NUST Journal of International Peace & Stability
China’s military modernization has led to many concerns among regional and international stakehol... more China’s military modernization has led to many concerns among regional and international stakeholders. Many countries see Beijing’s intentions to become a military superpower as threatening regional peace and stability. On the other hand, being China’s strategic ally, Pakistan sees its military expansion as a positive change to back its drive to become a regional military power. This research aims to analyze the perception of Pakistani media about the Chinese military by conducting an extensive content analysis of the Pakistani newspaper ‘Pakistan Today. The data helped highlight the Pakistani media’s attitude toward China’s military ambitions. The analysis suggests that Pakistani newspaper projects China’s military might as the balance of power, particularly against its regional rival, i.e. India. The research elucidates that while most Western media coverage portrays Chinesemilitary activities as a challenge to the regional status quo, Pakistani media exhibits it as important for ...
Journal of International Affairs & Politics - Vol.14, 2020
After the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, the militants in the country adopted suicide bombing tact... more After the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, the militants in the country adopted suicide bombing tactics and the war-torn country faced a new threat in the form of suicide terrorism. The main purpose of this research is to review the existing literature on the motives of suicide attackers, mostly from political science perspective. For many scholars and state actors, it is hard to understand the acts of terrorists especially of suicide terrorists. Thus, suicide terrorism and act of blowing oneself was often conceived as "irrational" but many political scientists argue otherwise. Although, most academics agree that there is no single motive for terrorists to conduct suicide attacks, great number of previous researches on suicide terrorism in Afghanistan suggests that religion has played a significant role in promoting suicide bombings in the country. However, this paper argues that militants in Afghanistan conduct suicide attacks mainly for strategic reasons and it is used as a military tactic to challenge well-resourced opponents. In addition to addressing the role of strategic reasons, this article also analyzes other factors including religious, altruistic, economic motivations as well as military and political advantages instigating militants to become suicide bombers.
International Relations Insights & Analysis (IRIA) is a research institute focusing on critical i... more International Relations Insights & Analysis (IRIA) is a research institute focusing on critical issues that threatens international peace & security. IRIA investigates and offers research and analysis on security, energy, terrorism, foreign affairs as well as global political agendas. We formulate concise and meaningful research presented in an interesting and interactive manner. IRIA special reports include experts' opinion, special features, cost & benefit analysis, examine risk & opportunities, as well as evaluate threats and suggest countermeasures. The key findings of reports and analysis highlight pragmatic policy options and revise strategies. IRIA also offers client-based specialized reports, backgrounders and analysis on foreign affairs, political issues, global agendas to officials, policy-makers and academics. To get IRIA exclusive reports, featuring critical analysis, experts' opinion and policy recommendations, contact at
The refugee crisis that emerged in 2015 was considered to be one of the worst political and human... more The refugee crisis that emerged in 2015 was considered to be one of the worst political and humanitarian disasters and the huge influx of immigrants that arrived in Europe caused collective concerns among the receiving countries. The general attitude towards immigrants in Germany has been positive for years but the Syrian crisis prompted the German policies to become more lenient towards the refugees. Therefore, this paper analyzes Germany’s policy shift towards refugees after 2015 and examines the reasons behind the positive stance towards immigrants from the existing literature. The paper discusses the role of different factors ranging from economic, foreign policy considerations, ideological concerns to humanitarian values. In addition, this paper highlights the gaps in the literature and proposes directions for future research to comprehend German policies on immigrants. The research concludes with the findings that humanitarian values and past experiences have played a crucial ...
European Scientific Journal - ESJ Humanities, 2021
The refugee crisis that emerged in 2015 was considered to be one of the worst political and human... more The refugee crisis that emerged in 2015 was considered to be one of the worst political and humanitarian disasters and the huge influx of immigrants that arrived in Europe caused collective concerns among the receiving countries. The general attitude towards immigrants in Germany has been positive for years but the Syrian crisis prompted the German policies to become more lenient towards the refugees. Therefore, this paper analyzes Germany's policy shift towards refugees after 2015 and examines the reasons behind the positive stance towards immigrants from the existing literature. The paper discusses the role of different factors ranging from economic, foreign policy considerations, ideological concerns to humanitarian values. In addition, this paper highlights the gaps in the literature and proposes directions for future research to comprehend German policies on immigrants. The research concludes with the findings that humanitarian values and past experiences have played a crucial role in shaping Germany's refugee policy during the European refugee crisis.
