Afghanistan
Politics
Partners at war: Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict tests China’s westward strategy
The recent escalation of the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict upends China’s westward economic expansion. With neither Pakistan nor Afghanistan willing to subordinate their core security objectives to Beijing’s connectivity agenda, will China find itself unable to push forward on its regional strategy? US academic John Calabrese ponders this quandary.
John Calabrese
03 Mar 2026
Politics
India courts the Taliban — but has China taken the lead?
Delhi welcomed Afghanistan’s Taliban foreign minister in a high-profile visit, signalling cautious outreach, but China’s early engagement, Belt and Road projects, and strategic timing pose a pressing question: has China already won the race in Kabul? Academic Rishi Gupta explores India’s diplomatic approach and timing.
Rishi Gupta
04 Nov 2025
Politics
Beijing’s western anxiety: Afghanistan’s turmoil and Trump’s return to Bagram
Rising border violence and Trump’s push for a US foothold in Afghanistan are unsettling Beijing. As the region’s fault lines reopen, China’s western frontier could become a weak link in its global ambitions. Academic Alessandro Arduino examines the implications for China’s regional stability and strategic ambition.
Alessandro Arduino
22 Oct 2025
Politics
How China is shaping India without confronting it
Amid China and India’s seeming rapprochement, China’s structural penetration into South Asia has become increasingly visible this year. Beijing is no longer nibbling at the region’s edges, but laying a wedge, says academic Hao Nan.
Hao Nan
21 Aug 2025
Economy
The Tibet mega-dam: Powering AI, reshaping South Asia
China’s Tibet mega-dam project (the Yarlung Zangbo mega-dam project) is more than a hydropower play — it is a strategic bid to green-power AI, secure energy dominance and reshape South Asia’s fragile geopolitical balance, says academic Hao Nan.
Hao Nan
05 Aug 2025
Politics
How Trump and China influence India’s Taliban policy
On the back of Indian Foreign Minister Vikram Misri’s recent meeting with Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Malavi Amir Khan Muttaqi, Delhi is signalling a recalibration of approach to the Taliban in Afghanistan, as it keenly observes Kabul’s growing ties with China and Pakistan. Indian academic Rishi Gupta analyses the situation.
Rishi Gupta
06 Feb 2025
Economy
Investing in Afghan stability: Will China’s pragmatic approach work?
As part of its long-term focus on fostering economic and strategic cooperation, China’s decision to remove tariffs on Afghan goods brings promising opportunities for Afghanistan’s economy, says researcher Imran Zakeria.
Imran Zakeria
26 Nov 2024
Economy
TAPI: Pipe dream or energy lifeline?
Various parties, including China, could benefit from the long-delayed Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline project. However, major security-related challenges stand in the way, says researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May.
Genevieve Donnellon-May
22 Nov 2024
Politics
Can China avoid the mistakes of past powers in Afghanistan?
As China deepens its presence in Afghanistan, it must navigate the risks of stepping into the void left by Western powers. History teaches that in Afghanistan, ambition must be tempered with caution, and success is never guaranteed, warns US academic John Calabrese.
John Calabrese
03 Sep 2024
