Press Releases

GERMANY: Merz under fire for ‘racist’ comment ― Government possibly close to deportation deal with Taliban ― Coalition disagreement over deportation centres ― Parliament votes to scrap fast-track citizenship ― Council of Europe visit focused on migrati…

Chancellor Friedrich Merz is under fire following an apparently racist remark he made on a recent visit to the eastern state of Brandenburg. The Federal Government may be close to finalising a deal with the Taliban which would facilitate an...

A Passion for Policy: Marvin Weinbaum on Afghanistan, Pakistan, and U.S. Engagement Abroad

Brian Katulis speaks with Dr. Marvin Weinbaum—senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and former Department of State analyst—about his remarkable career...

MoD alleges that Russian hackers stole military documents

(MENAFN) The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is investigating allegations that Russian hackers accessed and leaked hundreds of classified military documents online. Reports indicate that the files, which appeared on the dark web—a hidden part of the...

A Grand Illusion: America’s Anti-China Arctic Policy Is Rooted in Paranoia and Political Bias, Not Strategic Reality

Back to Publications Drift ice camp in the middle of the Arctic Ocean as seen from the deck of the Chinese research icebreaker Xue Long. Photo: Timo Palo The Arctic Institute China Series 2025 America has long prided itself on being the guardian...

Kabul, Islamabad Prepare Engaging in Peace Talks in Doha

(MENAFN) Kabul and Islamabad are scheduled to conduct discussions in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Saturday, according to a statement from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry. These talks are being facilitated by the government of Qatar and follow...

Afghanistan, Pakistan to negotiate to ease border tension in Doha

(MENAFN) Kabul and Islamabad are holding peace talks in Doha on Saturday, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said, with the Qatari government acting as mediator. The negotiations follow recent Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province...

Kabul says three Afghan athletes got killed by Pakistani attacks

(MENAFN) A series of overnight airstrikes launched by Pakistan has resulted in the deaths of five Afghan civilians, including three young cricket players, according to Afghan officials. The incident occurred in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika...

Afghanistan: Two media workers killed in cross-border fighting

The NUJ has joined the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and Afghan Independent Journalists’ Union (AIJU) in condemning the killing of two media workers in Afghanistan. Abdul Zahir Safi, a journalist for Afghanistan state media, was...

Pakistan, Afghanistan Reach Ceasefire Agreement

(MENAFN) Pakistan and Afghanistan have mutually agreed to implement an immediate ceasefire following negotiations in Doha, according to confirmations from both nations. The discussions, facilitated by Qatar and Türkiye, aimed to ease tensions...

India Supports Afghanistan Amid Tensions with Pakistan

(MENAFN) India has voiced its strong backing for Afghanistan in the ongoing dispute with Pakistan, affirming its unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Afghan nation. During a press briefing on Thursday, Randhir...

Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to truce during Doha discussions

(MENAFN) Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached an agreement to halt hostilities with immediate effect following negotiations in Doha, which were facilitated by Qatar and Türkiye, according to official statements from both nations. Reports...

Pakistan, Afghanistan Set to Hold Discussions in Doha

(MENAFN) Kabul and Islamabad are set to engage in high-stakes talks in Doha this Saturday, Pakistani officials announced, as tensions escalate along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The discussions, brokered by the Qatari government, follow recent...

Pakistani attack results in death of Afghan cricketers

(MENAFN) Overnight airstrikes by Pakistan have resulted in the deaths of five people in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, including three cricket players, according to the Afghanistan Cricket Board. The attacks came shortly after the two neighboring...

India Sides with Afghanistan Amid Border Conflict with Pakistan

(MENAFN) India has voiced strong support for Afghanistan in the latest border conflict with Pakistan, reaffirming its commitment to Afghan sovereignty and territorial integrity. During a media briefing on Thursday, Indian Foreign Ministry...

Dozens get killed by fresh Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict

(MENAFN) Dozens of troops and civilians have been killed in renewed border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, officials on both sides reported Wednesday, as violence along the frontier entered its second week. The recent escalation follows...

Turkey hails Afghanistan-Pakistan truce agreement

(MENAFN) Türkiye expressed support on Sunday for the ceasefire reached between Afghanistan and Pakistan during talks in Doha, which were mediated by both Türkiye and Qatar, according to official statements. In a statement, the Turkish Foreign...

Pakistan, Afghanistan reach for immediate truce during Duha talks

(MENAFN) Pakistan and Afghanistan on Sunday agreed to an immediate ceasefire during talks in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Türkiye. Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif confirmed the ceasefire, emphasizing that both countries will...

Seventeen Civilians Killed in Pakistani Strike on Afghanistan

(MENAFN) At least 17 civilians, among them three cricket players, were killed in a Pakistani airstrike on Friday night in eastern Afghanistan’s Paktika province, local media reported Saturday, citing security officials. The strike took place at...

Airstrikes by Pakistan Kill Afghan Cricketers

(MENAFN) Overnight airstrikes carried out by Pakistan have resulted in the deaths of five Afghan citizens, including three athletes, as confirmed by the Afghanistan Cricket Board on Saturday. The strikes occurred in the border region of Paktika...

Pakistan, Afghanistan Seal Deal to Halt Hostilities

(MENAFN) Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following high-level negotiations held in Doha, Qatar, the Gulf nation's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday. Brokered by Qatar and Türkiye, the discussions...