Analyses

Building Up Fences, Breaking Down Relations

A razor wire fence, more than 3 meters tall along the nearly 2,500-kilometer 19th-century Durand Line is unlikely to address the real drivers of terrorism in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

What Drives The Taliban’s Deadly Afghan Attacks?

This week began on a positive note for Afghanistan as the country’s diplomats joined their Pakistani, U.S., and Chinese colleagues to restart peace talks with the Taliban and cultivate a cooperative relationship between Kabul and Islamabad.

Tensions With U.S. Continue Despite Pakistan Hostage Rescue

Suspicion Clouds Another Attempt To Reconcile Afghanistan And Pakistan

This week, millions of Afghans and Pakistanis saw a rerun of the scenes that hyped hopes for resetting fraught relations between their neighboring countries.

China, Pakistan Poised To Clash Over Militant Sanctuaries

For years, China had Pakistan’s back as it faced criticism over its alleged support for or inability to curb Islamist militant organizations often accused of fomenting insurgencies and terrorist attacks in neighboring Afghanistan and India.

Five Takeaways From Trump's New Afghan Strategy

Notable in some ways for what it didn't include -- troop levels, timelines, or calls for ensuring a democratic Afghanistan -- the U.S. president tailored starkly differing messages to South Asia's respective governments.

Sharif’s Long Shot For Civilian Ascendancy In Pakistan

Two weeks after his ouster, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has shown he is still one of the most popular political leaders in the country.

In Sharif’s Removal, Pakistani Democracy Suffers A Major Setback

Pakistan is witnessing a new reiteration of an old political drama. Yet another elected prime minister has been ousted from power before completing his term in office.

With Tehran Attacks, Islamic State Accomplished At Least One Terrible Goal

It finally happened. The Islamic State (IS) extremist group struck Iran -- and did so with sadistic aplomb. (The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL.)

Afghans Demand Answers After Kabul Hit By Deadliest Attack Since 2001

How did a sewage tank truck packed with explosives penetrate a heavily fortified area of the Afghan capital and carry out the deadliest attack in Kabul since the U.S.-led invasion in 2001?

Central Asia's Anxious Watch On The Afghan Border

Qishloq Ovozi takes a look at what has been happening recently in the northern Afghan provinces that border Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. (The views expressed in this blog post do not necessarily reflect those of RFE/RL.)