Central Asia

Securitizing Shared Waters: A Thematic Analysis of Iran-Afghanistan Hydropolitics Over the Helmand River Basin

Tasleem Malik — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

This paper investigates the securitization of the Helmand River Basin by analyzing Iranian and Afghan media narratives form from January 2021 to August 2023. The conflict over water between Afghanistan and Iran dates back to the 19th century and has remained a source of tension in the relations between the two riparian states. This conflict has become particularly pronounced in the context of the recent water crisis in Iran and the construction of dams and infrastructure in Afghanistan. Drawing on securitization theory and Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis, this study analyzes how both countries frame water as a political and security issue. A dataset of 70 news stories from three leading Iranian newspapers ISNA, IRNA and Tehran Times) and three Afghan outlets (Tolo News, The Kabul Times, and Pajhwok) reveals three dominant securitizing themes: ‘legal rights and treaty compliance’, ‘water infrastructure development’, ‘environmental and human security’. The findings demonstrate that while Iran emphasizes legal compliance and environmental catastrophe from reduced water flows, Afghanistan frames dam development as essential to national sovereignty and survival under drought conditions. These competing narratives obscure opportunities for cooperative engagement and escalate bilateral tensions, particularly following the Taliban’s August 2021 takeover. This study concludes with an argument that de-securitization and transnational water governance mechanisms are critical for regional stability in the context of climate change and water scarcity in the region.

The Emerging Multipolarity: Implications for Central Asian Republics

Ahsan Saeed, Adam Saud — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Central Asia has re-emerged as a strategically significant region in an evolving multipolar order. The region’s renewed prominence stems from its position as a geopolitical hinge of Eurasia, where energy security, continental connectivity, and competing vision of regional order intersect. This study examines how contemporary great-power competition among big three is reshaping the region’s geopolitical, economic, and security landscape. The research employed Mackinder’s heartland theory to analyze regional significance and great powers ambitions. The study argues that the logic of the Heartland remains relevant but overt control has largely been replaced by influence as the primary mechanism through which power is exercised in Central Asia. Russia continues to function as the region’s principal security provider. The study finds that Russian influence is not collapsing but recalibrating after the Invasion of Ukraine. China has emerged as the dominant geo-economic actor, eroded Russian monopoly in energy sector and became largest trading partner. The study argues that Beijing and Moscow are pursuing “Division of Labor” Model instead of competition. Hence, the “Axis of Convenience” persist and is likely to endure unless Beijing begins to intervene in the geopolitical affairs to re-establish regional order. The United States maintains a more limited but strategic role aimed at preventing regional hegemony and sustaining engagement through diplomatic and economic frameworks. The study illustrates that long-standing Multi-vector foreign policy of Central Asian Republics are at glance aimed the epicenter of great powers rivalry. The study identifies Kazakhstan as the pivotal Central Asian state and the focal point of contemporary great-power competition.

The Transnational Sanctuary of Internal Paralysis: Procedural Overload, Federal Fragmentation, and the Immobilised Capable Guardian in Pakistan’s Counter-Narcotics Regime

