Current Projects
China’s Shared Community vs US Exceptionalism
An article in the American Foreign Affairs ( Feb 15) magazine provided the context to how the US war on terror post 9/11 had “normalized the idea that everything is permissible in the pursuit of “terrorists”. “To prosecute its war in Gaza, Israel borrows ethos, strategy, and tactics from that framework, doing so with the support of the United States.” That support, worth $3.3 billion annually, and the additional billions since October 7 constitute complicity in the genocide of over 29,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. This exceptionalism in favor of an aggressor and occupier (Israel) not only contravenes the ideals set out in the UN-led world order post-1945 but also exposes the duplicity of geopolitics. It has seen the pumping of hundreds of billions of dollars into various wars (Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Yemen, Ukraine) in the name of countering terrorism and promoting democracy. The third consecutive veto that the United States used against the Security Council Resolution on the Gaza ceasefire on Feb 20 also reflected the same exceptionalism in favor of Israel and marked another blow to the global rule of law and human rights regime the West at large has long championed. This situation begs a big question in the current turbulence; should the rest of the world look on as geo-politically driven exceptionalism wreaks havoc across the globe, or embrace the concept of a “shared community of humankind “ based on equality, inclusion, and collaboration as proposed by President Xi Jinping of China? https://youtu.be/GG2X2PXFs0w President Xi proposed the concept in his address to the Central Conference on Foreign Affairs in Beijing (December 27-28), while spelling out the challenges for Chinese foreign diplomacy in a world beset with turbulence. President Xi’s proposal also appears to be driven by frustration over the failure of the current UN-based world order to protect the fundamental rights of smaller and oppressed nations such as the Palestinians....
Xi congratulates Shehbaz Sharif on election as Pakistani PM
BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday congratulated Shehbaz Sharif on his election as prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Xi noted he believes that under the leadership of Sharif and the new Pakistani government, and with the united efforts of all walks of life in Pakistan, the country will definitely achieve new and greater accomplishments in the cause of national development and progress. Xi stressed that China and Pakistan should continue their traditional friendship, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in all fields, jointly build an upgraded version of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, continue to deepen the China-Pakistan all-weather strategic cooperative partnership and build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era, to bring more benefits for the people of the two countries. On the same day, Chinese Premier Li Qiang sent a congratulatory message to Sharif. Source: Xinhua
Conference on Disarmament-China advocates UN Protection for Non-Nuclear States
Sun Xiaobo, Director General of the Department of Arms Control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China stated that the nations with the largest nuclear arsenals should either negotiate a treaty prohibiting them from using nuclear weapons against one another or at least make a political declaration in this respect. On 28 February 2024, Sun Xiaobo, Director General of the Department of Arms Control of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China, urged nuclear states to fulfill their “special and priority responsibilities” on nuclear disarmament, at the U.N. Conference on Disarmament in Geneva (the World’s single multilateral disarmament negotiating forum). He stated that the nations with the largest nuclear arsenals should either negotiate a treaty prohibiting them from using nuclear weapons against one another or at least make a political declaration in this respect. Sun also proposed a universal, non-discriminatory, non-proliferation export control order as it would help to preserve the legitimacy of the arms control treaty system. Furthermore, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also highlighted that the conference was failing in its objectives and called on the countries to accelerate the implementation of all nuclear disarmament commitments. He acknowledged that the victories for peace were “hard-fought and hard-won” but added that these were not “miracles.” They happened because countries recognized that the key to disarmament could be found in cooperation for mutual benefit cooperation for mutual destruction,” he added. “Humanity needs the Conference on Disarmament to work successfully. The paralysis and deadlock that have come to define it is something that is not acceptable,” he added. Consisting of 65 Member States, including the five declared Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) States with nuclear capability (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, and the United States), the conference also invites non-members to participate in its work. At the moment, the only...
