Despite Assad’s fall, Russia retains influence through debt leverage, military basing and security mediation. In a historic visit to Washington, transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa became the first Syrian leader to visit the White House. The trip is meant to symbolise a turning point in Syria’s relations with the United States, as Damascus prepares to join the US-led […]
Russia’s Enduring Grip on Syria Read More »
Syrian president Ahmed al-Shara’s drive to centralize the country and marginalize minority communities shows no sign of abating. Seven months after seizing power, Syria’s transitional president, Ahmed al-Shara, had successfully recast himself from a jihadist once subject to a $10 million US bounty into a pragmatic statesman and the nation’s best hope for reunification and
Ahmed Al-Shara: Syria’s Fragile Strongman Read More »
Despite his rhetoric about democracy and inclusivity, Syria’s new president is steering the country back toward military dictatorship. At the Victory Conference on January 29, Ahmed al-Sharaa stood in military fatigues before an audience of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) members and Islamist militia leaders as he was declared Syria’s transitional president. Alongside this announcement, he suspended the constitution and ordered that
Syria’s Dictatorship Trap Read More »
On Wednesday, November 27, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), led by Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa (commonly known as Abu Mohamad al-Jolani), and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) launched a lightning offensive against the Assad regime. By December 1, they had seized Aleppo, Syria’s largest city. One week later, Bashar al-Assad’s regime is on the verge of collapse. While the volatile geopolitical
The Fall of the House of Assad Read More »
Ukraine’s daring incursion into Kursk provided a much-needed morale boost and sparked renewed debate over Russian redlines and escalation. Most importantly, it demonstrated that Kyiv would continue to fight for its sovereignty and territory through any means necessary despite waning Western support. However, once it became clear that the offensive failed to achieve its primary objective of diverting
Ukraine Risks Falling into a Trap in Kursk Read More »
As Israel launches its offensive on Rafah at the peril of the hostages and its international standing, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has once again demonstrated that his primary objective is to ensure his political survival by catering to the messianic Far Right. Netanyahu has argued that an assault on Rafah is key to achieving total victory. However, after nearly
The Middle East’s Perfect Storm Read More »
Twenty months into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the war grinds to a bloody stalemate with no end in sight. Neither side can afford or accept defeat; for Ukraine, this is an existential fight, and for Russia, the outcome of this war will have profound ramifications on foreign policy and domestic stability, which presents a survival threat
Trapped in a Forever War Read More »
Three years ago, Belarusians took to the streets to protest the fraudulent presidential elections that saw dictator Alexander Lukashenko reelected as president for the sixth time. The regime responded with a brutal crackdown, leading to the West breaking off diplomatic relations and imposing sanctions. Since then, Lukashenko has adopted an increasingly belligerent stance against his
The Slow Invasion of Belarus Read More »
While Russian president Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine nearly one year ago was undoubtedly motivated by his desire to leave a mark on history, the risk of a humiliating defeat has united Russian elites in support of the war, regardless of their ideological convictions. Russia’s hawks consider this war as part of a wider
The False Promise of Regime Change in Russia Read More »
While the staggering underperformance of the Russian invasion, coupled with Ukraine’s formidable resistance, have fuelled hopes of victory, Russia has intensified their offensive in the Donbas and are slowly gaining control of the region. Through their strategy of attrition, Russia has destroyed arms depots and key infrastructure all over the country, which means that it
Diplomacy Does Not Mean Capitulation Read More »
In the decade since Muammar Gaddafi’s fall, Libya has had two civil wars, and seen worsening living conditions and increased foreign interference. The UN has sponsored numerous discussions, dialogues, panels and other peace initiatives that have been increasingly ineffective. Its latest efforts focused on holding presidential and parliamentary elections that were meant to take place
How the UN failed Libya Read More »
Cash-strapped Pakistan faces yet another financial setback as it must repay Saudi Arabia USD 3 billion within a year, with an additional four per cent interest per quarter. Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin informed the Senate on Friday, 11 February, deepening the already precarious state of Pakistan’s economy. In October 2021, Saudi Arabia had agreed to
Saudi Demand: Financial Woes Worsen for Pakistan Read More »
The Paris-based Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global watchdog against money laundering and terrorist financing, is set to review Pakistan’s performance next month. Pakistan was placed on the Grey List in June 2018 under enhanced monitoring for its persistent failure to curb terrorist financing. Since then, its progress has been periodically reviewed, only to
