Archive for

Security

2021-10-18

Massive heroin seizures expose border concerns in Afghanistan, Iran

Russia, Iran, Pakistan and China are major smuggling routes and huge markets for drugs originating from Afghanistan, and local vendors say prices have skyrocketed since the Taliban came to power.

Security

2021-10-15

Pakistan International Airlines suspends Kabul flights over 'unprofessional' Taliban

Flights were frequently delayed and Taliban officials were often 'derogatory' and on at least one occasion physically violent with airline staff, sources at the airline said.

Security

2021-10-13

Uighur ISIS suicide bomber spotlights Taliban's risky ties with China

Beijing is achieving its political, security and economic ambitions by using the Taliban to suppress Uighurs in Afghanistan -- a reckless move that threatens to ignite sectarian strife, analysts say.

Economy

2021-10-12

Chinese project set to displace a half-million residents of Karachi

Chinese economic ventures frequently inflict high costs on impoverished dwellers living in the way of bulldozers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.