Economic Collapse in Iran Accelerates Afghan Refugee Crisis
The intensifying economic crisis in Iran has triggered an unprecedented wave of reverse migration for millions of Afghan refugees. Escalating regional conflict and severe inflation have wiped out migrant savings across major Iranian commercial centers. For decades, Iran served as an industrial sanctuary for displaced Afghans fleeing civil war and authoritarian rule. However, skyrocketing consumer […]
New SAT Study Marks Five Years of Taliban Rule: “Institutional Evolution Without Ideological Rupture”
ISLAMABAD — South Asia Times (SAT), an independent research and media lab focused on South Asia, today released “Taliban 2.0: The Five Year Ledger,” a comprehensive study marking five years since the Taliban’s return to Kabul on 15 August 2021. Authored by Salman Javed, SAT’s Director General, and Haleema Khalid, SAT’s Director of Operations, the […]
Taliban 2.0: The Five-Year Ledger
Five years after the Taliban’s return to Kabul on 15 August 2021, “Taliban 2.0” is the reconfiguration of an inherited state around an unelected, Taliban-controlled militant political order.
Quantum Valley Pakistan to Open New Pathways for Youth, Startups and Businesses
The launch of Quantum Valley Pakistan in Islamabad marks a pivotal shift toward a knowledge driven economy. Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal characterized the project as a transformative milestone for youth empowerment. This landmark gathering brought together key government officials and global technology leaders. Key guests included Dr Najeeb Ullah […]
18th BRICS Summit: Moving from Diplomatic Declarations to Meaningful Action
The New Delhi summit has placed climate resilience, adaptation and sustainable development at the heart of BRICS cooperation. The real challenge now is turning commitments into action. The climate crisis is no longer a distant environmental threat. It is an immediate global emergency that is reshaping economies, threatening livelihoods, damaging ecosystems and increasing the vulnerability […]
Census of 2027: Not Merely a Statistical Headcount
Census of 2027 in India is not merely a headcount or statistical information about the nation; it is highly charged with upcoming political consequences. The Census of 2027 will infuse a political riddle and more strategic dimension into the current political structure of the government. It has the ability to change the structural political landscape […]
India’s BRICS Presidency and the Limits of Strategic Unity
India entered its 2026 BRICS presidency with an ambitious message. New Delhi presented itself as a bridge between competing powers, an advocate for the Global South, and a country capable of giving greater coherence to an increasingly diverse grouping. Its stated priorities rested on resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. Yet the expanded BRICS is now […]
What India’s BRICS Year Actually Delivered
India hosted a big BRICS summit, but there is no single breakthrough people can point to as a clear win. The New Delhi Declaration runs to 140 paragraphs and was signed by every member, yet most of what it contains restates positions BRICS has held for years rather than settling anything new. Payments, local currencies […]
Pakistan Stands With Saudi Arabia, Urges Yemen De-escalation
Pakistan’s Permanent Mission to the UN issued its 16 September statement after a fast-moving, alarming development. Saudi air defences intercepted a Houthi drone south of Makkah on 15 September, the first aerial-threat alert ever issued over the holy city. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation swiftly condemned the strikes on Makkah and the Madinah region. This […]