Pakistan

Growing Pakistan–Russia Military Ties Reflect Central Asia’s Changing Geopolitics

Kamal Alam

Pakistan’s military is intensifying security cooperation with Russia. It is a remarkable and historic turnaround for two countries that for many decades considered each other rivals.

""The Kashmiri Cause is a very big one and is one which has got different elements to it and some of those elements have been very closely linked to al-Qaeda historically, now it certainly not all of the Kashmir militant community, some of them are more focused on fighting in Kashmir and the liberation struggle there but there's a very easy bleed over into some of the more extremist narratives and some narratives that are frankly closer to al-Qaeda." "

Extremism: Hidden in Plain Sight

"Turkey sees its own struggles as similar to Pakistan’s. Both countries host the largest UN refugee programs with millions of Syrian and Afghan refugees respectively. Both countries see themselves caught up in America’s war on terror as front line states. Both militaries see themselves besieged by various terrorist groups, yet asked to do more and doubted as a trustworthy ally. "

Is a Turkey-Pakistan partnership brewing in Afghanistan?

"In a changing regional landscape and a resurgent Russia and more assertive China, Pakistan can ill-afford to upset China. As the US puts more pressure on Pakistan and gets closer to Pakistan's arch enemy India, the Pakistani military shall encroach further into South East Asia to counter Indian influence east of the Indus. However, military ties or fighter jet deals does not mean the Pakistani military endorses the killing. The logic is that it is simply an internal matter for Myanmar to deal with. "

Should Pakistan cut military ties with Myanmar?

"“Trump’s singling out of Pakistan for harbouring terrorist organisations has led to a downturn in US-Pakistan relations. Pakistan will be looking to China to discuss not just their economic relationship, but how to proceed with matters of regional security, like Afghanistan,” Nouwens said. "

Pakistani minister’s visit to Beijing comes at tricky time after China’s ‘terrorist’ declaration

Pakistan to the US: Don’t Threaten Us. We Can Walk Away

Kamal Alam

It is said that in order to understand Pakistan, you need to know three ‘A’s’: Allah; America; and the army. While Allah and the army are still central to Pakistan, it can be argued that America’s importance is fading fast.