Book Review: Descent into Chaos
In 2008, Peter Hadden reviewed the then recently published book “Descent into Chaos” by Ahmed Rashid. It gives a very good background to explain how the Taliban developed, how corruption and poverty were the direct consequences of imperialist intervention and why Afghanistan and Pakistan are today experiencing such crises. Events and details mentioned in the […]
China: The Many Crises of Xi Jinping
“All roads lead to 2022” noted Nikkei’s seasoned China watcher Katsuji Nakazawa, referring to the so-called Communist Party’s (CCP) twice-in-a-decade congress in October next year. It is there Xi Jinping plans to finalise his coronation as lifetime ruler of China. The congress is a ritual, it’s not a political gathering for debates and democratic votes. […]
Threat of Chaos in Pakistan After Taliban Return to Power in Afghanistan
With the Taliban back in power in Afghanistan, Pakistan’s very fragile balance is in danger of being further shaken. On top of a near-bankrupt state, violence by fundamentalist groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and growing social unrest, including against China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, more internal instability and greater isolation from US […]