regional integration
Pakistan's Attempt to Create a South Asian Alliance Without India: Why Experts Say It's Destined to Fail
Dec 10, 2025 06:18 pm CST
Pakistan is pursuing a new regional alliance with Bangladesh and China while attempting to exclude India from South Asian cooperation. Despite Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar's proposal to expand this trilateral mechanism as an alternative to the dormant SAARC, analysts argue that India's economic dominance, crisis management capabilities, and essential role in regional trade make any South Asian bloc without New Delhi impractical and unsustainable.
East Timor Joins ASEAN as 11th Member: A Historic Milestone for Asia's Youngest Nation
Oct 26, 2025 03:17 pm CST
East Timor has officially become the 11th member of ASEAN after a 14-year application process. This historic achievement represents both a diplomatic milestone and economic opportunity for Asia's youngest nation, fulfilling a vision championed by President Jose Ramos-Horta since the 1970s. The membership offers potential growth for East Timor's developing $2 billion economy while strengthening regional cooperation in Southeast Asia.
US Envoy Jared Kushner Urges Israel to Support Palestinian Prosperity for Regional Peace
Oct 20, 2025 07:52 pm CST
In a recent CBS News interview, US envoy Jared Kushner emphasized that Israel must help Palestinians thrive economically if it seeks regional integration after the Gaza war. Returning to Israel with Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, Kushner is focusing on establishing joint security and economic opportunities that would allow Israelis and Palestinians to coexist peacefully, while expressing uncertainty about the prospects for Palestinian statehood.