Middle East & Central Asia News
LAST UPDATE: June 21, 2025
Pakistan signs $4.5 billion loans with local banks to ease power sector debt
Pakistan has secured $4.5 billion from local banks to help resolve mounting debt in its power sector. This deal aligns with IMF conditions and avoids adding external debt burdens.
Insight
The use of domestic Islamic financing under IMF guidance signals Pakistan’s strategic effort to manage energy-sector liabilities without compromising macroeconomic stability or triggering new international debt concerns.
Turkey to support Azerbaijan peace efforts, Erdogan tells Armenian PM
President Erdoğan pledged Turkey’s support for Armenian efforts to achieve peace with Azerbaijan, during a bilateral meeting in Istanbul. The discussions also touched on normalization of Turkey–Armenia ties.
Insight
Turkey’s regional diplomacy indicates a shift toward stability and influence in the South Caucasus, balancing historical tensions with geopolitical pragmatism amid evolving alliances.
Armenian opposition activists arrested as PM visits Turkey
Dozens of opposition activists were detained in Armenia during PM Pashinyan’s visit to Turkey. The arrests targeted leaders from nationalist groups opposing rapprochement with Ankara.
Insight
The detentions highlight growing domestic resistance to Pashinyan’s diplomacy, underscoring internal fractures as Armenia redefines its foreign policy amid tense historical narratives.
Afghanistan turns to Russia for some food supplies amid Iran-Israel war
Afghanistan has begun sourcing food staples from Russia to mitigate shortages stemming from the Iran-Israel conflict, which disrupted regional supply chains.
Insight
The move illustrates Kabul’s adaptive economic diplomacy amid geopolitical volatility. It reflects broader shifts in regional dependencies, with Russia emerging as a key supplier in crisis scenarios.
Sudan refugees stranded as IOM suspends transport
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) halted its Onward Transport Assistance program in South Sudan due to funding shortages, leaving thousands of refugees from Sudan stranded at border crossings. (newagebd.net, english.news.cn)
Insight
The suspension underscores the acute vulnerability of displaced populations amid the Sudan conflict; without vital transport aid they face heightened risks of disease, exposure, and humanitarian neglect—highlighting severe funding gaps in crisis response.
