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Sunday, February 22, 2026
TopicAfghan conflict

Topic: Afghan conflict

Modi govt gives breather to 80 Afghan cadets ‘stuck’ in India — a 1-yr English learning course

Cadets who graduated from military academies in India were earlier given a 6-month visa extension, but since they don't have permission to work here, they were left with no earnings.

American special operation veterans rescue 630 Afghan allies in Operation ‘Pineapple Express’

Working under the cover of the night, the US team rescued 500 Afghan special operators, assets & enablers & their families, seconds before Kabul airport blast. This is in addition to 130 recued before.

Who are Hazaras, the Afghan minority group hated & tortured by Taliban

A 2018 United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan report says most attacks by Taliban on civilians are directed towards the minority population, most of whom are ethnic Hazaras.

US has given up defending the women & children of Afghanistan it promised to protect

With Biden honouring Trump era deal with Taliban, it's allowed the militant group to make rapid advances across Afghanistan, especially in regions where women are most vulnerable.

Pakistan’s audacious defence budget needs to stay on paper. It’s good for everyone

IMF is balking at Pakistan’s unrealistic budget, but Islamabad feels it can push the lending agency to give it what it wants. US can call the bluff.

Afghanistan’s hope for peace rests on how India, Pakistan and China deal with each other

A regional uniformity is possible only if Pakistan, India and China can insulate their support for Afghan peace process from regional rivalries.

Seen as US’ successor in Afghanistan, China can take any stand it wants on Masood Azhar

Both Afghanistan and Pakistan see China as the power to which the Americans will hand over the keys when the last US soldier leaves.

‘Father of the Taliban’ calls on China to aid Afghan peace talks

Maulana Samiul Haq has said matters of 'such a great importance' shouldn't be left solely to the US.

On Camera

Nick Jonas wearing a mangalsutra is validation for many Indians. He’s our favourite jiju

Nick Jonas is not trying to modernise the mangalsutra, but his gesture shows that choices can be equal. If commitment must be flaunted, it need not be gendered.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

In a first, Indian small arms maker to bid for UK Project Grayburn to replace British Army’s SA80 rifles

Bengaluru-based SSS Defence has made public its bid for a major foreign military contract, targeting UK’s ambitious SA80 successor programme with its home-tested weapons.

No country is ever fully sovereign. Cold War era taught India its real meaning

India’s fraught neighbourhood places multiple constraints on its strategic choices. It leaves no time to take a deep breath, lean back and reset.