The Political Unraveling of Iran

Ardishir Rashidi Kalhur | Exclusive to iKurd.net

The recent assembly of the Kurdish parties from Eastern Kurdistan on February 22, 2026 in Southern [Iraqi] Kurdistan, to form a united coalition is a historic giant step toward defending and protecting the defenseless Kurdish people in Iran against the regime in Tehran and rekindling their long-held spirit of independence.

This show of unity among Kurds has generated an offensive reaction from the opportunistic son of the former dictator of Iran and his Los Angeles-based mountebank Persian nationalists. The inevitable outcome behind the Kurdish unity follows from ancient to recent history, marked by a series of tyrannical dictators attempting to rule the people of the region.

The last 47 years of brutal treatment of the Iranian people by this theocratic regime—with special emphasis on the oppression of the Kurdish people, who have fought the regime for cultural and political rights since 1979—make this clear.

The Kurds carry a deep historical memory, recollecting the similar brutality committed against the Kurdish population when the deposed Shah, father of the disregarded son, was in power.

It follows from the laws of nature that this force compels the Kurds to forge onward toward greater unity and away from the Farsi-centric country that is Iran.

The second law of thermodynamics, known as the law of entropy (the Greek word for “transformation”), states that over time every system tends toward decay, disorder, disintegration, and eventual death. In thermodynamics, entropy can be measured quantitatively through cyclical processes such as those of an engine and its energy efficiency. The less efficient the system, the sooner it faces disorder and death.

Some describe “negentropy” or “syntropy” as the opposite of entropy. If entropy leads to eventual death, can syntropy be assumed to mark the start of life? How does life begin? What forces of convergence, coalescence, order, and integration emerge from the dead, decayed, and decomposed bodies of the past to organize different elements into a new form of life or a marvelous new system? Life coming out of death, the new coming out of the old.

Unlike entropy, which can be measured scientifically, no known scientific formula quantifies syntropy—the starting point of life that grows and multiplies in all its new and amazing diversities.

One of the early applications of this natural law to social studies was proposed by Professor Kenneth D. Bailey under the title “Social Entropy Theory.” By this theory, he evaluated social status and cultural behaviors as measures of entropy in a society.

In the definition of the natural laws of entropy (the second law of thermodynamics) applied to society, the process occurs over “time.” In social science, this “over time” is nothing but “history”—the history of a given society that defines its social entropy.

In the case of Iran, it is well beyond reasonable doubt that the country and its system are in a state of social entropy. With thousands of years of historical decay, disorder, chaos, and disintegration, we see today the visible signs of its end-of-life condition. The internal and external rise of political tensions leading to the current war and violence in and over Iran is equivalent to the rise of internal entropy accelerating Iran’s demise.

If the history of Iran can be compared to a rope—with ancient history at one end and the present situation at the other—you will see a weakened rope with fraying ends, none of whose strands want to remain united. Holding the rope from breakup has been the “Gordian Knot” at the center of power in Teheran, the capital of world terrorism.

A quick review of ancient history shows that Iran was referred to as a geographic area, not a homogeneous people with a common culture, language, and history that could form a strong chain of unity. The fact of these different strands of people, each unique with their own culture, explains the inevitable disintegration of Iran. History identifies the following peoples in the present-day geographic area of Iran and the wider region of the Middle East:

1. 

   The ancient peoples of the Zagros Mountains in Western Iran, among whom the Sumerians, Gutians, and Elamites are prominent. In Northern Mesopotamia, the Kurdish culture of Khair-Besh-Ke (Gobekli, or Gopke Tepe) has been discovered by modern archaeologists, historians, theologians of ancient faiths, and scholars of the Old Testament. Their history dates back 3 to 10 millennia BC; they are credited as founders of human civilization since historic and prehistoric times.

2. The Medes, who also rose in the Zagros Mountains beginning about 1700 BC and developed an advanced civilization built upon the history of the former cultures. The Magian belief system developed under the most powerful king of the Medes, Kaysar (Kaiser), the third king. Groups 1 and 2 collectively formed the cultural heritage and identity of modern Kurds and Kurdistan.

3. 

   The Scythians, ancestors of the Baloch people, whose land Baluchistan is divided between the dysfunctional nation- states of Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

4. The Achaemenids who were vassals of the Medes assigned as border guards (Parsian/Parsian=Border-Keepers). The etymology of the word “Persian” is a Kurdish/Medic word that means “guard” and was a job title. Their cultural heritage derives from the Achaemenid tribe (600–700 BC). The most well-known was Cyrus, whose mother was from the house of the Medes.

5. The Parthians, who after Alexander the Great ousted the Persians became the powerful political culture ruling the Parthian Empire. Today’s Parthians inhabit the northern provinces of Gilan, Mazandaran, and eastern Khorasan.

These five major strands of cultures within the geographic map of Iran are the political forces of history who are now actively shattering the artificially held-together Iran. This is the unrepairable and uncontrollable snapping of the fraying rope making Iran to reach the end of the rope!