China-Afghanistan Economic Partnership: A Promising Alliance
Afghanistan and China forge an economic alliance fueled by mutual interest and burgeoning trade routes, with China’s investments in Afghan mining and infrastructure signaling a robust future partnership. This collaboration, epitomized by China’s initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), heralds a new era of economic growth and cooperation between the two nations. Afghanistan and China have a promising future in economic relations because of their mutual attraction and potential for revolution. China’s status as an all-encompassing manufacturer, offering economical products tailored to client preferences, has driven its increased presence in the Afghan market. This growth is particularly notable with establishing direct transit routes, such as the direct road through Wakhan, Badakhshan. Afghan products including fruits, handicrafts, carpets, animal fabrics, precious stones, and marble are in high demand in China. Afghanistan, being a nonindustrial state, may benefit from cheap and high-quality Chinese products in sectors such as electronics, telecommunications, household appliances, and machinery. Afghanistan’s enormous mineral reserves, which include copper, coal, iron, niobium, cobalt, gold, molybdenum, silver, aluminum, fluorspar, uranium, beryllium, talc, and lithium, make it appealing to China. Despite US resistance, China negotiated multibillion-dollar mining contracts with Afghanistan’s government throughout the Republic era. Now, the Islamic Emirate, ruling in Afghanistan as an independent government, has shown an interest in investing in the country’s mining sector. China announced its commitment to start the mining of the Aynak Logar copper mine and negotiated more agreements with the Islamic Emirate, including oil extraction in the Amu Darya region. The contract was signed with the Chinese corporation CPEIC (China Petroleum Economics and Information Research Center), with an initial investment of $150 million and $540 million for 25 years over...
China releases list of 184 AI education bases in schools
China’s Ministry of Education recently announced a list of 184 primary and secondary schools selected as artificial intelligence (AI) education bases, with the aim of better promoting the development of AI education. To facilitate the implementation of AI education, primary and secondary schools should mainly rely on information technology, general technology and other related courses, further enrich educational and teaching resources, and carry out teacher training and guidance, said the MOE. The MOE said it will strengthen guidance for the designated bases, encouraging them to play an exemplary and leading role in developing AI school-based curricula, integrating disciplines, reforming teaching methods, jointly constructing and sharing digital education resources, cultivating teachers’ digital literacy, and fostering the comprehensive development of students, among other responsibilities. Source: China Daily
Is The Hizb Ut-Tahrir Part Of An Intelligence Game?
In a surprising turn of events, the Taliban recently allowed members of Hizb ut-Tahrir to hold gatherings in Kabul and Kunduz. Photos from these gatherings depict hundreds of Hizb ut-Tahrir members congregating, alongside their party flag, with the Taliban flag also on display In a surprising turn of events, the Taliban recently allowed members of Hizb ut-Tahrir to hold gatherings in Kabul and Kunduz. Photos from these gatherings depict hundreds of Hizb ut-Tahrir members congregating, alongside their party flag, with the Taliban flag also on display. This is peculiar because the Taliban had previously declared that they would not allow any party or group, including Jamiat-e islah and Hizb ut-Tahrir, to operate under their rule. In several instances, Taliban security forces had detained Hizb ut-Tahrir members in various parts of Afghanistan. Besides fearing secular groups and considering their activities a threat to Sharia law and religion, the Taliban are also skeptical of Islamist groups. They believe that with the establishment of Taliban rule, there is no need for the activities of other Islamic groups in the country, as the Taliban adhere to all religious laws and rigorously implement Sharia. At the same time, party politics creates divisions and turmoil, undermining Taliban rule and stability. Afghanistan is a war-torn, poor, and weak country. Weak and poor countries often become battlegrounds for intelligence games, especially if they possess strategic geographical importance. Forty years of war have made Afghanistan more than ever a playground for the intrigues of neighbors and regional and extra-regional powers. One of the ways foreign powers infiltrate this country is by exploiting left, right, and center ideologies and beliefs. We do not deny that internal factors have fueled these trends and ideologies in our country more than any other geography, but intelligence games have significantly reinforced these trends. During the Cold War, when the former...
China expects Pakistani stakeholders to jointly work for a brighter future
A comment on Pakistan by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning (February 19, 2024) was quite instructive. China said the spokesperson, sincerely hopes that relevant parties of Pakistan will work together to uphold political solidarity and social stability. The measured comment came over ten days after the elections in Pakistan on the heels of allegations of rigging in the polling. The emphasis of the statement, one can discern, is on inclusive governance as a pre-requisite for “political solidarity and social stability.” “As a close and friendly neighbor, China fully respects the choice of the Pakistani people and sincerely hopes that relevant parties of Pakistan will work together to uphold political solidarity and social stability after the elections and jointly open up a brighter future for the development of the country,” Spokesperson Mao Ning said. China hopes to work with Pakistan to build on the traditional friendship, deepen practical cooperation in various areas, and accelerate the building of an even closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future in the new era for the benefit of the peoples of the two countries, Mao Ning said when asked how China viewed the elections in Pakistan. Officials in Beijing often insist that they have no favorites in any country. We work with nations and not individuals, they say. They also speak of the need for a collaborative and inclusive governance for internal peace and economic progress, advice that has accompanied Chinese diplomacy, particularly since the launch of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
US Backs Territorial Integrity of Pakistan and Afghanistan within International Framework
In the wake of turbulent Pak-Afghan ties and the Taliban’s refusal to acknowledge the Durand Line, the US supports the territorial sovereignty of both nations within the international framework. US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters in a press conference on Wednesday, February 21, that Washington supports the territorial integrity of Pakistan and Afghanistan within the framework of the "internationally recognised borders of the two countries". A week ago, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanakzai, the political deputy of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had said at a ceremony commemorating the 35th anniversary of the withdrawal of the Soviet Union from Afghanistan in Logar, that the supposed Durand Line would never be recognised by Afghanistan. “We have never recognized Durand and will never recognize it, today half of Afghanistan is separated and is on the other side of the Durand Line. Durand is the line which was drawn by the English on the heart of Afghans. And today our neighbouring country deports the refugees in a very cruel manner and they are being told to return to their country,” he said. The Durand Line remains a contentious issue and continues to pose a significant obstacle to cordial relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan."
