South East Asia

China’s support may not be ‘lethal aid,’ but it’s vital to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine

It’s the conventional wisdom in Washington and in most European capitals: China is only providing limited support to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In Beijing, meanwhile, officials attempt to portray neutrality, emphasizing that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is not providing weapons to Russia. As PRC leader Xi Jinping told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a recent call, according to state media, “China has always stood on the side of peace.”

American Nightmare of Separation from Afghanistan: Is the Mujahedin-e Khalq the Next?

The United States has shown since its beginning that it is not a credible country. For the United States, every group, organization, country, and even political figure is supported only as long as it benefits the USA, and when it loses its effectiveness, it will be replaced very quickly, and all US obligations to that group or country will be severed. As we have seen in recent days, the United States, in a shocking move in the Taliban civil war with Afghan government, left Afghanistan very quickly after 20 years that it spent 1 trillion USD, and left Afghan people defenseless. The Afghan army, which was under the direct training of the US military and had all kinds of military equipment, could not even resist the Taliban, with such simple military equipment, for two weeks.

Af-Pak Strategy; Indian Arrow in the Pentagon Quiver

Pentagon considers Indian Arrow in running battle with Region

New Af-Pak strategy veiled that the USA is not ready to leave Afghanistan for long-term geopolitical objectives because of extensive stay of the NATO forces in this region. So, Washington is not only escalating American troops but it is also demanding NATO and its allies for more troops on Afghan soil. In fact, the America, the deep state, has decided to use Afghan hostile situation by dispersal of three evils; Extremism, Terrorism, and Separatism to all regional countries with the aim to alter the geopolitical landscape of the Eurasia, especially in Muslim World.

What Russia’s First Gas Pipeline to China Reveals About a Planned Second One

Russia is now in a far worse negotiating position than in 2014. Finding itself at the mercy of a monopsonist buyer, there is very little it can actually do.

A key topic of discussion during the Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Moscow was the Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline project planned to export Russian natural gas from the Yamal Peninsula in Western Siberia to China. In the wake of the war in Ukraine and ensuing collapse of trade with Europe that has left Russia’s gas reserves stranded, the pipeline has taken on new importance and urgency. While the terms of the contract remain under negotiation and shrouded in secrecy, the future outlines of its pricing formula can be discerned from the existing Russian-Chinese gas contract: for the original Power of Siberia pipeline.

Pakistan: Origins, Identity And Future – Book Review

Dr. Pervez Hoodbhoy is a prominent nuclear scientist, well-known author, columnist, and human rights activist. In his latest volume, he presents robust and provocative arguments in what can only be described as a daring, and must-read book. He sets the stage in his introduction by asking striking questions: was the partition of India worth the price in Muslim blood? What is the ideology of Pakistan, and why does it matter? Why couldn’t Pakistan become an Islamic state? Why is Pakistan a praetorian state? Just what are Pakistanis, and how do they self-identify?

The Digital Terror Financing of Central Asian Jihadis

Abstract: Like all terror groups, Central Asian terrorist groups are continuously attempting to diversify how they finance their activities to avoid detection. Drawing on various reports, court documents, an array of research literature, and online extremist materials, this article explores some innovative methods that Central Asian terrorists have recently experimented with to finance their activities. Their online financing efforts tend to involve three stages. The first is the dissemination of fundraising propaganda and contacting prospective donors via online public accounts. The second is communication via encrypted messaging apps to identify a suitable mode of transaction and to provide security protocols. The third is the transaction itself. Understanding these mechanisms can help enhance relevant countries’ response strategies against terrorism financing risks.