Among the present oppositions are the following groups, each with their own political agenda:

1. The Islamic Reformists: Persian-speaking Islamic Shia groups within the regime who want cultural reforms such as removal of the hijab and are willing to do business with the West. These groups oppose giving cultural and political rights to non-Persian national minorities in Iran.

2. The Shahis: ultra-nationalist Persian-speaking remnants of the former Shah regime, represented by Reza the son of the former dictator. Interestingly, other Persian-speaking groups such as the terrorist group MEK and other leftist groups have shown willingness to join the Shahis to save Iran from breakup and maintain a centralized political system ruling from Tehran. These groups are hard at work to sway the IRGC to abandon the regime and join them to control and rule Iran after the regime falls. Their motto is “The Old Dictator is Dead, Long Live the New Dictator!”

3. The Kurdish Opposition Groups: Their history of fighting for independence is centuries old, filled with battles against regime after regime and the groups mentioned above. The Kurds demand a decentralized Iran with full rights to Kurdish autonomy and self-determination. To this demand, the son of the former dictator has issued a threat that the Kurds will pay a heavy price worse than the past if they take steps toward self-rule and independence.

   The Kurdish people have shown a strong reaction to the threatening statement issued by the son of the former dictator attacking the Kurdish people and their political parties. This has clearly revealed the true nature of the son of the former dictator and has unmasked him as no democratic leader but yet another bloodthirsty dictator eager to perpetuate the cycle.

4. 

   The Baloch people, who like the Kurds (whose land was divided between Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria), have seen their land divided between Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. They have put up a heroic fight under the leadership of the BLA (Baluchistan Liberation Army).

5. The ASMLA (Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahwaz) represents the Arab inhabitants of Iran, concentrated in Khuzestan with Ahwaz as its capital.

None of the above groups plus the regime see eye to eye on the future of Iran, which means that Iran has reached the end of the rope with the “Gordian Knot” at the center in Tehran soon to be slashed apart.

Now that the condemned house of tyrants in Iran is demolished, its dictator is dead, and people can take a momentary breath of fresh air, we await with growing anticipation to see the blueprint of peace and freedom for the people and national Minorities in Iran to be revealed. As all the people in Iran are hoping for the best, it will be prudent to also prepare for the worst to avoid catastrophic conditions that can bring civil war, thirst, hunger, and diseases in a country that has been culturally and politically sick for centuries.

It will be a will-fully imposed mistake by the Unites States to attempt to keep Iran together, with the intent to empower yet another dictator. The falsely held belief about Iran being one country, one people, one culture, one nation, one language, one flag, one ideology is over.

The United States has the immense and historic opportunity to honor the Post WWI, 1920, Treaty of Sevres, in which the people of Kurdistan were promised to self-rule representing their own Autonomous land of Kurdistan.

It is urgent, that the United States calls for an immediate Iran Peace Conference with all nationalities involved to amicably settle the disputes among various Autonomy seeking nationalities. Peace in Iran matters greatly to avoid a catastrophic civil war.

As was envisioned by President Wilson and the Treaty of Sevres, the Kurdish people urgently call for a new Middle East Peace Conference this time with the conscientious intent by the United States to avoid the start of WWIII as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

The old artificial post WWI map of the Middle East drawn by the Sykes-Picot Agreement is no longer valid, now is the time for a new map in the Middle East.

Today, the United States through real leadership at the United Nations, has the historic and moral responsibility to protect all the people of the Middle East by remaking this new map of the Middle East that is normalized along the political will of the people desiring a better future to live in peace, freedom and prosperity, which are the necessary conditions for establishing peace in the larger Middle East.

Ardishir Rashidi-Kalhur, the President of Kurdish American Education Society, Los Angeles, U.S.

The opinions are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of iKurd.net or its editors.

Copyright © 2026 iKurd.net. All rights reserved.

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KABUL/ISLAMABAD,— Fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan expanded overnight as Pakistani forces struck Taliban government positions in key Afghan cities, officials on both sides said Friday.

Pakistan’s defense chief said the situation had turned into “open war“.

Pakistani security officials said the operation included air strikes and ground assaults against Taliban bases, command centers and weapons storage sites across several border areas.

Speaking on Friday, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said, “Our cup of patience has overflowed. Now it is open war between us and you (Afghanistan).”

The military action adds to tensions along the 2,600 kilometer border separating the two countries.

The dispute centers on Pakistan’s claim that Kabul shelters militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. Taliban authorities have rejected the accusation and said Pakistan’s internal security challenges are its own responsibility.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani aircraft struck areas of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia. Footage released by Pakistani security officials showed nighttime shelling along the frontier, with bursts of light and heavy gunfire.

Video from Kabul showed dark smoke rising from two sites and flames spreading in one section of the city. Another clip showed a building burning in Paktia province, which Pakistani officials said was used as a Taliban headquarters.

Pakistani government spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi said on X that counter strikes were ongoing. He said the operation was launched in response to what he described as unprovoked attacks by Afghan forces.

