Pakistan Launches New Counterterrorism Operation Amid Chinese Pressure

On June 22, Pakistan announced the initiation of Operation Azm-i-Istehkam (Resolve for Stability), a nationwide counterterrorism campaign aimed at addressing the rising tide of terrorism and religious extremism within the country. Historically, such operations have primarily focused on the regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. A significant factor influencing this new operation appears to be pressure from China. The timing of the announcement suggests a response to Beijing’s concerns...