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Islamic State threat is a priority for Afghan Taliban

Location:

AFGHANISTAN

The promise is in line with the Taliban's commitment to act against foreign terrorists in Afghanistan, or at least stop them harming the outside world. The current Taliban…

Intra-Taliban rivalry will intensify in Afghanistan

Location:

AFGHANISTAN

It was the first attended by the Taliban. Their delegation was led by Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban and a close ally of supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada…

Afghanistan's neighbours irritated by US rapprochement

Location:

AFGHANISTAN

After a series of conciliatory moves, the Biden administration is trying to persuade the Taliban to make concessions in return for financial assistance. Taliban leaders are…

Afghan Taliban will be flexible on foreign jihadists

Location:

AFGHANISTAN

However, at the end of the month, US President Joe Biden made comments suggesting that the Taliban are helping to drive al-Qaida out of Afghanistan. Moreover, the UN Assistance…

India’s key vaccine challenge is at home, not abroad

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INDIA

Its vaccine production capacity has increased in the intervening period to the extent that it now has a surplus of doses, even allowing for supplies abroad. A key reason why so…

Prospects for security and defence in 2016

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PROSPECTS 2016

Prospects for security and defence in 2016.

Cyber conflict will probably become more destructive

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INTERNATIONAL

Although Orangeworm is not believed to be state-backed, governments are prioritising the development of offensive cyberweapons but deploying them in different ways. These range…

Unchallenged Turkmen head cannot ignore basic welfare

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TURKMENISTAN

All eight challengers are hand-picked and none has hinted at opposition to the favourite. Turkmenistan's adherence to a nominally democratic process is partly for external…

Afghan Taliban will look past UN in seeking engagement

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AFGHANISTAN

The Taliban were invited but refused to attend. There was no decision on appointing a UN special envoy for Afghanistan as mandated recently, although UN Secretary-General Antonio…

BRICS will be increasingly relevant to South-east Asia

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SOUTH-EAST ASIA

In June, Thailand became the first South-east Asian country to apply for membership. Several other regional states are interested in joining.