The Spread of Jihadist Violence in Bangladesh: A Socio-Political Perspective

Due to the presence of Al Qa‘ida and IS (Islamic State), which are the two main global jihadist organizations and other local organizations in the country, the Bengal jihadism is a concrete threat not only for Bangladesh’s st...

Digital Jihad: How Cryptocurrency is Fueling ISKP's Insurgency

In 2022, a fundraising network managed by Tajik national Shamil Hukumatov leveraged the TRC20 blockchain to raise an estimated US$2 million in USDT before Binance, alerted by on-chain analysis, facilitated his arrest. Subsequ...

From Digital Sisters to Embedded Operatives: Women’s Evolving Roles in AQIS and ISKP

In the shadowy world of jihadist networks, a quiet revolution is unfolding—not on the battlefield, but in encrypted chat rooms, university campuses, and local communities. Women, once confined to ideological support roles, ar...

Indus Waters Treaty in Abeyance: The Road to Strategic Risks for the Region

After accusing Pakistan of sponsoring the Pahalgam terror attack and putting the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, the fragile framework of South Asian peace has once again been shaken. India’s suspension of IWT, once consider...

Unlocking Pakistan’s Transit Trade Potential: Challenges & Opportunities

Pakistan is strategically positioned to serve as a hub for transit trade, enabling the movement of people and goods between various regions due to its location at the intersection of China, the Middle East, and Central Asia.A...

Muted Echoes: Exploring the Impact of Censorship on Musicians and Music in Waziristan

Music, art, and literature are three important pillars of every culture, helping people to express their feelings, talk about social problems, and raise voices against the miseries of the marginalized sections of society. Art...

Challenges Posed by Unabated Smuggling, Illicit Trade along Pakistan-Afghanistan Border

The prolonged and protracted wars and conflicts spanning almost four decades in Afghanistan have resulted in neighboring Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) becoming plagued with informal economy. This shift is primarily attributed to th...

Missed Opportunity?

It was anticipated that the stalemate in bilateral relations between India and Pakistan will subside and dialogue might commence when Pakistan announced on April 20 that its Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will atten...

Taliban Refuse to Bend Policies Under International Pressure

On the 15th of August 2021, Taliban forces marched through Kabul, culminating a sweeping offensive, capturing 33 of the country’s 34 provinces in 9 days. In the initial days, the Taliban’s policies were relatively modest, all...