Pakistan Resorts to Usual Tricks as it Fails to Comply with FATF Regulations Read More »
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global watchdog against terrorist financing and money laundering, reviewed Pakistan’s progress during its October 2021 plenary session and decided to retain the country on its Grey List. Pakistan at the time claimed that Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Maulana Masood Azhar was “untraceable” and a proclaimed offender, while making a
Will the ‘Grey List’ Turn ‘Black’ for Pakistan at the FATF’s February Plenary? Read More »
As Russian troops encircling eastern Ukraine are preparing to attack, western leaders are bracing for a Russian invasion while struggling to maintain a united front. Following the fallout of peace negotiations and numerous deterrence measures that appear to be inconsequential, French President Emmanuel Macron has called on the EU to conduct its own dialogue with
Will the old world order end in Ukraine? Read More »
Everything Afghanistan achieved over the last two decades has crumbled within months of the Taliban’s return. Since mid-August 2021, the pace of collapse has been as breath-taking as the disintegration of the former Islamic Republic itself: in just four months, the country has spiralled into hunger, mass unemployment, economic breakdown, an exodus of educated professionals,
Unravelling of Afghanistan Read More »
Ordinarily, the state cannot be held directly responsible for the acts of individuals. Yet Pakistan presents a striking exception. Decades of state-sponsored efforts to construct a religio-political identity have blurred the line between legality and zealotry, creating a culture in which private acts of extremism often mirror official narratives. With poor quality education and widespread
The Aafia Siddiqi Hostage Drama: What It Really Means Read More »
As the European Union (EU) braces itself for a cold winter with rising energy prices, a fourth COVID wave and the threat of a new migrant crisis orchestrated by Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, the Kremlin may have found the perfect opportunity to exploit the EU’s weakened position in order to forcefully resolve Russia’s conflict with
Russia’s ultimatum: Will Ukraine negotiate peace or risk conflict? Read More »
Thirteen years after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, in which over 160 people were killed, Pakistan has brazenly refused to prosecute the accused. This impunity has been enabled by the failure of the international community—especially powerful countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and China—to impose meaningful costs on Islamabad. The result: Pakistan has
Who is Responsible for Pakistan Becoming a Terror Sponsor? Read More »
Pakistan today faces an acute crisis of governance, with serious external policy and national security challenges compounding its already fragile internal situation. The shifting regional landscape—particularly after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan—has exposed Pakistan’s vulnerabilities. Yet, the government appears oblivious to the gravity of the crisis. The Afghan Crisis and Refugee Burden The turmoil in
Pakistan – A Crisis of Governance Read More »
Pakistan today remains the world’s most conspicuous safe haven for terrorism. It is the only state where thousands of militants operate with impunity, where terrorist training camps flourish, and where the army itself maintains open links with jihadi groups—often directing attacks against sovereign nations. Yet, unlike other states accused of sponsoring terrorism, Pakistan has avoided
Another Reason for Blacklisting Pakistan Read More »
The Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan has emboldened radical and extremist forces across the border in Pakistan. With a porous frontier and long-standing ideological ties, fears are mounting that instability could spill over, weakening Islamabad’s fragile control and raising the unthinkable prospect of Taliban access to Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. Growing Global Alarm Pakistan is
International Community Worried Over Pakistani Nukes Falling Into Taliban Hands Read More »
The Shadow of Sanctions The threat of US sanctions now looms over influential figures in both Ethiopia and Kazakhstan, countries increasingly drawn into China’s orbit. In Kazakhstan, the focus is on Timur Kulibaev, a powerful oligarch and board member of Gazprom, long regarded as Beijing’s preferred gateway into the country. Reports suggest he has benefited
The Dragon’s Grip: China’s Expanding Influence in Ethiopia and Kazakhstan Read More »
The collapse of Afghanistan’s government in August 2021 has produced one of the largest forced displacements in recent history, evoking comparisons with the “boat people” of Southeast Asia and the exodus from Syria. The crisis has been compounded by Pakistan’s restrictive border policies, leaving Afghans trapped between Taliban repression at home and hostility abroad. Escalating
Terrible Tragedy for Afghanistan’s ‘Unwanted’ Read More »
The Taliban’s Pakistan-assisted military takeover of Afghanistan has triggered a severe refugee crisis, exposing fragile regional security dynamics and posing complex challenges for international policy. The crisis is not only humanitarian but also geopolitical, with neighbouring states closing their borders and signalling an unwillingness to assume the burden of displaced populations. Scale of Displacement The
Pakistan Triggers Serious Refugee Crisis Read More »
