In 2016, the Chairman of Senate Standing Committee on Planning and Development, Mr Tahir Mashhadi alluded to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a future East India Company. The senator’s remarks triggered a country-wide debate on the pitfalls of CPEC. While the outgoing government in Pakistan regards the corridor as a potential ‘game changer’, […]
A method to the madness
Donald Trump has finally withdrawn the United States from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal. This decision was made despite assurances from international inspectors of Iran’s compliance with the terms and conditions stipulated in the agreement. Experts have argued that the decision has the potential to ignite a […]
Middle East: divided and ruled
Throughout history, imperial powers mastered the art of ‘Divide and Rule’. The logic was simple, and helped them sustain their imperial ambitions. The British successfully augmented their power in the sub-continent by keeping the Hindus and Muslims divided and hostile to each other. The Ottomans derived maximum advantage from a divided European continent and Arabian […]
Why Afghanistan?
The United States maintained an estimated force of 140,000 troops in Afghanistan before President Obama announced its withdrawal. In addition, many private contractors and so-called advisors were also dispatched to the country. These men were purportedly sent on a mission,in response to 9/11,not only to eradicate Al-Qaeda from Afghan territory but also to stabilise and […]