https://www.rferl.org Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is an international news organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 19:36:58 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL In one of the largest military deployments to the Persian Gulf in decades, the United States is building up its forces after President Donald Trump threatened strikes on Tehran if it fails to negotiate a nuclear agreement. https://www.rferl.org/a/us-military-deployment-gulf-iran-strikes/33675133.html https://www.rferl.org/a/us-military-deployment-gulf-iran-strikes/33675133.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:40:32 +0100 IranFeaturesThe Rundown HeadlineMiddle East In one of the deadliest attacks in years, a suicide bomber killed at least 31 people during an attack on a Friday prayers congregation in a Shi’ite Muslim mosque in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. https://www.rferl.org/a/suicide-attack-mosque-pakistan-islamabad/33671414.html https://www.rferl.org/a/suicide-attack-mosque-pakistan-islamabad/33671414.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 16:44:03 +0100 NewsPakistanThe Rundown Stories Pakistan has used violence and political repression to stamp out a decades-old insurgency in Balochistan Province. The largest-ever attacks in the region have called into question that strategy. https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-balochistan-baloch-liberation-army-bla-attacks/33669509.html https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-balochistan-baloch-liberation-army-bla-attacks/33669509.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 16:01:06 +0100 PakistanFeaturesThe Rundown Stories As the United States expands its military presence in the Middle East amid growing expectations of a strike against Iran, countries around the Middle East are bracing for another conflict in the region. https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-region-braces-attacks/33664153.html https://www.rferl.org/a/us-iran-region-braces-attacks/33664153.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 11:53:29 +0100 IranFeaturesThe Rundown HeadlineNews Analysis Two months ago, Afghanistan sealed its eastern border with neighboring Pakistan soon after Islamabad shut down all routes into the landlocked country. But the longest border closure is now wreaking economic havoc in both countries. https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-pakistan-border-closure-truckers-trade-crisis/33630059.html https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-pakistan-border-closure-truckers-trade-crisis/33630059.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 09:15:07 +0100 FeaturesAfghanistanPakistanThe Rundown Stories Escalating tensions between Islamabad and Kabul are threatening the interests of China, the dominant economic player in the region. https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-afghanistan-china-cpec-taliban/33612096.html https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-afghanistan-china-cpec-taliban/33612096.html Thu, 04 Dec 2025 08:00:02 +0100 AfghanistanFeaturesPakistanThe Rundown StoriesChina Tajikistan, the only Central Asian country that publicly opposed the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan, is now attempting to mend fences with the hard-line Islamist group. https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-tajikistan-taliban-reconciliation/33598362.html https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-tajikistan-taliban-reconciliation/33598362.html Sat, 22 Nov 2025 09:05:30 +0100 AfghanistanFeaturesTajikistanThe Rundown Stories After a devastating war with Israel exposed the weakness of its air force, Iran is reportedly turning to China for advanced military hardware. But Beijing’s reluctance -- and Moscow’s inaction -- highlight the limits of Tehran’s alliances and the depth of its strategic isolation. https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-china-fighter-jets-russia-partnership/33460009.html https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-china-fighter-jets-russia-partnership/33460009.html Tue, 01 Jul 2025 17:11:18 +0200 IranFeaturesRussiaThe Rundown StoriesChina Russia will soon teach high school students how to build and fly drones, which have become a key weapon in the war between Moscow and Kyiv. https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-drones-ukraine-schoolchildren-uavs/33450805.html https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-drones-ukraine-schoolchildren-uavs/33450805.html Sun, 22 Jun 2025 00:01:00 +0200 Russia Women in Pakistan are protesting the killing of a 17-year-old social media influencer. On June 3, police in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, said they arrested a 22-year-old man for killing Sana Yousaf a day earlier. https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-sana-yousaf-tiktok-murder/33434988.html https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-sana-yousaf-tiktok-murder/33434988.html Fri, 06 Jun 2025 00:53:27 +0200 PakistanFeaturesThe Rundown Stories Afghanistan's hard-line Taliban rulers have detained several Islamic clerics. Most of those incarcerated have publicly criticized the Taliban government or offered advice on how to change or improve vital policies. https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-taliban-islamic-clerics-dissent/33434004.html https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-taliban-islamic-clerics-dissent/33434004.html Thu, 05 Jun 2025 15:20:25 +0200 AfghanistanFeaturesThe Rundown Stories