Central Asia’s Strategic Balancing: Russia, China, and the West in Competition

More than three decades after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the five Central Asian states-Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan-have emerged as pivotal actors in a renewed geopolitical contest. Rather than functioning as passive objects of external influence, these states increasingly demonstrate agency in shaping their international relations. Their foreign policies are guided by […]

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by Masum Billah

Joining Board of Peace reflects Saudi commitment to ending conflict in Gaza, says Prince Faisal

DAVOS: Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, signed the founding charter of US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” on Thursday. The decision to participate reflected the Kingdom’s support for efforts to bring lasting peace to Gaza, he said. Saudi Arabia was one of eight Arab and Islamic nations that announced on Wednesday […]

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by Masum Billah

Pakistan joins Trump’s peace board for ‘lasting peace’ in Gaza

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to join US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace (BoP), the Foreign Office announced on Wednesday, as Islamabad aims to contribute to stability in Gaza. The decision has been taken as part of Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to support the implementation of the Gaza Peace Plan under the framework of United Nations […]

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by Masum Billah

Armenia and Azerbaijan Presidents Highlight Peace at Davos

The Armenian and Azerbaijani presidents made their first joint appearance since the historic peace deal at a Euronews panel during the annual summit in Davos, while Serbia warned of a lasting US-Europe divide. The presidents of Armenia and Azerbaijan appeared together at a Euronews panel at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, in their first […]

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by Masum Billah

Saudi Arabia, UN-Habitat unveil Quality of Life Index at WEF

DAVOS: Saudi Arabia is to launch a new Quality of Life Index — developed in partnership with UN-Habitat — the Kingdom’s Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb announced on Tuesday, with Saudi Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar calling it a Saudi “gift to the world.” Speaking on a panel at the World Economic Forum […]

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by Masum Billah

Tajikistan, China Deepen Energy and Water Cooperation

Tajikistan is looking to deepen cooperation with China in the energy and water sectors, as Minister of Energy and Water Resources Daler Juma met with China’s Ambassador to Tajikistan, Guo Zhijun, to discuss key areas of bilateral partnership. The talks centered on expanding collaboration in energy and water management, advancing joint projects, attracting new investment, […]

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by Masum Billah

China says it has handled UK embassy planning in line with laws

BEIJING: China has handled its planning for ​a new UK embassy building in full compliance with international diplomatic practices and relevant laws ‌and regulations, China’s ‌foreign ‌ministry ⁠spokesperson ​said ‌on Wednesday. Britain’s government gave approval on Tuesday for China to build its largest embassy in ⁠Europe in London, ‌hoping to improve ties ‍with ‍Beijing despite […]

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by Masum Billah

Takaichi and Lee end first day of summit on a high note with drum session

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung rounded off their summit meeting today (20 January) with an unexpected jam session where the two played drums along to some K-pop hits. In a short video posted on the Japanese Prime Minister’s office YouTube channel on Wednesday morning, the two leaders played […]

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by Masum Billah

US envoy says purpose of anti-Daesh alliance with Kurds ‘largely expired’

DAMASCUS: US envoy Tom Barrack said on Tuesday that the existence of a friendly government in Damascus meant the reason for Washington’s alliance with Syrian Kurds against the Daesh group had “largely expired.” “The original purpose of the SDF as the primary anti-ISIS force on the ground has largely expired, as Damascus is now both […]

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by Masum Billah

As Trump threatens more tariff rises, China uses low duties to secure resources

By Ralph Jennings As US President Donald Trump’s tariff increases have roiled global markets and strained America’s alliances in recent months, China has been pursuing the opposite strategy: keeping import duties low and pledging further cuts as a way to secure strategic resources and build ties across the developing world. China’s average effective tariff rate […]

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by Masum Billah

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