Playing with numbers: China's poverty eradication 'miracle' deemed a ploy

2021-03-04

Under the World Bank's recommended numbers, about 13% of China's population still lives in poverty, a far cry from the Communist Party's trumpeted 'miracle' of total eradication.

UN report details decade of 'unimaginable suffering' for detainees in Syria

Human Rights

2021-03-02

UN report details decade of 'unimaginable suffering' for detainees in Syria

Torture methods have included electric shock, the burning of body parts, pulling off nails and teeth, mock executions, and crucifying or suspending individuals from limbs for prolonged periods.

Tensions simmer after mass shooting near Pakistan-Iranian border

Crime & Justice

2021-03-01

Tensions simmer after mass shooting near Pakistan-Iranian border

Iranian security forces opened fire on civilians transporting fuel near the Pakistan border, triggering a violent uprising. Tehran later blocked the internet in the area to prevent further unrest.

US strikes on Iran-backed militias in Syria send 'unambiguous message'

Security

2021-02-26

US strikes on Iran-backed militias in Syria send 'unambiguous message'

US President Joe Biden authorised the strikes near the Iraq-Syria border following attacks against US and coalition personnel in Iraq, as the US vows to hold Iran responsible for its Iraqi militias.

Evidence suggests Haqqani Network, ISIS co-ordinating terror attacks

Security

2021-02-25

Evidence suggests Haqqani Network, ISIS co-ordinating terror attacks

Officials say the Haqqani Network takes care of planning and providing resources, while ISIS launches the attacks and takes responsibility, providing a smokescreen from accusations.

China increasing prosecution, lengthening sentences of Uighur Muslims

Human Rights

2021-02-24

China increasing prosecution, lengthening sentences of Uighur Muslims

Those locked up in Xinjiang's prisons are 'ordinary people convicted for going about their lives and practicing their religion', according to Human Rights Watch.

Do you think Pakistan should downgrade relations with Beijing because of Chinese oppression of Muslims in Xinjiang?

SPOTLIGHT

Growing intra-Taliban feud threatens to unravel peace process

The Taliban's political wing has decided to do something about its military colleagues' intransigence on a number of issues, and some fear an even greater escalation of violence across the country.

China deems Xinjiang rape, abuses as 'shining examples' of progress

Human Rights

2021-02-22

China deems Xinjiang rape, abuses as 'shining examples' of progress

China's foreign minister declared at the UN that his country's systematic abuses of Muslims, which include gang rape, show Beijing's commitment to human rights progress.

'Successful' AMAN-21 drills deemed to bring greater stability in region

Security

2021-02-19

'Successful' AMAN-21 drills deemed to bring greater stability in region

Pakistan's maritime diplomacy is a key example of the country's ability to bring 45 diverse countries and navies on a common platform of peace in the Indian Ocean region.

Security

2021-02-18

Growing intra-Taliban feud threatens to unravel peace process

The Taliban's political wing has decided to do something about its military colleagues' intransigence on a number of issues, and some fear an even greater escalation of violence across the country.

International probe accuses China of withholding info on COVID-19 origins

Health

2021-02-17

International probe accuses China of withholding info on COVID-19 origins

Beijing's lack of transparency and selective data sharing have frustrated the team of international specialists tasked with probing the origin of the pandemic. No conclusive findings were made.

Security

2021-02-16

AMAN-21 drills exhibit collective international will to pursue peace, security

'The exercise is a reflection that nations can play a constructive role in building new ties, establishing innovative relationships while strengthening existing ones,' said a top commander.

Indebted ISIS fighters in Syria forced into banditry

Security

2021-02-15

Indebted ISIS fighters in Syria forced into banditry

In addition to organised robbery, surviving ISIS members have even stooped to fraud via social media by misrepresenting their accounts as belonging to widows and needy people.

Iran's Sunni community blasts Islamic Republic's 'Muslim unity' claims

Human Rights

2021-02-11

Iran's Sunni community blasts Islamic Republic's 'Muslim unity' claims

Sunnis in Iran are excluded from holding senior positions in government and the regime bars them from repairing dilapidated mosques or building new ones.

Beijing censors shutdown Clubhouse after blissful week of 'real internet'

Technology

2021-02-10

Beijing censors shutdown Clubhouse after blissful week of 'real internet'

Threatened by truthful conversations on the treatment of Muslims in Xinjiang and the thorny issue of Taiwan, the Chinese regime has stamped out freedom of thought once again.

