(Faraz Ahmed) In the shadow of olive trees that have witnessed generations of struggle, a people endure. As Israeli airstrikes once again pound Lebanese soil and Gaza’s rubble-strewn landscape, the Palestinian question remains not merely a regional dispute, but a profound test of our collective commitment to human rights, international law, and the very principle…
(By Quratulain Khalid) I. Introduction In an era defined by instant global connectivity, real-time satellite imagery, and algorithmically amplified discourse, one would expect conflict reporting to be more transparent than ever. Yet the reality is starkly different. According to the 2026 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index, global press freedom has fallen to…
(By Khalid Masood) “We are well connected, we have all these documents. But what about the people who don’t have those connections?”— Suprabuddha Sen, 88, Kolkata, whose name was deleted from voter rolls despite submitting pension records, graduation certificates, and an expired passport In the world’s largest democracy, the right to vote is being audited…
(By Khalid Masood) On the morning of March 3, 2026, residents of the quiet southern Lebanese town of Yohmor woke to the sound of artillery. Within minutes, thick plumes of white smoke erupted over residential rooftops. Civil defence teams rushed in to extinguish fires on homes and cars. The cause? Artillery-delivered white phosphorus munitions bursting…
(By Khalid Masood) In the vast, open waters of the Indian Ocean, 40 nautical miles south of Galle, Sri Lanka, a single American torpedo ripped through the hull of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena on March 4, 2026. The ship was not firing, not threatening anyone, and not even near the main conflict zone. She…
(By Khalid Masood) Introduction Tomorrow, February 5, 2026, Pakistan will observe Kashmir Solidarity Day (Yaum-e-Yakjehti Kashmir) as a nationwide public holiday. At exactly 10:00 AM, the entire country—from bustling Lahore streets to remote areas in Gilgit-Baltistan—will fall silent for one minute to honor the sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs (shuhada). This moment of collective reflection captures…
(By Quratulain Khalid) Introduction The Tirah Valley in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber District has once again become a symbol of the fragile intersection between security operations, civilian vulnerability, and administrative preparedness. Long shaped by militancy, counterterrorism campaigns, and difficult terrain, Tirah’s population is no stranger to displacement. Yet the most recent episode of civilian movement reveals…
(By Quratulain Khalid) Introduction: The Stark Contrast of 26 January Every year on 26 January, India stages a spectacular display of military power and national pride in Delhi. Tanks rumble down wide avenues, fighter jets streak across the sky, cultural floats showcase “unity in diversity,” and massive crowds cheer what is billed as the world’s…
(By Khalid Masood) As of January 19, 2026—the eve of what organizers hope will become one of the most disruptive days of civic action in recent U.S. history—tens of thousands have already pledged to participate in the Free America Walkout scheduled for tomorrow, January 20. Coordinated primarily by the revitalized Women’s March in alliance with…
(By Khalid Masood) Reza Pahlavi, born on October 31, 1960, in Tehran, Iran, is the eldest son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, and Empress Farah Diba (Farah Pahlavi). As the heir apparent to the Pahlavi dynasty, he was officially named Crown Prince in 1967 during his father’s coronation. For nearly five…
