The Great Game that began between the Russian and the Britain empires and culminated in the fight for dominance over Afghanistan came to an end with the collapse of the Soviet Unionin 1991. That development created a power vacuum in the Central Asian region, which is rich in hydrocarbon wealth and other precious mineral resources. […]
Moscow
MCIS portrays impact of emerging technologies on security
Despite the tensions between the US and the Russian Federation, the VIIIth Moscow Conference on International Security (MCIS) ended on a high note. Shaped on Munich, Shangri-La and other security conferences of high repute, Moscow did well to host an event of this stature eighth time in a row. This scribe had the opportunity to […]
Spring time in Moscow
Moscow: Given the chilly if not frozen relations between America and Russia these days, the annual Moscow International Security Conference (MISC) is a good place to take stock of where, how or if a thaw is even remotely possible. With the decisions to withdraw from the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF); New START in jeopardy; […]
Poroshenko seeks votes in Western Ukraine in election run-off
Facing a potentially huge defeat in a run-off vote on Sunday, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko is fighting to close the gap by winning votes in the country’s largely conservative Western regions and expanding his appeal elsewhere. Up against Volodymyr Zelensky, a comedian with no previous political experience who topped the first round, Poroshenko believes he […]
Taliban sit for second day with Afghan leaders in Moscow
The Taliban entered a second day of unprecedented talks Wednesday with powerful Afghan politicians in Moscow, sidestepping the Kabul government as it pursues a leading stake in the war-torn country. The rare public appearance that kicked off a day before saw Taliban officials spell out their vision for Afghanistan in front of rolling cameras and […]
15-year-old Ahmed Raza to conduct coin-toss for match between Brazil, Costa Rica
LAHORE: 15-year-old Pakistani teenager, Ahmed Raza, will be taken to Russia to conduct the coin-toss for the historic match between Brazil and Costa Rica at the FIFA World Cup 2018, on June 22, 2018. This marks the first time a Pakistani will be present on the pitch of a FIFA World Cup Match in an official […]
Putin eyes fourth term in polls as opposition cries foul
Moscow: Russians were voting Sunday in a presidential election set to hand Vladimir Putin a record fourth term, with officials reporting strong turnout but the opposition crying foul. The Kremlin needs high voter numbers to give greater legitimacy to a new mandate for Putin as Russia faces increasing isolation over a spy poisoning in Britain […]
Russian ex-spy Skripal at the centre of feared poisoning
LONDON: Sergei Skripal, a former Russian double agent whose mysterious collapse in England sparked fears of a possible poisoning by Moscow, has been living in Britain since a high-profile spy swap in 2010. Police were probing his exposure to an unknown substance, which left him unconscious on a bench in the city of Salisbury and […]
Sajal Ali’s ‘Mom’ premiered in Moscow
LAHORE: Pakistani actress Sajal Ali’s Bollywood film ‘Mom’ that also features Sridevi and Adnan Siddiqui has been premiered in Moscow. Veteran actress Sridevi, her husband Boney Kapoor and her younger daughter Khushi also arrived at the red carpet. Sridevi gave a speech and signed autographs for her fans. #Mom premiered in Moscow… Sridevi and Boney Kapoor get […]