![Is Pakistan asking China for second-strike nuclear help? We explore the facts, media spin, and deeper strategic implications. [Image via shutterstock]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Pakistan-1-1600x847.webp "Pakistan-1")
Is Pakistan asking China for second-strike nuclear help? We explore the facts, media spin, and deeper strategic implications.
![16 soldiers martyred in terrorist attack on a checkpost in South Waziristan, KP, as security forces fight back [Image via Anadolu Ajansi/File]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/thumbs_b_c_f2013da1f611e3c9bfa0c715b4d8ac23.webp "thumbs_b_c_f2013da1f611e3c9bfa0c715b4d8ac23")
16 soldiers martyred in terrorist attack on a checkpost in South Waziristan, KP, as security forces fight back
![Union Home Minister Amit Shah vows to eradicate Naxalism by 2026. Does India’s anti-Naxal operations strategy focus on force over reconciliation? [Image via The Hindu]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/MaoistRebelsArt.webp "MaoistRebelsArt")
Union Home Minister Amit Shah vows to eradicate Naxalism by 2026. Does India’s anti-Naxal operations strategy focus on force over reconciliation?
![Al-Qaeda affiliates like Al-Shabaab are targeting weak states. Pakistan must strengthen its stability, collaborate regionally, and address extremism’s root causes. [Image via Reuters]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/WO-AN333_AQSYRI_P_20130409185847.webp "WO-AN333_AQSYRI_P_20130409185847")
Al-Qaeda affiliates like Al-Shabaab are targeting weak states. Pakistan must strengthen its stability, collaborate regionally, and address extremism’s root causes.
Billions in aid to Afghanistan raise concerns over accountability, misuse, and the Taliban’s management, casting doubt on international efforts.
![ISKP’s threat to the Afghan Interim Government grows, exposing strategic vulnerabilities, internal divisions, and regional security challenges. [Image via unsplash photos]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image001-1024x653-1.webp "image001-1024×653")
ISKP’s threat is pushing Afghanistan into chaos. The assassination of a top Taliban leader exposes deep vulnerabilities in AIG’s control.
![The death of Khalil Haqqani in a Kabul explosion exposes leadership rifts in the Afghan interim government and raises concerns about ISKP’s role. Image via [Wakil Kohsar/AFP]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/AFP__20241211__36Q43YP__v4__HighRes__FilesAfghanistanUnrestGovernment-1733916592.webp "AFP__20241211__36Q43YP__v4__HighRes__FilesAfghanistanUnrestGovernment-1733916592")
Khalil Haqqani’s death in a Kabul explosion exposes leadership rifts in the Afghan interim government and raises concerns about ISKP’s role.
![Pakistan's envoy condemns the attack that killed Khalil Rahman Haqqani, Taliban's refugee minister, expressing shock and sadness. [Image via Amu]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Sadiq-Khan.webp "Sadiq-Khan")
Pakistan’s envoy condemns the attack that killed Khalil Rahman Haqqani, Taliban’s refugee minister, expressing shock and sadness.
![Afghanistan minister for refugees Khalil Haqqani in 2022. [Image: AFP via Getty Images]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/im-14501661.webp "im-14501661")
Who killed Khalilur Rahman Haqqani? ISKP or internal Taliban rivalry? Explore how this assassination deepens Afghanistan’s fault lines.
![A soldier was martyred and 15 terrorists killed during a security operation in Balochistan's Zhob district. [Image via Dawn]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/10184208ffeadef.webp "10184208ffeadef")
A soldier was martyred and 15 terrorists killed during a security operation in Balochistan’s Zhob district.