How maternal mental health impacts child development

Postpartum depression and the integration of maternal mental health into health programs have been a global concern for a long time. In women of child-bearing age, depression is widely responsible for the burden linked to mental disorders in infants.

The deep drivers of South Asian geopolitics

Ali Shah, head of research and analysis at the NUST talks about the historical significance of South Asian lands and how Afghanistan is a compression zone located in the South Asian shatter belt nested within the regional meta-ethnic frontiers.

Opposing Hindutva: US conference raises troubling questions

Dr. James Dorsey discusses the US academic conference on ‘Hindutva’ and the controversies that surround it. To him, the conference and responses to it highlight a deterioration of constructive civil debate as racism and Islamophobia become mainstream.

Moving from ‘Muk Muka’ to merit -Dr. Farid A Malik

Dr. Farid A Malik discusses the practice of 'Muk Muka' (Wheeling-Dealing) in Pakistani institutions. It was this deadly approach that gradually destroyed merit and ultimately led to the collapse of institutions. 'Muk Maka' has now become a way of life in Pakistan.

Is China the reason behind US withdrawal from Afghanistan?

Umar Khalid Dar, a freelance writer, explains why the USA has withdrawn its forces despite zero military casualties in the last two years. He argues that the main reason for the USA withdrawal is because of changes in its strategic interest.

Drawing the Soviet Union into a Vietnam quagmire: Part 2

Shane Quinn, explains US involvement in the covert operations in Afghanistan and why the CIA was surveying Afghanistan as a replacement for its essential TACKSMAN signals intelligence (SIGINT) collection facilities, which had been located in Iran.

The dress code debate in Pakistan’s educational institutions

Rana Kanwal talks about how Pakistan's education system is entirely focused on dress codes instead of improving the quality of education. Moreover, educational crimes are on the rise among teachers in Pakistan because our justice system is being neglectful as ever.

How the US got closer to India amidst Afghan crises

Prof Zamir Ahmed Awan thinks the US has always used Pakistan's soil for its own strategic interests and when it could not do it anymore, it immediately distanced itself from Pakistan and got closer to India. It proves true that Pakistan is a pivotal state.

Restarting the stalled bureaucracy – Dr Farid A Malik

Dr. Farid A Malik talks about Pakistan's efforts of jumpstarting the stalled bureaucracy of the country as Kamran Ali Afzal has taken charge as Chief Secretary (CS). He further stresses the need for effective monitoring which will provide data for real accountability.

Why Afghanistan’s neighbours are unimpressed with Taliban’s latest moves?

Dr. James Dorsey thinks that the Taliban’s record in recent weeks on making good on promises to respect human and women’s rights, as well as upholding freedom of the press, is mixed at best. The Taliban made it clear that their definition of inclusivity is different.

What is the future of Pakistan, China and Taliban alliance?

Even before the Taliban took control of Kabul, China started deepening diplomatic ties with the group. Since then, Chinese officials have said that Beijing respects Afghan's right to decide their future, implying that the Taliban’s victory reflects the people’s will.

The urgency of soft power in Pakistan

According to Sameed Basha, Soft power differs from hard power through the display of one's cultural identity, history and values rather than its militaristic character. This is to aid in the construction of its own cultural image and project its identity to the world.