Russian Special Representative to Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov’s latest visit to Kabul coincided with the worst Pakistani-Taliban tensions since the latter group emerged as their country’s de facto leaders in August 2021.
Due to water shortage, provinces are fighting to get more water for their industries, domestic use, and agriculture. In addition, the way water is divided among the provinces is problematic.
The present chaos in Pakistan can be likened to China’s Cultural Revolution which was a socio-political movement launched by Mao Zedong in 1966, and lasting until his death in 1976.
While the Pakistan Armed Forces would indisputably have air superiority in any potential special operation, there’s only so much that such strikes can do to stop cross-border terrorist threats.
Iran is an immense country with a national identity marked by the self-esteem of those who know they form part of a great civilisation. Geography also plays a part in Iran’s desire to become a great regional power.
Israel imposed the sanctions in retaliation for backing by the United Nations General Assembly of a Palestinian request for the International Court of Justice to give an opinion on the legality of Israeli policies.
Zia held office for over 11 years on the promise of holding elections. He came up with all the excuses in the book to prolong his misrule (Islamic system, positive results, accountability first, referendum, etc).
Borrowing more will aggregate the problem further, will increase more burden, and may be more dictations. One aspect is to live within our own means, the other aspect is to think about the creation of wealth.
Pakistan's notoriously porous border with Afghanistan has facilitated the transshipment of men and materiel. The territories contiguous with that border are formally designated tribal agencies.
The economy is weaker than it was four years ago, and the country is more isolated internationally. The all-powerful military establishment has been bruised by coming under criticism.
The Taliban is expected to initiate clashes along the border in response so as to “save face” before its domestic audience, but Pakistan shouldn’t have any problems dealing with them.
The strategy emphasises China's economic and commercial ties to Turkey at a time when the country is struggling with an inflation rate that peaked at about 80 per cent in 2022 but dropped last month to 64.7 per cent.
