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Friday, September 26, 2025
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Hibatullah can hide his face. But not the emerging struggle within Taliban leadership

Mullah Umar’s elusive successor, Hibatullah Akhundzada, delivered his Eid message this week. There hasn’t been any explanation though why he doesn't show his face in public.

Women suicide bombers evoke a ‘special’ fear. But it’s about patriarchy, not bombs

Exactly like men, women suicide bombers kill and die for causes, good or evil. They too are motivated by political grievances, revenge, and rage.

Indian military’s multiculturalism always faced strains. Army iftaar tweet row is a warning

The Army has always prided itself on respecting the religious traditions of its troops. But communal biases are now reaching a dangerous new level.

The forever war in Afghanistan is nowhere near its end. Now IS indulging in ethnic warfare

Islamic State is seeking to overthrow the Taliban—quietly helped along by the discontent in its own ranks, economic crisis, and disputes over the spoils of power.

Pegasus is seducing, but good intelligence isn’t just tech. India needs more than software

Things truly important aren’t discussed on the phone. India should introduce institutional reforms its intelligence services desperately need.

India’s turned a blind Right eye to Hindutva violence, but it can be a threat to State itself

Street gangs are building a Hindu nationalist state with low-grade, everyday terrorism. Earlier phases of communal violence at least didn't undermine the authority of institutions.

US needs oil, and Iran needs end to sanctions, but they still can’t agree on nuclear deal

In principle, the deal couldn’t be easier. America needs Iran’s oil and gas to help wean the world off Russian hydrocarbons. Iran needs an end to sanctions that have hurt its economy.

Al-Zawahiri invoking culture war in South Asia. Al-Qaeda sees opportunity in Hijab row

For millions, in India and Pakistan, state is a god that’s failed. Al-Qaeda isn’t the only violent movement to have flowered in this toxic political landscape.

Instead of trying to beat China in Sri Lanka, New Delhi needs to change the game

The Ming dynasty’s aggressive expansion in the Indian Ocean has lessons for both India and Xi Jinping.

Modi govt’s order to reduce AFSPA in Assam, Manipur & Nagaland bold. Kashmir should be next

For generations, Indian discussions on counterinsurgency have been curiously amnesiac. Modi govt needs to see that the problem isn't AFSPA.

On Camera

Muslims at garba—whenever a festival becomes exclusionary, we lose a piece of India

Conservative clerics warned Muslims against garba as impermissible; now Hindu right-wing groups call their presence provocative—different reasons, same outcome.

Market regulator SEBI clears Adani Group of impropriety alleged by Hindenburg Research

SEBI probe concluded that purported loans and fund transfers were paid back in full and did not amount to deceptive market practices or unreported related party transactions.

Govt inks deal with HAL for 97 new Tejas Mk1A; previous order’s deliveries likely to begin next yr

There were no plans to have Mk1A version. However, compromise was reached between HAL & IAF in 2015 since original plan for getting Mk2 would've been time-consuming affair.

India doesn’t give walkovers to Pakistan in war. Here’s why it shouldn’t do it in cricket either

Many really smart people now share the position that playing cricket with Pakistan is politically, strategically and morally wrong. It is just a poor appreciation of competitive sport.