The Return of Insurgency in Central Asia
A series of cross-border incidents along the Afghanistan–Tajikistan frontier has raised fears of a renewed insurgent threat in Central Asia. As militant networks regroup in northern Afghanistan, regional governments are questioning long-held assumptions about Taliban governance, Russian security guarantees and the durability of the post-Soviet order.
Toward an Islamic NATO?
In a rapidly fragmenting global order, Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia are exploring a trilateral defense arrangement that could redefine regional security architectures. Often dubbed an Islamic NATO, the proposed pact reflects a broader shift by middle powers toward strategic autonomy as US security guarantees wane. This convergence signals the merging of Middle Eastern and South Asian strategic theaters into a single geopolitical map.
The Hegemon’s Gavel
International law was never truly independent. Once the guarantor of the system breaks the rules, the law becomes a tool for power, not principle.
Pakistan–Bangladesh Rapprochement: Promise of New Maritime Corridor
Pakistan and Bangladesh explore a shared maritime corridor to boost trade, rebuild trust, and shape South Asia’s economic future
Militancy, Borderization, and the Politics of a Frontier
The Durand Line’s transformation from a porous frontier to a fenced border is altering militant strategies, funding, and regional security. Jihadist networks like TTP and IS-K are adapting to these changes while local populations face social and economic pressures.
When Power Blinked: Civil–Military Relations in Zardari’s Era
Midnight Islamabad is when Pakistan civil–military relations and legitimacy vacuum watches, and governments fall until survival wins.
Civil–Military Relations in Transition: Continuity, Change, and Strategic Stability in Pakistan
Civil–Military Relations in Transition: Continuity, Change, and Strategic Stability in Pakistan Janurary 10, 2026 Online SAT Web Administrator Share 10 Janurary 2025 Wednesday Roundtable Event South Asia Times Inqueries: [email protected] Background and Context: Pakistan’s civil–military relations have long shaped the country’s political stability, democratic development, and national security decision-making. Emerging from early security threats, regional […]
How Sanctions, Militarized Economics, and Institutional Decay Broke Iran’s Currency
Iran’s 2026 currency crash was not a sudden shock but the result of sanctions, IRGC-dominated economics, and institutional decay undermining trust in the rial.
Bagram Airbase, US Aid, and Afghanistan’s Strategic-Humanitarian Dilemma
Sources suggest the Taliban has offered immediate access to Bagram Airbase for potential strikes against Iran in exchange for continued U.S. aid. Beyond military leverage, the offer underscores Afghanistan’s acute humanitarian crisis and the Taliban’s reliance on external support, highlighting the complex interplay between strategy, politics, and survival in a fragile state.