Contributor

Arun Anand

Arun Anand is a Writing Fellow at the Middle East Forum, Washington, DC, and a Distinguished Fellow at the Usanas Foundation. A senior journalist, author and geopolitical analyst, he has written extensively on South Asian geopolitics, security, terrorism, civilisational issues and international affairs. He regularly contributes to leading publications and think tanks, and hosts discussions and podcasts on global strategic developments.

12 articles

Pakistan’s Parliament House in Islamabad, seen from outside its perimeter fence.

PoliticsFeature

The Bhuttos, the Sharifs and the Slow Erosion of Pakistan’s Democracy

Arun Anand examines how Pakistan’s civilian dynasties have weakened democratic safeguards and enabled military dominance.

Arun Anand · 13d ago

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Mushtaq Ahmed Ghani seated during a meeting at the provincial assembly in Peshawar in 2019.

OpinionFeature

The Silenced Vote: How KP Transitioned from Elected to Imposed Rule

Arun Anand examines the competing security and political arguments surrounding the removal of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s elected government and the imposition of governor’s rule.

Arun Anand · 22d ago

The flag of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan outside Afghanistan’s embassy in Moscow in 2025

AsiaFeature

The Kremlin’s Kabul Pivot: Russia’s Strategic Realignment and Military Cooperation with the Taliban

Driven by evolving regional security mandates and the imperative to block Western re-entry into Central Asia, Moscow has pivoted from historical opposition to a pragmatic military and diplomatic partnership with the Taliban government. This strategic realignment is underscored by the landmark May 2026 defense cooperation agreement, high-level tactical war game participation, and a shared focus on neutralizing the regional threat of ISKP

Arun Anand · 26d ago

Imran Khan stands on a stage overlooking a large Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf rally in Peshawar.

World

Pakistan's Long March and the Limits of Asim Munir

A planned PTI march on Islamabad may be contained at the gates of the capital, but Arun Anand argues that the political cost of containment is increasingly borne by Pakistan's military establishment.

Arun Anand · 38d ago

BrahMos missile system operated by Philippine Marines on a paved display area

AsiaFeature

Malaysia's BrahMos Gambit: A Quiet Shift in the South China Sea Power Balance

On the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi, a single confirmation redraws a strategic map.

Arun Anand · 44d ago

A CKD9C diesel locomotive hauling a freight train at Alashankou station in China near the Kazakhstan border.

OpinionFeature

Chinese Stratagems: Defining China and Central Asian Region Relations

Arun Anand examines how Chinese investment, infrastructure and security cooperation are reshaping Central Asia — and asks what the region may be trading away as Beijing’s influence deepens.

Arun Anand · 47d ago

Pakistani soldiers march in formation during the Pakistan Day parade

PoliticsFeature

Weak Civilian Government under the Powerful Pakistan Military

Crisis is the establishment's most reliable instrument, and Pakistan's elected leaders keep handing it more ground

Arun Anand · 62d ago

Aerial view of Chabahar Port in Iran, showing cargo vessels, container yards, cranes and a tower under construction.

WorldFeature

Reimagining India’s Connectivity with Central Asia: Challenges, Emerging Opportunities and the Way Forward

India’s route to Central Asia will depend less on one grand corridor than on a resilient mix of ports, rail links, air cargo, digital systems and regional partnerships.

Arun Anand · 85d ago

WorldParrhesia ExclusiveFeature

China’s Pacific Push: Missile Tests, Security Deals and the New Contest for the Blue Pacific

China’s latest submarine-launched missile test has intensified concern over Beijing’s expanding military, policing and diplomatic influence across the Pacific Islands.

Arun Anand · 112d ago

PoliticsParrhesia Exclusive

New Rift in Afghan-Pakistan Relations

The latest Afghanistan-Pakistan escalation has exposed a deeper conflict shaped by the Durand Line, militant sanctuaries, sovereignty disputes and decades of mistrust between Kabul and Islamabad.

Arun Anand · 121d ago

WorldParrhesia ExclusiveFeature

The Track 2 Mirage: Why India Rejects Claims of a Diplomatic Thaw with Pakistan

New Delhi has rejected speculation over unofficial India-Pakistan diplomatic engagement, arguing that decades of cross-border terrorism have made it impossible to separate security concerns from broader bilateral cooperation.

Arun Anand · 128d ago

OpinionParrhesia ExclusiveFeature

From Cooperation to Conditionality: Analysing India-Pak clash on Indus Waters Treaty

Once regarded as one of the world’s most durable water-sharing agreements, the Indus Waters Treaty is now at the centre of a growing India-Pakistan dispute shaped by security concerns, political pressure, climate stress and the weaponisation of strategic resources.

Arun Anand · 135d ago