South East Asia

China In The Middle East: Stepping Up To The Plate – Analysis

By defining Chinese characteristics as “seeking common ground while reserving differences,” a formula that implies conflict management rather than conflict resolution, Messrs. Sun and Wu were suggesting that China was seeking to prepare the ground for greater Chinese engagement in efforts to stabilize the Middle East, a volatile region that …

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China, Iran relations widen amid renewed nuclear talks

While pressuring Washington to drop sanctions and renew the JCPOA, Beijing has expanded trade and military relations with Tehran and its neighbors. In the puzzle that is known as the Iran nuclear deal — the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — the United States holds the key, China’s Foreign …

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Pakistan expert: Religiosity aiding spike in militancy

Militant attacks are on the rise in Pakistan amid a growing religiosity that has brought greater intolerance, prompting one expert to voice concern the country could be overwhelmed by religious extremism. Pakistani authorities are embracing strengthening religious belief among the population to bring the country closer together. But it’s doing …

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Elbit awarded $300m. contract to supply unmanned aircraft systems to Asian country

The company said that under the contract, it will provide its Hermes 900 UAS and associated sub-systems, as well as maintenance and support services. Elbit Systems announced on Tuesday that it was awarded an approximately $300 million contract by a country in Asia to provide Hermes 900 Unmanned Aircraft Systems. …

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China to hold month-long military drills in South China Sea

China has announced that it will hold military exercises in the South China Sea for the whole of March, at a time when the US military has been frequently sending reconnaissance aircraft and ships to the region and a French warship group is on its way. The South China Sea …

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Taliban Warn Turning Away from Afghan Peace Deal ‘Doomed to Failure’

The Taliban demanded Sunday that the United States and its foreign military allies leave Afghanistan by May 1, in line with a peace agreement the insurgent group signed with Washington a year ago, warning any attempt to change the path “is already doomed to failure.” In a statement released to …

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Breaking the Stalemate: Biden Can Use the U.S.-Taliban Deal to Bring Peace

U.S. troop withdrawal looms over negotiations a year after the historic agreement. On the eve of the one-year anniversary of the U.S.-Taliban agreement, Afghanistan remains unfortunately far away from peace. The historic agreement paved the way for a full U.S. withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and the start of intra-Afghan …

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Pakistan’s Action-Plan At UNSC Urges Outlawing Extremist Nationalist Groups – OpEd

In January 2021, Pakistan proposed an action plan at UNSC (United Nations Security Council) to combat the extremist Hindutva ideology. The purpose of this action plan is to counter the recent growth of extremist ideologies e.g. Hindutva ideology and highlight the role of Pakistan in the global campaign to fight …

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Biden’s CIA nominee stresses China over Iran during Senate hearing

Ambassador William Burns said that China is the biggest challenge for the United States, but that Iran and Russia cannot be overlooked. CIA Director nominee William Burns said Iran cannot be overlooked, but advocated for a focus on China during his nomination hearing Wednesday. Burns, who was nominated for the …

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When It Comes to Soft Power, China Is Already Outpacing the U.S.

The coming crisis of American power that is sure to follow the November election will be unique in U.S. history. Competing with China, Russia and whatever other major rivals may emerge will be less about aircraft carriers, fighter jets, nuclear submarines and stealth bombers than ever before, and more about …

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