US Trade Ties and the Rise of Soft Power Diplomacy
Pakistan’s diplomatic playbook for 2025 is shifting noticeably toward trade, sustainability, and the projection of soft power. Gone are the days when foreign policy...
The Pakistan-Afghanistan Visa Myth
If there were awards for political fiction, the recent “visa denial” story about Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif and ISI Chief Lt. Gen....
Chinese Jets Edge Out the West
Indonesia’s decision to purchase 42 Chinese-made Chengdu J-10C fighter jets marks a major turning point in Southeast Asia’s defence landscape, and, more broadly, in...
What the Arab Foreign Ministers’ Statement Really Tells Us
Sometimes these diplomatic statements sound polished but hollow, like they’ve been through too many drafts. Still, if you listen closely, you can hear what’s...
The Real Test of Türkiye and Pakistan’s Friendship
People in Pakistan and Türkiye often describe each other as “brothers.” The word gets thrown around so much in official statements that it can...
Kazakhstan Eyes Pakistani Ports as Regional Trade Transit Hubs
If you glance at a map, Kazakhstan’s situation jumps out right away. It’s huge, resource-rich, and stuck in the middle of land with no...
Why Vietnam Could Be Pakistan’s Gateway to ASEAN
When people talk about Pakistan’s trade partners, Vietnam usually doesn’t make the list. China, the Gulf, maybe the US or the UK, those are...
The Politics Behind the Tehran–Islamabad–Istanbul Link
The plan to bring back the Tehran–Islamabad–Istanbul rail corridor feels like one of those big regional ideas that’s been floating around for ages but...
Can a Cashless Vision Take Root?
Pakistan and the UAE have been talking about teaming up to push for a cashless economy and faster digital transformation. The UAE shared its...
The Selective Outrage Over Elon Musk’s Speech
On 14 September, Elon Musk delivered a speech at the “Unite the Kingdom” march, an event steeped in controversy given its openly political character...