world

Tokyo/Beijing: Tensions between Japan and China have escalated to some of their highest levels in recent years, following remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last November. Takaichi warned that any Chinese attack on Taiwan would pose a direct threat to Japan’s security and could prompt a Japanese response. Beijing reacted angrily to the statement, threatening consequences for any perceived interference in Taiwan, which it considers a core sovereign matter. Takaichi recently returned to power with a historically strong mandate in Japan’s elections, signaling analysts to warn of potential further strain in Sino-Japanese relations. China has long asserted its claim over Taiwan and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control. Any attack on Taiwan carries the risk o...

Islamabad/Dhaka: Following a decisive victory in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, BNP leader Tarique Rahman is set to be sworn in as Prime Minister on Tuesday, 17 February. The BNP has invited leaders from 13 countries, including India and Pakistan, to attend the ceremony. However, both New Delhi and Islamabad have opted not to send their respective heads of government. Tarique Rahman, the son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and former President Ziaur Rahman, will assume office amid heightened regional attention. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who was initially expected to attend due to strengthened Dhaka-Islamabad ties during the previous 18 months of governance under Yunus, will not be present. Analysts suggest that Pakistan’s position has shifted following the exc...

Washington: Ahead of scheduled nuclear talks with Iran in Geneva on Tuesday, the United States is significantly increasing its military buildup in the Middle East. The deployment includes naval vessels, fighter jets, and advanced air defense systems. Reports suggest that the US is positioning these assets as a precaution in case nuclear negotiations fail. According to CNN, sources indicate that US Air Force units based in the United Kingdom are moving refueling tankers and fighter jets closer to the region. Flight tracking data shows that dozens of US military cargo planes have transported equipment from the US to Jordan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia over the past few weeks. Satellite imagery analysis revealed that on January 25, 14 US F-15 fighter jets were deployed at Jordan’s Muwaffa...

Washington: The United States Air Force has placed a contract with aerospace giant Boeing for the supply of GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) “bunker buster” bombs. The move comes as the US seeks to replenish its stockpile following last year’s operation against Iranian nuclear facilities. During Operation Midnight Hammer in June 2025, the US deployed these bombs against underground nuclear installations in Iran. Designed to penetrate deep into rock and reinforced concrete before detonating, the GBU-57 is regarded as the most powerful non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal and is typically deployed from the B-2 Spirit bomber. According to Israeli media reports, the Air Force is issuing a sole-source contract to Boeing to replace the GBU-57s expended during Operation Midnight Hamme...

Moscow: Russia is rapidly escalating its space capabilities, raising alarm across Western security circles. Intelligence reports indicate that Moscow is preparing for satellite warfare and potentially deploying nuclear weapons in space. Russian Spacecraft Target Western Satellites The Russian Space Command has reportedly initiated an extensive space espionage campaign, with two spacecraft—Luch-1 and Luch-2—approaching several key Western satellites. European officials claim these spacecraft are intercepting satellite communications to gather sensitive intelligence. According to the Financial Times, Luch-2 alone has come close to 17 NATO satellites since its 2023 launch. Experts warn that while much of the intercepted data is encrypted, Russia could still collect critical operational ...

Dhaka: Relations between and may see a positive shift in the near future. Experts suggest that ’s 31-point agenda could serve as a bridge to bring Dhaka closer to Delhi. Election Outcome and Implications Following the ’s significant victory in the Bangladesh elections, Tarique Rahman is set to assume the role of Prime Minister. Analysts are closely examining his policy agenda, which could mark a turning point in bilateral ties. Relations between India and Bangladesh had reached a low under the previous over the past 18 months. Rahman’s development-focused agenda, coupled with a positive approach from India, signals potential improvement. India’s Watchful Optimism According to The Hindu, Indian officials have monitored Rahman’s campaign trail carefully. They identified multiple ...

Munich: India continues to push for reform of the (UNSC), whose structure still reflects the post-World War II global order. Meanwhile, Pakistan opposes India’s proposed reforms, forming a counter-group known as the “Coffee Club.” G4 Meeting in Munich Last week, , India’s Foreign Minister, participated in a key G4 meeting in Munich. The gathering, held alongside the Munich Security Conference 2026, focused on UNSC reform. Jaishankar posted photos of the meeting with counterparts from , , and on social media, emphasizing the need for the UN to remain relevant amid rising global instability. According to the Japanese Foreign Ministry, the 50-minute session included and focused on achieving concrete outcomes during the ongoing UN General Assembly session, working with current permane...

Munich: Pakistan’s Army Chief,, met with U.S. Secretary of State during the Munich Security Conference, discussing key issues including the deployment of Pakistani forces to Gaza and broader regional security concerns involving India and the Taliban. In an official statement, the Pakistani military said that the meeting focused on global and regional security dynamics. During the conference, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, highlighted the role of Pakistan in multilateral diplomacy and referred to the recent nuclear tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, underlining Pakistan’s contribution to global and regional stability. Addressing Strategic Stability in South Asia Waltz expressed concern over South Asia, noting: “We have faced an extremely serious nuclear tensi...

Islamabad/Washington: Pakistan appears to be caught in a delicate balancing act over participation in the International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza, reportedly under pressure from U.S. President . While the Trump administration is preparing to release details of the ISF deployment, Pakistan has not publicly clarified whether its troops will be involved. Pakistani Army Chief and Prime Minister have remained deliberately vague about the country’s position, wary of domestic opposition to sending forces abroad. Upcoming Washington Summit The Board of Peace is scheduled to hold its first formal meeting on February 19 in Washington. President Trump is expected to present a multi-billion-dollar reconstruction plan for Gaza and outline the structure and mandate of the ISF. Pakist...

Kabul: The Taliban government in Afghanistan has declared its support for neighboring **** in the event of a U.S. military strike. Taliban spokesperson **** stated on Sunday that Kabul would assist Tehran if it requested help to defend against American aggression. Speaking in an interview with Radio Iran’s Pashto service, Mujahid emphasized that Afghanistan would fully cooperate with Iran. He highlighted Iran’s victory in the 12-day conflict with Israel last June as a sign of the country’s resilience, adding that Iran would respond effectively to any potential U.S. attack. Iran’s Right to Self-Defense Mujahid clarified that the Taliban does not wish for a direct conflict between the U.S. and Iran. He urged that diplomatic channels and dialogue should be used to resolve tensions ov...