Expanding the arc of aerial/missile destruction to the Bab el-Mandeb would irreparably threaten the last viable option for Gulf oil exports and a regional war will soon cascade into an ‘epic’ global crisis. Ironically, the tally of death and destruction is barely mentioned and the war sanitized to a daily video ritual. Scroll and move on. Sagacious global leadership is absent when it is most needed and a discerning global civil society has been paralyzed by the unending Trump theatrics.
Given that Nepali citizens enjoy national treatment in India, greater enrolment in higher education institutions across Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal should be encouraged. India must remain the first responder to Nepal’s needs at all times. Sustained cooperation and mutual trust can help realise the vision of “Viksit Nepal” alongside “Viksit Bharat.” Regional frameworks such as SAARC, BBIN, and BIMSTEC should be leveraged to strengthen Nepal’s alignment with India across international platforms.
Balendra Shah’s rise as Prime Minister of Nepal represents a defining moment in the country’s contemporary political evolution. It signals a break from traditional party dominance and the emergence of a new political language shaped by youth aspirations and digital mobilization. At the same time, it introduces new uncertainties into Nepal’s regional relationships, particularly with India and China, both of whom will closely monitor Kathmandu’s evolving foreign policy orientation.
Since August 2024, Pakistan’s military establishment, its intelligence apparatus, and associated actors—including Turkey’s MIT—have allegedly been involved in sending weapons and explosives into Bangladesh. These materials are believed to have ended up in the possession of pro-Yunus loyalist mercenaries as well as various extremist groups, including Ansar Al Islam, a local affiliate of Al Qaeda.
At this digital crossroads, the choices made by users, policymakers, and tech companies will determine whether social media fosters empowerment or fragmentation. Society can navigate this transformation toward a more sustainable and authentic digital future by prioritizing ethical considerations, inclusivity, and mental well-being.
ISIS-K continues to launch deadly attacks inside Afghanistan, and Sharifullah’s arrest proves that its network remains active. If the Taliban were serious about counterterrorism, they would be working with regional partners instead of dismissing arrests like this one.
The rise of BNP as the most important party in the interim coalition, a party that is seen as more sympathetic towards China and Pakistan by New Delhi, and the diplomatic efforts by Beijing to woo Dhaka, opens the possibilities for increased Chinese influence in South Asia, making India more circumspect in its dealings with the interim government.
The interim government has established a ‘Constitutional Reform Committee,’ led by Dr. Ali Riaz, a Bangladeshi-American political science professor at Illinois State University. There is a widespread demand among students and civil society groups for necessary constitutional changes to prevent future dictatorships and eliminate anti-democratic provisions. The committee has already submitted its ‘Reform Report,’ addressing the demands of the mass revolution and laying the groundwork for democracy in Bangladesh.
A large number of families in rural areas, as well as in some urban areas, still don’t consider the education of girls essential and thus do not send them to school. This trend, however, is on the decline, especially in the urban centers of Pakistan. According to the data presented by the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) in 2022 by Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA), 64% of boys were admitted to public schools as compared to only 36% of girls.
March 2020 was when the world hit pause. Airports emptied, city streets grew silent, and entire countries retreated indoors. What started as "two weeks to flatten the curve" spiraled into months of uncertainty. Time felt stretched, endless - one long, monotonous loop of home workouts, doom-scrolling, and everyone suddenly becoming a chef, experimenting with recipes they’d never try otherwise.
The role of women in peacemaking at the national level is still nascent. However, Pakistan’s women UN peacekeeping missions' role in promoting peace in post-conflict spaces is widely acknowledged. More than 500 hundred Pakistani women peacekeepers are currently in different UN missions.
Viewing the Chinese projects in Nepal’s Terai region, and close to the strategic Chicken’s Neck in Bangladesh, together with the one in the waters of Maldives, one can see that China's calculated moves seek to slowly encircle India.
The transatlantic alliance, considered to be a pillar of geopolitical stability, now faces an uncertain future and the realism that Europe can no longer depend on its security on the US has begun to creep in the minds of policymakers in Brussels.
Another critical reform is ensuring that at least 33% of government board members are women. This move is more than just a symbolic gesture; it marks a tangible shift toward inclusivity in decision-making. Women have historically been underrepresented in governance structures, and this policy sends a strong message that their voices are not just welcome but necessary for Pakistan’s progress.
While the BJP began on the backfoot as the party of Hindutva (political Hinduism) inspiring little confidence among Kashmiri Muslims, the elections provided vindication to the Modi government's Kashmir policy even in his party's defeat. It was a feat in itself to hold peaceful elections with all political parties contesting under the post-2019 arrangement with a 63.88% turnout to show.
Take, for instance, the recent rise in antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections across Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. Governments have started cracking down on antibiotic overuse in human medicine, yet the uncontrolled use of antibiotics in livestock and aquaculture remains largely unchecked. The result? Resistant bacteria continue to grow, eventually finding their way into human populations
South Asian states have steered clear of accepting formal responsibilities in addressing refugees, with only Afghanistan being a curious signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention. South Asian states have sought a more voluntary approach to taking in refugees, with geopolitical considerations driving the select acceptability of refugee communities.
Modi can invoke Trump’s language and highlight business and economic opportunities along with market mechanisms that are available almost on platter while pursuing a non-fossil fuel future. Particularly, Modi could showcase employment generation by promoting solar energy through the International Solar Alliance. He and Trump can strike bilateral and multilateral ventures as well as research programmes with BRICS on solar energy, modular nuclear plants, windmills, biofuels and green, grey and blue hydrogen.
On October 21, 2023, India launched ‘Project Udhbav’ during the inauguration of the Indian Military Heritage Festival to synthesize ancient wisdom with contemporary military practices, forging a unique and holistic approach to address modern security challenges. It is tempting to draw a correspondence between India’s and China’s initiatives just 17 days apart.
