In the words of Richard Woolf, the modern world is a story that has been repeated through centuries and that story is that of self-interest, selfishness, lust for power and complete disregard for mutual progress, magnanimity and dignity. Mankind has established many institutions with the mindset of egalitarianism and economic progress such as the United…
IntroductionThe ongoing discourse surrounding Islam in contemporary times has revealed numerous discrepancies as diverse religious authorities strive to define the permissible and prohibited aspects in Islam. As a consequence, religious communities often find themselves growing increasingly distant from the foundational scripture the Quran, constructing ethical frameworks and principles based on a myriad of supplementary sources….
As U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s plane touched down on Chinese soil, it was apparent that the welcome – or lack thereof – was symbolic of the frosty state of relations between the two superpowers. With no red carpets, no traditional greetings, and notably, no high-level Communist Party of China (CPC) officials present at…
The changed pattern of contemporary power politics and the outbreak of the Ukraine war between the United States and Russia have changed the standings of various states in their respective regions. The outbreak of war between two major powers has again compelled the governments of various states to formalize their defence postures against the emerging…
Ambassador (Retd) Asif Ali Durrani has been a career diplomat for more than three decades, and served as Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE and Iran. He was also posted to India, Afghanistan, United Kingdom and Pakistan Mission to the United Nations in New York. Prior to joining the Foreign Service of Pakistan in 1986,…
The gruesome murder of Noor Mukadam, serves as a classic example of Pakistan’s own instability on violence against the vulnerable. It seems there is a certain level of assurance that a man can get away with heinous acts without any fear of the law. Just this much reveals the course of the nation’s social construct….
Gender-Based Violence (GBV) has always been an issue in Pakistan. With the country ranking 145 out of 146 countries on the Gender Parity Index (World Economic Forum), this puts Pakistan next to Afghanistan on the bottom end of the list as far as women’s rights are concerned. Unfortunately, the laws that are supposed to safeguard…
Located in a prime area of Karachi, Flagstaff House was purchased by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in 1943 as his personal residence. However he did not live in the house as he had to move into the Governor General House when Pakistan came into being in 1947. Jinnah’s sister Fatima Jinnah lived in Flagstaff House…
“Four Battlegrounds” by Paul Scharre is a fascinating account of emerging technologies especially Artificial Intelligence (AI) in military affairs and modern warfare. New technologies from the invention of gun powder, artillery, automobile, airplane, tank, and submarine have propelled revolution in military affairs throughout human history. The first computer-based model was used by the Russian military…
The Sino-Indian strategic contest has become an undeniable reality of the contemporary international system where the broader US-China multileveled competition has taken on many faces and affected the politics of different regions where South Asia and Southeast Asia are the exceptions. Indian increasing strategic collaboration with the United States and American growing global anti-Chines engagements…
