Int’l Affairs

Afghanistan sits at an important geostrategic location that connects the Middle East with Central Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. Capital (and largest city): Kabul 34’31’N69°08’E/34.517’N 69.133’E /34.517°N69.133 Official language(s): Dari (Persian) and Pashto Demonym: Afghan Government: Islamic Republic President: Hamid Karzai Vice-President: Mohammed Fahim Vice-President: Karim Khalili Chief Justice: Abdul Salam Azimi Establishment: First Afghan state in October 1747 Independence: …

A Guide to Mideast Policy from Harry Truman to Barack Obama The first time a Western power got soaked in the politics of oil in the Middle East was toward the end of 1914, when British soldiers landed at Basra, in southern Iraq, to protect oil supplies from neighbouring Persia. At the time the US had little interest in Middle …

Apparently, the ISI has the upper hand over the CIA, though a heavy cost might incur by that move. Historically the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has always worked as credible agency for Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The subservient relation of ISI with CIA has immensely damaged the reputation of Pak army and Pakistani government. The imposition of US policies in Pakistan …

Some people may argue that the Western military intervention is aimed at grabbing Libya’s vast oil and gas reserves, but Qaddafi’s stubborn refusal to step down has also facilitated the West in making this intervention possible. Having an area of 1,757,000 square kilometres and population of 6,173,579, Libya is North Africa’s largest oil producing country, having a society with strong …

The Japanese government has ordered all nuclear facilities to upgrade their safety procedures (CNN) and is reviewing whether to remove a safety agency from the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry because it may be too cozy with the nuclear industry. Two weeks following Japan’s March 11 earthquake, at least four of the six reactors at Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant …

Cameron’s visit helps normalise their bilateral relations and lesson the heat between them. If the two countries want to move ahead, they should make a fresh start in their relationship. British Prime Minister David Cameron made his maiden visit to Pakistan in April after assuming office. His visit was one of relatively rare trips to Pakistan by Western heads of …

The concept of publishing this report is to develop ideas for promoting greater stability worldwide, to encourage debate and help guide strategies for sustainable security. Failed state index The Foreign Policy magazine and Fund For Peace (US) publish the failed state index every year. From 2005 onwards, six reports have been published. The report uses 12 indicators in social, economic …

An overview of Iranian revolution Between 1953 and 1963 much poverty remained among the Iranian people, and the gap between the rich and poor grew. There was talk of the oligarchy of one thousand families. One of the great landowners was the Shah (king), Muhammad Reza Pahlavi. Another was the Shia clerical establishment, which had acquired land through religious endowments. …

Mubarak was ousted after 18 days of demonstrations during the 2011 Egyptian revolution. Capital:Cairo Ethnic groups:99 per cent Egyptians, 0.9 per cent Nubians, 0.1 per cent Greeks Establishment:Independence from the United Kingdom on February 28, 1922   –Became republic on June 18, 1953 Area:1,002,450 km2 Population:September 2010 estimate 79,089,650 Long ago, this Nile valley cradled and nourished one of the oldest …

Pakistani Turkish relations are foreign relations between the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Turkey. One Nation Two States is the phrase that best describes the relations between Turkey and Pakistan. The people of both countries have brotherly relations which date back to centuries. Moreover, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called Pakistan his second home. Both …