Author: ZORAIZ KLASRA
ZORAIZ KLASRA
Zoraiz Klasra is the National Security and Defence Correspondent for The Islamabad Telegraph. He specializes in exposing hybrid warfare, disinformation campaigns, and regional threats to Pakistan. His investigative reporting focuses on covert networks involving India, Israel, and anti-state proxies.
The Board of Peace, chaired by Donald Trump, aims to resolve global conflicts starting with Gaza. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s “excellent chemistry” with Trump highlights Pakistan’s central role. Pakistan prioritizes the Palestinian cause within this new international framework. The board plans to oversee a “New Gaza” featuring massive reconstruction and economic investment. DAVOS, Switzerland – In a historic turn of events at the 2026 World Economic Forum, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, alongside a select group of world leaders, officially signed the charter for the “Board of Peace.” This high-stakes diplomatic initiative, spearheaded and chaired by United States President Donald…
The Malaysia sovereign wealth fund, Khazanah, is leading a new “mine-to-magnet” strategy to capture the $175 billion rare earth market. Managing Director Amirul Feisal predicts the ringgit could strengthen below 4.00 per USD due to increased foreign investment. Malaysia currently processes nearly 14% of global rare earth compounds, aiming to reduce global dependency on China. New downstream projects are being fast-tracked through joint ventures with international partners and Chinese state-owned enterprises. In early 2026, Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund, Khazanah Nasional Bhd, has taken a proactive stance on the national stage, signaling a bullish outlook for the Malaysian Ringgit and a…
Pakistan joins Trump’s Gaza Peace Council following high-level civil-military consultations and guidance from religious scholars. The move aims to amplify the call for a permanent ceasefire and the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people. Islamabad remains committed to a sovereign Palestinian state based on 1967 borders, maintaining its historic “red lines.” Participation ensures that Pakistan has a seat at the table to influence regional stability and the reconstruction of Gaza. Pakistan’s geopolitical position has long carried weight beyond its borders, but today that relevance is sharper and more consequential than ever. As the world’s only Muslim-majority nuclear…
Trump Greenland acquisition plans have taken a surreal turn as the President explicitly linked his demand for the territory to his grievance over being passed over for the Nobel Peace Prize. In a leaked weekend text to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump suggested that since Norway—home of the Nobel Committee—did not recognize his “peace-making” efforts, he no longer feels a moral obligation to prioritize diplomacy over American expansionism. The exchange, confirmed by the Norwegian government on Monday, has sent shockwaves through the transatlantic alliance. The President’s message was a direct response to Nordic efforts to de-escalate a burgeoning…
US Aircraft Carriers including the USS Abraham Lincoln are repositioning to the Middle East. The deployment follows President Trump’s warnings regarding the crackdown on Iranian protesters. Open-source intelligence shows a massive surge in supporting Air Force assets and tankers. The buildup mirrors the 2025 military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. In a dramatic escalation that could redefine Middle East geopolitics, U.S. aircraft carriers are reportedly steaming toward Iran, fueling speculation of the largest American military operation in the region since the 2025 strikes on Tehran’s nuclear facilities. Media reports and open-source intelligence indicate the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group,…
Iran protests sparked by economic collapse spread across all 31 provinces with over 100 cities witnessing unprecedented demonstrations demanding regime change and challenging Supreme Leader Khamenei’s authority. Government crackdown results in massive casualties with human rights organizations documenting between 2,677 to potentially 20,000 deaths, over 18,000 arrests, and widespread use of live ammunition against protesters. Internet blackout and digital resistance imposed January 8 failed to completely silence protesters who utilized VPNs and Starlink to smuggle videos showing violent clashes and defiant crowds across major cities. Regional powers adopt cautious stance as Gulf states, Turkey, and international bodies navigate tensions between…
Download South Asia Daily Briefing As of January 15, 2026, South Asia is navigating a period of intense strategic recalibration and volatility. The regional landscape is currently dominated by a “trinity of troubles” involving India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, where cross-border tensions have escalated into intermittent drone strikes and military skirmishes. India’s advisory for its citizens to leave Iran highlights the fragility of its western “connectivity corridor,” as domestic unrest in Tehran threatens the viability of the Chabahar Port—New Delhi’s vital link to Central Asia. Simultaneously, Pakistan is pivoting toward economic diplomacy, leveraging its defense exports like the JF-17 Block…
Download South Asia Daily Briefing On January 14, 2026, South Asia’s geopolitical landscape is defined by a precarious intersection of traditional security anxieties and modern economic disruption. As the region navigates a shifting global order, the day’s events reveal a subcontinent increasingly forced to hedge between Western strategic interests and domestic imperatives. The current state of play highlights three critical themes: 1-Managed Strategic Friction: India General Upendra Dwivedi’s emphasis on “regular touch” with Dhaka serves as a vital diplomatic shock absorber. By downplaying fears of a Bangladesh-Pakistan military nexus, New Delhi is signaling a pragmatic commitment to prevent the…
U.S. strike on Iran is being considered as a direct response to the killing of over 600 protesters in Tehran and other major cities. The Pentagon has briefed the President on long-range missiles, cyber operations, and psychological warfare tools. Trump has announced a 25% tariff on any nation trading with the Islamic Republic to further isolate the regime. Iran has threatened to retaliate against U.S. bases and Israel if a military intervention begins. The drumbeat of war in the Middle East has reached a crescendo this week as President Donald Trump reviews an expansive menu of military and covert options…
Pakistan-Indonesia defense ties reached a new peak during the GHQ meeting on January 12, 2026. The deal involves the potential sale of over 40 JF-17 Thunder Block-III fighter jets. Discussions included the export of Shahpar-II killer drones and Super Mushshak trainers. Pakistan is emerging as a top-tier arms exporter for the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In a move that signals a tectonic shift in Southeast Asian security dynamics, Pakistan and Indonesia have moved to significantly deepen their military-to-military relationship. On Monday, January 12, 2026, Lieutenant General Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin (Retd), the Indonesian Minister of Defence, arrived at the General Headquarters…