
Latest Articles about South Asia

Connectivity and Security Drive Russia’s Elevated Ties With Taliban
Executive Summary: Russia’s concerns regarding threats emanating from the Islamic State Khorasan Province and diversions from north-south transit routes have been the driving factors behind Moscow’s rapprochement with the Taliban. Afghanistan and Russia are close to establishing official diplomatic relations, but the Kremlin will likely... MORE

Rising Islamist and Anti-Hindu Sentiment in Bangladesh in Wake of Pahalgam Attack
Executive Summary: Following the ousting of longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Islamist factions have filled the power vacuum in Bangladesh, leading to a surge in anti-Hindu violence. These groups have capitalized on growing anti-India sentiment—especially after the Pahalgam terror attack—to justify attacks against the Hindu... MORE

Kazakhstan and Afghanistan Sign Protocol of Intention on Railway Construction
Executive Summary: Kazakhstan and Afghanistan signed a protocol of intent on April 24 to jointly develop the Turgundi–Herat–Kandahar–Spin Boldak railway, including a logistics hub in Herat and fiber optic infrastructure to support digital connectivity. The railway is one aspect of regional transport development that could... MORE

Uzbekistan Seeks Stronger Cooperation with Afghanistan
Executive Summary: Tashkent is positioning itself as a mediator between Taliban-led Afghanistan and the international community, advocating for integration rather than isolation since the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in 2021. Uzbekistan aims to turn Afghanistan into a strategic trade hub, offering access to... MORE

Pakistan Bans Iran-Backed Zainebiyoun Brigade Amid Regional Turmoil
Executive Summary: Pakistan banned the Iran-backed Zainebiyoun Brigade on April 11, 2024, designating them as a terrorist group. The move is believed to be an effort to crack down on Iranian recruitment of disaffected Pakistani Shia, who are being used to fight in Iran’s proxy... MORE

Shamin Mahfuz: A Retrospective of Jama’atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya Incarcerated Founder in Bangladesh
Executive Summary: Md Shamin Mahfuz, the founder of Jama'atul Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya (JAFHS), a prominent jihadist group in Bangladesh loyal to al-Qaeda, was arrested in June 2023. Despite the successful arrest of many JAFHS leaders and militants, the group remains a threat, especially given... MORE

Hafiz Gul Bahadur: Pashtun Militant Fostering Jihadist Factional Unity Along Pakistan’s Durand Line
Executive Summary: Hafiz Gul Bahadur is a Pakistani militant who has been active in the region since 9/11. Bahadur has a network of affiliates, called the “Hafiz Gul Bahadur group,” which has been involved in a series of attacks on Pakistani forces over the past... MORE

TAPI Pipeline to Remain Failure Without India and Pakistan’s Participation
Executive Summary: Turkmenistan is eager to accelerate the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline to sell its natural resources to the energy-starved countries of Pakistan and India. Due to regional conflicts and instability, the project has been stalled for over 30 years. With the... MORE

Central Asia Faces Potential Water Shortage as Afghanistan’s Canal Project Nears Completion
Executive Summary: Afghanistan has completed over 80 percent of the second phase of the Qosh Tepa Canal—an irrigation project funded by the Taliban aimed at ensuring the country’s grain self-sufficiency by utilizing water from the Amu Darya River. The canal could divert up to 20... MORE

Guns For Hire: Private Security and Mercenary Industries in China and Russia
Executive Summary: Mercenaries have existed since ancient times but have evolved into modern private military and security companies (PMSCs) focusing on training, logistics, and protection, especially in Western practices. Russian private military companies (PMCs) and Chinese private security companies (PSCs), however, operate differently from both... MORE