February 18, 2024 (Sunday)

Pakistan is facing economic and political instability due to a hung National Assembly, with the Pakistan Army manipulating the situation and pushing for a coalition between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
The Pakistan Army has a history of not wanting to lose elections, as seen in 1971 when the Awami League challenged their power and won a majority in the National Assembly, but the PPP refused to support their leader as Prime Minister.
Currently, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), led by Imran Khan, is posing a strong challenge to the Pakistan Army, with their independent candidates becoming the largest block in the National Assembly.
There have been discussions about forming a national government of all parties, including the PTI-backed independents, but it is unlikely to happen.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken believes there is an opportunity for Israel to normalize ties with its Arab neighbors and emphasizes the need for the creation of a Palestinian state.
Arab countries are making efforts to revitalize the Palestinian Authority and integrate Israel into the region to normalize relations and provide security commitments to Israel.
The Biden administration is working to secure a mega-deal that includes the normalization of ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel, with the creation of a Palestinian state as part of the deal.
Talks on the structure of Gaza, the reform of the Palestinian Authority, and the pathway for a Palestinian state are all variables in the equation for a potential resolution.

Special envoys to Afghanistan are due to launch two days of talks in the Qatari capital on Sunday aimed at discussing more coordinated international engagement with Afghanistan.
“If the Islamic Emirate is to participate as the sole official representative of Afghanistan and if there exists an opportunity to hold frank talks between the Afghan delegation and the UN about all issues on a very senior level, then participation would be beneficial,” a ministry statement said.
A senior diplomatic source told AFP the Taliban delegation had requested a face-to-face with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at the talks to present him with their position, and that they be the only Afghans at the Doha meetings.
The Taliban government has not been officially recognised by any country since seizing power, after the chaotic withdrawal of US troops in August 2021.

A growing number of senior Nato officials are warning of a direct military confrontation between Europe and Russia in the future, but the Kremlin denies any intention of attacking Nato, dismissing it as fear-mongering.
Invading Ukraine was counterproductive to Moscow's security interests, but Putin still chose that course, leading to disastrous consequences.
Russia appears to have the advantage in the looming war of attrition, with Putin believing he is in a similar position as Joseph Stalin at the end of 1942.
Doubters of Putin's strategy have been silenced, and with Putin set to extend his presidential mandate, there are few obstacles in his path if he chooses to raise the stakes in the confrontation with the West.
Putin describes the war as against Nato and American global hegemony, using cherry-picked quotes from western officials to support his narrative.

Thousands of farmers, led by 250 farmer unions, are protesting in the outskirts of New Delhi for guaranteed minimum prices, debt relief, crops, and policy reforms. The Bharatiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ograhan) announced plans to protest outside the residences of three senior BJP leaders in Punjab, while the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) also announced plans to escalate their protest against the BJP's anti-farmers policies.
The protests are taking place amid allegations of anti-Muslim and anti-minorities policies by the BJP-led government. The BJP is expecting to win a third term in office, and the protests are seen as a challenge to their policies.
The farmers' union is also protesting at toll plazas across India and organizing a tractor rally in solidarity with the Delhi Chalo March.
Despite heavy-handed tactics by the Modi government, the farmers' march will continue until their demands are met.

Egypt is set to make an oral argument before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) about Israeli policies and practices in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967.
The oral argument is part of an advisory opinion requested by the United Nations on Israeli practices violating international human rights law.
Egypt had already presented two memoranda before the ICJ and is expected to deliver an oral argument on Wednesday, 21 February.
Egypt's memos criticized the demolitions of Palestinian houses and properties, the forcible displacement and expulsions of Palestinians, and land annexations.
The memos also rejected the Israeli persecution and racial discrimination against Palestinians.
Egypt's memoranda and oral argument call on the ICJ to hold Israel responsible for all internationally illegal practices and policies against Palestinians.

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