In Kabul, Reuters witnesses reported hearing strong explosions followed by ambulance sirens. Jets were also heard flying above the city.

Zaidi said the strikes killed 133 Taliban fighters and wounded more than 200 others. He said Pakistani forces destroyed 27 Taliban posts and took control of nine.

Mujahid disputed those numbers. He said 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 19 of their posts were captured. He said eight Taliban members were killed and 11 wounded. He also reported that 13 civilians were injured in Nangarhar province.

Pakistan has maintained heightened security since earlier this week, when it carried out air strikes that it said targeted camps belonging to Tehreek e Taliban, known as TTP, and Islamic State militants in eastern Afghanistan.

Afghan authorities said those earlier attacks killed 13 civilians. They repeated that Afghan territory is not used by militant groups to launch attacks abroad. Taliban officials also warned they would respond strongly.

Bakhtar News Agency in Nangarhar released an image it said showed a unit of suicide attackers. The agency cited an Afghan security source who said the bombers were equipped with explosive vests and vehicle bombs and were prepared to attack major targets.

Pakistani officials have recently expressed concern about possible militant attacks in major cities.

Clashes along the border escalated Thursday night after the Taliban launched what they described as retaliatory strikes on Pakistani military positions. During those exchanges, both sides claimed to have destroyed border posts held by the other.

(With files from Reuters)

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ISLAMABAD,— A suicide bomber attacked a Shi’ite mosque in the Pakistani capital on Friday, first firing shots at its entrance before blowing himself up inside the prayer hall, killing at least 31 people and injuring more than 170 in the worst such attack in Islamabad in over ten years.

The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility in a message shared on its Telegram channel. It also posted a photograph it said showed the attacker holding a rifle with his face hidden. Reuters said it could not immediately verify whether the image was authentic.

Local officials said security guards confronted the man as he tried to enter the Khadija Tul Kubra Imambargah, a large Shi’ite religious compound on the edge of the city. The explosion happened moments later inside the mosque.

Video and pictures from the site showed a shocking scene, with bodies lying on the carpeted floor, broken glass scattered everywhere, and worshippers in panic.

Dozens of wounded people were seen lying in the mosque gardens while others screamed for medical help.

Several survivors said they heard gunfire shortly after Friday prayers began, followed seconds later by a massive blast that shook the building.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif wrote on X that the attacker detonated his bomb in the last row of worshippers. He also claimed the bomber had previously traveled to Afghanistan and accused India of backing the assault, but provided no evidence.

India’s foreign ministry condemned the attack and rejected Pakistan’s accusation. In a statement, New Delhi said Islamabad should focus on its internal security problems instead of blaming others.

At Islamabad’s main public hospital, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, families waited anxiously in hallways and outside buildings for news.

Among them was Sarfraz Shah, 46, who said he had attended prayers with his brother Manzar, 39.

“I heard gunshots and before I could understand what was happening, there was a huge explosion,” Shah told reporters. “People were thrown around. There was thick smoke and confusion. Then I saw blood everywhere.”

He later learned at the hospital that his brother had been killed.

The independent conflict monitor ACLED said this was the deadliest suicide bombing in Islamabad since 2014.

Police officer Shahid Malik, who helped transport victims to hospitals, described the scene as terrifying.

“I have worked many crime scenes, but this was extremely disturbing,” he said, estimating that 600 to 700 worshippers were inside the mosque.

Pakistan is a mainly Sunni Muslim country, but Shi’ites form a significant minority. They have been targeted in past attacks by groups such as Islamic State and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

While Islamabad is normally one of the most secure cities in the country, Pakistan has seen rising militancy in recent years, especially in areas near the Afghan border.

Afghanistan’s government condemned the bombing and again denied allegations that it shelters militants who attack Pakistan.

Islamabad’s Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon said 31 people had been killed and 169 injured were brought to hospitals, though earlier officials said more than 170 people were wounded.

Security in the capital was already heightened because Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev was in Pakistan for an official visit.

Police checkpoints were set up across the city, and many roads were blocked.

The attack came after a violent weekend in Balochistan province, where Pakistan accused India of supporting militant raids. India rejected the claims.

In that region, separatist fighters launched coordinated attacks on government offices, hospitals, and markets, killing 58 civilians and security officials. Pakistan’s military said it later killed 216 militants in operations across Balochistan.

Earlier on Friday, the military also reported killing 24 militants linked to the TTP in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Islamabad’s last major suicide attack took place on Nov. 11, when a bomber killed 12 people and wounded 27 others. Pakistan said the attacker was Afghan, and no group claimed responsibility.

(With files from Reuters)

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QUETTA, Balochistan,— Pakistani security forces killed 145 militants in a 40-hour operation following a series of coordinated gun and bomb attacks across Balochistan that left nearly 50 people dead, the province’s chief minister said Sunday.

The southwestern province, which borders Iran and Afghanistan, has seen one of its deadliest spikes in violence in years, as insurgents increase assaults on security forces, civilians, and public infrastructure.

