Analyses

New Nationalist Movement Emerges From Pakistan’s Pashtun Protests

A new movement demanding security for Pakistan’s ethnic Pashtun minority is transforming into a nationalist struggle with long-term consequences for the country’s politics, security, society, and foreign policy.

Reading The Pakistani Debate Over Military Chief’s Doctrine

Pakistanis have spent weeks debating a set of goals reportedly outlined by the country’s powerful military chief.

Who Should Talk To Whom Emerges As The Main Impediment To Afghan Peace

The Taliban and the Afghan government, along with its Western allies — the key parties to the conflict — are at odds over who should be talking to whom.

New Pashtun Dissent Meets Old Coercion Tactics In Pakistan

Leaders of the newly formed Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) or Movement for the Protection of Pashtuns, say they are facing a range of pressures and tactics.

Pashtun Protest Reignites Debate About Pakistan’s Counterterrorism Policies

A close look at statements by senior Pakistani civilian and military leaders gives an idea of what is wrong with Islamabad’s counterterrorism approach and why -- despite so much suffering -- the country is still seen as a bastion of jihadist networks.

Afghan TAPI Construction Kicks Off, But Pipeline Questions Still Unresolved

A ground-breaking ceremony for Afghanistan's section of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline leaves many key questions still unanswered. (The views expressed in this analysis do not necessarily reflect the views of RFE/RL.)

How Likely Is A Complete Breakdown In U.S.-Pakistan Relations?

Whether the United States and Pakistan are heading toward a complete breakdown in their fraught relations or can yet again pull back from the brink.

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.