Special Reports
Ahmed Al-Shara: Syria’s Fragile Strongman
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
Syria’s Dictatorship Trap
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
The Fall of the House of Assad
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
Ukraine Risks Falling into a Trap in Kursk
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
The Middle East’s Perfect Storm
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
Trapped in a Forever War
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
The Slow Invasion of Belarus
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
The False Promise of Regime Change in Russia
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,
Diplomacy Does Not Mean Capitulation
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
How the UN failed Libya
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
Saudi Demand: Financial Woes Worsen for Pakistan
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
Pakistan Resorts to Usual Tricks as it Fails to Comply with FATF Regulations
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
Will the ‘Grey List’ Turn ‘Black’ for Pakistan at the FATF’s February Plenary?
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
Will the old world order end in Ukraine?
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.
Unravelling of Afghanistan
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
The Aafia Siddiqi Hostage Drama: What It Really Means
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
Russia’s ultimatum: Will Ukraine negotiate peace or risk conflict?
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
Who is Responsible for Pakistan Becoming a Terror Sponsor?
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
Pakistan – A Crisis of Governance
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
Another Reason for Blacklisting Pakistan
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
International Community Worried Over Pakistani Nukes Falling Into Taliban Hands
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
The Dragon’s Grip: China’s Expanding Influence in Ethiopia and Kazakhstan
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.
Terrible Tragedy for Afghanistan’s ‘Unwanted’
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”
Pakistan Triggers Serious Refugee Crisis
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.
Return of Taliban’s Gender Terror Complete in Afghanistan
Women’s protests against the Taliban’s Islamist gender terror are fading. Since mid-September, demonstrations in Kabul, Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, and other cities have all but disappeared. It
Pakistan Triggers Serious Refugee Crisis
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.
Prospects for Women in Afghanistan
Have the Taliban truly “returned” after two decades? In terms of power, yes—but only by force. The reality is that they never left Afghanistan. For
Afghan Women Challenge Taliban
The fall of the Ashraf Ghani government, collapsing like a house of cards, paved the way for the Taliban’s swift takeover of Afghanistan. With their
Hardliners Dominate in New Afghan Government
The Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan last month, have rushed to form a ‘caretaker’ government. Three weeks after storming into Kabul, the movement has
The Taliban’s house of cards
Faced with a crumbling economy, a hostile population, and geopolitical isolation, the Taliban’s divided leadership may lead Afghanistan towards another civil war. More than three
No Place for Women in Taliban’s Afghanistan
“Any state that fails to act to end Pakistan’s invasion & prevent further Taliban brutality are betraying the women & girls of Afghanistan & making
Taliban: Pakistan’s First and Only Choice
After twenty years of being wilfully misled by Pakistan, the Western world—led by the United States—still refuses to confront the reality that it has been
Pakistan is to Blame for the Taliban’s Return
The world has been left in shock and sorrow for the people of Afghanistan, who have once again fallen to the Taliban. A two-decade struggle
Pakistan: Religious Minorities at Risk
Blasphemy cases in Pakistan tell a disturbing story about human relationships, where individuals and communities often manipulate the country’s laws to settle personal disputes with
Christians in Pakistan: Victims of Hatred
The founding father of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah had envisioned a country, though based on Islam, to be pluralistic in its ethos accepting believers of
Kashmir: The Road Ahead
Most political analysts opine that abrogation of Article 370 & 35A of the Constitution of India was merely a BJP election manifesto promise, which it
Pakistan’s Support of the Taliban Enrages Kabul
When news broke of the death of Hamid Gul, former head of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Afghans celebrated in the streets. Gul had been instrumental
Afghanistan–Pakistan: A New Axis of Terror
A new axis of terror is taking shape in the Af–Pak theatre, forged through the convergence of interests between Pakistan, China and Turkey, with the
The USCIRF Chronicle: Provocation Against India?
George Bernard Shaw once remarked: “Beware of false information, it is more dangerous than ignorance.” This observation is particularly apt in today’s hyper-digital world, where
Gaping Hole in Pakistan’s FATF Compliance
A glaring loophole remains in Pakistan’s attempts to curb terrorist financing under international pressure, a gap that could place the country on the Financial Action
The Dangerous Game between Hamas and Pakistan
Following the latest outbreak of clashes between Hamas—the Palestinian quasi-state terrorist organisation—and Israel, a ceasefire was agreed that few believe will endure. For Hamas, this
Turkish Polity and the Mafia – Hands in Glove?