Security

2021-02-09

AMAN-21 puts Pakistan at center of major international push for security

Forty-five countries are participating in the biennial drills that aim to improve peace and stability in the region and beyond.

Arrest of Zainabiyoun recruiter highlights Iran's posture toward Pakistan

Security

2021-02-08

Arrest of Zainabiyoun recruiter highlights Iran's posture toward Pakistan

The recent arrest of a militant working on behalf of Iran's Revolutionary Guards puts the spotlight once again on Tehran's policies that undermine the security of Pakistan and the region.

Muslim women recount China's campaign of systematic rape in Xinjiang

Human Rights

2021-02-05

Muslim women recount China's campaign of systematic rape in Xinjiang

One victim described witnessing a gang rape of a young woman whom camp staff brought before dozens of other detainees. Policemen took turns raping her in front of everyone.

How Iran lured a dissident from France to execution

Crime & Justice

2021-02-04

How Iran lured a dissident from France to execution

Iranian dissident Rouhollah Zam, lured to Iraq in October 2019, was abducted and taken to Iran, where he was hanged a year later.

Iran's missile programme: a long history of failure and mishap

Analysis

2021-02-03

Iran's missile programme: a long history of failure and mishap

The IRGC constantly downplays its failures and boasts about occasional successes, while the skyrocketing cost of its missile programme diverts key funds away from impoverished Iranians.

After hellish years under ISIS 'caliphate', Ukraine woman hopes for new start

Tolerance

2021-02-02

After hellish years under ISIS 'caliphate', Ukraine woman hopes for new start

'If you tried to escape, they could shoot you in the back,' says woman who followed her husband to Syria and described it as a mistake.

'Out of compliance': Iran faces tough choices on nuclear deal

Diplomacy

2021-02-01

'Out of compliance': Iran faces tough choices on nuclear deal

If Iran is serious about negotiations and wants a new commitment, it must refrain from further provocations and return to compliance.

China attempts to convince world that it is 'victim' of COVID-19

Health

2021-01-29

China attempts to convince world that it is 'victim' of COVID-19

Beijing's spin took on more urgency in recent weeks as World Health Organisation (WHO) experts arrived in Wuhan to probe the origins of the coronavirus.

New Iran-backed militia with Zainabiyoun link surfaces in eastern Syria

Security

2021-01-28

New Iran-backed militia with Zainabiyoun link surfaces in eastern Syria

Sayyida Zainab Brigade has established a presence around the Deir Ezzor city of al-Mayadeen, where it is seeking to expand Iran's influence.

Wuhan clubbers flaunt 'freedom' as world continues to suffer

Health

2021-01-27

Wuhan clubbers flaunt 'freedom' as world continues to suffer

The statements of interviewed locals echo China state media's massive disinformation campaign that has been hammering home the success of Beijing, and failure of Western governments.

Balochistan residents reiterate calls to stop Gwadar port fencing

Security

2021-01-26

Balochistan residents reiterate calls to stop Gwadar port fencing

Plans to fence off a large area around Gwadar have outraged residents who say the government is prioritising Chinese interests at the expense of locals' livelihoods.

Documentary spotlights Putin's billion-dollar Black Sea 'bribery' palace

Crime & Justice

2021-01-25

Documentary spotlights Putin's billion-dollar Black Sea 'bribery' palace

Putin's property is 39 times the size of Monaco and features a casino inside a 17,691-square-metre mansion, along with an ice rink and vineyards.

China's 'triumph' over COVID-19 marred by new outbreaks, lockdowns

Health

2021-01-22

China's 'triumph' over COVID-19 marred by new outbreaks, lockdowns

One year after the Wuhan lockdown, Beijing is eager to promote its narrative of how it contained the pandemic, but history tells another story.

Peaceful transfer of power underscores resilience of US democracy

Analysis

2021-01-21

Peaceful transfer of power underscores resilience of US democracy

The United States continued its over 200-year-old tradition of handing over presidential power peacefully, as the US military remains steadfast in its commitments to allies around the world.

Energy

2021-01-18

China's pivot to clean energy is more talk than action, say analysts

Beijing's pitch to be the global leader for climate change is undermined by its heavy investment in coal, and is the latest example of the regime's tactics in the global information war.

International probe reaches Wuhan, but what evidence will it find?

Health

2021-01-15

International probe reaches Wuhan, but what evidence will it find?

Beijing's history of secrecy, disinformation and delays raises concerns that the team of World Health Organisation specialists will find a cold trail more than a year after COVID-19 first emerged.