Political storm in America
US President Donald Trump is facing impeachment in the House of Representatives over accusations of abusing his power for personal political gains, to influence the 2020 presidential election and to…
Dignity in foreign relations
THE desire for dignity, self-esteem and appreciation motivates humans and nations alike, significantly impacting their behaviours. This desire partially originates from a fear of humiliation. Dignity is capital that a…
On balancing Iran-Saudi relations: A hamletian quandary
If foreign policy of a country is to be gauged by relations with immediate neighbors, Pakistan seems to have not done well so far. Lately, Pakistan faces the challenge how…
Pak-Afghan relations
A cricket match at Headingley Cricket Ground in Leeds. Emotions run high in the supporting crowd. And then we see chairs and bottles being hurled. Security police intervening to manage…
Future of Pak-US relations
PAKISTAN’s long, close and turbulent relationship with the US has had a pervasive impact on this country’s history. The last phase of that relationship, the ‘war on terror’ alliance, ended…
Political economy of the ME policy
It was agreements and protocols galore – eight to be precise – during the high-profile visit of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman (MBS), the first in line to the Saudi…
Pak-Saudi relationship
For strategic reasons, countries around the world often declare their special affection for each other. References are made to cultural, religious, geopolitical, and other ties, to show why two peoples…
Fissures in the political class
The reactions of politicians and the public for and against the Supreme Court verdict on the disqualification of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif reflect the way the political community is divided…
Reworking relations
Pakistan and the US won the Afghan conflict and the cold war in 1989 and 1991, respectively. But 27 years later, Islamabad and Washington are on the brink of losing…
Delinking political and economic liberalism
Chinese President Xi Jinping heads the world’s second largest military and economic power, and calls the shots in the country. The recent amendment to China’s constitution that states that a…
