THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA & THE UNITED NATIONS |
Ø US vows to strengthen ties with Pakistan https://tribune.com.pk/story/2529440/us-vows-to-strengthen-ties-with-pakistan Ø Tariffs, trade and Pakistan https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1284191-tariffs-trade-and-pakistan Ø Islamabad indignant after US offers F-35 jets to India https://www.dawn.com/news/1892011 Ø Pakistan can be a bridge between China and US’ https://www.dw.com/en/bhutto-pakistan-can-be-a-bridge-between-china-and-us/video-71643870 Ø ‘US interests will dictate engagement with Islamabad’ https://www.dawn.com/news/1892390 Ø Critical Minerals in Africa: Strengthening Security, Supporting Development, and Reducing Conflict amid Geopolitical Competition Ø The Superpower Has Left the Building: Munich 2025 https://www.cnas.org/publications/commentary/the-superpower-has-left-the-building-munich-2025 Ø Prioritizing Nuclear Negotiations With Iran https://carnegieendowment.org/posts/2025/02/iran-trump-nuclear-deal?lang=en Ø An India Opening: Trump Could Counter China https://www.hudson.org/security-alliances/india-opening-trump-could-counter-china-rebeccah-heinrichs Ø A Message to Europe from Western Disunion https://www.hudson.org/foreign-policy/message-europe-western-disunion-walter-russell-mead Ø Pakistan calls for UN support in countering terrorism within and from Afghanistan Ø Pakistan urges ‘well-defined’ plan to address Libya’s political deadlock Ø Pakistan, KSA push for Gaza ceasefire, 2-state solution https://www.nation.com.pk/20-Feb-2025/pakistan-ksa-push-for-gaza-ceasefire-2-state-solution Ø Interview: Young Palestinians in East Jerusalem shut out of UNRWA training centre https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/02/1160306 Ø UN to continue Gaza vaccination campaign against polio https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/02/1160271 Ø ‘Fragile stability’ in Libya increasingly at risk, Security Council hears https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/02/1160281 Ø Africa ‘brimming with hope and possibility’: Guterres https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/02/1160176 Ø Ukraine: Three years of war reverses progress for women and girls |
RUSSIA & EUROPE |
Ø Donald Trump calls Zelensky ‘dictator’ for refusing to hold elections https://tass.com/world/1916127 Ø Trump lauds Riyadh talks with Russia as ‘big step’ toward Ukrainian settlement https://tass.com/world/1916201 Ø US not to co-sponsor UN resolution condemning Russia — Reuters https://tass.com/world/1916619 Ø Trump says he threatened BRICS with 150% tariffs for seeking alternative to dollar https://tass.com/economy/1916793 Ø European countries will not create one united army, says Poland’s Sikorski Ø European leaders want a say in talks to end Russia’s war in Ukraine. The US is brushing them off Ø SpaceX rocket debris crashes into Poland https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62z3vxjplpo Ø It’s Time for Europe to Do the Unthinkable https://foreignpolicy.com/2025/02/18/europe-eu-nato-us-russia-ukraine/ Ø Europe’s closest ally is in bed with its worst enemy. Now what? Ø Far right set to make strides in a German election dominated by immigration Ø Germany rebuffs ‘dictated peace’ for Ukraine at Munich security summit Ø Ukrainians are looking past NATO to a European security architecture Ø US switches stance on Ukraine war, seeking $500bn in payback https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/20/us-switches-stance-on-ukraine-war-seeking-500bn-in-payback Ø Europe warns Trump of firm action as US tariff threat looms https://www.geo.tv/latest/591552-europe-warns-trump-of-firm-action-as-us-tariff-threat-looms Ø Pakistan, EU engage in talks to enhance counter-terrorism cooperation Ø Pak-Russia freight train on cards https://tribune.com.pk/story/2529699/pak-russia-freight-train-on-cards Ø Putin rates US talks ‘highly’, says Russia ready to negotiate over Ukraine |
POLITICAL ECONOMY & NON-TRADITIONAL THREATS |
Ø SBP Weekly Data Report Ø Pakistan to use AI for tax collection, says finance minister https://www.geo.tv/latest/591644-pakistan-to-use-ai-for-tax-collection-says-finance-minister Ø Pakistan’s economic reforms journey progressing under PM Shehbaz: WB Ø Empty promises or real change? https://tribune.com.pk/story/2528971/empty-promises-or-real-change Ø Trade, economic partnership agreements fuel growth https://tribune.com.pk/story/2528973/trade-economic-partnership-agreements-fuel-growth Ø A weak corporate culture https://tribune.com.pk/story/2528972/a-weak-corporate-culture Ø External loans pick up to $11.5b https://tribune.com.pk/story/2529475/external-loans-pick-up-to-115b Ø With policy support, IT exports surge above $2b https://tribune.com.pk/story/2529472/with-policy-support-it-exports-surge-above-2b Ø Shaping up the economy https://www.dawn.com/news/1892381/shaping-up-the-economy Ø SOE losses swell to Rs851bn in FY24 https://www.dawn.com/news/1893133/soe-losses-swell-to-rs851bn-in-fy24 Ø ‘Pakistan can’t afford boom-bust cycle’: Aurangzeb https://www.dawn.com/news/1893330/pakistan-cant-afford-boom-bust-cycle-aurangzeb Ø Oil rises for third day on US fuel stocks draw, worries about Russia disruptions Ø World’s glaciers melting faster than ever recorded https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4ly8vde85o Ø Two-thirds of the Earth’s surface experienced record heat in 2024. See where and by how much – visualised Ø Asia-Pacific falling behind on sustainable development and climate targets https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/02/1160216 Ø Climate Change in Pakistan: Implications, Threats, Challenges, and Opportunities Ø IMF, Pakistan to open $1 billion climate finance talks next week, says adviser Ø Climate change to boost non-agri water use: World Bank https://www.dawn.com/news/1892256/climate-change-to-boost-non-agri-water-use-world-bank Ø China, Pakistan develop AI-powered agricultural app https://tribune.com.pk/story/2529700/china-pakistan-develop-ai-powered-agricultural-app Ø Revamping Pakistan’s power sector https://www.dawn.com/news/1892380/revamping-pakistans-power-sector |