For too long, Western foreign policy has mistakenly treated Tehran's aggressive posture as a localized Middle Eastern conflict. However, the escalating reach of Iranian espionage in Europe demonstrates that Iran’s hybrid warfare strategy directly targets Western domestic security, institutional integrity, and economic stability . From state-sponsored cyber operations targeting dissidents to covert intelligence gathering across European capitals, Tehran’s operations extend far beyond its immediate geographic neighborhood. Addressing this challenge requires European policymakers to abandon passive containment in favor of aggressive diplomatic oversight, strict legal accountability, and robust counter-intelligence strategies. Why is Iranian espionage in Europe expanding beyond the Middle East? Iran's external intelligence operations have shifted strategically from regional proxy warfare to asymmetric statecraft inside Western democracies. Western intelligence agencies-including Ge...
In a landmark decision, Pakistan’s military courts sentenced 25 civilians to rigorous imprisonment ranging from two to ten years on Saturday. These individuals were found guilty of participating in the violent attacks on military installations during the May 9, 2023, protests following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The violence on May 9 was unprecedented, with protesters targeting sensitive military sites, including the Corps Commander’s House in Lahore and other key installations. The events drew widespread condemnation from political and social circles, prompting the government to launch an extensive crackdown on those involved. The military, in its statement, emphasized that all defendants were afforded due legal rights, including access to defense counsel and fair trials. These convictions are part of broader efforts to bring perpetrators of the May 9 unrest to justice, a move that has sparked debate about the use of military courts for civilian trials. Th...