CSP WEEKLY UPDATES (January 24-30, 2026)

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA & THE UNITED NATIONS

https://www.geo.tv/latest/647757-pakistan-among-26-nations-named-founding-members-of-gaza-board-of-peace

Ø  $430m US crude deal struck

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589446/430m-us-crude-deal-struck

Ø  Pakistani lawmakers press US counterparts on visa curbs

https://www.dawn.com/news/1969085

Ø  Despite hurdles, US interest in Pakistan’s minerals growing

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589083/despite-hurdles-us-interest-in-pakistans-minerals-growing

Ø  For Pakistanis united on Gaza, joining Trump’s Board of Peace feels like betrayal

https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Asia-South-Central/2026/0127/pakistan-board-of-peace-gaza

Ø  Why the Cold War Pact Known as NORAD Is Making Headlines

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/world/canada/norad-us-canada-security-agreement.html

Ø  LIVE: Iran warns of quick retaliation as Trump revives US threats https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/1/29/live-iran-warns-of-quick-retaliation-as-trump-revives-us-threats

Ø  US. National Defense Strategy

https://media.defense.gov/2026/Jan/23/2003864773/-1/-1/0/2026-NATIONAL-DEFENSE-STRATEGY.PDF

Ø  At the UN Security Council, Pakistan reaffirms support for Palestinian statehood

https://www.dawn.com/news/1969706/at-the-un-security-council-pakistan-reaffirms-support-for-palestinian-statehood

Ø  ‘Unprovoked attacks, treaty breaches’: Pakistan highlights Indian violations at UN Security Council

https://www.brecorder.com/news/40404297/unprovoked-attacks-treaty-breaches-pakistan-highlights-indian-violations-at-un-security-council

Ø  At UN, Pakistan says support stability in Syria

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2588899/at-un-pakistan-says-support-stability-in-syria

Ø  Pakistan presses for reforms as UN authority faces growing strain

https://www.dawn.com/news/1968595

Ø  Potential turning point for Gaza as peace plan enters second phase: UN envoy

https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/01/1166852

Ø  Ambassadors debate as Middle East crises mount

https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/01/1166845

Ø  A new blow for UNRWA as headquarters in East Jerusalem ‘set on fire’

https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/01/1166829

Ø  Gaza ceasefire improves aid access, but children still face deadly conditions

https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/01/1166835

RUSSIA & EUROPE

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/28/trumps-board-of-peace-an-effort-to-curtail-middle-powers-says-expert

Ø  Why is the UK’s Keir Starmer in China and what does he want to achieve?

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/29/why-is-the-uks-keir-starmer-in-china-and-what-does-he-want-to-achieve

Ø  Al-Sharaa meets Putin as Russia seeks to secure military bases in Syria

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/28/syrias-al-sharaa-discusses-fate-of-russian-military-bases-with-putin

Ø  Ukraine hails first trilateral talks with Russia and US as ‘constructive’ as Washington says mood ‘very upbeat’

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/23/europe/russia-ukraine-attacks-trilateral-talks-intl-hnk

Ø  Europe’s ‘new reality’: The week that transatlantic ties came undone

https://edition.cnn.com/2026/01/24/europe/analysis-europe-new-reality-greenland-trump-latam-intl

Ø  EU designates Iran’s Revolutionary Guards a terrorist organisation in policy shift

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589738/eu-designates-irans-revolutionary-guards-a-terrorist-organisation-in-policy-shift

Ø  GSP+ in spotlight as PM Shehbaz affirms commitment to EU cooperation on trade ventures

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589694/gsp-in-spotlight-as-pm-shehbaz-affirms-commitment-to-eu-cooperation-on-trade-ventures

Ø  EU, India agree ‘mother of all’ trade deals after two decades of negotiations

https://www.geo.tv/latest/647459-eu-india-agree-mother-of-all-trade-deals

POLITICAL ECONOMY & NON-TRADITIONAL THREATS

https://www.dawn.com/news/1951376/how-real-is-forex-stability

Ø  Pakistan’s macroeconomic outlook to strengthen: S&P

https://www.dawn.com/news/1969449/pakistans-macroeconomic-outlook-to-strengthen-sampp

Ø  Rate held at 10.5% despite macro gains

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589256/rate-held-at-105-despite-macro-gains

Ø  Reviving Pakistan’s seafood industry, a path to economic self-sufficiency

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589082/save-fish-wealth-of-coastal-belt

Ø  IMF growth target in doubt as exports, investment, agriculture lag

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589261/exports-investments-agri-all-lag

Ø  Every Pakistani owes Rs333,000

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589628/every-pakistani-owes-rs333000

Ø  Top SOEs see profits slide 15% to Rs622b as governance fails

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2589819/top-15-soe-profits-drop-5-to-rs622b

Ø  Pakistan’s lopsided trade agreements

https://www.dawn.com/news/1968895/pakistans-lopsided-trade-agreements

Ø  World Bank forecasts 3.2% GDP growth in FY26, below official estimates

https://www.geo.tv/latest/647620-world-bank-forecasts-32-gdp-growth-in-fy26-down-from-official-estimates-of-42

Ø  NFC and the crisis of fiscal trust

https://www.geo.tv/latest/647414-nfc-and-the-crisis-of-fiscal-trust

Ø  Oil slips, but set for biggest monthly gain in years on geopolitical risks

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/oil-hovers-near-multi-month-highs-trump-considers-iran-strike-2026-01-30/

Ø  Pakistan turns to science diplomacy as climate risks intensify

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2630906/pakistan

Ø  Reviving Pakistan’s Traditional Buildings For Climate-Resilient And Sustainable Futures

https://www.thefridaytimes.com/28-Jan-2026/reviving-pakistan-s-traditional-buildings-climate-resilient-sustainable-futures

Ø  Sugarcane boom threatens cotton production

https://www.dawn.com/news/1969293/sugarcane-boom-threatens-cotton-production

Ø  Agriculture: A crop in shambles

https://www.dawn.com/news/1968886/agriculture-a-crop-in-shambles

Ø  Running out of water – and time

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2587773/running-out-of-water-and-time