Journal of International Affairs & Politics - Vol.14, 2020
After the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, the militants in the country adopted suicide bombing tact... more After the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, the militants in the country adopted suicide bombing tactics and the war-torn country faced a new threat in the form of suicide terrorism. The main purpose of this research is to review the existing literature on the motives of suicide attackers, mostly from political science perspective. For many scholars and state actors, it is hard to understand the acts of terrorists especially of suicide terrorists. Thus, suicide terrorism and act of blowing oneself was often conceived as "irrational" but many political scientists argue otherwise. Although, most academics agree that there is no single motive for terrorists to conduct suicide attacks, great number of previous researches on suicide terrorism in Afghanistan suggests that religion has played a significant role in promoting suicide bombings in the country. However, this paper argues that militants in Afghanistan conduct suicide attacks mainly for strategic reasons and it is used as a military tactic to challenge well-resourced opponents. In addition to addressing the role of strategic reasons, this article also analyzes other factors including religious, altruistic, economic motivations as well as military and political advantages instigating militants to become suicide bombers.
In the pandemic era, every day we learn about new cases, new fatalities but every new day also br... more In the pandemic era, every day we learn about new cases, new fatalities but every new day also brings us closer to new studies and potential cures. The element of uncertainty is evident, but what is certain is that the post-corona world will not be the same. Which raises a question: How and what will coronavirus change? How will Pakistan cope with the challenges? The answer to the second part of the question is everything. It will change everything from how we interact to how we eat, work and shop. What is noteworthy is the fact that the pandemic is waning the era of globalization and reinforcing nationalism. Instead of looking towards the UN, WHO, US, or the UK, every country is playing by its own rules. As the outbreak of novel coronavirus has now overwhelmed nearly every country, it calls for both immediate and long-term measures. For a country like Pakistan, the catastrophic situation also offers a much-needed push into the future with an opportunity to set priorities straight. Every challenge is an opportunity. It is, however, only possible if the right decisions are made at the right time for the right people.
Since the introduction of economic reforms in the late 1970s, China has achieved remarkable succe... more Since the introduction of economic reforms in the late 1970s, China has achieved remarkable success in reducing poverty in the country. China's experience of reducing poverty through the development of roads, investments in transportation infrastructure has been remarkably successful in bringing the country out of chaos and directed to the path of sustainable development and prosperity. Transportation infrastructures include roads, railways, ports, airports, and waterways, and typically these infrastructures have been financed, built, owned, and operated by the government at various levels.
Hypersonic weapons and directed-energy weapons systems have been the center of attention for defe... more Hypersonic weapons and directed-energy weapons systems have been the center of attention for defense analysts for quite some time now, however, since 2020 major powers have made significant progress in developing hypersonic and directed-energy weapons capabilities. Directed-energy weapons are designed to damage distanced targets with highly focused energy, such as lasers, microwaves, and particle beams. Laser weapons are the most common type of energy weapons that can be deployed on aircraft, ships, and military vehicles. Laser weapons can hit a target with speed, flexibility, and precision and effectively avoid detection. These weapons are highly effective for Multi-Domain Operations and can deter low-cost threats, such as drones. Hypersonic weapons are considered the next generation of arms aimed at countering adversaries with increased precision without giving interceptors the time to react and depriving the counter mechanisms. Several countries have been involved in developing their own hypersonic weapons and equipping their strategic allies with technologies that can reach speed above Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).
