Author: Ghulam Abbas
Ghulam Abbas
Ghulam Abbas is an Islamabad-based journalist specializing in current affairs and the evolving dynamics of the China-Pakistan bilateral relationship. His reporting provides in-depth insights into the geopolitical, economic, and strategic ties between the two nations, making him a respected voice in regional journalism. Views expressed here are his own
Three Russian MiG-31 jets violated Estonian airspace, escorted out by NATO fighters. NATO invoked Article 4 for the ninth time in its history, underscoring the severity. Poland also reported Russian drones crossing its border, some shot down by NATO. NATO pledged continued support for Ukraine while warning Moscow against “reckless” provocations. Brussels feels tense this week. NATO’s headquarters, usually a fortress of diplomacy and controlled messaging, is abuzz with unease after two separate incidents in as many weeks brought the alliance face-to-face with one of its greatest fears: direct confrontation with Russia. First, it was Russian drones breaching Polish airspace.…
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia signed a historic Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement in Riyadh this week. The pact ensures that an attack on one will be considered an attack on both, echoing NATO-style security guarantees. FO clarified the agreement is defensive in nature and will promote peace and stability, not threaten other states. Egyptian FM congratulated Pakistan, calling the pact a “milestone in partnership and trust”. The deal cements decades of Islamabad–Riyadh defence cooperation, dating back to the 1960s. ISLAMABAD – The Foreign Office (FO) on Friday strongly underlined that the landmark Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement signed earlier this week between…
Pakistan and Russia vowed to deepen cooperation in energy, trade, and connectivity after the Putin-Shehbaz meeting at the SCO summit. Islamabad seeks to balance growing ties with Moscow while maintaining strategic relations with Washington amid Trump’s renewed investment interest. Potential collaboration areas include oil and gas supplies, regional trade corridors, food security, and technological partnerships. Pakistan aims to leverage multipolar diplomacy, using forums like the SCO, to diversify alliances without entering zero-sum rivalries. When Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the devastating floods in Pakistan, the setting of the conversation—on the sidelines of…
Famine Confirmed: U.N. declares famine in Gaza for the first time outside Africa, with 514,000 Palestinians facing starvation. Australia’s Bold Move: Canberra recognizes a Palestinian state amid global outrage over Israel’s aid blockade. Global Backlash: Britain, Canada, and Europe demand Israel open humanitarian corridors as U.S. public support for Israel declines. Humanitarian Outcry: U.N. calls Gaza famine a “man-made disaster” and warns starvation deaths could amount to war crimes. The smell of dust, blood, and empty kitchens fills Gaza’s air. Children with hollow eyes clutch scraps of bread, mothers boil weeds for supper, and fathers dig through rubble where homes…
Marco Rubio tasked by President Trump to draft security guarantees ending Ukraine war. Trump-Putin meeting sets stage for peace framework without NATO troop commitments. European leaders demand “Article 5-like” protections amid public skepticism over troop deployments. Proposed guarantees include U.S. air support, intelligence sharing, and Black Sea naval presence. In a twist that underscores Washington’s rapidly shifting foreign policy dynamics, President Donald J. Trump has entrusted Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio with drafting the security guarantees that could finally bring an end to the war in Ukraine. It is a remarkable assignment for a man who…
At least a dozen foreign fighters from the U.S., Colombia, Taiwan, Denmark, and others killed in Russian missile strike on Ukrainian base. Attack confirms Moscow’s long-standing claims that Ukraine recruits foreign soldiers in its war against Russia. Witnesses report over 100 wounded, with an ammunition depot explosion intensifying the devastation. Strike comes days before Putin-Trump meeting, raising political stakes in ongoing peace discussions. At least a dozen foreign fighters serving in Ukraine’s military were killed late last month when a Russian missile obliterated a training camp’s mess hall during lunchtime, in what is emerging as one of the deadliest single…
North Korea accelerates construction at Sohae Satellite Launching Station with a new seaport for rapid delivery of rocket components. Russia’s space technology transfer could cut North Korea’s satellite program timeline from a decade to just 1–2 years. A functioning spy satellite network would dramatically improve Pyongyang’s missile precision and regional military posture. The Russia–North Korea alliance signals a long-term strategic shift challenging U.S. and allied intelligence dominance in Asia. The world has been distracted by the noise of Ukraine’s battlefields and the shadowboxing between Washington and Beijing, but a quieter, more dangerous development is unfolding on the Korean Peninsula. North…
15% Tariff Imposed: The U.S. will impose a 15% tariff on most EU imports under the new Trump trade deal, avoiding a harsher 30% threat. Geopolitical Bargain: The deal subtly links EU trade relief to European support on Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran. Retaliation Suspended: Europe suspends $100 billion in retaliatory tariffs, prioritizing diplomacy over confrontation. Economic Pain, Strategic Gain: European leaders call the deal a “predictability pact” amid rising global instability. In a tense but strategic move, European Union leaders concluded a high-stakes trade deal with the Trump administration over the weekend, narrowly avoiding an all-out tariff war that could…
Tariffs Slashed: Trump reduced proposed tariffs on EU goods from 30% to 15%, easing tensions and preventing a full-scale trade war with America’s top ally. $600 Billion EU Investment: The EU committed to invest $600 billion in U.S. energy and defense sectors, significantly boosting American industry and job markets. Military & Energy Realignment: Europe agreed to purchase $750 billion worth of U.S. energy and arms, signaling a deeper alignment with Washington amid ongoing tensions with Russia. Strategic Leverage Maintained: Trump retained the right to raise tariffs if Europe fails to meet investment targets, keeping future negotiations under U.S. influence. TURNBERRY,…
Thai military acted defensively after Cambodian forces crossed into disputed territory and opened fire. Collapse of Thaksin-Hun Sen backchannel left Cambodia diplomatically unanchored, triggering instability. Thailand exercised precision and restraint, calling for ASEAN-led de-escalation. Cambodia’s provocative use of Chinese arms risks turning local clashes into a regional security threat. Bangkok, July 25 — A simmering dispute along the Thailand-Cambodia border has reignited into a dangerous military confrontation, with Thai forces engaging in limited retaliatory strikes after Cambodian troops launched artillery rounds into Thailand’s Si Sa Ket province. The exchange, which left multiple Cambodian soldiers dead and several Thai civilians injured,…