My latest for Nikkei Asia is a wide-ranging interview with one of Pakistan’s top anti-narcotics officials, who expressed serious concern that the worsening situation in Afghanistan might aggravate the country’s illicit drug problems.

I had a short discussion with Syed Ali Zia Jaffery of the University of Lahore on the excellent new platform Conversation Six yesterday about possible US basing in Pakistan and China’s likely reaction, where we summarised our recent articles on this issue.

My latest is a contrarian take for The National Interest arguing that China might actually want a US base in Pakistan.

My latest story covers the EU drug agency’s 2021 report.

My latest, for Nikkei Asia, examines the impact of Myanmar’s coup on its enormous narcotics industry.

My latest story, based on new research material and interviews with drug experts and the UN, looks at the booming meth industry in Afghanistan, which could eventually rival the massive opium trade there.

My latest story is a long read, with input from various experts, that examines the complicated relationship between the Afghan and Pakistani Taliban (TTP).

My new story, based on reports and interviews with various experts, examines why remittances to Pakistan defied expectations and increased during the pandemic, despite a slowdown in global economic activity.