As swords and guns were the only decisive weapons of past and played a central role in battles, t... more As swords and guns were the only decisive weapons of past and played a central role in battles, the media (including, mobile phones, cameras, internet, computer and TV) have become the modern tools and game-changer in war and strategy building. Today, the media has a huge influence on the masses, can convey messages and propaganda, and implant certain ideas into the minds of its viewers. It is no surprise that the terrorist networks are fully aware of the power and authority of media technology and are effectively using it to achieve their goals as well as to reach their targeted audience.
The 9/11 terrorist attacks changed the scenario of international politics; the U.S.-led western c... more The 9/11 terrorist attacks changed the scenario of international politics; the U.S.-led western coalition initiated the war on terror in Afghanistan, mainly to eliminate threat of terrorism. However, after 13 years of struggle the U.S. failed to achieve its objectives. Today terrorism remains a global political agenda and terrorists pose a serious threat to world peace. Moreover terrorist organizations further expanded into other regions, causing more fear worldwide, with number of attacks and fatalities increasing drastically. The main reason behind writing this piece is to investigate that what went wrong in the war on terror in Afghanistan and suggest alternative solutions to counter terrorism. The first chapter gives a brief explanation of the issue and specifies the significance of this research. The second chapter evaluates the existing literature on this issue, and includes critical analysis. The third chapter clarifies the research methodology used in this paper. Chapter four evaluate the costs and benefits of the war, and analyze the experts opinion, as well as the Afghan, Pakistani, and American public opinion on the war on terror. The fifth chapter mainly examines the failures of war on terrorism and identifies key factors behind those failures, ranging from complexity of definition, lack of cooperation among the allies, failure of understanding the local situation, and motives and structure of terrorists. Finally, the last chapter summarizes the key findings, proposes an option of collaborative and cooperative approach towards terrorism, as well as recommends the revised counter-terrorism policy.
One of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan’s history, killing at least 145 people, mostly children,... more One of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan’s history, killing at least 145 people, mostly children, in Peshawar city of Pakistan, was soon claimed by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The brutal attack, on the Army Public School and Degree College by heavily armed men, shook the nation as well as the international community. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed that the school was attacked as a revenge for Pakistan’s ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan. “We want them to feel the pain,” TTP spokesman Muhammad Umar Khorasani was reported saying.
Sadness, terror and anger have gripped Pakistanis more severely than ever after the recent attack killing young children. The latest assault by TTP is one of the bloodiest in Pakistan’s history which has left the country in shock and sent chills to the global community, shifting their focus from militants groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS to TTP.
The brazen attack is a stark reminder of frequent terrorist attacks in Pakistan during the last decade which has claimed lives of more than 55,000 innocent Pakistanis. The country has also suffered financial losses of about 103 billion dollars due to terrorism. “We believe it is the responsibility of all countries to take action against terrorism on their own soil,” according to Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson, who believe: “Pakistan itself has suffered because of terrorism. We have been a very active partner of the international community in efforts to counter terrorism. We are taking very robust action against terrorism and we expect that all countries should do the same on their soil. There is no disputing the fact that terrorism needs to be eliminated.”
NUST Journal of International Peace & Stability
China’s military modernization has led to many concerns among regional and international stakehol... more China’s military modernization has led to many concerns among regional and international stakeholders. Many countries see Beijing’s intentions to become a military superpower as threatening regional peace and stability. On the other hand, being China’s strategic ally, Pakistan sees its military expansion as a positive change to back its drive to become a regional military power. This research aims to analyze the perception of Pakistani media about the Chinese military by conducting an extensive content analysis of the Pakistani newspaper ‘Pakistan Today. The data helped highlight the Pakistani media’s attitude toward China’s military ambitions. The analysis suggests that Pakistani newspaper projects China’s military might as the balance of power, particularly against its regional rival, i.e. India. The research elucidates that while most Western media coverage portrays Chinesemilitary activities as a challenge to the regional status quo, Pakistani media exhibits it as important for ...
