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Bagram Air Base: History, Strategic Importance, and Legacy  Introduction  Bagram Air Base, located about 40 kilometers north of Kabul in Parwan Province, Afghanistan, was the largest U.S. military base in the country and one of the most significant military installations during the War on Terror. Known as the nerve center of American military operations in Afghanistan, Bagram symbolized U.S. power projection in South Asia for nearly two decades until its final evacuation in July 2021. Historical Background  * Soviet Era: Bagram was originally built in the 1950s by the Soviet Union as part of Cold War geopolitics. During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979–1989), it served as a major operational hub for the Red Army.  * Civil War and Taliban Era: After the Soviet withdrawal, the base was contested among Afghan factions during the civil war. By the late 1990s, it fell into the hands of the Taliban before being seized by U.S. forces in 2001.  ...

 Introduction  The political journey of Narendra Damodardas Modi represents one of the most remarkable transformations in the history of Indian democracy. From his humble beginnings in Vadnagar, a small town in Gujarat, to rising as the most dominant political leader of the world’s largest democracy, Modi’s story is both inspirational and controversial. His leadership has not only redefined Indian politics but has also significantly influenced the nation’s economic, social, and international outlook. Since assuming office as the 14th Prime Minister of India in May 2014, Modi has emerged as a figure who evokes admiration and criticism in equal measure. The global political stage has taken note of Modi’s strong and charismatic persona. Unlike many of his predecessors, Modi has consistently maintained a direct connection with the masses, using tools like social media, radio programs such as Mann Ki Baat, and large-scale public rallies to communicate his vision. His su...

Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Strategic Mutual Defence Pact: What It Is, What Led Up To It, and Implications for India What’s the Pact?  On 17 September 2025, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia formally signed a Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement during Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s state visit to Riyadh. Key points: Under the pact, any aggression against one country will be considered an aggression against both. It aims to strengthen defence cooperation and joint deterrence against threats. Though specifics are not fully disclosed, a major new element is that Pakistani officials have suggested that Pakistan's nuclear capabilities could potentially be extended to safeguard Saudi Arabia under this arrangement. Though Pakistan insists that nuclear weapons are “not on the radar” of the pact, the language being used implies some kind of deterrence posture. The pact formalises and institutionalises what had been, in many cases, less formal or ad hoc cooperation between Saudi Ara...

 The dramatic nighttime launch of Ofek 19—Israel’s latest  reconnaissance satellite—soaring skyward aboard a three-stage Shavit rocket. Let’s unpack what media outlets and official sources are reporting about this significant technological leap. Key Highlights from Media Reports  1. Launch Details & Technical Overview When & how: Ofek 19 lifted off on the night of September 2, 2025, around 22:30 IST, from a secure site within central Israel using a three-stage Shavit launcher. It successfully entered orbit, started transmitting, and began a series of initial tests. Orbit specifics: Positioned approximately 500 km above Earth, the satellite completes an orbit every 90 minutes. Advanced imaging: Ofek 19 is equipped with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) enabling day-and-night, all-weather, high-resolution reconnaissance. It’s capable of detecting objects as small as 0.5 m across.  2. Strategic Importance & Regional Surveillance Expanding capabiliti...

India–Russia Partnership: Ancient to Modern Introduction  India and Russia share a relationship that has evolved over centuries, from cultural and intellectual exchanges in ancient times to deep strategic and defense cooperation in the modern era. This bond is often described as “time-tested,” as it has survived shifting global dynamics while retaining mutual trust and respect. Ancient and Early Contacts  The connections between India and the regions of present-day Russia can be traced to ancient trade routes like the Silk Road. Indian ideas such as Buddhism reached Central Asia and later influenced Russian lands. In the 15th century, Russian traveler Afanasy Nikitin visited India and recorded his experiences in “Journey Beyond Three Seas,” giving Russia one of its earliest detailed accounts of India’s society and culture. 19th Century Cultural and Intellectual Links  In the 19th century, Russian thinkers and writers developed a fascination with Indian philoso...

  Top Nuclear Power Nations: Ancient to Modern  : Top Nuclear Power Nations: Ancient to Modern Introduction The concept of nuclear energy and nuclear weapons has transformed the global balance of power in modern history. While the word “nuclear” is modern, the roots of atomic understanding go back to ancient civilizations that explored the idea of indivisible particles. Over time, scientific discoveries during the 19th and 20th centuries paved the way for nuclear technology, which today defines the geopolitical strength of many nations. This article explores the journey of nuclear knowledge from ancient concepts to modern nuclear power nations that dominate global security and energy production. Ancient Understanding of Atomic Theory Ancient India and Greece : The earliest concepts of the atom date back to ancient philosophers. In India, sage Kanada (6th century BCE) proposed the theory of "anu" (atom) as the smallest indivisible particle. Similarly, in Greece, Democr...