Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri dies in Afghanistan
Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has died of natural causes in Afghanistan, according Afghanistan and Pakistan media on Friday.
South East Asia
More arms procurements from U.S. in pipeline for 2021: MND
Taiwan has two defense procurement deals with the United States in the pipeline for 2021, worth approximately US$8 billion, Vice Defense Minister Chang Che-ping (張哲平) said Monday during a legislative hearing.
‘Pressure from sisterly countries to recognise Israel,’ says Pakistan PM
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan revealed that his country is under pressure from sisterly countries to recognise the State of Israel.
In statements made on Friday, Khan announced: “We have been under pressure from friendly countries to recognise Israel, however, we will not do so without a fair settlement to the Palestinians.”
Al-Qaeda Facing Perilous Transition as Old Guard is Slowly Eliminated
Last week, the New York Times reported that in August of this year, Israeli agents killed al-Qaeda’s number two, Abu Mohammed al-Masri, in Tehran.
Credible rumors recently circulated that al-Qaeda’s current leader Ayman al-Zawahiri died of natural causes, although this remains unconfirmed.
A Sea Change?: China’s Role in the Black Sea
Through its Belt and Road Initiative, China seeks to play a larger role in the Black Sea region. China has been wooing littoral states in hopes of securing new markets for its goods and investing in infrastructure projects.