Journal of International Affairs & Politics - Vol.14, 2020
After the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, the militants in the country adopted suicide bombing tact... more After the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, the militants in the country adopted suicide bombing tactics and the war-torn country faced a new threat in the form of suicide terrorism. The main purpose of this research is to review the existing literature on the motives of suicide attackers, mostly from political science perspective. For many scholars and state actors, it is hard to understand the acts of terrorists especially of suicide terrorists. Thus, suicide terrorism and act of blowing oneself was often conceived as "irrational" but many political scientists argue otherwise. Although, most academics agree that there is no single motive for terrorists to conduct suicide attacks, great number of previous researches on suicide terrorism in Afghanistan suggests that religion has played a significant role in promoting suicide bombings in the country. However, this paper argues that militants in Afghanistan conduct suicide attacks mainly for strategic reasons and it is used as a military tactic to challenge well-resourced opponents. In addition to addressing the role of strategic reasons, this article also analyzes other factors including religious, altruistic, economic motivations as well as military and political advantages instigating militants to become suicide bombers.
International Relations Insights & Analysis (IRIA) is a research institute focusing on critical i... more International Relations Insights & Analysis (IRIA) is a research institute focusing on critical issues that threatens international peace & security. IRIA investigates and offers research and analysis on security, energy, terrorism, foreign affairs as well as global political agendas. We formulate concise and meaningful research presented in an interesting and interactive manner. IRIA special reports include experts' opinion, special features, cost & benefit analysis, examine risk & opportunities, as well as evaluate threats and suggest countermeasures. The key findings of reports and analysis highlight pragmatic policy options and revise strategies. IRIA also offers client-based specialized reports, backgrounders and analysis on foreign affairs, political issues, global agendas to officials, policy-makers and academics. To get IRIA exclusive reports, featuring critical analysis, experts' opinion and policy recommendations, contact at
The refugee crisis that emerged in 2015 was considered to be one of the worst political and human... more The refugee crisis that emerged in 2015 was considered to be one of the worst political and humanitarian disasters and the huge influx of immigrants that arrived in Europe caused collective concerns among the receiving countries. The general attitude towards immigrants in Germany has been positive for years but the Syrian crisis prompted the German policies to become more lenient towards the refugees. Therefore, this paper analyzes Germany’s policy shift towards refugees after 2015 and examines the reasons behind the positive stance towards immigrants from the existing literature. The paper discusses the role of different factors ranging from economic, foreign policy considerations, ideological concerns to humanitarian values. In addition, this paper highlights the gaps in the literature and proposes directions for future research to comprehend German policies on immigrants. The research concludes with the findings that humanitarian values and past experiences have played a crucial ...
European Scientific Journal - ESJ Humanities, 2021
The refugee crisis that emerged in 2015 was considered to be one of the worst political and human... more The refugee crisis that emerged in 2015 was considered to be one of the worst political and humanitarian disasters and the huge influx of immigrants that arrived in Europe caused collective concerns among the receiving countries. The general attitude towards immigrants in Germany has been positive for years but the Syrian crisis prompted the German policies to become more lenient towards the refugees. Therefore, this paper analyzes Germany's policy shift towards refugees after 2015 and examines the reasons behind the positive stance towards immigrants from the existing literature. The paper discusses the role of different factors ranging from economic, foreign policy considerations, ideological concerns to humanitarian values. In addition, this paper highlights the gaps in the literature and proposes directions for future research to comprehend German policies on immigrants. The research concludes with the findings that humanitarian values and past experiences have played a crucial role in shaping Germany's refugee policy during the European refugee crisis.
Journal of International Affairs & Politics - Vol.14, 2020
After the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, the militants in the country adopted suicide bombing tact... more After the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, the militants in the country adopted suicide bombing tactics and the war-torn country faced a new threat in the form of suicide terrorism. The main purpose of this research is to review the existing literature on the motives of suicide attackers, mostly from political science perspective. For many scholars and state actors, it is hard to understand the acts of terrorists especially of suicide terrorists. Thus, suicide terrorism and act of blowing oneself was often conceived as "irrational" but many political scientists argue otherwise. Although, most academics agree that there is no single motive for terrorists to conduct suicide attacks, great number of previous researches on suicide terrorism in Afghanistan suggests that religion has played a significant role in promoting suicide bombings in the country. However, this paper argues that militants in Afghanistan conduct suicide attacks mainly for strategic reasons and it is used as a military tactic to challenge well-resourced opponents. In addition to addressing the role of strategic reasons, this article also analyzes other factors including religious, altruistic, economic motivations as well as military and political advantages instigating militants to become suicide bombers.
