
Latest Articles about South Asia
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 Logistical elements have already begun to be withdrawn by the United States and its Allies.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
The Army of Justice and the Threat of Sunni Militancy in the Sistan-Baluchistan Province of Iran
Fourteen border guards in the southeastern Iranian region of Saravan were assassinated and five seriously wounded on October 25 by a shadowy militant Sunni group known as Jaysh al-Adl (JA – Army of Justice) (IRNA, October 25; Mehr News, October 25). In retaliation, Iranian authorities... MORE
Jihadi Warlord of Pakistan: A Look at the Pakistani Taliban’s Newly Crowned Leader Maulana Fazlullah
Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mahsud was killed by a predator strike on November 1 in Pakistan's North Waziristan region. After a brief tug of war for leadership, the Pakistani Taliban central shura (consultative council) elected Maulana Fazlullah as the new amir of the TTP... MORE
India’s Foray into Central Asia: Trade Potential and Transit Corridors
With China promoting its own Silk Road vision in Central Asia, it seems that the New Silk Road Initiative promoted by the United States has been eclipsed. Nonetheless, there is still an opportunity for the US to promote much-needed trade relations between Central Asia and... MORE
Indo-Russian Summit Highlights Emerging Trends in Asian International Relations
Indian Premier Manmohan Singh’s October 21–22 visit to Moscow not only reaffirmed traditional Indo-Russian amity, it also revealed significant trends in Asian developments that affect both parties as well as other key players like the United States, China and Pakistan. In some respects, the deal... MORE