The resurgence of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) under the Taliban’s ideological protection is reactivating global terror networks across South and Central Asia. This op-ed explores how the TTP’s links with al-Qaeda, ISKP, and TIP make it a transnational threat, one that endangers U.S., Chinese, and regional interests alike, not just Pakistan’s stability.
Long seen through a security lens, Pakistan is now redefining its role in US strategy, as a supplier of critical minerals, a connectivity hub between Central and South Asia, and a stabilizing force in a volatile region. Amid global competition with China and shifting energy dynamics, Washington increasingly views Pakistan’s stability not as a choice but as a strategic necessity anchoring its economic and geopolitical interests across Asia.
A recent Financial Times story claimed Pakistan was pitching a new Arabian Sea port to the US Built on anonymous sources and logical flaws, the report was quietly corrected. This article dissects how the flimsy reporting was weaponized by domestic and regional actors to push a false narrative, revealing more about their political agendas than Pakistan’s foreign policy.
The 2025 strategic defense pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia marks a major diplomatic milestone. Strengthening military and economic ties, it enhances Pakistan’s regional influence, bolsters Gulf security, and positions Islamabad as a key player between China, the US, and the Middle East. The agreement reflects a blend of constructivist and realist strategies, reinforcing Pakistan’s leadership role in the Muslim world.
Nepal’s counter-revolt exposes decades of political betrayal by mainstream and leftist parties alike. Despite revolutionary promises to abolish feudalism, ensure sovereignty, and deliver land reforms, leaders from Congress to Maoists succumbed to corruption and power politics. Today’s uprising is both a rejection of failed communist leadership and a warning for the Left in South Asia.
Unlocking Pakistan’s mineral fortune is less a matter of geology and more a test of governance. It hinges on attracting investment, implementing equitable policies, and navigating deep-seated grievances to avoid the resource curse that has plagued other nations.
Pakistan faces an existential crisis from climate change, despite contributing less than 1% to global emissions. Reimagining US-Pakistan relations through climate change cooperation offers a pathway to resilience, climate finance, and regional stability while advancing US global climate leadership.
The Shama Junejo UNGA controversy underscores Pakistan’s diplomatic vulnerabilities, from breached protocols to fractured institutional accountability at the UN.
At UNGA 2025, Shahbaz Sharif projected Pakistan’s confidence, framing deterrence, Kashmir, and Palestine within a call for peace and sovereignty.
Sheikh Hasina’s resignation ended India’s golden era of ties with Bangladesh, leaving New Delhi scrambling to counter China’s growing influence. Can Quad engagement offer India a path to rebuild trust and secure the Bay of Bengal?