world

Islamabad: Fazlur Rehman, leader of Pakistan’s religious-political party Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government and the country’s military establishment, warning that Pakistan has lost all its friends on the global stage—including its long-standing ally China. Foreign Policy Failures Over DecadesSpeaking at a public event, Rehman—popularly known as Maulana Diesel—criticized Pakistan’s foreign policy over the past 78 years, particularly its approach toward Afghanistan. He questioned why Pakistan’s Afghanistan policy has repeatedly failed, noting, “Today, India is our enemy, Afghanistan is our enemy, and even Iran and China are upset with us.” Contradictions in Border SecurityRehman highlighted inconsistencies in Pakistan’s st...

In a surprising development, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei did not attend the annual meeting of Iranian Air Force commanders on February 8, breaking a tradition he has upheld since assuming power in 1989. The unprecedented absence has raised questions amid escalating tensions with the United States. Tradition Broken Amid Rising TensionsThe meeting of air force commanders is a key event demonstrating loyalty to the Islamic Republic. This year, the session was attended by senior officers, while Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi represented Khamenei. Analysts suggest that the Supreme Leader’s absence signals growing security concerns, with fears that he could be targeted in a potential U.S. strike. Since tensions with Washington intensified, Khamenei has reportedly been stay...

Following the release of the framework for the India-US trade deal, experts have lauded the move, calling it not only a strategic decision by India but also a diplomatic milestone that the nation should take pride in. Framework for Trade Deal AnnouncedWashington: India and the United States have released an interim framework for their trade deal. Under this framework, the U.S. has offered significant tariff relief to India, reducing tariffs to 18%. The most notable relief comes from the removal of the punitive 25% tariff previously imposed on Russian oil imports. In return, India has agreed to gradually reduce its purchase of Russian oil and diversify its energy imports, including sourcing more from the United States. While some critics have labeled this move as a misstep, the expert...

Riyadh & Cairo: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has embarked on a historic diplomatic tour of Saudi Arabia and Egypt, setting aside years of animosity to foster regional cooperation. This “grand reunion” with former adversaries signals the emergence of a potential Middle East super-alliance and reflects Ankara’s ambitions to assert greater influence in the Islamic world. Meeting Saudi Leadership Erdoğan arrived in Riyadh on Tuesday, where he met Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The talks, widely publicized as the coming together of the two largest economies in the MENA region, focused on enhancing trade, regional security, and diplomatic collaboration. Analysts note that this meeting represents a major thaw in historically tense Turkey-Saudi relations. Engagement with ...

Dhaka: With Bangladesh’s national elections scheduled for February 12, 2026, rising concerns over the influence of the hardline Jamaat-e-Islami party have prompted the country’s prominent Islamic organization, Hefazat-e-Islam, to take a strong stance. Jamaat-e-Islami Declared “Haram” Hefazat-e-Islam leader Allama Shah Muhibbullah Babunagari has issued a warning to Bangladeshi Muslims, declaring that voting for Jamaat-e-Islami is haram (forbidden). Speaking at an election rally in Chattogram on February 5, Babunagari framed the upcoming vote not merely as an election but as a jihad against Jamaat-e-Islami, urging the community to unite to prevent the party’s rise. Babunagari accused Jamaat-e-Islami of misinterpreting Islam and warned that if the party came to power, it would harm I...

Dhaka: In a development that could reshape South Asia’s strategic landscape, China is set to establish a drone manufacturing facility in Bangladesh, raising concerns for India. The project is being pursued under the government of Mohammed Yunus, despite opposition from India in previous years. Strategic Location in Chattogram The new facility will be located in Chattogram district, an area that was previously earmarked for Indian industrial investment. In 2015, Dhaka had allocated over 1,000 acres of land under a memorandum of understanding for Indian companies, but delays from New Delhi and subsequent policy changes by Yunus’ administration led to the cancellation of the Indian project. Now, the area will host a state-of-the-art unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) production and assemb...

Washington: Following the expiration of the New START treaty on February 5, 2026, the Trump administration has proposed a new trilateral nuclear agreement that would include China alongside the United States and Russia. The proposal aims to set fresh limits on nuclear weapons amid growing concerns over China’s rapidly expanding arsenal. New Deal Proposal After US-Russia Treaty Ends The New START treaty, which regulated strategic nuclear arsenals between the US and Russia, officially ended on February 5, removing formal constraints on the two powers. In response, the US has called for negotiations to include China, citing the need to address global strategic stability beyond the traditional bilateral framework. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that nuclear arms control ...

Beijing: China has reportedly achieved a major breakthrough in High-Power Microwave (HPM) weapon technology, unveiling crucial details about a secret system known as TPG1000Cs. Defence analysts and Chinese media claim this advanced weapon could pose a serious threat to Western satellite networks, including Elon Musk’s Starlink low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. The weapon is being described as a non-kinetic directed-energy system, capable of disabling satellites and military electronics without using missiles or explosives. SCMP Report Reveals Major Breakthrough According to a report published by the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Chinese scientists have developed what is being called the world’s first compact driver for an HPM weapon. The system is reportedly capabl...

Dhaka: With Bangladesh’s national elections scheduled for February 12, 2026, border tensions with India and water-sharing issues have become key talking points. Tarique Rahman, the chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the party’s prime ministerial candidate, has strongly highlighted these issues in his election campaign, sharply criticizing India’s Border Security Force (BSF) for alleged atrocities along the border. BNP Promises to Address Border Violence Rahman stated that a BNP-led government would prioritize stopping alleged killings at the India-Bangladesh border. “If BNP comes to power, preventing BSF’s killings on the border will be a top priority,” he said. He further emphasized that his government would take necessary measures to ensure peace along the frontier...

Taipei: In a significant development amid rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait, the United States has begun delivering the first batch of ground-based Harpoon anti-ship missile systems to Taiwan. According to local media reports, convoys carrying key components of the missile defence package have been spotted arriving in Taiwan, confirming the start of the long-awaited delivery process. The shipment reportedly includes missile launcher trucks, radar vehicles, and command-and-control units, which will strengthen Taiwan’s coastal defence capabilities against potential maritime threats, especially from the Chinese Navy. Convoys Spotted With Advanced Military Equipment Reports indicate that the launcher vehicles are mounted on the Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) platfor...