18 Mar 2025
A battle without weapons that fuels India–Pakistan nationalism
The daily spectacular that dazzles and delights is rooted in power and propaganda.
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14 Feb 2025
Flight to nowhere: The curious New Gwadar International Airport
A Chinese-funded white elephant relies on hope rather than reality. -
3 Feb 2025
The revival of Bangladesh-Pakistan ties
Old enemies are becoming fast friends, and this has not gone unnoticed in the neighbourhood. -
27 Nov 2024
Pakistan and China’s diplomatic relations reach a low ebb
A once lauded partnership is being sorely tested. -
31 Oct 2024
Asia’s year of electoral upsets
The poor result for the region’s most successful electoral machine in Japan on Sunday has only underlined a surprisingly bad year for incumbents across Asia. -
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23 Aug 2024
Why is Imran Khan running for chancellor of University of Oxford?
The former international cricketer is determined to play until the last ball of his political innings. -
14 May 2024
Targeting girls education: Pakistan’s tribal areas suffer under Taliban influence
Schools are the best weapon against extremism, that’s why the militants fear them. -
5 Apr 2024
Pakistan: The dangerous reality of working on China’s megaprojects
A spate of deadly insurgent attacks on Chinese nationals sends a message about vulnerability. -
12 Mar 2024
Democracy is struggling in South Asia
Good governance is essential to managing regional challenges. -
28 Feb 2024
Pakistan pulls the data plug
Online censorship in the wake of extraordinary elections is the latest challenge to cost the country. -
5 Feb 2024
Pakistan elections: Conspiracy theories, plots, and sidelines
A decades-long jail sentence is only one of former PM Imran Khan’s woes as Pakistanis head to the polls this week. -
5 Jan 2024
Multilateral cooperation can improve South Asia’s water woes
Transparency will help foster trust, which can lead to a common river management framework for the benefit of all. -
5 Dec 2023
“Egregious stupidity”: The story of when Australia split with Kissinger over South Asia
On Kissinger’s final report card, his handling of India, Pakistan and the emergence of Bangladesh scores badly. -
9 Oct 2023
Pakistan intends to deport 1.7 million Afghans
Will global condemnation and financial default force Islamabad’s hand on refugees fleeing the Taliban regime? -
27 Sep 2023
The Kalash are under threat from Pakistani Taliban
A remote and persecuted religious minority is an easy target for militants set on gaining territory by any means. -
21 Sep 2023
Pakistan at a crossroads on blasphemy
Draconian interpretations of Islamabad’s laws violate human rights and are stoking violent religious extremism. -
4 Aug 2023
What four upcoming elections in South Asia mean for Australia
With significant strategic equities at play, Canberra will need more regional engagement than ever before. -
1 Aug 2023
China’s big gamble in Pakistan: A 10-year scorecard for CPEC
The monster project for the Belt and Road Initiative has a deeply troubled beginning. -
22 Jun 2023
Why the Pakistan crisis spells trouble for our region
Political and economic upheaval, and a growing list of creditors, mean Islamabad has few friends to call on. -
10 May 2023
Pakistan’s gamble with Russian oil
Any deal will be hindered by US sanctions, refining challenges, transportation costs, and payment concerns. -
28 Mar 2023
China trumpets the Saudi-Iran deal, yet much credit goes to Pakistan
A little-heralded meeting in Islamabad set the stage for two arch rivals to set aside differences. -
28 Mar 2023
India’s delicate dance with the Taliban
With Afghanistan’s China pivot proving disappointing, the Islamist group is reprising its relationship with New Delhi. -
14 Oct 2022
Enemies of education are back in Malala’s hometown?
Fresh attacks by the Pakistani Taliban mark an alarming regression in the decade-long progress made in the region. -
6 Sep 2022
The strange case of a missing Bentley and sinking corruption in Pakistan
As the country struggles with the aftermath of devastating floods, an alleged international heist adds to local anger. -
27 Jul 2022
Is Pakistan heeding the warning signs from Sri Lanka?
