Muslim world politics
THE OIC is holding a preparatory meeting of its senior officials in Jeddah for the 47th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers. Reportedly, the meeting will not include Kashmir…
Watch what markets don’t do as world politics turns nasty
Like so much in the investment world of late, it's what financial markets are not doing right now that is most intriguing. Over the course of the past month, conflicts,…
Done with politics
THE new year is a mere few days old but 2026 already promises to be more exhausting than its predecessor. The mortals among us — and who have friends to…
An unsettled world in 2026
THE world faces heightened uncertainty in 2026 as geopolitical and geo-economic tensions intensify and conflicts persist. With the world appearing more unsettled than at any time since the end of…
The politics of easy taxation
Pakistan’s tax debate is usually framed as a technical puzzle: how to raise more revenue, faster, under pressure. That framing misses the real story. The country does not suffer from…
The world order is in crisis
A three-pronged threat to world order is unprecedented in recent times. The war in Ukraine, fragile peace in Gaza and the emerging armed conflict between the US and Venezuela tend…
Xenophobia worldwide
“I don’t want them in our country. I’ll be honest with you, OK. Somebody will say, ‘Oh, that’s not politically correct.’ I don’t care. I don’t want them in our…
Belem and climate politics
COP30 in Belem is being read in two ways: symbolic theatre to some, a gathering with substance to others. Torrential rains flooded the Amazonian host city in the opening days.…
The minerals that move the world
US President Donald J Trump happily announced a reduction in tariffs on Chinese products in exchange for relaxation on critical minerals (rare earths) by China during a long-awaited meeting with…
Politics of optics
In Pakistan, every new government arrives like a marketing team, eager to rebrand, relaunch and repaint, but rarely to repair. From education to energy, healthcare to housing, governance has become…