Women’s Rights in Afghanistan – Regional Perspectives and Role of Islamic World Virtual Dialogue – Round II
In the commemoration of the World Day of Social Justice, The Center for Research and Security Studies hosted the second round of the virtual dialogue titled “Women’s Rights in Afghanistan – Regional Perspectives and Role of the Islamic World.” Women activists, entrepreneurs, scholars, and researchers from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan provided insights into the challenges facing women in Afghanistan and discussed how Islamic countries and regional stakeholders can empower them through various initiatives. Nahid Hakimi, an entrepreneur from Afghanistan, emphasized that Afghan women's rights are being eroded, especially in the education and employment sectors. Regional partners should actively monitor the situation as it would help them devise ways for constructive engagement concerning women’s empowerment and advocacy for their rights. Nigora Khakimova, a research scholar and UNDP national consultant in Uzbekistan, said that achieving gender equality is a responsibility. She added that to help Afghan women, the international community must work hard to win the trust of Afghan women – as building trust is the first step towards helping a community. Khakimova emphasized the need for understanding inter-ethnic disparities in Afghanistan to work on gender equality and women’s empowerment, as each ethnic group has different norms and views as far as gender and women’s issues are concerned. Shokhinakhon Bakhromova, a gender expert from Uzbekistan, stressed the importance of academia in real-world contexts. She highlighted the shortage of female scholars in the field, which makes it difficult to include women in negotiations. Bakhromova recommended that policymakers carefully review policy briefs and recommendations from leading think tanks and organizations championing women’s issues to understand their perspectives and evaluate their “unavoidable” potential to contribute to negotiations and decision-making. Bakhromova suggested that open dialogue, despite not...
Taliban Allows Female Enrollment in State-Run Medical Institutes: A Policy Shift?
The Taliban’s decision to allow female enrollment in state-run medical institutes marks a potential shift in policy, raising questions about the future of women’s education in Afghanistan. This development comes amidst ongoing concerns about the broader implications of Taliban rule on women’s rights and healthcare access. The Ministry of Public Health in Afghanistan has initiated the process for 12th-grade female graduates to join government medical institutes in several provinces, including Kapisa, Parwan, Panjshir, Maidan Wardak, Ghazni, Paktika, Logar, Khost, Badakhshan, Bamyan, and Paktia, reported state-run Bakhtar News Agency. This move follows a directive from the ministry to the Public Health Directorates of these provinces, instructing them to facilitate the enrollment of female graduates in health institutes. Despite the Taliban’s previous restrictions on girls’ education beyond the sixth grade and women’s employment in public and private sectors, this reported directive from the health ministry could offer a glimmer of hope for girls seeking to resume their education and pursue careers in the health sector. However, concerns persist about the broader implications of the Taliban’s policies on women’s rights, education, and healthcare access. Humanitarian and civil society organizations warn that the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s education and employment have exacerbated the already fragile state of Afghanistan’s healthcare system, with the country failing to produce a single doctor for over a year. Concurrently, at a recent Pak-Afghan religious scholars’ huddle hosted by the Islamabad-based think tank Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), participants urged for resuming girls’ education in Afghanistan beyond grade 6, underscoring the pivotal role of women’s education in shaping Afghanistan’s future. Despite rhetoric advocating for inclusive educational policies, concrete steps toward implementation remain elusive, said a senior Pakistani...
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I am also a member of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting. Recently, we held a meeting with the Director General of Radio Pakistan and we told them to initiate such local programs (like Constituency Hour) in regional languages to educate and inform people. Even Indian Radio can be heard in FATA which is being used for propaganda purposes and must be closed. Therefore, we should launch some standard and quality programs like CRSS that will change the taste of the listeners.