Archive for

Security

2021-04-19

Taliban thugs begin semi-annual extortion of Afghan farmers

The Taliban extort money from farmers during growing and harvest seasons each year under the pretext of zakat, and many impoverished Afghans have to borrow money to pay the militants.

Analysis

2021-04-16

A hitch in China's global pandemic strategy: its vaccines might not work

Chinese-made vaccines 'don't have very high rates of protection', a senior official said, raising concerns for the recipients of China's so-called 'public good'.

Health

2021-04-14

Over 400,000 'excess deaths' point to major Russian COVID-19 coverup

For much of the past year, the Kremlin has been more focused on winning the public relations aspects of the pandemic than on fighting the virus itself.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.