Advancing Stability Through Developmental Research

Independent insights and policy recommendations for sustainable development

The Makkah Pact and the Erosion of America’s Gulf Hegemony

  The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is a potentially historic shift in Gulf security: from an order dominated by American power since Britain’s withdrawal east of Suez, the 1980 Carter…

9 Min Read

Pakistan’s Strategic Reset at the UNGA – Balancing Opportunity and Risk

The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) was an important moment for Pakistan. It…

Pakistan Seeks Peace, Stands Ready for War — A United Nation, The Countdown Begins

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir delivered a powerful message at the 15th National…

Forging New Bonds: Pakistan and Russia in a Multipolar World

As the global order transitions from unipolarity to multipolarity, countries are increasingly exploring new partnerships that reflect…

A New Chapter in Regional Diplomacy: China Welcomes Pakistan-Afghanistan Ambassadorial Relations

China’s welcoming of Pakistan and the Afghan interim government's recent decision to elevate their diplomatic relations to…

General Asim Munir Promoted to Field Marshal

One of the possible reasons to elevate General Asim Munir to the exalted rank of field Marshal…

Balochistan Conundrum: Between Geopolitics and Internal Fault Lines

By Asif Haroon Raja Strategic Importance of Balochistan Balochistan occupies a pivotal geographic position, bordering Iran and…

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Regional Connectivity, Innovation, and Security in Balochistan

The Centre for Development and Stability (CDS) organized a one-day…

Pakistan Policy Towards Afghanistan: Opportunities and Challenges Webinar

Conducted by the Centre for Development and Stability (CDS) Date:22/2/2026…

Editor's Pick

Disinformation: The Undermining Force Within—Revealing its Structural Threats to Society and National Security

ISLAMABAD: The Centre for Development and Stability (CDS), organized seminar titled:  'Disinformation: The Undermining Force Within—Revealing its Structural Threats to…

4 Min Read

CDS Hosts Welcome Dinner for COMEX CEO Amr Abdullah Baabood to Strengthen Pakistan-Oman Economic and Technological Ties

The Centre for Development and Stability (CDS) organized and hosted a dinner in honor of Amr Abdullah Baabood, Chief Executive…

4 Min Read

US–Iran De-escalation Formula: Breakthrough or Tactical Pause?

By Asif Haroon Raja The Fallacy of Binary OutcomesSome analysts are advancing the theory that the US–Iran conflict can end…

15 Min Read

U.S. – Iran Agreement & Middle East Geopolitics

U.S.-Iran Agreement & Middle East Geopolitics The formal signing of a landmark framework agreement between the United States and the…

6 Min Read

US-Iran Conflict 2026: Rising Tensions, Global Risks, and the Muslim World’s Response

In early 2026, tensions between the United States and Iran escalated sharply, alarming global capitals and regional powers alike. What…

12 Min Read
Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Assassinated in Tehran: A New Escalation in Israel-Iran Conflict

In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas,…

7 Min Read
CPEC and Balochistan’s Future: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Way Forward

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project of China’s Belt and…

11 Min Read

For you

The Makkah Pact and the Erosion of America’s Gulf Hegemony

  The Makkah Joint Defence Agreement is a potentially historic shift in Gulf security: from an order dominated by American…

9 Min Read

India–Pakistan Antagonism in Historical Perspective

Part Three Asif Haroon Raja Emerging Fault Lines in India–US Relations Pakistan's nuclear programme, its growing strategic relationship with China…

13 Min Read

India–Pakistan Antagonism in Historical Perspective

Part Two Asif Haroon Raja Following Partition in 1947, India and Pakistan emerged as the two principal successor states to…

India–Pakistan Antagonism in Historical Perspective

Part One Asif Haroon Raja India's Expansionist Trajectory and Regional Hegemonic Ambitions Since the end of British rule in 1947,…

Pakistan’s Emerging Role as a Hinge Power in a Fragmenting Regional Order

The geopolitical landscape across the Middle East and South Asia is undergoing a structural shift. As traditional security frameworks fray…

6 Min Read

The Mecca Defence Pact: A New Security Architecture or a Crisis-Driven Coalition?

The signing of the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement on August 7, 2026, marks an unprecedented realignment in the security landscape…

5 Min Read

The Strait of Hormuz Crisis: What It Means for Pakistan’s Economic and Strategic Security

  Exploring how the August 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis impacts Pakistan's energy imports, inflation, and foreign exchange, driving the…

5 Min Read

August 15, 2026

Beyond Border Security: Rethinking Pakistan's Afghanistan Policy in 2026 An evaluation of deteriorating Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, analyzing the TTP factor, Durand…

6 Min Read

August 15, 2026

Gaza and the Crisis of International Order: When Rules Fail to Protect Civilians A study of the ongoing Gaza crisis…

7 Min Read

China Culture Centre, DoAM Hold Cake-Cutting Ceremony to Mark Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day

ISLAMABAD: The Department of Archaeology and Museums (DoAM), Islamabad, in collaboration with the China Culture Centre, organized a special cake-cutting…

By CDS
2 Min Read

Remarks by Ambassador Jiang Zaidong at the Seminar on Xi Jinping Thought on Party Building

Your Excellency Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, Chairman Senate of Pakistan, Your Excellency First Class Inspector Mr. Liu Daxiu, Professor Mr.…

15 Min Read

A Response to Scepticism Over the Makkah Accord

Asif Haroon Raja Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state with highly trained, battle-hardened and combat-experienced armed forces. For the past 25…

From a Divided Muslim World to an Islamic NATO:Double Standards and Two Laws

Part Four Asif Haroon Raja The Gulf States Reconsider Their Security Architecture The Israeli strike on Doha in September 2025…

17 Min Read

From a Divided Muslim World to an Islamic NATODouble Standards and Two Laws

Part Three Asif Haroon Raja An Appraisal of the Eight Decade Era The cumulative record of American military interventions has…

From a Divided Muslim World to an Islamic NATO Double Standards and Two Laws

Part One Asif Haroon Raja From the Ottoman Collapse to a Fragmented Muslim World After the fall of the Ottoman…