy, will enable the country to diversify its foreign relations whilst balancing its engagement with major powers. This article highlights how […]

The recent remarks made by Pakistan’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, warning of a potential 9/11-style attack originating from Afghan soil, have sparked significant controversy and debate. The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs swiftly dismissed these claims, labeling them as misleading and unfounded. In a statement, the Taliban suggested that the likelihood of such an attack emanating from Afghanistan is minimal […]

In the early morning of August 26, 2024, at least 23 Punjabi travellers were killed in the Rarasham area of Musakhail District in Balochistan when cadres of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) offloaded passengers from trucks and buses and shot at them after checking their identities. According to Musakhail Assistant Commissioner Najeeb Kakar, armed men blocked the inter-provincial highway in the […]