(By Khalid Masood) India’s much-publicized acquisition of 36 Rafale fighter jets from France—at a staggering cost of approximately $8.7 billion—was heralded as a game-changer for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Yet, the events of May 7, 2025, during Operation Sindoor, have cast a long and damning shadow over that narrative. The downing of three IAF…
(By Khalid Masood) In the rapidly evolving theatre of modern warfare, cruise missiles have emerged as a defining instrument of strategic power projection. Their ability to deliver precision strikes deep into enemy territory, often flying low to evade radar detection, makes them a formidable challenge for any Air Defence (AD) system. Among the most advanced…
(By Khalid Masood) Although ostensibly part of a broader American fiscal package, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” uses economic tools—remittance taxes, trade barriers, and immigration restrictions—as levers of domestic enforcement, carrying serious unintended consequences for global South economies. For countries like Pakistan and India, the bill is not just financial legislation—it is a geopolitical…
(By Khalid Masood) Introduction: The Grand Illusion of Indian Supremacy In May 2025, India launched “Operation Sindoor” with pomp, provocation, and misplaced pride. On the surface, it was a response to a terrorist incident in Pahalgam. But in truth, it was driven by a deeper impulse: India’s inflated self-image as a global power and regional…
In May 2025, the skies over Gilgit-Baltistan region bore witness to a historic flight that would reverberate across geopolitical corridors. The joint test-flight of the J-35A ‘Gyrfalcon’ stealth fighter by Pakistani and Chinese pilots marked not just a technological milestone but a profound statement of strategic unity. This event signaled Pakistan’s ascension into the elite…
India’s 2016 agreement to purchase 36 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation for $9.3 billion has become a symbol not of military modernization, but of deep-rooted corruption and political favoritism in Indian defense procurement. Far from being a transparent transaction aimed at enhancing national security, the deal reflects systemic weaknesses and raises serious questions…
In the fragile tapestry of South Asian geopolitics, April 2025 marked a dark and unsettling chapter. The delicate peace that had, for a fleeting moment, seemed within reach between India and Pakistan was violently torn asunder by a tragic attack in Pahalgam, nestled in Indian-administered Kashmir. The blood of 26 innocent civilians—mostly hapless tourists—stained the…
(By Khalid Masood) On the morning of 21 May 2025, the sun rose over Khuzdar—but its light could not pierce the darkness that engulfed the land. At exactly 07:40 AM, a school bus—carrying the laughter, dreams, and bright hopes of around 40 innocent children—was torn apart by a cowardly bomb blast. Three little angels embraced…
(By Khalid Masood) The rise of religious nationalism, epitomized by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), has transformed India from a secular democracy into a majoritarian state marked by Hindu supremacist ideology, anti-minority violence, and democratic backsliding. The RSS’s century-long project of establishing a Hindu Rashtra (Hindu nation) has fueled communal tensions, undermined pluralism, and escalated…
(Khalid Masood) In a moment that will be remembered for generations, the Government of Pakistan, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has elevated Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir to the rank of Field Marshal. This rare and distinguished five-star honor, only the second in the nation’s history, is a resounding tribute to…
