Insights

Mar

By Syed Khalid Muhammad Governance, Pakistan, Terrorism

Is The Iron Shield Made of Plastic?

The announcement of the “newly formed high powered committee” comically named “Iron Shield,” is just another failure for Pakistan’s inept national security infrastructure.

Mar

By Salman Lali Governance, Pakistan, Terrorism

Pakistan: Security Challenges and the Hard State Dilemma

Pakistan’s security situation has long evolved as a consequence of the complex intersection of multiple factors, including geopolitical dilemmas, internal dissension, and history. The recently suggested notion of Pakistan being a hard state—one that prioritises security over other aspects of governance and socio-economic development—is being widely debated in drawing rooms, a select few editorials and op-eds, and YouTube vlogs.

Mar

By Salman Lali Governance, Pakistan

Politicisation of Pakistan’s Civil Awards: Honor or Political Gimmick?

The conferral of civil awards in Pakistan has always been a subject of debate, but the investiture ceremony held on March 23, 2025, under President Asif Ali Zardari has sparked particularly intense discussions. This year, the inclusion of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto (ZAB), as a posthumous recipient of the Nishan-e-Pakistan, has led to accusations of political favoritism, while the recognition of certain journalists has further ignited controversy.

Mar

By Syed Khalid Muhammad Geopolitics, Terrorism

How Terrorism Has Matured

The battlespace changed again when the US invaded Iraq and deposed Saddam Hussain. The mistake most make is assuming the battlefield changed on 9/11. That was the instigating event that weakened al Qaeda and created a space for another group to emerge.

Mar

By Syed Khalid Muhammad Afghanistan, Geopolitics, Pakistan, Terrorism

Sirajuddin Haqqani’s Resignation & The Coming Civil War

For the observer, looking at each event in isolation, it won't make sense. When you combine them all, Haqqani's resignation makes a great deal of sense at this time.

Mar

By Mirza Abdul Aleem Baig Artificial Intelligence (AI), Geopolitics

The Digital Arms Race and the New Cold War 4

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Quantum Computing (QC) are at the center of the strategic competition between the United States and China, shaping military capabilities, economic dominance, and techno-geopolitical influence in ways that will define the future of global power structures. This competition is not merely about technological progress but rather a battle for supremacy in national security, economic leadership, and military superiority.

Mar

By Lt. Colonel Saleem Akhtar Malik (Retired) Geopolitics

Russian-Ukraine War

The Russo-Ukrainian War completed a decade in February 2024. The war started when, following Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity, Russia occupied and annexed Crimea from Ukraine and supported pro-Russian separatists who began fighting the Ukrainian military in the Donbas region. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and occupied more Ukrainian territory.

Mar

By Lt. Colonel Saleem Akhtar Malik (Retired) Geopolitics, India, Pakistan

26 February 2019 – India’s Balakot air strike

Ajay Basaria, India’s High Commissioner to Pakistan in 2019, claimed how India’s coercive diplomacy in the wake of India’s Balakot attack forced Pakistan to return Wing Commander Abhinandan whose MiG 21 was shot down by the PAF during Operation Swift Retort.

Jan

By Syed Khalid Muhammad Afghanistan, Geopolitics, Terrorism

Taliban Lies That Would Make the Nazis Proud

A few days ago, Afghanistan International, a newspaper with a reputation of questionable values and even more questionable reporting, published an article about the “Mir Ali Agreement” that was signed between Sirajuddin Haqqani and various terrorist groups before the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021.

Jan

By Mirza Abdul Aleem Baig Artificial Intelligence (AI), Geopolitics

Asian Century – Asia’s Role in Shaping the Future of Technology and Global Power

Technological innovation is transforming societies at an unprecedented pace. From artificial intelligence and block-chain to advanced biomedical technologies, the rapid development and diffusion of technology are reshaping economies, governance, and even the balance of power among nations.