Link to article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/10/13/azerbaijan-iran-agree-to-mend-ties-through-dialogue After a period of hostile relations Iran and Azerbaijan have agreed to resolve their issues through diplomatic means. Tensions between Iran and Azerbaijan originate from Iran backing Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict dating back to the 90s and have steadily increased over time with Iran’s regional enemy Israel supplying Azerbaijan with drones and military equipment in… Read more »
Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/moscow-host-afghanistan-talks-oct-20-2021-10-07/ Russia plans to host international talks regarding Afghanistan on October 20 and has invited Taliban representatives to attend the event. Russia has also been in communication with its allies in central asia, most notably Tajikistan, as concerns arise of possible destabilization in the region and Islamist militants getting into the post Soviet states in central asia…. Read more »
Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-warns-security-risks-linked-migration-afghanistan-2021-10-08/ On October 7, Ylva Johansson, the EU Home Affairs Commissioner held a press conference regarding the situation regarding refugees from Afghanistan and the possible security risks for the EU with a possible resurgence of terror threats coming from Afghanistan. During the press conference she stated the EU should do all that they can for Afghans at… Read more »
Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/russia-sends-armoured-vehicles-military-equipment-tajikistan-2021-09-11/ With the fall of the Afghan government and an increase of instability in the region, Russia has been sending updated military equipment to the Tajik Armed Forces as well as holding military exercises in Tajikistan, which has a long border with Afghanistan. This includes armored vehicles, individual protective gear and close combat equipment. Russia has also… Read more »
Link to Article: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-joins-expanding-asian-security-body-led-by-moscow-beijing-2021-09-17/ Recently the Shanghai Cooperation Organization or SCO expanded to include Iran, further expanding their membership after India and Pakistan joined 4 years ago. The SCO is an economic and security alliance formed in 2001 between Russia, China and other post-Soviet States as a counter to increasing Western influence in Eastern Europe. This development comes with the… Read more »
Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/unhcr-chief-says-space-discussion-with-taliban-over-human-rights-2021-09-17/ Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan on August 15th, they have been projecting a more moderate agenda than when previously in power, however, the number of reports of human and civil rights abuses have been steadily increasing in recent weeks. A number of women’s and civil rights protests organised were forcefully broken up by the Taliban… Read more »