In a startling revelation on his YouTube channel, Sedat Peker, 49, a drug lord originally from Turkey but now living in exile in Dubai, exposed
Pakistan’s Terror Haunts France
Pakistan’s image as a sponsor of terrorism returned to sharp focus when France solemnly recalled the killing of 11 French nationals in Karachi on 8
Dynamics of the QUAD
There are many aspects that characterize global politics today – from suffering a pandemic allegedly generated by a deadly virus that artificially emerged in a
Will Pakistan Act Against Terrorist Leaders?
Remaining on the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for another year may be the least of Pakistan’s concerns. What poses a
Pakistan’s Paroxysm over Palestine
For all Pakistan’s frenetic diplomatic efforts and loud expressions of outrage over the conflict between Hamas and Israel, the fragile ceasefire was secured not by
Israel Must Abandon Ties with Pakistan
Pakistan’s abject failure to curb the extremist political party, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), from openly challenging state authority—terrorising citizens and unleashing a wave of violence and
India and Pakistan Invoke 2003 Ceasefire Agreement
Since few months now, there is peace across the LOC as the guns have fallen silent from both sides of the divide. It is reprieve
The Islamic State’s golden opportunity in Mozambique
After suffering humiliating defeats in the Middle East, the Islamic State has turned to Africa to reestablish its power and prove that it nonetheless has
Anti-French Protests and the Worldview of Pakistan
In what seems like a series of missed opportunities to disband radical groups, Pakistan at every step of its evolution, let the Islamic outfit Tehreek-e-Labbaik
The Man Who Saved the World from Pakistan
But for a few brave souls like Frits Veerman, Pakistan might have become the world’s most frightening nightmare. Not that it is not today, but
Dual Use Technology Imports Aiding Pakistan’s Covert Nuclear Programme
A recent threat assessment by Norwegian security agencies has drawn attention to Pakistan’s exploitation of dual-use technology, exposing the country as one of the greatest
Comparative Status of Women in Pakistan and Bangladesh
International Women’s Day on 8 March serves as a reminder that women across the world continue to fight for basic rights and equality. In South
The Autopsy of Jihadism in the United States
The American counter-terrorism establishment has been jolted by a sobering realisation: its most persistent terrorist threat is not foreign, but domestic. Contrary to conventional wisdom,
Pakistan’s Intimidation of Its Citizens Abroad
Repressive regimes frequently resort to violence, intimidation, and technology to silence dissent beyond their borders. A report published by Freedom House on 4 February 2021
India’s Modi to Firm up ‘Ties in Blood’ With Bangladesh
Bangladesh is celebrating 50 years of independence, and none seems happier than India, the larger neighbour often derided as the “big brother.” The reasons are
East Pakistan Genocide: Still Yearns for Global Acknowledgement
Bangladesh is celebrating 50 glorious years of its independence and the month of March is significant in the valiant struggle that then people of East
Deception Games: Pakistan’s Eyewash Action Against Terror Groups
As yet another FATF deadline approaches in the last week of February, Pakistan is once again making a show of tightening its AML/CFT regimes to comply with the requirements of the financial watch-dog. At the same time, a propaganda effort is underway to convince the FATF to not only not push Pakistan into the ‘black list’ but to also take Pakistan out of the ‘grey list’. The facts on ground, however, merit Pakistan being ‘black-listed’ for failing to deliver on its high-level political commitments to FATF. Worse, Pakistan has been deceiving the Task Force by pretending to take action against internationally designated terrorist groups and their financial networks but only on paper. In practice, these terror groups continue to function openly and are collecting funds publicly.
Erdogan’s Wars
Faced with the EU’s growing frustration and Biden’s more hostile administration, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has softened his tone, renewed his promises for greater
An Enemy Among Us
The upcoming talks regarding the tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, that are due to take place on January 25, should not disillusion us from the
The Hypocrisy of the Muslim World
France and the rest of Europe face a serious threat from Islamist terrorism. This has become more apparent after the brutal beheading of schoolteacher Samuel
Yemen: A Strategy of Defeat
The failure of the Saudi-led coalition, coupled with the UN’s habitual ineptitude, has plunged Yemen into another quagmire, with the US and UK blindly following
Between Intolerable Tolerance and Islamophobia
Following the terrorist attacks in Paris, ISIL has now officially become the main global enemy. But the fight against Muslim fundamentalism isn’t a question of