Everyone wants a piece of Afghanistan After four decades of war and chaos, situation in Afghanistan is likely to enter a new phase –US withdrawal and a peace deal between Taliban and the United States and Afghan government. On various grounds, questions are arising about the future setup in Afghanistan with apprehensions that it might plunge into a situation where …

Pakistan was thought of having abandoned its pro-Taliban policy in Afghanistan after becoming an ally in the US-led war on terror that was started in the wake of 9/11 incident. However, the unfolding of events during the recent years suggests that the country still has links with the Taliban despite being relentlessly subjected to scathing criticism by the US and …

The election of Republican Party candidate, Donald J. Trump, as the 45th President of the United States, gave birth to apprehensions that he would be disastrous for the Muslim world in general and Pakistan in particular. Pakistan has been fighting the US-led global war on terror since 2001 as a frontline state. However, for the last decade and a half, …

In the contemporary world, the influx of refugees has emerged as the most daunting challenge for all states in the global system. Even Europe and the US are facing this growing phenomenon after the Arab Spring in general and during the ongoing Syrian crisis in particular, despite the fact that they have the most rigid border controls in the world. …

Since the fateful event of 9/11, the relationship between Pakistan and the US has been marred by insurmountable mistrust. The West in general and the United States in particular have been trying to portray Pakistan as a hypocrite state and has accused the country of double-dealing in the war against terror while the huge sacrifices and colossal losses Pakistan has …

Will the transition of leadership in the Taliban and the Afghan government’s peace agreement with Gulbuddin Hekmatyar’s Hizb-e-Islami help reduce the unity government’s frustration? The two-year term of the political agreement between Dr Ashraf Ghani and Dr Abdullah Abdullah that was brokered by US Secretary of State, John Kerry, on September 21, 2014 to settle the dispute of presidential election …

Despite pledges, apprehensions, acknowledgements and strong commitments, Pakistan and Afghanistan still do not have a simpatico relationship. However, Afghan president Dr Ashraf Ghani’s visit to Pakistan on December 9 to participate in the fifth ‘Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process’ Conference is being seen as a ray of hope for cordial Pak-Afghan relations. Both the neighbouring states have not yet been able …

“The world will find us frank and honest in our dealings with it. An undertaking, once given, shall be honoured whatever the cost. Pakistan expects the same from others.”F.M. Muhammad Ayub Khan (Former President of Pakistan)   Border skirmishes escalate, mutual blame game is on and a zero-sum game thrives — India-Pakistan hostility is on the rise and the statements …

The Pak-Afghan ties have always been rocky as the blame game, especially from Afghan side, has always been on. The audacious attack on the well-protected Afghan parliamentary building in Kabul on June 23 ensued in such a blame game against Pakistan that on the very next day of the attack, Afghanistan’s intelligence service spokesman Hassib Sediqqi blamed that an officer …

Since his inauguration as the President of Afghanistan, Dr Ashraf Ghani has been committed to putting Afghanistan on the path that could help create peace and stability in Afghanistan. During his recent visit to the United States, one of his major objectives was to garner US support for peace talks with Taliban. The support of Pakistan and China and their …