Attackers disguised as ordinary civilians entered hospitals, schools, banks, and marketplaces on Saturday before opening fire, Pakistan’s junior interior minister Talal Chaudhry said.

He said the attackers disguised themselves as civilians and opened fire indiscriminately on people working in shops, using nearby civilians as shields.

The banned separatist group Baloch Liberation Army BLA (Balochistan Ajooyi Lashkar) claimed responsibility, saying it had launched a coordinated campaign called Herof, or “black storm,” aimed at security forces throughout the province.

In Quetta, the provincial capital, the impact was visible in burned-out vehicles outside a police station, bullet-riddled doors, and streets cordoned off with yellow tape. Security forces increased patrols and restricted movement after the attacks.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti reported that 17 law enforcement officers and 31 civilians were killed in the assaults. According to Pakistan’s military, 92 militants were killed Saturday and 41 on Friday.

Bugti said authorities received intelligence about the planned operation and launched preparatory measures a day in advance. He added that the latest toll is the highest number of militants killed in such a short period since the insurgency escalated.

Officials said the attacks were launched almost simultaneously across Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, and Noshki districts.

Armed men opened fire at security posts, including a Frontier Corps headquarters, attempted suicide bombings, and temporarily blocked city roads. The army, police, and counterterrorism units responded with large-scale counter-operations.

Private security guard Jamil Ahmed Mashwani said attackers struck a shop shortly after midday. “They hit me on my face and head,” he said.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and poorest province, has faced decades of insurgency led by ethnic Baloch separatists seeking more autonomy and a larger share of its natural resources.

The BLA claimed it killed 84 members of Pakistan’s security forces and captured 18 others, though Reuters could not independently verify the numbers. Pakistan’s military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said two of the attacks involved female attackers and noted that militants were increasingly targeting civilians, including laborers and low-income communities. The military said security forces prevented militants from taking control of any city or strategic site.

Pakistan’s military blamed the attacks on “Indian-sponsored militants,” a claim India denied Sunday. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the allegations “baseless” and urged Islamabad to focus on addressing domestic issues.

The United States condemned the attacks. U.S. Charge d’Affaires Natalie Baker described the incidents as acts of terrorism and said Washington stood with Pakistan. The BLA is listed by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization.

Pakistan has also faced periodic attacks from Islamist militants elsewhere, including groups linked to the Pakistani Taliban.

(With files from Reuters)

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Balochistan: Pakistan’s Hidden Shame

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Pakistani father and son responsible for deadly Bondi mass shooting, Australian police say

SYDNEY,— At least 15 people were killed and nearly 30 others injured after Muslim gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday, Australian authorities said, describing the incident as a terrorist attack.

New South Wales Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said at a press briefing that one of the suspected gunmen was killed at the scene, while another remained in critical condition. Among the 29 people sent to hospitals were two police officers.

Australian police said Monday that the two gunmen responsible for a deadly attack at a Jewish celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach were a father and son of Pakistani origin, as the country mourned its worst outbreak of gun violence in nearly three decades.

Authorities identified the suspects as Sajid Akram, 50, and his 24-year-old son, Naveed Akram. Police said the elder Akram was shot and killed by officers at the scene during Sunday’s attack, bringing the total number of deaths to 16. His son was critically wounded and taken to hospital, where he remains under police guard.

Officials said about 40 people were injured during the shooting.

Authorities were investigating whether a third suspect had been involved in the shooting. Lanyon added that a bomb disposal unit was working to secure several suspected improvised explosive devices discovered near the scene.

Mike Burgess, Australia’s top intelligence official, told reporters that one of the suspected attackers was already known to authorities, although the individual had not been considered an immediate threat.

Since the war in Gaza began following radical Islamist group Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and resulted in 251 hostages being taken, Australia has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents.

Sunday’s shooting was the most serious among those cases, which have included attacks on synagogues, residential buildings, and vehicles, according to authorities.

Mass shootings are uncommon in Australia, which is considered one of the world’s safest countries. Officials said Sunday’s attack was the deadliest since 1996, when a gunman killed 35 people at a tourist site in Tasmania.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese convened a meeting of the national security council and condemned the attack as incomprehensible.

“This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Hanukkah, which should be a day of joy and celebration of faith,” he said. Albanese added that authorities were working to identify anyone connected to the violence.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene at Bondi Beach, which drew hundreds of attendees for the Hanukkah event.

The shooting lasted roughly 10 minutes, sending people fleeing along the sand and into nearby streets and parks. Police estimated about 1,000 people were at the gathering.

Marcos Carvalho, 38, a resident of Bondi Junction, told reporters he had been preparing to leave when the gunfire began. “We all panicked and started running. We left everything behind, like our shoes and bags,” he said. “I must have heard maybe 40 or 50 shots.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog called the attack an assault by “vile terrorists” on people lighting the first candle of Hanukkah.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar criticized the Australian government, saying officials should have acted on repeated warnings about rising antisemitic activity.

