India has quietly withdrawn troops and military equipment from the Ayni airbase in Tajikistan, its only fully operational overseas military facility. For nearly two decades, the base symbolized New Delhi’s strategic footprint in Central Asia, offering proximity to Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor—just 20 kilometers away—and enabling surveillance advantages over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and China’s Xinjiang region. Originally built during the Soviet era, Ayni had deteriorated after the USSR’s collapse. India revived the base in 2002 through an agreement with Tajikistan, investing about $80 million to modernize the infrastructure, including extending the runway to support fighter jets and heavy transport aircraft.

However, in 2022 India began withdrawing personnel when the lease expired. Tajikistan opted not to renew the agreement, reportedly under pressure from Russia and China, both influential players in Central Asia. India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the base was formally handed back to Tajik authorities that year.

Losing Ayni marks a significant strategic setback for India. The base had provided India with vital intelligence advantages and a rare military presence near regions critical to its national security interests. Analysts believe India may now face reduced influence in Central Asia and diminished oversight capabilities over China-Pakistan activities in the region.

Turkey’s Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office has issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 36 other senior Israeli officials, accusing them of genocide and crimes against humanity in Gaza. The warrants, released on Friday, November 7, name key figures such as Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. Turkish prosecutors allege that Israel’s military actions in Gaza constitute deliberate and systematic genocide. The investigation also includes Israel’s airstrike on the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital in Gaza. Turkey, which previously joined South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice, says it aims to uphold international law and accountability. Israel has strongly condemned the move, calling it a “political stunt” by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, while tensions continue amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

BanglaFact, the Fact-Check and Media Research Team of the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB), has uncovered a continuous misinformation campaign in several Indian mainstream media outlets falsely alleging that a book presented by Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus contained a “Greater Bangladesh” map. According to BanglaFact, Indian outlets such as Financial Express, Firstpost, India.com, ABP Live, and News18 have repeatedly misrepresented a graffiti image featured on the cover of a book titled Art of Triumph. The book, compiled from spontaneous graffiti drawn by students after the July 2024 mass uprising, was gifted to global leaders and diplomats as a symbolic piece of people’s art — not a geopolitical document.

The so-called “Greater Bangladesh” conspiracy theory has resurfaced multiple times in Indian media, despite being debunked earlier. BanglaFact confirmed that the map was simply an artistic, non-official representation that does not include any foreign territory. Similar false claims previously circulated during a cultural event at Dhaka University in 2025. The investigation highlights how certain Indian outlets have distorted visuals and context to fuel baseless political narratives, while BanglaFact continues to combat fake news and ensure factual accuracy.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has asserted that Western powers’ efforts to strategically defeat and divide Russia have completely failed. Speaking at a Council on Interethnic Relations meeting on Wednesday, Putin said that so-called international organizations and “pseudo-national centers” operating outside Russia are in fact tools of an ongoing information war against the country. These groups, he claimed, are promoting the idea of “decolonizing Russia” — an attempt to fragment the Russian Federation and push it toward so-called “strategic defeat.”

Putin accused these organizations of advancing the concept of a “post-Russia,” portraying the nation as divided and deprived of sovereignty. He warned that provocations aimed at sowing discord among Russian citizens must stop immediately, alleging that many such operations are orchestrated by foreign intelligence services.

According to Putin, Russia’s adversaries exploit various social and political issues — including migration and daily events — to inflame tensions, even using extremist groups that employ terrorist tactics. Despite centuries of Western attempts to destabilize Russia, he emphasized, all such efforts have failed. Putin also supported the proposal to designate 2026 as the “Year of Unity of Russia’s Peoples,” reaffirming the nation’s resilience and cohesion.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has directed his ministers and security officials to prepare proposals for possible nuclear weapons testing, warning the United States of a reciprocal response if it resumes nuclear tests. The move follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent order to lift the 1992 moratorium on nuclear testing and instruct the Pentagon to restart tests immediately.

During a Security Council meeting on November 5, Putin said that if the U.S. or any signatory of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty resumes testing, Russia will be compelled to respond in kind. He instructed the Foreign Ministry, Defense Ministry, intelligence agencies, and civilian institutions to collect information and develop coordinated plans prioritizing nuclear readiness.

Defense Minister Andrei Belousov stated that the U.S. move significantly heightens the military threat to Russia, emphasizing the need to maintain Russia’s nuclear deterrence. Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov also warned that delaying action could cost Russia its strategic advantage.

