How China Redrawing Central Asia’s Nuclear Power Map

China’s growing footprint in Central Asia’s nuclear energy sector is quietly reshaping a landscape long dominated by Moscow. In an article published by Central Asia – Caucasus Analyst, Karachi-based analyst at Wikistrat Syed Fazl-e-Haider examines how Beijing is leveraging financing, technology, and strategic partnerships to redraw the region’s nuclear power map-signaling a gradual but meaningful […]

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Vietnam prepared for possible war against ‘belligerent’ US, secret paper shows

A year after Vietnam elevated its relations with Washington to the highest diplomatic level, an internal document shows its military was taking steps to prepare for a possible American “war of aggression” and considered the United States a “belligerent” power, according to a report released on Tuesday. More than just exposing Hanoi’s duality in approach […]

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Will rice crackers, rock ‘n’ roll help Japan’s Sanae Takaichi bag youth votes?

The handbag she carries is sold out, her pink pen has gone viral and even her favourite snacks are in hot demand: Japan’s 64-year-old leader Sanae Takaichi has sparked an unlikely youth-led craze that could propel her to a big election win. Polls suggest sanakatsu, roughly translated as “sanamania”, can help give Japan’s first female […]

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What does the fall of PLA top brass Zhang Youxia say about Beijing’s Taiwan plans?

By Hong Kong Beijing’s bold move to remove top generals accused of corruption reflects its strategic assessment that overhauling the armed forces is more urgent, and that the issue of Taiwan can wait, according to military analysts. The investigation into China’s top commanders, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, has left the Central Military Commission (CMC), […]

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China ties make Darwin Port a bigger test for Australia than Panama port dispute: analysts

By Kandy Wong Any decision by Australia to regain control of Darwin Port is likely to differ from Panama’s move to nullify a contract on its geostrategically vital canal, as fears of Chinese retaliation and a limited security consensus limit Canberra’s options, analysts said – though they warned the issue could still reopen strains in […]

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Pakistan’s ‘affordable’ China-developed jet: a victim of its own success?

Bloomberg Pakistan says it has fielded requests for its JF-17 fighter jet from five countries in recent months – a surge of interest that could overwhelm its capacity to jointly produce the jet with China. In the past month, Iraq, Bangladesh and Indonesia have expressed interest in acquiring the JF-17 Thunder, according to Pakistan’s Armed […]

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Why India may ‘gravitate back’ to US bloc after tariff deal with two-way trade set to rise

By Biman Mukherji A trade deal reached between India and the United States could lead to closer geopolitical alignment between the two countries and bring New Delhi a step closer to becoming a leading manufacturing hub. But observers are sceptical that New Delhi may stop buying Russian crude oil, and whether the volume of American […]

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Why the collapse of the last US-Russia nuclear treaty matters for China and the world

By Amber Wangin Beijing China on Tuesday urged the United States to “respond positively” to Russia’s offer to maintain nuclear warhead limits ahead of Thursday’s expected collapse of a major US-Russia agreement to control nuclear build-up. Beijing also reiterated its refusal to join trilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations with Washington and Moscow, despite repeated calls for […]

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Rubio and the future of American diplomacy

By Dalia Al-Aqidi For much of the past decade, American foreign policy has felt confused, cautious and often reactive. Allies were unsure where the US stood. Adversaries tested limits. Too often, decisions seemed driven by short-term political pressures rather than a clear long-term strategy, creating a vacuum in global leadership. In that space, rivals like […]

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Bangladesh election: What’s at stake for India, China, Pakistan?

By Priyanka Shankar As Bangladesh prepares to hold its first elections since the overthrow of then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party in 2024, neighbours India, Pakistan and China are watching closely. Bangladesh is currently being governed by an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. The two main parties competing for […]

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