
Latest Articles about South Asia

India Unsettled by Proposed China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Through Kashmir
On February 26, Pakistani officials announced a step forward in China’s plans to construct a transportation corridor through Kashmir to the Pakistani port of Gwadar. Gwadar Port Authority chairman Dostain Khan Jamaldini briefed the Senate’s Ports and Shipping committee after attending the second meeting of... MORE


From Foot Soldier to Terrorist Mastermind: Pakistani Taliban Leader Omar Khalid Khorasani
Abdul Wali, commonly known by his jihadist nom de guerre Omar Khalid Khorasani, is one of the most senior leaders in the Pakistani Taliban. He exemplifies the transformation that Pakistani Taliban’s leadership has undergone in recent years. Khorasani has risen from jihadist foot soldier to... MORE

The Quetta Shura: Understanding the Afghan Taliban’s Leadership
The Afghan Taliban, formally called the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, has proved to be resilient in its commitment to imposing its own version of Islam. The hardline movement is steered by a dozen veteran leaders collectively called the Rahbari Shura, better known as the Quetta... MORE

India-China Border Talks Shift From Resolving Disputes to Managing Them
The 17th round of India-China Special Representative Talks (SR Talks) on boundary disputes between the two countries concluded in New Delhi on February 11. China was represented by State Councilor Yang Jiechi, and India by National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon. An anodyne press release issued... MORE

The China Factor in India-Japan Relations
New Delhi has invited Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to be the chief guest at its annual Republic Day parade, which celebrates both Indian democracy, but also showcases its military. One country in particular that will be keenly watching the visit, which will commence on... MORE

Al-Qaeda Leader al-Zawahiri Urges Jihad Against the “Anti-Islamic” Government of Bangladesh
Widespread violence, marked by protest rallies, hartals (general shutdowns), group clashes and bombings have led to massive confrontations between secular and Islamist forces in Bangladesh over the last year. Now, al-Qaeda leader Dr. Ayman al-Zawahiri has issued a call for jihad in Bangladesh, the fourth... MORE

From Hardcore Militant to Peace Envoy: A Profile of Afghan Taliban No. 2 Mullah Baradar
Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the CIA conducted a joint operation on February 12, 2010 in which they captured senior Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in the Pakistani city of Karachi. The ruthless commander was once the nightmare of the United States and the... MORE

A Post-Mortem Analysis of Mullah Sangeen Zadran: A Setback for the Afghan Taliban
Afghan Taliban insurgents received a huge setback on September 6 when one of their top operational commanders, Mullah Sangeen Zadran, was killed by a U.S. drone strike on a compound in Ghulam Khan area of North Waziristan Agency (NWA). Zadran was a senior leader of... MORE

Pakistani Political Turmoil over Drone Strikes Complicates ISAF Afghan Supply Efforts
If all goes as planned, then next year the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) will begin withdrawing from Afghanistan, completing its departure by the end of 2014. Logistical elements have already begun to be withdrawn by the United States and its Allies. But rising political... MORE