Pakistan’s elections – between delays and engineering – C266
Elections in Pakistan are now set for 8 February 2024 – national and provincial assemblies simultaneously, as is the country’s tradition. Two questions dominate the ongoing political debate: will these elections really take place, and if they will, can they be considered free and fair?
Haroon Janjua, from the Deutsche...
Pakistan Caught in Fire with Iran, China Acts to Mediate – C265
On 16 January, 2024, the Border Taskforce of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Ground Force of Iran launched attacks on the militant bases of the Jaish al-Adl group in Panjgur in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. Iran’s Foreign Ministry called it: a preventive action against a terrorist group preparing to infiltrate...
5 DAYS IN LIFE In the World’s Fifth Largest Democracy – F88
Abstract
This text describes Madalena Casaca’s (the writer) and Paulo Resendes’ (the photographer) stay in Bangladesh, the world’s fifth largest democracy, from 02 to 08.01.24, that is on the runup to the nation’s Twelfth National Elections and on election day. We travelled to Dhaka as Election Observers, with the mission...
The Baloch rebellion at a turning point? – C264
On December 20th, 2023, Sarfraz Bangulzai alias Murid Baloch, a key ‘commander’ of the Baloch National Army (BNA), along with 70 other companions, announced his surrender during a press conference in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan. The event is remarkable since it was ‘the first time a top-ranking...
India-Armenia relationship: from cultural ties to strategic partnership – WP 36
Abstract: This text analyses the India-Armenia relationship, namely its evolution from cultural ties to a potential strategic collaboration. Recent diplomatic dialogues and defence deals highlight a deepening convergence, yet questions arise about implications in a complex geopolitical landscape. Cultural exchanges dating back to the 16th century are explored, revealing...
5 ESSENTIAL TRUTHS FROM ‘PARASITE’ – F87
A note to us, European Academics and Policy Makers
Abstract
This article is a note to European academics and policy makers involved in world affairs. It uses the South Korean movie ‘Parasite’ (Joon-ho, 2019) as an analogy to make a few comments, with a slight emphasis on Bangladeshi realities.
The movie in...
The forgotten victims of Pakistan’s Afghanistan policy – C263
Largely ignored by western media and decision makers, the Pakistani government started a repatriation process of unregistered ‘illegal foreigners’ ‘that could pressure ‘millions of Afghans back to their crisis-wrecked home country.’ In a joint statement, the United Nations High Commissioner (UNHCR) for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration...
Islamist disinformation across Western media – C262
The fifth column!
David Zweig’s (2023.10.28) analysis on how the alleged ‘Israeli Blast at Gaza Hospital kills more than 500’ story was spread by the Western Media is a landmark. Now we all know just how deeply said Western media’s institutional world serves the interests of Islamic fanaticism,...
Pakistan’s military support of Hamas terror – C261
As part of the Global Jihad machinery, Hamas enjoys support not only from international non-state actors but also by countries involved in state-sponsorship of terrorism. According to Middle East expert James M. Dorsey, Hamas leaders, including Khaled Mishaal and de facto leader Ismail Haniyeh, are based in Qatar’, which...
About India’s Stand on the Israel-Palestine Conflict – WP35
Abstract: A tragic conflict erupted between Israel and Hamas on 7th October 2023. India, of course, was forced to take a political stance. This paper aims to understand both India’s historical position regarding the Palestinian cause and currently growing ties with Israel. We further inquire on the sources of...