In the pandemic era, every day we learn about new cases, new fatalities but every new day also br... more In the pandemic era, every day we learn about new cases, new fatalities but every new day also brings us closer to new studies and potential cures. The element of uncertainty is evident, but what is certain is that the post-corona world will not be the same. Which raises a question: How and what will coronavirus change? How will Pakistan cope with the challenges? The answer to the second part of the question is everything. It will change everything from how we interact to how we eat, work and shop. What is noteworthy is the fact that the pandemic is waning the era of globalization and reinforcing nationalism. Instead of looking towards the UN, WHO, US, or the UK, every country is playing by its own rules. As the outbreak of novel coronavirus has now overwhelmed nearly every country, it calls for both immediate and long-term measures. For a country like Pakistan, the catastrophic situation also offers a much-needed push into the future with an opportunity to set priorities straight. Every challenge is an opportunity. It is, however, only possible if the right decisions are made at the right time for the right people.
Since the introduction of economic reforms in the late 1970s, China has achieved remarkable succe... more Since the introduction of economic reforms in the late 1970s, China has achieved remarkable success in reducing poverty in the country. China's experience of reducing poverty through the development of roads, investments in transportation infrastructure has been remarkably successful in bringing the country out of chaos and directed to the path of sustainable development and prosperity. Transportation infrastructures include roads, railways, ports, airports, and waterways, and typically these infrastructures have been financed, built, owned, and operated by the government at various levels.
Hypersonic weapons and directed-energy weapons systems have been the center of attention for defe... more Hypersonic weapons and directed-energy weapons systems have been the center of attention for defense analysts for quite some time now, however, since 2020 major powers have made significant progress in developing hypersonic and directed-energy weapons capabilities. Directed-energy weapons are designed to damage distanced targets with highly focused energy, such as lasers, microwaves, and particle beams. Laser weapons are the most common type of energy weapons that can be deployed on aircraft, ships, and military vehicles. Laser weapons can hit a target with speed, flexibility, and precision and effectively avoid detection. These weapons are highly effective for Multi-Domain Operations and can deter low-cost threats, such as drones. Hypersonic weapons are considered the next generation of arms aimed at countering adversaries with increased precision without giving interceptors the time to react and depriving the counter mechanisms. Several countries have been involved in developing their own hypersonic weapons and equipping their strategic allies with technologies that can reach speed above Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).
As swords and guns were the only decisive weapons of past and played a central role in battles, t... more As swords and guns were the only decisive weapons of past and played a central role in battles, the media (including, mobile phones, cameras, internet, computer and TV) have become the modern tools and game-changer in war and strategy building. Today, the media has a huge influence on the masses, can convey messages and propaganda, and implant certain ideas into the minds of its viewers. It is no surprise that the terrorist networks are fully aware of the power and authority of media technology and are effectively using it to achieve their goals as well as to reach their targeted audience.
The 9/11 terrorist attacks changed the scenario of international politics; the U.S.-led western c... more The 9/11 terrorist attacks changed the scenario of international politics; the U.S.-led western coalition initiated the war on terror in Afghanistan, mainly to eliminate threat of terrorism. However, after 13 years of struggle the U.S. failed to achieve its objectives. Today terrorism remains a global political agenda and terrorists pose a serious threat to world peace. Moreover terrorist organizations further expanded into other regions, causing more fear worldwide, with number of attacks and fatalities increasing drastically. The main reason behind writing this piece is to investigate that what went wrong in the war on terror in Afghanistan and suggest alternative solutions to counter terrorism. The first chapter gives a brief explanation of the issue and specifies the significance of this research. The second chapter evaluates the existing literature on this issue, and includes critical analysis. The third chapter clarifies the research methodology used in this paper. Chapter four evaluate the costs and benefits of the war, and analyze the experts opinion, as well as the Afghan, Pakistani, and American public opinion on the war on terror. The fifth chapter mainly examines the failures of war on terrorism and identifies key factors behind those failures, ranging from complexity of definition, lack of cooperation among the allies, failure of understanding the local situation, and motives and structure of terrorists. Finally, the last chapter summarizes the key findings, proposes an option of collaborative and cooperative approach towards terrorism, as well as recommends the revised counter-terrorism policy.
