Articles

Neighbourhood News Digest - 15 July 2025

Afghanistan

Mass Return: Over 600,000 Afghans Deported from Iran in Just One Month-Tolo News

The High Commission for Addressing Migrants' Issues reports that over 600,000 Afghans have returned from Iran to Afghanistan in the p....

July 15, 2025 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , US , Nepal , Maldives , Iran , Myanmar , Sri Lanka , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Iraq , Saudi Arabia , Bangladesh , UK , IMF , PM Oli , Spin Boldak , Drones , Kandahar , US Tariffs , Myanmar-Russia Relations , Economic Stimulus Programme , Ulfa –I , Museum

Africa Now (16-30 June, 2025)

OVERVIEW

This edition of Africa Now News Digest covers key developments across the continent. The continent experienced uncertainties and security challenges, with deaths reported as a result of anti-government protests in Kenya and raids....

July 04, 2025 India , US , China , Russia , Mozambique , Africa , Rwanda , UK , Kenya , Tanzania , VIF Africa Now , Mali , Nigeria , South Africa , Guinea , India-Africa , Zimbabwe , Ghana , Angola , Namibia , Sahel , DRC , Senegal , Madagascar , Morrocco

Neighbourhood News Digest - 03 July 2025

Afghanistan

Islamic Emirate Envoy Begins Moscow Mission as Ties Deepen-Tolo News

Gul Hassan Hassan, the ambassador of the Islamic Emirate in Moscow, has officially started his mission. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs considers....

July 03, 2025 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , US , ASEAN , Maldives , Myanmar , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Badakhshan , National Assembly , Drought , SIDS , 7th Moscow Format , Afghan Envoy , NA , Small Island Developing States , Association of Southeast Asian Nations , Trade agreement , Frontier Constabulary (FC) , UN Security Council presidency.

The Middle East after the Israel- Iran War

Kingshuk Chatterjee Article

The Twelve Day War between Israel and Iran may seem like a short burst of conflict that was contained in its scope, but might prove in the long term to be a fuse that was lit to the regional powder-keg. The US intervention that appears like having b....

June 30, 2025 International Relations and Diplomacy , Article , Israel , US , Iran , Air defence , JCPOA , NPT , IRGC , axis of resistance , nuclear programme , Witkoff

Neighbourhood News Digest - 26 June 2025

Afghanistan

Pakistan to begin third phase of forced deportation of Afghan refugees-The Khaama Press

The Pakistani government will initiate the third phase of forced deportations of Afghan refugees in five days. The Ministry of....

June 26, 2025 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , US , China , Maldives , Iran , Myanmar , Afghanistan , Trump , Bhutan , Tourism , Migration , health , COAS , CMEC , Myanmar-Russia , Afghan refugees , China-Myanmar Economic Corridor

Neighbourhood News Digest - 19 June 2025

Afghanistan

Afghan Traders, Industrialists Concerned By Halted Goods in Bandar Abbas-Tolo News

As Israeli attacks on Iran continue, the Herat Chamber of Commerce and Investment has expressed concern over the goods belonging to....

June 19, 2025 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , US , Maldives , Myanmar , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Vietnam , Bandar Abbas , Thailand , EU , Zalmay Khalilzad , Free Trade Agreement , ADB , UNESCAP , Aung San Suu Kyi Pakistan , Dubai Islamic Bank , Asim Munir.

Neighbourhood News Digest - 18 June 2025

Afghanistan

Hanafi Leads Delegation to China for South Asia Forum Participation-Tolo News

As part of the Islamic Emirate’s ongoing efforts to expand diplomatic ties with neighbouring and regional countries, a high-ranking de....

June 18, 2025 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , US , China , Maldives , Myanmar , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Arakan army , Maldives-China Relations , AA , Rakhine State , South Asia Forum , Maldives Engineering Day , The Democrats , Iran Reko Dig

Neighbourhood News Digest - 16 June 2025

Afghanistan

Afghanistan-Iran Trade Exceeds $3 Billion Annually: Iran Officials- Tolo News

According to Iranian officials, trade between the two countries exceeds $3 billion annually. This would make Afghanistan Iran’s second....

June 16, 2025 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Israel , Pakistan , US , Maldives , Iran , Myanmar , Afghanistan , Bhutan , Balochistan , India-Maldives relations , Rakhine , Petrol , Kunar , Sagaing Region , Weekly Fiscal Development Report

US–China Confrontation at the 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue

Esha Banerji, Research Assistant, VIF Commentary

This year’s IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, held in Singapore came at a time of heightening US-China contestation and strategic rivalry. Framed against this backdrop, the forum discussed a plethora of issues focussed on the region’s most pressing secur....

June 10, 2025 International Relations and Diplomacy , China , Commentary , US , China , Indo-Pacific , Shangri-La , US Secretary of Defense

Neighbourhood News Digest - 09 June 2025

Afghanistan

Daily Mail: Taliban employs advanced technology to build sophisticated drones-The Khaama Press

The Taliban are using advanced, smuggled technologies to build drones with precision capabilities, including navigation....

June 09, 2025 VIF Neighbourhood News Digest , Pakistan , US , Maldives , Myanmar , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , Bhutan , Saudi Arabia , Taliban , India-Bhutan Relations , Drones , Gelephu Mindfulness City , GMC , TNLA , Maldives-Saudi Arabia Relations