China-Tajikistan-Afghanistan corridor: New transit route for regional trade
By Kuban Abdymen BISHKEK: Tajikistan has proposed practical measures for the construction of road and railway routes along the “China-Tajikistan-Afghanistan” corridor. The proposal is linked to the improving overall security situation in the region, which is creating new opportunities for expanding trade and connections between countries. Afghanistan, with its advantageous geopolitical position in Asia and […]
Iran’s presidential election heads to runoff
By Pooneh Nedai TEHRAN: Iran’s presidential election has headed to a runoff next week after the election commission said that no candidate has achieved the required 50% mark. On Friday, the 14th presidential election in Iran to choose the country’s ninth president after the Islamic revolution in 1979 was extended three times and it lasted until […]
U.S. appoints first woman ambassador to Bahrain since 1971
By Habib Toumi MANAMA: The United States has appointed its first woman ambassador to Bahrain, breaking with a tradition that lasted since the diplomatic agreement between the two countries in 1971 and has included 19 male ambassadors. Bahrain in 2008 appointed a woman, Houda Ezra Nonoo, as its Ambassador to the United States, a role […]
Obituary: Uzbek Ambassador Vitali Fen – “I respect your sense of responsibility and passion for putting your all into it until the very end”
By Choi Young-ha, Former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Uzbekistan SEOUL: Vitali! He is a descendant of Pyeon Galsong (片碣頌) of the Zhejiang Pyeon clan (浙江片氏), who spent 25 years, one-third of his 77-year life, in Seoul. He was a career diplomat who connected Korea and Uzbekistan, a historical figure who left a truly […]
In Kyrgyzstan, all defendants in Kempir-Abad case acquitted
By Kuban Andymen BISHKEK: A court in Kyrgyzstan has acquitted the defendants in the so-called “Kempir-Abad case”. In the fall of 2022, the defendants were taken into custody after expressing disagreement with the transfer to Uzbekistan of Kempir-Abad reservoir lands, located on the border between the two countries in the south of the country. Law […]
The Two Faces of the Taliban: “We will watch”. “How well will we lead Afghanistan?”
By Lee Shin-seok* KABUL: The Taliban, an Islamic extremist armed group, has ruled Afghanistan (hereinafter referred to as Afghanistan) twice (1996-2001 and 2021-present). The Taliban’s first term in power in Afghanistan was marred by tyranny that suppressed all freedoms. The Taliban, who are entering their second term in power in 2021, say they are different from […]
South Korea to resume blasting propaganda, K-pop music across DMZ border with North Korea
SEOUL: South Korea is ready to reactivate fixed and mobile propaganda loudspeakers near the border with North Korea as Seoul took steps to fully suspend a 2018 inter-Korean military pact. The loudspeakers used to blare criticism of North Korea’s Kim Jong-un regime’s human rights abuses, news and K-pop songs. The loudspeaker campaigns were part of […]
South Korea’s deeper partnership with NATO highlighted
JEJU, SOUTH KOREA: North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has highlighted the alliance’s commitment to deepen practical cooperation with South Korea and three other countries in the Indo-Pacific region. “The challenges we face are global, and they require a global response. For this reason, NATO is working ever more closely with partners […]
President Xi highlighjts significance of Arab-China relations
BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping has delivered a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 10th ministerial conference of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum.The following is the full text of his speech: Your Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, Your Excellency President Abdul Fatah Al-Sisi, Your Excellency President Kais Saied, Your Highness President Mohamed Bin Zayed […]
China-Arab States Cooperation Forum: Taking shared growth to the next level?
MANAMA: The 10th ministerial meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum will convene in the Chinese capital Beijing on May 30. Four Arab leaders, two from Asia and two from Africa will attend the forum in a clear indication of its growing significance. King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, President of the United […]