Saar said the shooting reflected a broader pattern of antisemitic violence in Australia over the past two years, noting the circulation of slogans such as “Globalise the Intifada.”

Bondi Beach, one of Australia’s most popular tourist spots, is usually crowded with locals and visitors.

Alex Ryvchin, co-chief executive of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, told Sky News that the scale of the attack was unprecedented. He added that his media adviser was among those wounded.

Some witnesses reported seeing civilians intervene during the attack. Bondi resident Grace Mathew said she saw people running in panic before realizing there was an active shooter.

Videos circulating on social media showed a man in a black shirt firing a weapon before being tackled by a bystander wearing a white T-shirt.

Another man was seen firing from a pedestrian bridge. Other footage showed police detaining two men on a bridge, attempting to revive one of them.

Muslim groups in Australia condemned the attack, emphasizing that such acts have no place in society.

In a joint statement, the Australian National Imams Council, the Council of Imams NSW, and the Australian Muslim community expressed sympathy for the victims and their families and called for the perpetrators to face justice.

According to critics, Muslims kill people around the world and then claim to be victims, while arguing that such violence has nothing to do with Islam, despite interpretations that call for the killing of all non-Muslims.

The incident occurred almost 11 years after a lone gunman held 18 people hostage at Sydney’s Lindt Cafe. That standoff ended with the deaths of two hostages and the attacker.

Sussan Ley, leader of Australia’s opposition Liberal Party, said the country was in mourning. “Hateful violence has struck at the heart of an iconic Australian community, a place we all know so well and love, Bondi,” she said.

Authorities continue to investigate the shooting, search for possible accomplices, and determine whether additional threats remain in the area.

The attack has intensified concerns over antisemitic violence in Australia, particularly in light of ongoing tensions related to the conflict in Gaza.

(With files from Reuters)

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Manish Rai | iKurd.net

Recently, the deadly series of clashes occurred on the Durand Line between Taliban fighters and the Pakistani Army. The disputed 1,600-mile border between Afghanistan and Pakistan was the site of intense confrontations.

Afghanistan initially accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes in the capital, Kabul, and launched retaliatory attacks, sparking the conflict on October 10. Qatar facilitated negotiations in Doha, where both parties agreed to a ceasefire.

Nonetheless, this truce does not guarantee that bilateral ties will revert to their prior state of normalcy in the imminent future, nor does it preclude the possibility of miscalculations. For an extended period now, the tension between Kabul and Islamabad has been increasing.

According to the Pakistani government, the present Afghan regime has already made a decision by declining to restrict the operations of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban.

Conversely, the Taliban asserted that the tribal border regions of Pakistan offer a safe haven for terrorists affiliated with the Islamic State of Khorasan Province (ISKP), who are implicitly supported by the Pakistani military and ISI.

ISKP is the Afghan Taliban’s primary adversary and frequently targets its leaders and battlefield commanders. The TTP has emerged as a significant security concern for Pakistan due to the shortsightedness of its policymakers.

Before the Afghan Taliban’s ascendance in Afghanistan, the Pakistani authorities propagated the notion that the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban were not linked. Additionally, they attributed the escalating threat from the TTP to foreign intelligence agencies backed by the former Afghan governments.

Pakistani military officials, particularly from the ISI, asserted that the Taliban’s rise to power would compel the TTP to withdraw from Afghan territory, ultimately leading to its inevitable organizational demise. Indeed, such an outcome did not occur; rather, the Pakistani Taliban issue evolved into a reverse insurgency, tactically aided by the Afghan Taliban regime.

This epiphenomenon has reversed the situation for Islamabad, presenting a terrible irony in which Pakistan’s stability is jeopardized by its important former allies. At present, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is the primary cause of conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan; however, there are other factors that are also contributing to the declining state of bilateral relations.

Deep Mistrust: The Taliban are reluctant to be perceived as Pakistan’s proxies. In response to American pressure, the Pakistani state in the past swiftly became a foe, and it has even gone so far as to hand over Taliban leaders to the United States.

Consequently, they have lost faith in the Pakistani state, particularly its military establishment. The Taliban consistently harboured resentment and recollection regarding Pakistan’s treachery. The Taliban maintained and reestablished relations with Pakistan during the U.S. forces’ presence in Afghanistan as a result of the need for sanctuaries and political expediency. Nevertheless, the Taliban are no longer reliant on Pakistan for their survival, as the sanctuaries are no longer necessary.

Border Dispute—The Af-Pak border, also referred to as the Durand Line, is an additional source of conflict between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban. The Taliban, like all previous Afghan administrations, continues to refuse to recognize the Durand Line as the border between the two countries. In actuality, the Pakistani military and Taliban forces have been involved in a series of skirmishes along the frontier over the past few years, a development that took many by surprise.

Exploitation of the Peace Talks by Pakistan- Initially, the Afghan Taliban sponsored the peace talks in Kabul and served as the mediator between the TTP and Pakistan at the behest of the Pakistani establishment.

