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Pakistan has taken a dramatic turn in its civil–military power structure with the appointment of Field Marshal Asim Munir as the country’s first-ever Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). President Asif Ali Zardari issued the official notification late on Thursday, confirming Munir’s elevation for a five-year term, marking a historic consolidation of military authority in Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, after weeks of high-level political bargaining and behind-the-scenes negotiations, finally approved Munir’s name—a decision that, analysts say, underscores the military’s overwhelming influence over Pakistan’s political leadership. Dual Power: Army Chief + CDF According to the presidential notification, Munir will retain his current position as Chief of Army Staff even after assu...

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in India on Thursday for a two-day state visit—his first trip to New Delhi since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022. As Putin’s aircraft touched down in the Indian capital on the evening of 4 December, Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke protocol and personally welcomed him at the airport, underscoring the warmth and resilience of India–Russia ties. Putin’s 2025 visit is especially significant as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership established between the two nations in October 2000. Remarkably, the trip has drawn strong approval from China, where the state-run Global Times—known as the voice of President Xi Jinping—has lavished praise on the deepening India–Russia engagement. A Clear Message From Delh...

In a dramatic political and military development, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari has issued the official notification appointing Army Chief General Asim Munir as the country’s first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). With this elevation, Munir now becomes the supreme commander of all three services—Army, Air Force, and Navy—marking the most significant consolidation of military power in Pakistan’s history. Munir’s First Message: ‘Pakistan is Rising Again’ Soon after the notification was signed at the Presidential Palace, General Munir addressed journalists informally, saying:“Everything is fine. You can see it yourself. Things are improving, and Pakistan is now heading towards new heights.” The government claimed that Munir was chosen based on the Army’s “exceptional performanc...

In a surprising and unprecedented move, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has appointed his Military Secretary, Major General Roman Gofman, as the next Director of Mossad, Israel’s powerful and globally feared intelligence agency. Gofman will replace current chief David Barnea, whose five-year term ends in June 2026. The decision has sparked intense debate in Israel, as Gofman has no prior background in intelligence, and Netanyahu chose him over two senior candidates recommended by Barnea. The Prime Minister’s Office, however, issued a strong statement defending the appointment, calling Gofman “an exceptionally capable officer” whose performance during wartime proved his professional excellence. Who Is Roman Gofman? Born in Belarus in 1976, Gofman immigrated to Israel at t...

France has confirmed that India is in advanced discussions to purchase the next-generation Rafale F5 Standard Fighter Jet, a nuclear-capable combat aircraft expected to be ready by 2030. India is already negotiating the acquisition of 90 Rafale F4 jets, with an option to add 24 Rafale F5 aircraft—potentially making India the first country in the world to operate the most advanced Rafale variant. This announcement comes at a time when reports revealed that China and Pakistan jointly ran a disinformation campaign during Operation Sindoor to undermine the Rafale’s capabilities and promote China’s J-10C aircraft. France’s official confirmation has effectively countered this propaganda. What Makes the Rafale F5 a Game-Changer? According to Dassault Aviation, the Rafale’s F5 version wil...

Islamabad: Fresh allegations from within Pakistan have intensified the political and military turmoil surrounding the country’s powerful army chief, General Asim Munir. Salman Ahmad—Pakistani-American political activist and close associate of former Prime Minister Imran Khan—has accused Munir of masterminding the Pahalgam terror attack earlier this year to trigger a military confrontation with India. In an interview with CNN-News18, Salman Ahmad claimed that the deadly April attack in Jammu & Kashmir was part of a “calculated operation” allegedly ordered by Munir to provoke New Delhi. According to him, the motive was to use rising tensions to strengthen Munir’s personal image and consolidate his authority within the Pakistani military establishment. 42 US Lawmakers Seek Probe Int...

Washington: The reputation of the iconic American F-16 fighter jet took a major hit on Wednesday after a US Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon crashed near Trona Airport in California. The dramatic incident, which occurred on 3 December at around 10:45 a.m. local time, sent shockwaves through military aviation circles. The aircraft went down in a remote desert region south of Death Valley. Moments after hitting the ground, the jet exploded, turning into a massive fireball. Video footage posted online shows thick black smoke billowing into the sky as flames engulfed the crash site. The US Air Force confirmed the crash in an official statement, adding that the pilot managed to eject safely before the fatal impact. Pilot Ejects in Time, Suffers Minor Injuries According to the Air For...

Islamabad: Pakistan is witnessing fresh turbulence in civil–military relations as the newly created post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) becomes the center of an escalating power struggle. Army Chief General Asim Munir was scheduled to assume charge as the country’s first CDF on 29 November, but the Shehbaz Sharif government has yet to issue the official notification—even a full week past the deadline. The unexplained delay has triggered intense speculation across political and military circles. The situation has further deepened after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif suddenly left the country for an overseas visit, citing “poor health.” His departure, combined with the absence of any government clarification, has led to questions about whether Shehbaz and his brother Nawaz Sharif are int...

Moscow/New Delhi: Russian President Vladimir Putin is arriving in India on a two-day visit for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit. He will land in New Delhi on Thursday evening and hold a high-level bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which key defence and strategic agreements are expected to be finalised. Ahead of his arrival, President Putin gave an exclusive interview to India Today, scheduled for broadcast Thursday evening. In the interview, Putin described India–Russia ties as a relationship built on deep trust, adding that he values India not merely as an economic partner but as a nation with which Russia shares strong personal and civilisational bonds. Putin also expressed special happiness and enthusiasm about meeting Prime Minister Modi, highlighting...

Islamabad: For the past week, speculation and rumours about the possible death of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently lodged in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail, have dominated both traditional and social media. The rumours intensified after authorities abruptly suspended meetings with him, prompting his family and PTI leaders to gather outside the prison and accuse the army establishment of foul play. Although Imran Khan’s sister has now met him—temporarily calming the storm of rumours—the political turbulence in Pakistan is far from over. Experts warn that Pakistan’s current Army Chief, General Asim Munir, cannot risk harming Imran Khan under the prevailing political climate. Any such move, they say, could unleash consequences that the state would be unable to control....