2. Health

    2021-10-11

    How the pandemic exposed the underlying chaos within the Iranian regime

    The COVID-19 health crisis has laid bare the growing dysfunction within the regime, as various parts of the Iranian government trade blame and use disinformation to cover up failures.

  3. Security

    2021-10-08

    Concerns mount over link between Chinese phones and security risks

    The Xiaomi -- the most popular smartphone in Europe -- was found to contain a built-in censorship tool, while national security risks continue to trouble world governments.

  4. Crime & Justice

    2021-10-07

    China seen as new centre for Iran's money-laundering operations

    China has been providing Iran cover for various money laundering and illegal activities as the ties between the two regimes deepen after the 25-year agreement was signed in March.

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SPOTLIGHT

China's 'sinicisation' plan does away with mosque domes, Islamic theology

Beijing's sinicisation policy includes removing mosques' minarets and domes, and replacing the adhan with the national anthem. Imams and worshippers say they are powerless to resist.

China's 'sinicisation' plan does away with mosque domes, Islamic theology
  1. Diplomacy

    2021-10-06

    Taliban takeover puts relationship with Iran on the rocks

    Iran appears to have preferred the Taliban, which Tehran supported militarily for years, as an opposition force in Afghanistan. Now with the Taliban in power, Iran is singing a different tune.

  2. Security

    2021-10-05

    Taliban's oppression of minorities raises spectre of civil war

    Members of the Iran-backed Fatemiyoun Division and other groups see the Taliban's discrimination against Afghanistan's Shia minority as cause for war.

  3. Human Rights

    2021-10-04

    China's 'sinicisation' plan does away with mosque domes, Islamic theology

    Beijing's sinicisation policy includes removing mosques' minarets and domes, and replacing the adhan with the national anthem. Imams and worshippers say they are powerless to resist.

  1. Terrorism

    2021-10-01

    Afghan Taliban–China co-operation could push Uighur militants to join ISIS-K

    China's alliance of convenience with the Taliban has the potential to push militants operating in Afghanistan and elsewhere into more extremist circles.

  2. Crime & Justice

    2021-09-29

    Taliban's public hangings in Herat shock Afghans, anger world

    Afghans say the horrifying event violates human rights principles and Islam, and are demanding the Taliban not turn Afghanistan once again into the 'darkest country in the world'.

  3. Terrorism

    2021-09-28

    Iran-linked terror suspects in Balochistan tied to economic sabotage

    Observers say camps inside Iran indicate that Iranian forces have given free rein to militants involved in sabotage activities against foreign investment in Pakistan.

  4. Human Rights

    2021-09-27

    Taliban evict Hazara farmers, give land to powerful Pashtun leaders

    Forty years after the Hazaras turned barren land into productive farms, the Taliban are kicking them out of their homes and depriving them of their crops.

  5. Security

    2021-09-24

    Pakistan, China eye with concern Afghan Taliban ties to terror groups

    Afghanistan's two neighbours are urging the Taliban to cut ties with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and East Turkestan Islamic Movement.

  6. Security

    2021-09-23

    China's saber-rattling alarms its watchful, fearful neighbours

    Taiwan's recent exercise simulating an invasion by China serves as a stark reminder to bordering countries in Central Asia and elsewhere of Beijing's growing belligerence.

  7. Diplomacy

    2021-09-23

    US to donate another 500 million COVID vaccine doses, totalling over 1 billion

    The pledge from President Joe Biden at the COVID-19 summit brings the total US commitment of donated vaccine doses to 1.1 billion -- more than the rest of the world combined.

  8. Security

    2021-09-22

    Senior al-Qaeda member's public return to Nangarhar underscores worries

    Amin-ul-Haq, a top al-Qaeda leader, publicly returned to his hometown in Afghanistan following the Taliban takeover of the country -- the latest evidence of ongoing ties between the two groups.

  9. Environment

    2021-09-21

    Tharis' plight overlooked as China pursues coal projects in Sindh

    Coal projects have gone forward despite widespread protests on issues of land, water, pollution, unemployment and public health concerns.

  10. Economy

    2021-09-20

    Facing a dark future, Afghan youth flee the country

    Uncertainty and a lack of jobs are forcing educated youth to leave the country in what some have described as a 'tragedy for Afghanistan'.

  11. Terrorism

    2021-09-17

    Increased threat from TTP looms over Pakistan

    Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) may feel emboldened by the Afghan Taliban's 'victory', but Pakistani security forces are keeping up pressure on the group.

  12. Women's Rights

    2021-09-17

    Iranian guards ordered female IAEA inspectors to remove clothing

    Diplomats say up to seven separate incidents occurred in which Iranian guards at nuclear facilities inappropriately touched and harassed female members of the UN monitoring agency.

  13. Economy

    2021-09-16

    Unemployment, poverty rise to unprecedented levels across Afghanistan

    Public and private sector employees have been laid off, and day labourers are having trouble finding enough work to feed their families.

  14. Security

    2021-09-15

    Iran's seizure of Afghan military equipment sparks outrage

    Military vehicles and equipment belonging to Afghan forces are beginning to surface in Iran, sparking outrage among the Afghan people.

  15. Media

    2021-09-13

    Russian trolls hijack comments in Western media to push Kremlin narratives

    State media outlets have been compiling 'reader comments stories' that use the comments pro-Russian trolls post on the websites of Western media outlets as their basis to claim 'dissent'.

  16. Terrorism

    2021-09-10

    Imprisoned ex-ISIS members share sobering stories of radicalisation

    Stories told by Kazakhs who spent years fighting in ISIS ranks will help prevent youth radicalisation in the country, say clergy and religious specialists.

  17. Women's Rights

    2021-09-08

    Defiant Afghan women demand their rights in face of Taliban threats

    Women have stepped up their defiance of the Taliban in recent days, unwilling to relinquish the gains they have made over the past 20 years.

  18. Security

    2021-09-07

    Track record of China, Russia, Iran contradicts vows for 'peace' in Afghanistan

    Iran and Russia say they are ready for peace after years of supplying the Taliban and encouraging conflict. Meanwhile, China appears ready to pounce on Afghanistan's resources.

  19. Business

    2021-09-06

    Putin's 'chef' seen bankrolling chaos, bloodshed around the world

    Yevgeny Prigozhin continues to fund a wide range of 'dirty work' operations across the globe for the Kremlin, none of which officially lead back to Vladimir Putin -- yet the connections are clear.

  20. Business

    2021-09-03

    Taliban sit on untapped $1 trillion trove of minerals -- but who will invest?

    Many donors have halted support to Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power, but China signaled it wants 'friendly and co-operative' relations with the country -- and its resources.

  21. Crime & Justice

    2021-09-02

    Chinese 'black site' in Dubai points to Beijing's expanding crackdown

    A young woman claims to have been held in a secret Chinese jail for dissidents and Uighurs in the UAE in what may be the first evidence that Beijing is operating a 'black site' beyond its borders.