South East Asia

Although there are potential security and economic benefits for Moscow to be gained from closer ties to Afghanistan, they will be difficult to achieve. Ahead of this year’s St. Petersburg International Economic Forum—which has been attended by a Taliban delegation since 2022—the Kremlin handed a PR victory to the rulers …

Former Pakistani Minister of Information and Broadcasting Fawad Ahmed Hussain Chaudhry has called on Western countries to end their double standard regarding Pakistan’s cooperation with Iran, particularly on a joint gas pipeline project between the two neighbors. In an exclusive interview with IRNA, Chaudhry argued that Pakistan should not be …

The top Turkish diplomat says his country explores new opportunities with BRICS Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will attend the China-led BRICS+ meeting in Russia next week as Turkey explores new cooperation opportunities. “While we have a customs union with the EU, we also explore new opportunities for cooperation with …

Iran seized control of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunbs several decades ago, though the United Arab Emirates has long claimed sovereignty over the islands, a claim backed by Gulf states and Russia. China reiterated on Monday its support for the United Arab Emirates regarding its dispute with …

Power of Siberia 2 project would offer lifeline to exporter Gazprom as Moscow’s dependence on its neighbour grows Russia’s attempts to conclude a major gas pipeline deal with China have run aground over what Moscow sees as Beijing’s unreasonable demands on price and supply levels, according to three people familiar …

The alarm bells of terrorism in the country, particularly in K-P and Balochistan, are getting louder. Mere statistics — 245 terrorist attacks in the first quarter of 2024 — are not the real portrayal of the undercurrents of the terrorism. They have to be understood in totality, by analysing the …

Introduction For the last 75 years, Beijing has been on a slow, methodical march south through the South China Sea (SCS). This second “Long March” has seen China take de facto control of the SCS. In doing so, China has flouted international maritime law and, more routinely as of late, …

Debating Washington’s Strategy—and the Endgame of Competition The Biden PlanRush Doshi In “No Substitute for Victory” (May/June 2024), Matt Pottinger and Mike Gallagher raise important concerns about the Biden administration’s China policy. But their analysis misses the mark. Their review of key episodes in the administration’s China policy is inaccurate, …

China is reportedly building more Type 055 large destroyers, reflecting the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s strides toward the blue water and efforts in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests as well as peace and stability in the world, experts said on Wednesday. Citing new commercial satellite imagery …

U.S.-China competition for influence in the Indo-Pacific has been on full display as officials from both countries—including President Joe Biden and General Secretary Xi Jinping—attend the G20 in Southeast Asia. Having secured a third term, Xi’s desire to achieve the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” will grow. The White …