One of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan’s history, killing at least 145 people, mostly children,... more One of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan’s history, killing at least 145 people, mostly children, in Peshawar city of Pakistan, was soon claimed by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The brutal attack, on the Army Public School and Degree College by heavily armed men, shook the nation as well as the international community. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed that the school was attacked as a revenge for Pakistan’s ongoing operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan. “We want them to feel the pain,” TTP spokesman Muhammad Umar Khorasani was reported saying.
Sadness, terror and anger have gripped Pakistanis more severely than ever after the recent attack killing young children. The latest assault by TTP is one of the bloodiest in Pakistan’s history which has left the country in shock and sent chills to the global community, shifting their focus from militants groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS to TTP.
The brazen attack is a stark reminder of frequent terrorist attacks in Pakistan during the last decade which has claimed lives of more than 55,000 innocent Pakistanis. The country has also suffered financial losses of about 103 billion dollars due to terrorism. “We believe it is the responsibility of all countries to take action against terrorism on their own soil,” according to Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson, who believe: “Pakistan itself has suffered because of terrorism. We have been a very active partner of the international community in efforts to counter terrorism. We are taking very robust action against terrorism and we expect that all countries should do the same on their soil. There is no disputing the fact that terrorism needs to be eliminated.”
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Papers by Ahsan Jamal
Multi-Domain Operations and can deter low-cost threats, such as drones. Hypersonic weapons are considered the next generation of arms aimed at countering adversaries with increased precision without giving interceptors the time to react and depriving the counter mechanisms. Several countries have been involved in developing their own hypersonic weapons and equipping their strategic allies with technologies that can reach speed above Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).
Sadness, terror and anger have gripped Pakistanis more severely than ever after the recent attack killing young children. The latest assault by TTP is one of the bloodiest in Pakistan’s history which has left the country in shock and sent chills to the global community, shifting their focus from militants groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS to TTP.
The brazen attack is a stark reminder of frequent terrorist attacks in Pakistan during the last decade which has claimed lives of more than 55,000 innocent Pakistanis. The country has also suffered financial losses of about 103 billion dollars due to terrorism. “We believe it is the responsibility of all countries to take action against terrorism on their own soil,” according to Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson, who believe: “Pakistan itself has suffered because of terrorism. We have been a very active partner of the international community in efforts to counter terrorism. We are taking very robust action against terrorism and we expect that all countries should do the same on their soil. There is no disputing the fact that terrorism needs to be eliminated.”
Multi-Domain Operations and can deter low-cost threats, such as drones. Hypersonic weapons are considered the next generation of arms aimed at countering adversaries with increased precision without giving interceptors the time to react and depriving the counter mechanisms. Several countries have been involved in developing their own hypersonic weapons and equipping their strategic allies with technologies that can reach speed above Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound).
Sadness, terror and anger have gripped Pakistanis more severely than ever after the recent attack killing young children. The latest assault by TTP is one of the bloodiest in Pakistan’s history which has left the country in shock and sent chills to the global community, shifting their focus from militants groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS to TTP.
The brazen attack is a stark reminder of frequent terrorist attacks in Pakistan during the last decade which has claimed lives of more than 55,000 innocent Pakistanis. The country has also suffered financial losses of about 103 billion dollars due to terrorism. “We believe it is the responsibility of all countries to take action against terrorism on their own soil,” according to Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson, who believe: “Pakistan itself has suffered because of terrorism. We have been a very active partner of the international community in efforts to counter terrorism. We are taking very robust action against terrorism and we expect that all countries should do the same on their soil. There is no disputing the fact that terrorism needs to be eliminated.”