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Articles by Ayesha Sikandar
The Strategic Calculus of Xi Jinping’s Egypt Visit Original
Xi’s visit from September 1-2 was significant for both sides, though for different reasons. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi hold talks in Cairo, Egypt, Sep. 2, 2026. Credit: Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt Subscribe for ads-free reading As the renewed tensions in the Middle East push the region to the brink, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Cairo couldn’t have been more precisely timed.
Book Review - The Hundred-Year Marathon China’s Secret Strategy to Replace America as Global Superpower - Stratheia
The book “The Hundred-Year Marathon China’s Secret Strategy to Replace America as Global Superpower” is a mixed genre of memoir, analysis, and history. The central theme of the book revolves around how the United States inadvertently facilitated China in achieving its “China Dream.” But here the author asks more difficult question of what if the “China Dream” is to replace America as the dominant power just like the US replaced British empire in 20th century?
No Dominant Power: The U.S. Asserts Its Pacific Indispensability – OpEd
The release of the United States (US) National Security Strategy (NSS) in late 2025 sent waves of skepticism across policy circles. The strategy’s immense focus on ‘Western Hemisphere’ was taken by many analysts as the grand bargain where eastern sphere was to be conceded to China while the US retreats to its backyard. This false impression was effectively deflated when US secretary of war Pete Hegseth spoke at Shangri-La dialogue recently.
Trump-Xi Summit In May Changed Nothing In US-China Equation – OpEd
When Airforce One landed in Beijing last month for much anticipated Trump-Xi summit, carefully choreographed optics emerged depicting two major powers pledging stability. These optics became a highlight for many editorial desks who later featured it to their front page. Markets around the world inhaled breath of fresh air and analysts started talking about possibility of thaw in bilateral relations in context of the US-China competition.
Assessing the 2026 NPT Review Conference: Faultline and What Comes Next?
As Review Conference (Revcon) of the parties to the Treaty of Non-proliferation (NPT) concluded on June 22, the president Ambassador Do Hung Viet of Vietnam ‘regretted’ to inform the failure to adopt a consensus document. This outcome came after four weeks of intensive discussions as representatives from member states gathered New York to address dangers posed by nuclear weapons.
Behind the Scenes of BJP’s Rise in West Bengal’s Legislative Assembly Elections
Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) marked history in recent legislative assembly elections particularly in west Bengal which was ruled by Trinamool Congress (TMC). If one draws a comparative analysis of the elections of 2021 with 2026 elections, the difference is quite unsettling. TMC has ruled the state of West Bengal for the last 15 years under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee who is outspoken critic of Modi’s nationalist policies.
Why China Isn’t Worried About New US Sanctions on Iran - Tribune Content Agency
Amid the ongoing domestic tensions in Iran, the United States has imposed a fresh wave of sanctions on countries doing any business with Iran. This step tightens the grip around the already crumbling Iranian economy, but it is equally significant for countries relying on energy imports from Iran. Although there are many beneficiaries of cheap Iranian oil, China is at the forefront of the list.
What does the Fujian’s launch mean for China’s Naval Ambitions? — Global Defense Insight
By the end of 2025 , China commissioned Fujian, a domestically built aircraft carrier, making it the first of its kind. On the technological side, this carrier is unique due to its advanced electromagnetic launch systems, making China the second country to possess them, after the United States (US). This carrier is a demonstration of the newest capabilities that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is undergoing as a part of its modernization efforts.
Saudi-Pak Defense Pact 2025: Realignment or Reinforcement?
With increased volatility in the Middle East and uncertainty over the US security commitments, the recent Saudi-Pak Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement (SMDA) attracted significant regional and international attention.
Are “no rules” the new rule in contemporary arms control debate?
The prevailing discourse on arms control and disarmament divides scholars into two categories: optimists who consider existing regimes and treaties as an effective tool to reduce the risk of war, and pessimists who have less faith in the effectiveness of such tools in limiting conflict. The collapse of the New START, with the Russian suspension in 2023, dealt the latest blow to the nuclear arms control and disarmament efforts.
Cardiovascular Benefits of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Specialty Please choose I'm not a medical professional. Allergy and Immunology Anatomy Anesthesiology Biostatistics Cardiac/Thoracic/Vascular Surgery Cardiology Critical Care Dentistry Dermatology Diabetes and Endocrinology Emergency Medicine Epidemiology and Public Health Family Medicine Forensic Medicine Gastroenterology General Practice Genetics Geriatrics Health Policy Hematology HIV/AIDS Hospital-based Medicine I'm not a medical professional.
