A mass-casualty incident near Kabul on 16 March marks a significant escalation in hostilities between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban. More fighting promises nothing but more death, displacement and economic damage. Friendly countries should work together to bring the sides back to the negotiating table.
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Without a cease-fire [between Afghanistan and Pakistan], the situation risks escalating further, with civilians likely to bear the brunt.
This is the first credible election [Bangladesh] held in 17 years so it’s incredibly significant. People are eager to have the chance to vote after so long.
The crucial test for Bangladesh now will be to ensure the election is conducted fairly and impartially, and for all parties to then accept the result.
India and China will try to outdo each other in this race for influence, and Bangladesh will try to make the most out of it.
If the [Bangladeshi election] result is contested, it could spiral into a political crisis, testing the fragile consensus that has underpinned the transition
This momentum that we've seen [between India and the EU] is all thanks to [U.S.] President Trump.
The U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is entering its third week, with no end yet in sight. Crisis Group experts offer a 360-degree view of its effects on peace, security and economic stability around the world.
After the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021, they severely curtailed women’s rights. The private sector, in particular small-scale entrepreneurship, has emerged as one of the last spaces where women can attempt to cobble together a living, albeit with significant challenges.
A fresh outbreak of hostilities between Islamabad and Kabul follows a rash of lethal jihadist attacks in western Pakistan. The Pakistani government says the Afghan Taliban are harbouring the militants. With outside powers’ help, both capitals should work to reduce tensions before they escalate further.
In this online event, Crisis Group and external experts examined the many challenges that lay ahead for the new administration in Bangladesh.
On 12 February, Bangladeshis will vote in their country’s first national elections since student-led protests forced long-time ruler Sheikh Hasina from power in August 2024. In this Q&A, Crisis Group expert Thomas Kean lays out the stakes in these historic polls.
Crisis Group expert Thomas Kean examines the political consequences of the return of Tarique Rahman – widely considered the PM-in-waiting – to Bangladesh after years in exile
Suspicion lingers between Dhaka and New Delhi after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, the Bangladeshi premier whom India had backed. Further strain on ties would hurt both countries. Fresh elections in Bangladesh are a chance for the two governments to put the tensions behind them.
Despite the myriad harsh controls the Taliban have imposed on their lives, a growing number of Afghan women are seeking ways to earn a living. To boost the economy, the authorities should relax rules that hinder women’s entrepreneurship. Donors can also assist these women’s ventures.
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