What Was Different This Time? Pakistan-Afghanistan Skirmishes on the Pak-Afghan border

What changed in the Feb 26 Pak-Afghan clashes? From restraint to calibrated force, Pakistan signaled a tougher, proactive border doctrine.
Russia–Ukraine War, Four Years Later
![Ukrainian and Russian flags with soldier silhouettes representing ongoing conflict. [Image via Atlantic Council].](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/2022-02-09T000000Z_1319661209_MT1NURPHO000HXCNME_RTRMADP_3_UKRAINE-CONFLICT-STOCK-PICTURES-scaled-e1661353077377-1024x1024.jpg)
Four years after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the war has evolved into a costly stalemate with far-reaching geopolitical and economic consequences.
PM Shehbaz Meets Qatari Emir, Reaffirms Strategic and Economic Partnership

PM Shehbaz meets Qatar’s Emir in Doha, reaffirming strong ties and advancing strategic economic cooperation.
Three Youths Killed in Kishtwar Encounter; Questions Raised Over Conduct of Operations

Three youth killed in Kishtwar encounter spark fresh debate over alleged fake encounters and accountability in Kashmir.
Taliban’s Ethnic Monopoly Deepens Afghanistan’s Instability: Dr Ibrahim Al-Marashi

Dr Ibrahim warns Taliban’s ethnic exclusion fuels instability, militancy, and regional security concerns across Afghanistan.
Deconstructing the Deprivation Myth
![Truck traveling along the Makran Coastal Highway in Balochistan, with rugged cliffs and the Arabian Sea coastline in the background [Image via Getty Images].](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Balochistan-2.webp)
For decades, Balochistan’s underdevelopment has been framed as a story of federal neglect. But does the data support that claim?
Global Reports Warn Afghanistan Still Hosts Transnational Militants

UN and Russian assessments highlight persistent militant networks in Afghanistan, raising regional security concerns despite Taliban control.
Media Framing of Terrorism: Al Jazeera and UN-Designated TTP Coverage

Al Jazeera’s portrayal of TTP militants as “fighters” raises concerns over journalistic bias and counterterrorism framing.
Pakistan’s Cross-Border Strikes and the Evolving Counterterror Doctrine
![Afghan men search for victims after a Pakistani air strike hit a residential area in the Girdi Kas village, Nangarhar province on February 22, 2026. [Aimal Zahir/AFP/Getty Images]](https://southasiatimes.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/gettyimages-2262391441.webp)
An analysis of Pakistan’s cross-border action, security rationale, and regional implications amid rising militant threats.