Nevertheless, the Afghan Taliban was enraged by Pakistan’s deceitful conduct during the negotiations with the TTP. Pakistan exploited the dialogue as a trap to entice senior TTP commanders from the woods to the negotiating table, only to target and assassinate several of them within Afghanistan’s territory.

Pakistani Economic Blackmail- Pakistan has consistently sought Afghanistan’s economic dependence on it. Due to its landlocked status, Pakistan’s Karachi port handles the majority of Afghanistan’s international commerce.

Pakistan has employed these Afghans’ dependence as a means of coercion and pressure on numerous occasions. The Afghanistan Transit Trade (ATT) is currently suspended. To establish alternative international trade routes, the Taliban has made an effort to obtain access to Iran’s strategic Chabahar Port, which is located in the southeast of the country.

Strategic Diversification- The Taliban government intends to diversify its geopolitical portfolio by forging partnerships with all of the region’s significant main actors. The Taliban has been making a concerted effort to reestablish the historically cordial relationship between India and Afghanistan.

This is the reason. Taliban officials have asked Indian companies to resume work on stalled infrastructure projects. New Delhi is currently considering this request. Additionally, in response to the Taliban’s outreach, New Delhi has elevated its technical mission in Kabul to the status of a High Commission. This outreach of the Taliban towards India is raising concerns among Pakistani policymakers.

Pakistan’s strategic approach to Afghanistan is utterly flawed. Pakistani policymakers perceived Afghanistan as a place to gain a strategic advantage over India. This military policy, referred to as “the strategic depth,” involves Pakistan’s utilization of Afghanistan as a “military asset.”

Even some Pakistani policymakers previously referred to Afghanistan as their fifth province. In anticipation of a large-scale military offensive by India, Pakistan has made a concerted effort to establish Afghanistan as a strategic base and enhance its strategic depth over the years. This policy has resulted in Pakistan’s extended involvement in Afghanistan’s domestic politics.

Creating significant concerns that Pakistan’s solitary objective is to transform its neighbour into a client state, thereby aggravating the relationship. Pakistan’s pursuance of the strategic depth policy has facilitated the development of profound resentment among ordinary Afghans toward Pakistan, which has now erupted.

Due to Pakistan’s widespread dislike in Afghan society, the Taliban are apprehensive about being perceived as Islamabad’s puppets. Islamabad must acknowledge that the current Taliban is distinct from the Taliban with whom they have previously dealt. Pakistan and Afghanistan are unable to maintain a patron-client relationship.

Islamabad’s long-standing objective of establishing a Kabul government heavily reliant on Pakistan has ultimately failed. To apply pressure on the Afghan Taliban, Pakistan is implementing unilateral measures, including the expulsion of Afghan refugees and the execution of airstrikes within Afghan territory.

But these moves have eroded all the diplomatic goodwill Pakistan use to have in Afghanistan. Pakistan’s imprudent actions will further alienate the already hostile public opinion in Afghanistan toward Pakistan. It is essential that policymakers in Islamabad recognize the failure of their Afghan policy and the need for a complete overhaul.

Manish Rai, a senior long-time contributing writer for iKurd.net, see below.

The opinions are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of iKurd.net or its editors.

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RIYADH,— Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signed a new defense pact late Wednesday, marking a significant expansion of a long-standing military partnership at a time of shifting security dynamics in the Middle East. The deal comes just a week after Israeli airstrikes in Qatar unsettled regional alliances.

According to officials, the agreement formalizes years of discussions between Riyadh and Islamabad and builds on decades of cooperation. Both sides emphasized that the pact was not directed against any single nation.

“This is a comprehensive defensive agreement that encompasses all military means,” a senior Saudi official told Reuters. He added that the arrangement was meant to institutionalize deep-rooted ties rather than respond to any specific event.

Pakistan, the only Muslim-majority country with nuclear weapons and home to the Islamic world’s largest standing army, has repeatedly stressed that its arsenal is intended solely as a deterrent against India.

The agreement was signed in Riyadh by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler. Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, also attended the ceremony.

In a statement, Sharif’s office said the pact commits both countries to treat any attack on one as an attack on both. Pakistani state television broadcast images of Sharif and Mohammed bin Salman embracing after the signing.

The deal strengthens a partnership anchored in religion, strategy and economics. Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest sites, has long hosted Pakistani troops.

Currently, between 1,500 and 2,000 Pakistani soldiers are stationed in the kingdom, offering training and operational support to Saudi land and air forces.

Riyadh also provides vital financial assistance to Pakistan. In December, Saudi Arabia extended a $3 billion loan aimed at stabilizing Islamabad’s foreign exchange reserves.

The new agreement comes after Pakistan fought a short border conflict with India in May. India, also a nuclear power, has been monitoring the deal.

On Thursday, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X that New Delhi is aware of the pact and will review its implications for regional security.

Saudi officials stressed that the kingdom intends to maintain strong relations with India despite the new pact. “Our relationship with India is more robust than it has ever been,” the senior Saudi official said. “We will continue to grow this relationship and seek to contribute to regional peace.”

