Advancing Stability Through Developmental Research

Independent insights and policy recommendations for sustainable development

Hanging Between Peace and War

Asif Haroon Raja Iran: Most Sanctioned Country Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran has lived under the shadow of confrontation. Few States in modern history have endured such a…

12 Min Read

Misperceptions about the 1971 Tragedy

A range of misperceptions continue to circulate regarding the circumstances that led to the separation of Pakistan’s…

India’s Struggles After a Humiliating Setback

The Indian narratives are struggling to reconcile with the sudden and decisive setback inflicted by Pakistan. To…

SCO Tianjin Summit 2025: Pakistan’s Test in a Multipolar World

China and Russia used the platform to advance their multipolar vision, India demonstrated agility by engaging rivals…

Pakistan-Turkiye Strengthen Ties: 24 Agreements Signed to Boost Bilateral Relations

In a landmark development, Pakistan and Turkiye signed 24 agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) aimed at…

Pakistan Delivers Befitting Response to Indian Recklessness in Wake of Pahalgam False Flag Operation

Following what has now been widely recognized as a staged and orchestrated event by Indian security forces…

Pakistan’s Strategic Turn in Kabul – A Roadmap Toward Regional Stability and Economic Integration

In an era of fractured alliances and volatile borders, Pakistan’s recent diplomatic outreach to Afghanistan marks a…

PRESS RELEASE

CDS Hosted Roundtable Discussion on “Pakistan-Oman Bilateral Ties: A Cornerstone…

Pakistan Policy Towards Afghanistan: Opportunities and Challenges Webinar

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

Let’s Explore Kashmir Campaign

The Centre for Development and Stability (CDS) organized 3 days…

Editor's Pick

Enough Is Enough

By: Asif Haroon Raja Pakistan’s present turmoil did not emerge overnight. It is the cumulative result of political engineering, flawed…

The Re-election of Donald Trump and the Future of Russia-Ukraine War

The United States (U.S.) is set to carry out its general election on November 5, 2024 across the country.  The…

5 Min Read

Climate Crisis 2025: How Climate Change is Reshaping Pakistan

Climate change is no longer a distant worry for Pakistan. It’s a harsh, everyday reality affecting millions. Though this country…

6 Min Read

Ukraine Ceasefire—All Eyes Turn to Trump: What Role Will Trump Play Next?

The direct communication between Trump and Putin raised concerns about the extent of Ukraine’s involvement in any forthcoming negotiations. However,…

3 Min Read

Why Pakistan Matters in Trump’s Peace 2025 Roadmap for the Middle East

Since yesterday, the world watched tears, joy, hope, and cautious optimism as an unprecedented hostage-for-prisoner swap took effect. All living…

9 Min Read
For the Naysayers

Amidst the happy tidings, and seeing Pakistan stemming its downslide and climbing…

6 Min Read

For you

Hanging Between Peace and War

Asif Haroon Raja Iran: Most Sanctioned Country Since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, Iran has lived under the shadow of…

12 Min Read

Deep Mistrust and a Cycle of Hostility: Why the US–Iran Conflict Cannot End

Given the back-to-back wars in June 2025 and February 2026, and the unresolved core disputes, it is highly doubtful that…

12 Min Read

April 26, 2026

West Asia's Fragile Ceasefire Hangs by a Thread Asif Haroon Raja Trump had imposed a war on Iran on February…

12 Min Read

April 26, 2026

When Time Becomes Iran’s Advantage and America’s Constraint (By: Nuzhat Nazar) The approaching end of the 60-day window under the…

4 Min Read

When Strategy Replaces Diplomacy in Islamabad

(By: Nuzhat Nazar) With Abbas Araghchi now in Islamabad, and American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arriving in parallel,…

4 Min Read

April 25, 2026

Ceasefire Extension, Hormuz Tensions, and the Emerging Strategic Deadlock Asif Haroon Raja Background Full-scale war broke out on February 28,…

America Can Fight This War. Can It Sustain It?

By: Nuzhat Nazar The question is not whether the United States can fight a war with Iran. It clearly can.…

6 Min Read

West Asia’s Fragile Diplomacy, Controlled Escalation to Peace

Asif Haroon Raja Current Strategic Landscape Tensions between the United States and Iran have once again approached a critical inflection…

Rebalancing Power: Why America Must Align Strategy with Economic Reality

By: Nuzhat Nazar For much of the post Cold War era, the United States did not have to choose between…

6 Min Read

Pakistan in the Global Spotlight: From Strategic Constraint to Diplomatic Centrality

Pakistan has, once again, stepped into the global spotlight—this time not as a peripheral actor, but as a pivotal intermediary…

11 Min Read

COAS is in Tehran

The current mission of Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Asim Munir, to Tehran is a move born out…

6 Min Read

Escalation Without Resolution

With a naval blockade tightening in the Gulf and missile batteries shifting across Iran, the US–Iran standoff is no longer…

9 Min Read

Can Pakistan Afford Neutrality in the US–Iran Conflict?

This "active neutrality" requires Islamabad to serve as a high-stakes courier, translating the rigid security requirements of Washington into a…

7 Min Read

How Pakistan is Becoming the Operating Channel in Iran–US Talks

(By: Nuzhat Nazar) What we are witnessing around Pakistan’s role in the Iran–US talks is no longer just occasional mediation.…

5 Min Read

Fragile Diplomacy and Strategic Coercion: The Unfinished US–Iran Dialogue in Islamabad

Asif Haroon Raja The atmosphere in both Pakistan and Iran was initially one of cautious optimism when Pakistan successfully brokered…