Surging prices, shortages, growing debt, a teetering economy. Familiar ingredients point to trouble ahead. -
27 Jun 2022
India-Pakistan: regional rivalries still rule in Afghanistan
The visit of an Indian delegation for talks with the Taliban in Kabul has raised eyebrows in neighbouring Pakistan. -
16 May 2022
Pakistani separatists turn their sights on China
A Balochistan independence group has ordered Beijing to quit its interests in the region … to no effect. -
2 May 2022
Drones do the talking in Pakistan’s anti-terror offensive
Islamabad is tired of waiting for Afghanistan’s Taliban to control the TTP who have found safe haven across the border. -
22 Apr 2022
India-Russia: A friend in need
New Delhi’s reluctance to speak out on Ukraine is also influenced by own ambition in the disputed Kashmir region. -
4 Mar 2022
Back in the USSR – surprises in the Russia-Ukraine conflict
It’d be funny, if it wasn’t so deadly serious. -
23 Dec 2021
Pakistan and China: An unhappy union in Gwadar
Protests against Beijing’s strategic investments in Balochistan are only the latest in a long line of grievances. -
2 Nov 2021
Sport between India and Pakistan is not just that
Players – or countries – can send a message in victory and defeat. -
17 Sep 2021
China – a lonely superpower
Despite many countries having issues with the West, China has few obvious alliance candidates. -
18 Aug 2021
Afghanistan’s collapse shifts strategic dynamics in South Asia
If the Taliban’s return is seen a plus for Pakistan, India appears to be the loser. -
13 Aug 2021
Mango diplomacy is more than low-hanging fruit in South Asian politics
Bangladesh has used a national icon to signal a fresh appetite for improved ties with Pakistan – just as China looms. -
5 Aug 2021
Is Pakistan fuelling a Taliban takeover?
The Afghan government points a finger at Pakistan in a tactic to divert attention from its own colossal failures. -
26 Jul 2021
Another proxy war in Afghanistan?
India and Pakistan both have deep ties to Afghanistan and as US troops withdraw, a fresh conflict may fill the void. -
3 Jun 2021
Saudi Arabia wins back Pakistan
Islamabad mistakenly tried to strong-arm Riyadh from a position of weakness. -
4 May 2021
Pakistani Taliban turn on China
Any friend of the government in Islamabad appears to be an enemy of the terrorist group. -
27 Apr 2021
Pakistan’s extremist dilemma
The government banned a right-wing religious group, then gave in to its demands. Which way does it go now? -
16 Apr 2021
Russia’s Asia diplomacy
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visits to Beijing, New Delhi and Islamabad showed Moscow still has clout in the region. -
14 Dec 2020
A dilemma for Pakistan as UAE cuts off work visas
A vital source of employment and income has been severed after Pakistan ran afoul of its powerful benefactors. -
15 Oct 2020
Pakistan gets on the TikTok ban wagon
For very different reasons, the South Asian country follows rival India in blocking the China-based app. -
25 Sep 2020
Intra-Afghan talks and future of Pakistan-Taliban relations
Long regarded as the not-so-invisible hand behind the Taliban, Pakistan has steadily lost its influence over the group. -
11 Sep 2020
For real peace, Afghanistan needs a Plan B
A US exit opens the way to complete takeover by the Taliban, precisely what they – and Pakistan – have long wished for. -
24 Aug 2020
Kashmir, a year on from the change
Revoking special status hasn’t resolved militancy or improved the local economy – both supposed goals of the move. -
19 Aug 2020
As Pakistan and Saudi Arabia drift apart, China moves in
A growing schism between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan points to new alliances in the Muslim world. -
14 Jul 2020
Obstacles remain for Pakistan dam backed by China
The Diamer-Bhasha dam project faces high costs, territorial disputes and community opposition. -
30 Jun 2020
China’s pipeline dream in Pakistan
The plan to transport oil across the Himalayas is a logistical nightmare. Post-Covid economics will make it even harder.