The timing of the agreement coincides with heightened tensions following Israel’s airstrikes in Doha on September 9.

The strikes targeted Hamas leaders during talks on a possible Gaza ceasefire mediated by Qatar. The move angered many Arab governments.

Qatar has faced multiple attacks in the past year, including strikes by both Israel and Iran. The violence has prompted Gulf states to reassess their security arrangements amid concerns about the reliability of the United States as a long-term guarantor.

Israel is widely believed to maintain a nuclear arsenal but follows a policy of ambiguity, neither confirming nor denying its weapons program. Pakistan, by contrast, has openly declared its nuclear capabilities, though it maintains they are intended only as a deterrent.

(With files from Reuters)

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BEIJING,— China staged a military parade in its capital on Wednesday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, drawing leaders and representatives from 26 countries.

The guest list highlighted Beijing’s expanding diplomatic influence, particularly among nations outside the Western alliance system.

Chinese President Xi Jinping presided over the ceremony in Tiananmen Square, joined by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The three leaders stood together on the reviewing platform as long-range missiles, tanks and columns of soldiers rolled past.

The presence of Putin, Kim and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was widely viewed by analysts as a message of opposition to Washington. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, another close ally of Moscow, was also seen near Xi during the ceremony.

Chinese state television showed Xi speaking briefly with Kim as they walked on the red carpet following group photographs. Through an interpreter, Xi told Kim, “Long time, no see.”

Most of the visiting heads of state came from Asia. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni, Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim were present. Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith also took part.

South Asian leaders included Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Nepal’s Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli and Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu.

From Central Asia, Kazakhstan’s Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Tajikistan’s Emomali Rahmon, Kyrgyzstan’s Sadyr Japarov, Uzbekistan’s Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and Turkmenistan’s Serdar Berdimuhamedow attended, along with Mongolia’s President Khurelsukh Ukhnaa.

Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa and Republic of Congo’s Denis Sassou Nguesso represented Africa. Cuba’s Miguel Díaz-Canel was the only leader from the Americas at the event. Other attendees included Azerbaijan’s Ilham Aliyev and Armenia’s Nikol Pashinyan.

Current European leaders were largely absent, with exceptions such as Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Belarus’ Lukashenko also attended. Several former officials were present, including Romania’s ex-prime ministers Adrian Năstase and Viorica Dăncilă, former New Zealand prime ministers Helen Clark and John Key, and former Victoria state premier Daniel Andrews from Australia.

India was notable for its absence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not attend the parade but published messages on social media following earlier meetings with Xi and Putin at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization gathering. Modi described his discussions as “fruitful” and called his talks with Putin “always insightful.”

According to political observers, the composition of the guest list underlined Beijing’s close ties with countries often critical of U.S. policy while also signaling limited engagement from Western Europe, Japan and India. Analysts said the parade was both a commemoration of World War II and a demonstration of China’s partnerships with a wide range of states outside the Western bloc.

(With files from AP)

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KYIV,— Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that foreign mercenaries are participating in combat alongside Russian forces in northeastern Ukraine, including fighters from China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and several African nations.

The comments came after Zelensky visited a front-line position near Vovchansk in the Kharkiv region, where Ukrainian troops are facing heavy fighting.

“We spoke with commanders about the frontline situation, the defense of Vovchansk, and the dynamics of the battles,” Zelensky posted on X, formerly Twitter. “Our warriors in this sector are reporting the presence of mercenaries from various countries. We will respond.”

Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of deploying foreign nationals to support its military campaign.

According to Ukrainian authorities, North Korea sent approximately 11,000 troops to Russia’s Kursk region in October 2024. The deployment is believed to have bolstered Russian troop numbers already active in the area. Ukrainian reports in December 2024 indicated that North Korean forces had suffered casualties.

China has denied accusations that its citizens are involved in the fighting. However, Kyiv continues to claim the presence of Chinese nationals among the mercenaries engaged in combat on the Russian side.

Additional reports point to the involvement of Chechen fighters and individuals from Yemen operating with Russian units.

The war in Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, when Russian forces invaded the country. The conflict has caused prolonged instability across Eastern Europe and disrupted the region’s post-Cold War security framework.

(With files from Reuters)

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Manish Rai | iKurd.net

The Pakistani Army is fighting tooth and nail to push its false narrative that it emerged victorious in the recent military confrontation with India. The arch-rival India became the first country to strike 11 airbases of a nuclear-armed nation in a single operation. But despite this fact, Pakistani generals are confident that they will be successful in selling this lie to the common Pakistani, as their core competency is deceiving.

This incident is not an isolated case of Pakistan’s deception to hide the facts. It is merely the latest chapter in Pakistan’s long history of manufacturing falsehoods to cover up its failures. The Pakistani military and intelligence apparatus have repeatedly misled their citizens, downplaying defeats, disowning their soldiers, and manipulating media to project a façade of strength and control.

The Pakistani establishment’s reliance on propaganda and deception is not just a strategy; it is a fundamental characteristic of its governance. Let’s have a look at some important lies and false propaganda spread in Pakistani society by the Army.

