2. Security

    2021-04-12

    Afghans urge Taliban to stop violence during Ramadan

    A ceasefire should occur during Ramadan, residents say, stressing that Afghans should not be disturbed by violence during the holy month.

  3. Human Rights

    2021-04-09

    Beijing turns Muslim suffering in Xinjiang into musical melodrama

    The musical film 'The Wings of Songs' is a tasteless attempt by China to try to reframe the regime's well documented abuses against Muslims in Xinjiang -- and no one is buying it.

  4. Terrorism

    2021-04-08

    'Canary caliph': new details reveal extent of ISIS leader as prison snitch

    While detained in Iraq in 2008, the current ISIS leader was eager to inform on his rivals, providing US forces 'maplike directions' on how to find them, including a top al-Qaeda leader.

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SPOTLIGHT

Beijing turns Muslim suffering in Xinjiang into musical melodrama

The musical film 'The Wings of Songs' is a tasteless attempt by China to try to reframe the regime's well documented abuses against Muslims in Xinjiang -- and no one is buying it.

Beijing turns Muslim suffering in Xinjiang into musical melodrama
  1. Diplomacy

    2021-04-07

    Russian foreign minister's visit to Pakistan raises questions over intentions

    Sergey Lavrov's visit to Islamabad comes at a time when Russia is suffering from international isolation and an economic crisis, both due to Moscow's ongoing malign activity around the world.

  2. Security

    2021-04-06

    With graphic murder video, ISIS seeks to inflame sectarian strife in Pakistan

    Grisly footage circulated by ISIS shows the group killing 11 members of Pakistan's minority Hazara community and inciting sectarian violence.

  3. Analysis

    2021-04-05

    Kremlin influence agent Prigozhin faces harsh reality as international fugitive

    'Businessman' Yevgeny Prigozhin is pulling the strings on a number of influence campaigns around the world on behalf of the Kremlin, but the international legal noose is tightening.

  1. Security

    2021-04-02

    Killing of al-Qaeda, Taliban leaders together proves groups' ongoing ties

    Special forces killed Abu Mohammad al-Tajiki, a senior al-Qaeda member, alongside Taliban commander Hamza Mahajer in Afghanistan -- further evidence of an inconvenient truth.

  2. Security

    2021-04-01

    Air combat exercise boosts Pakistan's image as key security partner

    The Pakistan Air Force joins forces with Saudi Arabia, the United States, Bahrain, Egypt and Jordan for the ACES Meet 2021-1 aerial exercise. This follows a major joint naval exercise in February.

  3. Women's Rights

    2021-03-30

    Young Afghan women reject possibility of return to 'dark times' of Taliban

    'If the Taliban want to return to power under the guise of peace and stop the advancement of girls, that kind of peace is unacceptable for us,' said one young Afghan woman.

  4. Analysis

    2021-03-29

    Guardianship of the Jurist: a theological anomaly empowering dictatorship in Iran

    The idea of absolute power, derived from an interpretation of a theological proposition, has been used to justify autocratic rule in Iran and the spread of 'revolution' across the region.

  5. Economy

    2021-03-26

    Teetering Iranian economy threatens future of Islamic Republic

    Public rage over economic and living conditions has reached a boiling point as Iranian leaders continue to spend lavishly on proxy wars and military weaponry.

  6. Diplomacy

    2021-03-26

    Taliban: we will 'never support' democracy in Afghanistan

    The Taliban have rejected President Ashraf Ghani's proposal to hold elections later this year -- evidence of the group's fear of the will of the Afghan people.

  7. Human Rights

    2021-03-25

    Foreign governments urged to retrieve citizens from Syria's al-Hol

    Human Rights Watch said governments must repatriate citizens linked to ISIS from Kurdish-run camps in north-eastern Syria, warning of dire consequences if nothing is done.

  8. Analysis

    2021-03-23

    Iran's obstinacy leads to growing clout of Israel in Middle East

    While Iran continues to fund regional instability and be unwilling to negotiate on its nuclear programme, the Arab world is getting closer together, and Israel is moving in.

  9. Analysis

    2021-03-22

    Pakistani militia part of expanding 'Little Iran' colony in eastern Syria

    An estimated 25,000 militants are in eastern Syria, and the IRGC has seized private property in order to accommodate new arrivals, kicking off a process of demographic change.

  10. Security

    2021-03-19

    World powers urge Taliban not to launch spring offensive

    The US, China, Pakistan and Russia urged the Taliban not to engage in its yearly offensive and stop its bloody campaign against politicians, civil servants, journalists and activists.

  11. Security

    2021-03-18

    Russia's intentions questioned as new round of peace talks begins in Moscow

    The Russian regime has publicly hosted Taliban leaders and other Afghan stakeholders in Moscow on multiple occasions, most of which resulted in little more than photo opportunities.

  12. Diplomacy

    2021-03-17

    Altered Afghan map tweeted by Russian Foreign Ministry sparks outrage

    Social media users condemned Moscow's 'dirty tricks' in Afghanistan and questioned Russia's true motives in promoting intra-Afghan peace talks.

  13. Security

    2021-03-15

    Taliban close dozens of healthcare centres in Samangan, Takhar

    The Taliban have shut down 52 clinics in an attempt to extort money from the organisation running them, putting tens of thousands of lives at risk, officials say.

  14. Terrorism

    2021-03-12

    Assassinations, abuse spike in al-Hol camp as ISIS hardliners lash out

    At least 31 murders have been reported in the camp this year, and burning people alive in tents has become a new favorite tactic of ISIS operatives, most of whom are women.

  15. Terrorism

    2021-03-11

    In photos: Taliban's destruction of Bamiyan Buddhas remembered

    'We do not want people to forget what a horrific crime was committed here,' said an organiser of a ceremony marking the Taliban's unforgivable destruction of Afghanistan's cultural heritage.

  16. Security

    2021-03-09

    Taliban receive bomb-making training from al-Qaeda: Afghan officials

    Al-Qaeda militants are present in the western provinces of Badghis, Faryab and Herat, officials say, and play an active role in financing, equipping and training the Taliban.

  17. Security

    2021-03-08

    Taliban aid crackdown spreads fear over treatment of women

    The Taliban have told aid groups it is unacceptable to 'take women out of their homes in the name of women's economic empowerment, education and sports programmes'.

  18. Security

    2021-03-05

    Protesters denounce mass shooting by Iranian forces near Pakistani border

    Without evidence, Iranian officials blamed Pakistani forces of committing the mass shooting near the border. Video clearly shows it was carried out by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

  19. Economy

    2021-03-04

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

    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.

  20. 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.

  21. 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.