A six-member delegation led by Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA, i.e., the Afghan Taliban), attended the third Doha meeting on Afghanistan in on June 30-July 1, 2024.[1] The text of his speech shows that the Taliban delegation leader’s attempt was to seek legitimacy for the Taliban regime, which has banished girls and women from […]

Authorities in northwestern Pakistan said Monday that a suicide bomber drove an explosive-laden vehicle into a military compound, followed by several armed insurgents storming it, resulting in the death of at least three soldiers and injuries to 12 others. The pre-dawn raid occurred in the garrison city of Bannu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan. Local police officials and […]

Why is Chinese President Xi Jinping moving so fast at this time to exert control over peripheral waters? Prominent China analyst Willy Lam wrote last October that China’s leader perhaps sees a closing window of opportunity and therefore is in a hurry to annex territory. Whether he goes to war or not, he is getting ready to do so. Both […]

In a statement shared with the media, the Jaish-e-Fursan (Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group), a Pakistani Taliban or TTP faction, claimed responsibility for the attack. Security forces foiled an attack by militants near the outer wall of a military cantonment in northwestern Pakistan on Monday, wounding seven civilians, local outlets quoted police said. Per the report, militants attempted to enter the […]

India’s foreign policy has entered a labyrinth of complexity and contradiction. As the Israel-Hamas conflict unfolds, New Delhi’s clandestine arms supply to Israel raises eyebrows and questions about the country’s commitment to its long-held principles of non-alignment. This intricate dance between aligning with Western powers and maintaining solidarity with the Global South reveals the tightrope India walks in the volatile […]

Amid escalating tensions with Afghanistan, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stark warning, emphasizing the country’s readiness to launch cross-border attacks if necessary. This declaration comes in response to growing security concerns and accusations that Afghan territory is being used to harbor militants targeting Pakistan. Asif’s comments underscore the delicate balance Pakistan must maintain between defending its sovereignty […]

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has traditionally focused on maintaining security in the Euro-Atlantic region. However, recent discussions have raised the possibility of NATO extending its influence into Southeast and East Asia. Proponents argue that NATO’s presence could counterbalance China’s growing influence and support regional allies. Conversely, critics assert that NATO should refrain from involvement in these regions as […]

The third edition of the United Nations (UN)-led international conference in Doha on Afghanistan, held on June 30th and July 1st, ended without any significant development. The Taliban’s participation, with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) represented by a five-member delegation, along with the Special Envoys from 25 countries and some international organisations and the absence of women and other […]

On July 11, US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti stated, “I know India likes its strategic autonomy and I respect that. But in times of conflict, there is no such thing as strategic autonomy.” Speaking at a dialogue organized in Delhi, he also said in the context of close India-US ties, “Don’t take the relationship for granted, but enjoy it […]

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is flying to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin. It’s a big deal: Since the full-scale invasion began, India has distanced itself politically from Moscow. Officially, Delhi condemned the invasion of Ukraine, but, like China, it helps Russia circumvent sanctions and in return gets a huge discount on Russian oil. Modi, whose party performed modestly in […]