Analysts say the renewed nuclear testing rhetoric between Moscow and Washington—both major nuclear powers—marks a dangerous escalation, threatening to further undermine global arms control efforts already weakened by geopolitical tensions over the Ukraine war and sanctions.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that Islamabad may resort to military action if cross-border infiltration from Afghanistan persists. In an interview with Independent Urdu, Asif reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful dialogue but stressed that the country would not hesitate to defend itself if hostile activities continue. He urged the Afghan Taliban to prevent their territory from being used for attacks against Pakistan, noting that no written assurance has yet been received. Asif also accused India of exerting influence in Kabul to undermine peace efforts and destabilize Pakistan. Despite regional tensions, he expressed cautious optimism about possible progress in ongoing talks aimed at easing border tensions and restoring stability in the region.

In an interview aired on CBS News’ 60 Minutes, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro’s time in power is nearing its end. When host Norah O’Donnell asked if Maduro’s presidency was almost over, Trump replied, “Yes, I think so,” though he dismissed the idea of a full-scale war against Venezuela. He declined to comment directly on the possibility of a ground invasion, stating only that no immediate decision had been made.

Trump also denied recent media reports that Washington was planning military strikes on Venezuelan installations, labeling them speculative. Meanwhile, U.S. accusations against Maduro have intensified, with claims that he leads a criminal network known as the Cartel de los Soles, designated a global terrorist organization by Washington in July.

Human rights organizations and legal experts have questioned the legality of recent U.S. attacks in the Caribbean and the Pacific, which reportedly killed over 64 people. The UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Türk, condemned the actions and called for an independent investigation. Maduro, in turn, rejected U.S. allegations as false and indecent, accusing Washington of preparing for a new “endless war.”

US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated that under Donald Trump’s leadership, the United States officially ended its long-standing policy of changing foreign governments. Speaking before the “Manama Dialogue” security summit in Bahrain, organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Gabbard emphasized that Washington’s interventionist “regime change” strategy had trapped the country in decades of costly and counterproductive conflicts.

She argued that efforts to impose American-style governance on other nations and interfere in foreign disputes produced more adversaries than allies, costing trillions of dollars, countless lives, and creating new security threats. Gabbard said President Trump took decisive steps to end this cycle and redirect US foreign policy toward restraint and pragmatism.

Her remarks echoed Trump’s own vision, particularly his Middle East policies and his efforts to withdraw troops from Afghanistan—a process completed under the Biden administration in 2021. However, Gabbard avoided commenting on Trump’s controversial Latin American operations.

According to Gabbard, Trump’s stance marks a “historic correction” in US diplomacy, ending decades of intervention that defined post-9/11 global politics.

Turkish political commentator Levent Gültekin has alleged that Israel, along with its allies, seeks to dismantle strong Muslim states in the Middle East, with Iran and Turkiye being the next targets after Iraq and Syria. In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Gültekin stated that Israel does not want any powerful Muslim nation to exist in the region and is pursuing a long-term plan to fragment them. Citing past actions, he claimed that Israel and its partners have already divided Iraq and Syria, and similar plots now focus on Iran and Turkiye.

He further emphasized that the ongoing hostility between the United States, Israel, and Iran has intensified recently. According to him, U.S. praise for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and their growing cooperation are strategic and concerning. Gültekin warned that despite global discussions about peace in Gaza, Israel’s broader goal remains the same—to reshape the Middle East and weaken its strongest Muslim nations. He concluded that Israel’s real objective in Iran is not regime change but dividing the nation into several smaller parts.

In a major step toward strengthening bilateral relations, the United States and India have signed a historic 10-year defense framework agreement ahead of their pending trade deal. The agreement, inked between India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during a meeting in Malaysia, aims to enhance military collaboration, information exchange, and defense technology partnership between the two nations.

Following the signing, Hegseth wrote on X that the deal would take defense cooperation to new heights, laying the foundation for regional stability and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. The leaders also discussed the delay in the delivery of GE Aerospace’s F404 engines, which has hindered the production of India’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. Rajnath Singh urged a swift conclusion to the proposed agreement between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and GE Aerospace for joint production of F414 engines in India — a move expected to boost indigenous defense capabilities and reduce import dependency.

Officials noted that the agreement reflects growing alignment between Washington and New Delhi amid concerns over China’s assertive actions in the Asia-Pacific. It also aligns with the 2025 Modi-Trump joint statement to deepen defense and strategic cooperation.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to continue their fragile ceasefire following a five-day negotiation in Istanbul, Turkey, announced the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Thursday, October 30. The two South Asian neighbors, whose relations deteriorated after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, have been locked in escalating border clashes over alleged support for the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of sheltering TTP militants responsible for attacks in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, while Afghanistan denies the claims.