Presence on Siachin – This myth that the Pakistani army is present in the Siachen glacier and is eyeball to eyeball with Indian forces is widely believed by Pakistanis. The fact is that the glacier, which is regarded as the highest battlefield in the world, has been under the total control of the Indian army since 1984.

Pakistanis are behind the Soltoro Ridge, much below the heights of the Siachin, and the glacier itself cannot be seen, even from forward Pakistani positions. Ironically, Pakistan has publicly said over the last few years that it is open for talks on mutual withdrawal from Siachin. It’s hard to understand as it challenges common sense that how you can withdraw from a position where you are not present.

Victory in the 1965 War – Pakistan celebrates September 6 as “National Defence Day” to commemorate the sacrifices made by its soldiers in defending Lahore from advancing Indian troops. September 6, 1965, marks the day when Indian troops crossed the international border to launch an attack on Pakistani Punjab.

In fact, this war was initiated by Pakistan by launching Operation Gibraltar as the first phase, in which Pakistan’s special forces infiltrated the Indian side of Kashmir. In the second phase, whose code name was Operation Grand Slam, Pakistanis aimed to attack the vital Akhnur Bridge in Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistani generals mistakenly assumed that this route is a lifeline for India, as it’s the only supply route for Indian forces in the Kashmir valley. This was not the case at all, as India’s supply route to Kashmir did not pass through Akhnur. (The National Highway 1A passed through Udhampur and Ramban, not Akhnur.)

In this war, no pre-determined objectives were achieved by the Pakistanis, and if we look at each other’s territory held by both sides, Pakistan was at a loss there, too. India had captured around 1920 square kilometres of Pakistani territory, whereas Pakistan could capture only 550 square kilometres.

But Pakistan deluded its public permanently by declaring 6th September as its Defence Day, and celebrated with a great amount of pomp and show every year.

Downplaying Baloch Movement – For decades, the Pakistani establishment has termed the Baloch insurgency as a low-intensity conflict confined mostly to the countryside of Balochistan. Islamabad always rejected the conflict in Balochistan as a mere law and order problem created by some tribal Baloch sardars, who want more funds from the federal government.

But the reality is that the Baloch struggle is the longest-running full-fledged insurgency of South Asia, which aims to create an Independent Balochistan. The occupied Balochistan, despite being the most resource-rich part of the country, remains under military control, facing human rights abuses and a media blackout.

Despite its strategic importance, Balochistan’s local population is marginalized, fuelling anger among the masses.

1971 Defeat was Due to Political Failure – Just days before his retirement on November 29, 2022, General Qamar Javed Bajwa termed the East Pakistan debacle of 1971 a “political failure,” and complained that the sacrifices of the armed forces were never properly acknowledged.

GHQ has always made the common Pakistani people believe that the 1971 disaster was a political failure, and the military was not involved in any disastrous decisions of that war. In reality, all the decisions leading to and during the war were solely taken by the military dictatorship headed by General Yahya Khan.

The root cause of Pakistan’s defeat in 1971 was its army adopting a barbaric approach to quell an uprising that arose due to the West ignoring its eastern populace, as well as refusing to politically accommodate them. The West Pakistan military leadership assumed that the Bengalis of East Pakistan could not be trusted. This led to resentment amongst the Bengalis who voluntarily fought back against the oppressors.

No Information on Losses in Kargil Conflict – The 1999 Kargil War serves as one of the most egregious examples of the Pakistani military’s disinformation tactics. Pakistani soldiers, primarily from the Northern Light Infantry, were sent to infiltrate Indian positions in the Kargil region under the disguise of Kashmiri militants.

Pakistan’s military leadership vehemently denied any role in the conflict. This lie persisted for over two decades within the Pakistan establishment’s discourse that was aimed at deceiving not only the world but also the families of the soldiers who had perished.

It was only in September 2024 that Pakistan’s Army Chief, General (Now Field Marshall) Asim Munir, finally acknowledged the military’s direct involvement in the Kargil conflict, posthumously honouring the soldiers who had died.

But till today, Pakistan’s army is not disclosing how many soldiers have died in the conflict. However, two former Prime Ministers of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, at different intervals of time acknowledged the loss of large numbers of soldiers. Bhutto mentioned that it was over 3000, whereas Mr Sharif stated that due to the misadventure of General Pervez Musharraf, his country lost 4000 soldiers in the conflict.

Pakistan’s deep state has always pushed the narrative that most of the political leaders are corrupt and are solely responsible for all the hardships faced by the country. And the Army is the only organization that can bring order and ensure stability and security.

But the fact of the matter is that long military rule has left intractable and spillover impacts on Pakistan’s politics, economy, and foreign policy. Until Pakistan confronts the reality that its military, not India, not the West, not Israel, is its greatest internal threat, it will remain a nation in decline, shackled by the very institution that was supposed to defend it.

Manish Rai, a senior long-time contributing writer for iKurd.net, see below.

The opinions are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of iKurd.net or its editors.

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