Future problems cannot be ruled out, but for the first time since the Soviet collapse, none of the five Central Asian governments have any political grievances against each other. The Ferghana Valley, divided on the political map between Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, has resembled a battlefield ever since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Hundreds of people have been killed […]

This weekend edit revisits the tragic 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, the political missteps that enabled it, and why, decades later, the community’s wounds remain unhealed. With a fresh terror attack in Pahalgam reopening old scars, it raises a pressing question: can Kashmir truly move forward without justice for those who were forced to flee their homeland? “Agar firdaus bar […]

Late last week, the Russian Supreme Court lifted the ban on the Taliban’s activities in Russia and annulled the group’s terrorist designation, which had been in place since 2003. The Kremlin’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, affirmed that the court decision eliminates legal barriers to establishing formal relations between Moscow and the Taliban. In response, the Taliban, which has […]

Bottom Line Up Front In March, unconfirmed reports emerged that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) had permanently deployed personnel from Chinese private security contractors (PSCs) in Pakistan to protect PRC nationals working on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects in the country. While Chinese PSCs have historically been active in Pakistan, they have primarily employed Pakistani nationals and operated under […]

The members of an al-Qaeda affiliate who went abroad must not be allowed to revive the group at home. The leaders of Jemaah Islamiyah disbanded their al-Qaeda-affiliated jihadist group last June—but the schools that serve as the group’s ideological factories remain active. The Indonesian government must take action to prevent JI members who traveled to fight in Syria from using […]

The Pahalgam massacre has rekindled fears of a potential full-scale conflict between India and Pakistan, further heightening tensions in the region. Occurring on the sixth anniversary of the devastating Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka, the attack targeted tourists in Pahalgam, South Kashmir, claiming 23 lives. This tragic event underscores the region’s persistent vulnerability to extremist violence. This incident marks […]

India and Pakistan, two nations birthed from the same colonial experience, have since walked divergent paths defined by mistrust, confrontation, and sporadic attempts at reconciliation. The trauma of the 1947 partition remains deeply embedded in the collective psyche of both nations, leaving scars that continue to shape diplomatic narratives. While both countries share a common cultural and historical heritage, their […]

India’s navy posted an aerial image of an aircraft carrier and escorts heading in the direction of Pakistan amid mounting tensions between the two nuclear rivals following the killing of at least 26 tourists in Kashmir. Newsweek contacted the Indian navy and the office of Pakistan’s prime minister for comment. Why It Matters India and Pakistan appear on the brink […]

The scenarios that they speculated about are mutually exclusive and intellectually insulting, and the fact Pakistan’s Foreign and Defense Ministers can’t get their story straight suggests that they’re desperately trying to cover up their side’s complicity. Last week’s Pahalgam terrorist attack, which saw some terrorists massacre 26 tourists who were specifically targeted just because they were Hindus, instantly sparked another […]

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday once again raised concerns that militant activities continue to emanate from the Afghan territory. “It is our earnest desire to live in peace with them (Afghanistan) for all times to come. Unfortunately, despite our best and sincere efforts, terrorist activities continue to emanate from Afghan territory,” he said during said at a military […]