The latest tensions erupted after Pakistan launched an airstrike in Kabul on October 9, killing several top TTP leaders. In retaliation, Afghan forces attacked Pakistani military posts along the Durand Line, leading to days of intense fighting that claimed more than 200 Afghan and 23 Pakistani soldiers’ lives. After a temporary ceasefire on October 15, fresh diplomatic efforts began in Doha, later moving to Istanbul under Qatari and Turkish mediation.

Both nations have now agreed to avoid hostilities until the next meeting on November 6 in Istanbul to finalize ceasefire conditions. Turkey emphasized the importance of restraint and dialogue to maintain regional stability.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has accused Germany of deliberately turning a blind eye to Israel’s “genocidal acts” and “starvation policies” in Gaza. Speaking at a joint press conference in Ankara with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday, Erdoğan sharply criticized Germany’s silence on what he described as Israel’s ongoing crimes against Palestinians, even during the ceasefire period.

Erdoğan claimed that Israel possesses nuclear and advanced weapons that it has used to threaten and attack Gaza, while Hamas lacks such arms. He questioned, “Is Germany not seeing this?” stressing that ending the mass killings and famine in Gaza is a moral duty for all nations, including Germany and Turkey.

The Turkish leader urged Germany and Turkey—two influential global powers—to work together toward achieving peace in Gaza. Erdoğan also called on humanitarian organizations such as the German Red Cross and Turkish Red Crescent to take immediate action to prevent further massacres and starvation.

According to reports, Israel’s renewed attacks since Tuesday evening have killed over a hundred Palestinians, including 46 children, in violation of the U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement signed earlier this month.

In a dramatic policy shift, U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing for the first time since 1992. Citing the need to keep pace with rival powers like Russia and China, Trump announced the decision on social media ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. He claimed the U.S. nuclear arsenal remains the largest and most advanced in the world, followed by Russia and then China, which he described as “far behind.”

The United States halted nuclear testing in 1992 under President George H. W. Bush, marking the symbolic end of the Cold War era. However, Trump emphasized that he had already modernized America’s nuclear stockpile during his first term, arguing that the decision to resume testing was unavoidable despite acknowledging the “immense destructive power” of such weapons.

Trump’s announcement came shortly after he criticized Russia for testing a nuclear-powered missile, signaling a stark reversal from long-standing U.S. policy. Warning that China could achieve nuclear parity within five years, Trump said the testing process would begin “immediately,” though he provided no operational details. The Nevada Test Site, where the last U.S. test was conducted, remains under government control.

In an exclusive interview with Jugantor, Afghanistan’s Deputy Minister of Information and Culture, Muhajir Farahi, firmly rejected claims that India is Kabul’s “regional boss,” emphasizing that the Taliban government maintains an independent foreign policy guided by Islamic and national values. Farahi stated that Afghanistan wants friendly relations with all neighboring countries, including Pakistan, Iran, China, and Bangladesh, while refusing to be drawn into regional rivalries.

Addressing the recent Pakistan–Afghanistan border conflict, Farahi accused Pakistan’s military of violating Afghan airspace and attacking civilians but stressed that Kabul seeks peaceful solutions. He dismissed Islamabad’s claims that the Taliban shelters Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), calling it “Pakistan’s internal problem.” Farahi also defended Taliban governance, saying Sharia-based laws are implemented fairly through qualified judges.

On economic issues, he said Afghanistan now runs on domestic revenue without foreign aid and has achieved major success by eliminating opium cultivation. Farahi further expressed optimism about improving ties with Bangladesh, describing it as a “brotherly Muslim nation.” Regarding India, he reiterated that cooperation does not imply subordination. “No one dictates our policies,” he said, adding that Afghanistan wants harmony with all regional powers.

Belgium’s Defence Minister Theo Francken warned that if Russia were to launch a missile strike on Brussels — the centre of NATO — the alliance would respond decisively, bluntly saying that “if Moscow fires a missile at Brussels, we will wipe Moscow off the map.” In an interview with Flemish daily De Morgen, reported by international outlets, Francken dismissed European doubts about United States commitment to Article 5, citing President Donald Trump’s pledge of full backing for NATO allies. He announced about 600 F-35 jets would be deployed across Europe, arguing those aircraft pose detection challenges for Russian forces. Francken cautioned against underestimating Russia’s military-industrial capacity and said Moscow has increased munitions production. He warned a potential Russia–China alignment could challenge the West and stressed the need for unity and stronger European defence coordination. His remarks underscore rising tensions, NATO deterrence postures and political debates over defence preparedness in Europe.