Indian Factor in BRICS De-Dollarization Dream
The geopolitical shifts and drive for the reformation of global monetary and financial systems are igniting the debate about de-dollarization, which calls for an alternative ‘common currency’ against the currently dominant US dollar in international financial markets. This notion is significant considering different poles of power that are emerging and seeking to have an autonomous monetary policy, shifting away from over-reliance on the US dollar.
Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Direct Oral Anticoagulants Versus Vitamin K Antagonists in Elderly Patients With Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review
Unlock discounted publishing that highlights your organization and the peer-reviewed research and clinical experiences it produces. Find out how channels are organized and operated, including details on the roles and responsibilities of channel editors.
What to expect from the SCO heads of government meeting held in Islamabad in October?
Regional organizations are becoming increasingly important in a world marked by shifting alliances and the emergence of complex geopolitical challenges. One such organization is the which envisions regional integration in the Eurasian region. Recently, Pakistan assumed the 2023-2024 Chair of the Council of Heads of Governments, the second-highest decision-making forum within the SCO. The heads of government meetings will occur from October 15-16 in Islamabad.
Modi’s Visit to Ukraine: Geopolitical Risks of Pragmatism
Indian Prime Minister (PM) visited Russia in July 2024, which sparked criticism in Western policy-making circles. Putin warmly welcomed him in Moscow by calling him ‘dear friend’ as it was Modi’s first visit since the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
SCO Summit 2024: Unveiling New Geopolitical Dynamics - OpEd
On July 4, 2024, Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states attended the 24th SCO summit held in Astana, Kazakhstan. This meeting came at a very critical time as the global geo-political environment is in a transformative phase. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, on the one hand, and the NATO summit in Washington, on the other, demonstrate a growing rift between East and West.
Ensuring Security for Progress: Pakistan’s Commitment to Chinese Safety Original
As the China-Pakistan-Economic Corridor (CPEC) enters into its second phase, Pakistan is once again faced with the recurring challenge of terrorism, which endangers the safety and security of Chinese nationals working in Pakistan. The recent attacks on Chinese nationals came with an increasing demand from Beijing for enhanced security protocols for the success of CPEC projects, which are an important pillar of the China-Pakistan relationship.
Israel Strikes: Invasion of Rafah
Mr Abdullah Nisar holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from International Islamic University Islamabad. He is currently working as a freelance journalist. Israel’s brutal killing of Palestinian civilians under the pretense of operations against Hamas has garnered global condemnation. Around 35,000 innocent Palestinians have been killed since October 7, 2023.
CIA's Fake Vaccination Drive in Pakistan
Areen khan is currently pursuing her Law degree from University of London. On the historic night of May 2, 2011, a covert operation unfolded in Abbottabad, Pakistan. In the early hours, several Navy SEALs descended onto Bin Laden’s compound. The carefully planned operation and tireless efforts of more than a decade finally bore fruit as Osama Bin Laden, the notorious leader of Al-Qaeda and the mastermind behind the tragic 9/11 attacks, was finally killed. This marked the end of his reign of terror.
Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023: A Clarion Call
She has a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Politics from the LUMS. She has previously worked at the Research and Development Foundation (RDF) as a research associate. The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2023 was recently added to the corpus of work highlighting the worrying condition of Pakistan’s education system. Collectively, such reports and numerous academics have long raised a clarion call for an education emergency. However, these concerns have often fallen on deaf ears.
The Dark Operations of Indian Intelligence
An investigative report by the Guardian explores explosive allegations against India carrying out targeted killings in Pakistan, including various dissidents and militants. Using interviews—with intelligence officials from both countries—and leaked documents, the report sheds light on a potential shift in India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Orderly Disorder in Global Politics
Mr Tufail Abbas holds a Master’s degree in International Relations. He teaches English essay writing and International Relations via Cuckoo's Study Lab YouTube Channel. Global politics has always been marked by a state of perpetual uncertainty and disorder, thanks to the state-centric approach of major powers.
Impact of Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Religious Minorities
She is pursuing her MPhil in International Relations from the National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad. Her areas of interest include Asia, with a special focus on China and South Asian politics. Just a few weeks before the elections, the Indian Government announced the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)—the law was passed by the Indian Parliament in 2019. The law largely questions the secular foundations of the world’s largest democracy and its impact has been astronomical.
