The union of South and central Asia (USCA) – Shiraz Paracha:   The death and destruction in name of nation state has taught the West to discard the narrow concept of nation state, however, in some parts of the world, the West is encouraging separatist movements and ethnic groups which

War with NATO, suicide for Pakistan – by Shiraz Paracha: A low-intensity military conflict between Pakistan and the United States is going on in Afghanistan and along the Pak-Afghan border since the U.S. military invasion and occupation of Afghanistan. Both sides have been using proxies and guerrilla war tactics

China, Russia flexing muscles: A New World Order, or Cold War? – by Shiraz Paracha: China and Russia are flexing their muscles in the wake of Western actions and policies in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. Days after China issued a warning against the establishment of U.S. military bases in Australia; Russia has

Pakistan, theatre of U.S energy war–by Shiraz Paracha: As the theatre of the U.S initiated war moves to Pakistan the Pakistani military feels cornered and its commanders are looking for internal unity and reaching out to new and old foreign friends. Interestingly, perhaps for the first time,

Beyond nation states: Union of South and Central Asia (USCA) – by Shiraz Paracha: The death and destruction in name of nation state has taught the West to discard the narrow concept of nation state, however, in some parts of the world, the West is encouraging separatist movements and ethnic groups which aspire

Russia leads Eurasia – by Shiraz Paracha: The United States faces embracement as leaders from 56 countries, including head of states and governments gather for a two-day international summit in Central Asia. After a gap of 11 years, the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe

Central Asia, battlefield of powers – By Shiraz Paracha: Energy resources of Central Asia, the containment of Russian and Chinese influence in the region, and the monitoring of Iran are the main motives of the United States and the NATO presence in Afghanistan and in parts of the

Regional Scenario: Central Asian ‘Muslim’ states fear Pakistan – by Shiraz Paracha: Central Asia’s richest and largest state Kazakhstan is following a strict visa policy for Pakistan and Afghanistan at the same time offering further relaxations in visa regulations to nationals from Western and several non-Western countries. Pakistan has an image

Iran to India: Energy alliance between South and Central Asia – by Shiraz Paracha: (Map source) LUBP Exclusive Pakistan and India both face energy shortages but this crisis can be turned into a huge opportunity if (and there is big if) India and Pakistan are able to form an alliance that also includes

Outside Agitation In Kyrgyzstan – by Peter Chamberlin: Uzbek refugees line up around an armored vehicle with Kyrgyz soldiers in the southern Kyrgyz city of Osh while waiting to cross the border into Uzbekistan, near the border with Uzbekistan, Monday, June 14, 2010. (AP Photo/Faruk Akkan,CHA) Originally

The Peace Pipeline – by Peter Chamberlin: First published at There Are No Sunglasses Obama is a flexible puppet in the empire-builders hands, readily facilitating the decades-old scheme to seize control of the former Soviet satellite nations and all of their vast energy resources.  But, unlike

America’s “Islamists” go where oilmen fear to tread – by Peter Chamberlin: By following the trail of militant terrorists US forces and American interests have gained access deep in Central Asia, where oil companies have had little luck gaining a foothold on their own. To students of American foreign policy in