Arshid Jan, Ahmed Farhan Saeed — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The present research study undertakes a critical examination and attempts to an in-depth analysis that has been observed in Pakistan’s counter-narcotics legal regime failure. The main concern of this paper is thus on the domestic institutional dysfunction of Pakistan. The dysfunction is in a state that has been singled out as a key north-south conduit for opiates and synthetic narcotics. But the study questions the explanatory power of exogenous geopolitical causes of the dysfunction. It has also tried to answer one of the main paradoxes surrounding the existence of severe and punitive laws and ongoing, large-scale trafficking. The researcher analysed around 14 expert responses from interviews that were taken. Issues of fragmented governance, inter-agency coordination failures and resource limitations stood out as key themes. A porous border with Afghanistan and coordination challenges among agencies were often mentioned by respondents as significant challenges. Many commented that although there are new provincial laws (e.g. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Act, 2019 Sindh Act 2024, and Punjab Act 2025) which address synthetic drugs, the fragmented authority (federal Control of Narcotic Substances Act (CNSA) 1997 vs. provincial Acts) and limited capacity of enforcement are challenges. There are different roles of the institutions, Pakistan Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) has quality training and few manpower, police and excise have wide reach but low technical capacity. Issues with investigation and prosecution (such as evidence chain problems, judicial bias on seizures) were also mentioned. On the demand side, only a few mentions and very few emphases of rehabilitation and/or awareness programs. The results of the study show a structural paradox at the heart of the notion of the “Capable Guardian.” This paradox is visible in Pakistan in the presence of an advanced punishment law system, namely the Federal Control of Narcotic Substances Act (CNSA), 1997. While this legal framework may seem robust, its true implementation has been rather insufficient at several key points. This institutional paralysis stems from what could be called the “Legal Rigor Paradox.” The elements of procedural safeguards are elements of a relatively well-developed legal system, but the mechanisms for enforcement are not strong and durable. The study also documents a process of “jurisdictional cacophony” which is increasingly occurring due to fragmentation of institutional and administrative systems. Pakistan’s 18th Constitutional Amendment, 2010 devolving most of the legislative responsibilities and powers to the provincial units is an opportunity and challenge in itself. As an opportunity the amendment has empowered the provinces but as challenge it has created a wider gulf between center and provinces in conceptualising legislation, and the ideological and political differences between ruling political parties. This has also created a continuous rift between the federal and provincial authorities asserting powers and jurisdictions.

Comparative Legal Discourse Analysis: Speech Acts Codifying Gender Equality in Muslim Family Law Ordinance 1961 and the Marriage Law of the People’s Republic of China

Aisha Rehman, Zukhrif Ali Dal — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

This study examines the legal language application in the Muslim Family Law Ordinance 1961 and the Marriage Law of the People’s Republic of China to assess the use of speech acts particularly declarative and directive that represents gender equality within family laws. The study explores the ways legal language is utilized to present responsibilities and manage relationships between spouses in both laws. It further investigates that both the laws either emphasize on equal rights or traditional social roles within the family matters. The purpose of the study is to recognize and compare the speech acts used in both laws and to evaluate how they represent gender roles and legal responsibilities by using qualitative research methodology and applying Speech Act theory created by J.L. Austin and John Searle. The analysis assesses declarative and directive speech acts used frequently and dominatedboth the laws related to gender equality with reference to marriage, divorce, inheritance and property rights.

The Muslim Family Law Ordinance 1961 incorporates rules related to maintenance and divorce in traditional way whereas the Marriage Law of the People’s Republic of China emphasizes on equal gender rights. The study concludes that legal discourse plays an important role in shaping gender equality and both legal systems uses same speech acts but having different interpretations.

Belt and Road Initiative: Navigating between Interdependence and China's Global Strategy

Naveed Anjum Naru, Manzoor Khan Afridi — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China's global strategy for economic and geographical connections, has turned into an important tool for influencing the current economic and geopolitical landscape. While the BRI is portrayed as a development project with the goal of fostering infrastructure connectivity, economic integration and shared economic benefits, it has also sparked discussion of geopolitical influence, debt trap diplomacy and shifting power dynamics. In this study, the economic interdependence and China's strategic interests in the BRI are explored by examining the impacts of BRI infrastructure investments, economic cooperation, and diplomatic relations on regional and international dynamics. The study highlighted the economic, political and governance impacts of the BRI in Asia, Europe and Africa. The research method adopted is qualitative one, which was based on content analysis of Chinese policy documents, official publications of the BRI, international agreements and academic literature to analyze the motives, results and general consequences of the BRI. The results show that the BRI has facilitated economic cooperation, connectivity and infrastructure development in the participating countries but has also led to financial dependency, transparency issues and an increasing geopolitical influence of China. Based on the study, the BRI is a platform for cooperative interdependence and a strategic tool to promote China's international status. This suggests that it needs to push for more transparency, sustainable finance and multilateral cooperation to allow BRI projects to foster "balanced development" and help to reduce geopolitical tensions. The study added to the understanding of China's transformation in global governance and the international relations change.