What Went Wrong with Pakistan’s “Strategic Depth” Policy? – South Asian Voices
As Pakistan begins deporting 1.7 million undocumented Afghan refugees, Pak-Afghan relations stand at a historical low. Almost four decades ago, when Soviet forces invaded Afghanistan, four million Afghan refugees migrated to Pakistan to seek shelter. Following recent growing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, Pakistan gave all undocumented Afghan migrants – many of which have been born and raised in Pakistan – until November 1 to leave the country.
Growing U.S.-Bangladesh Security Cooperation: The 9th Security Dialogue – South Asian Voices
Bangladesh and the United States convened their 9th Bilateral Security Dialogue on September 5, 2023, in Dhaka, signifying an important moment in the progressive consolidation of bilateral security cooperation. The month before, senior officers from the U.S. and Bangladesh militaries engaged in the Bilateral Defense Dialogue, contributing diverse thoughts and aspects to shared security challenges. Both dialogues testify to the evolving nature of U.S.-Bangladesh defense and security relations.
پاکستان میں آئی ایس کے پی کے فروغ کا جائزہ – South Asian Voices
اگست ۲۰۲۱ میں افغانستان سے امریکی انخلا کے بعد جب افغان طالبان نے کابل میں اقتدار سنبھالا تو بین الاقوامی سیاسی ایجنڈے کا بیشتر حصہ دہشت گردی اور انتہا پسندی کی ممکنہ تجدید کے خدشات پر حاوی تھا۔سیکیورٹی کے بنیادی خدشات کا تعلق اسلامک اسٹیٹ آف خراسان پرووِنس (آئی ایس کے پی) سے متعلق تھا، جنہوں نے انخلا کے دوران کابل ہوائی اڈے پر حملہ کر کے ڈنکے کی چوٹ پر اپنی بڑھتی ہوئی قابلیت کا بھرپور مظاہرہ کیا۔اس کے بعد سے اس گروپ کی قابلیت میں اضافہ ہوتا رہا ہے جس سے پاکستان، افغانستان اور دیگر ہمسایہ...
Assessing ISKP’s Expansion in Pakistan – South Asian Voices
When the Afghan Taliban took power in Kabul following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, much of the international political agenda was dominated by concerns over the potential resurgence of terrorism and extremism. Primary security concerns related to the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP), who most vociferously demonstrated their growing capabilities by attacking the Kabul airport amidst the withdrawal.
BRICS Expansion And Key Takeaways From Its 15th Summit - OpEd
he consortium of major emerging economies under BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) held their 15th summit in Johannesburg from 22nd to 24th August 2023. The meeting is held annually, where leaders of respective countries participate. Alongside constituting 40% of the world population, this grouping accounts for as it recently surpassed G-7 countries in their combined GDP share at the global level.
Towards Peaceful Use Of Nuclear Technology; Chashma-5 (C-5) And Pakistan-China Nuclear Cooperation - OpEd
Recently, Pakistan received a much-needed breath of fresh air amidst its ongoing energy crisis with the signing of a groundbreaking $4.8 billion nuclear power plant deal with China. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the China National Nuclear Cooperation (CNNC) and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) on June 20, 2023 at central city of Chashma, also considered as the birthplace of Pakistan-China civil nuclear cooperation.
Ten-Year Review of China's Defense Budget: Steadily Toward Modernization – South Asian Voices
At the first session of the 14th National People’s Congress in March 2023, China announced a 7.2 per cent nominal increase in its defense budget from 2022 to CNY 1.55 trillion. The new budget is the first under the unprecedented third term of President Xi Jinping, and if executed as planned, would mark the 29th consecutive year of increased military spending, the longest streak by any country recorded in the SIPRI Military Expenditure Database.
Biological warfare: A global security threat
On May 3rd, the New York Times bannered “Reaching ‘Herd Immunity’ Is Unlikely in the U.S., Experts Now Believe” and reported that “there is widespread consensus among scientists and public health experts that the herd immunity threshold is not attainable — at least not in the foreseeable future, and perhaps not ever.” In other words: the ‘news’-sources that were opposing the governments’ taking action against Covid-19 — libertarian ’news’-sites that oppose governmental laws and regulations,...
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