Free Republic

The world is on the brink of a climate apocalypse—one caused not by gradual greenhouse emissions but by a sudden exchange of nuclear weapons, a possibility made more salient by the current conflict between India and Pakistan. While the long-term effects of emissions are uncertain, we know that a nuclear war would result in an immediate nuclear winter. When we think about nuclear apocalypse, we tend to think of the immediate effects: thermonuclear explosions that incinerate cities and vaporize populations. But the worst consequences unfold long after the weapons have detonated. A major thermonuclear exchange would shroud the atmosphere in...

A joke circulating on social media suggests how President Trump could arrest terrorism against Indian Kashmir by jihadist groups based in Pakistan—a country that at its worst actively arms and shelters these terrorists, and at its most benign turns a blind eye. Let Mr. Trump open a large resort in Kashmir, the joke goes. Give him rent-free land on a long lease for golf courses and ski lodges—and then watch how quickly the terrorism falls off. Humor aside, Mr. Trump has helped to calm the region and scored his first major diplomatic achievement. On April 22, terrorists said by India...

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday said he told Apple CEO Tim Cook that he doesn’t want the tech giant to build its products in India, taking shots at the company’s moves to diversify production away from China and urging him to pivot Stateside. “I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday,” Trump said. “I said to him, ‘my friend, I treated you very good. You’re coming here with $500 billion, but now I hear you’re building all over India.’ I don’t want you building in India.” Trump was referencing Apple’s commitment of a $500 billion investment in the...

The Baloch of western Pakistan have declared themselves independant. Summarizes Baloch Welfare Assn of India's letter to the Indian PM enumerating the Pakistani's attrocities and human rights violations. Speaks to son of political prisoner being kept in perpetual solitary. Describes Balochis as non-militant moderates.

This July, leaders from across the globe will converge on Rio de Janeiro for what may be the most consequential BRICS summit to date. The stakes are high and the implications global. What was once a modest economic club of emerging nations has transformed into a powerful bloc capable of redefining global power structures. And with a growing list of countries formally applying to join BRICS–and even more expressing interest–it’s clear the world is no longer content to revolve around Washington, Brussels, or London.

Pakistani use of PL-15Es against Indian fighters opens up a new vector for intelligence exploitation on one of China's most threatening missiles. ================================================================= The largely intact rear section and other parts of a Chinese-made PL-15E active-radar-guided air-to-air missile came down in India during a battle in the skies along the country’s border with Pakistan earlier this week. While many details about the aerial confrontation between the two countries remain murky, it marked the first known combat use of any version of the PL-15. Recovery of any parts of what is one of China’s most modern air-to-air missiles could be of...

A core group of top US officials — including Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State and interim national security adviser Marco Rubio, and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles — had been closely monitoring the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan when on Friday morning, the US received alarming intelligence, Trump administration officials told CNN. While they declined to describe the nature of the information, citing its sensitivity, they said it was critical in persuading the three officials that the US should increase its involvement. Vance himself would call Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The vice president briefed...

India and Pakistan have seemingly pulled back from the brink again. But so much was new about the nuclear-armed enemies’ chaotic four-day clash, and so many of the underlying accelerants remain volatile, that there’s little to suggest that the truce represents any return to old patterns of restraint. A new generation of military technology fueled a dizzying aerial escalation. Waves of airstrikes and antiaircraft volleys with modern weapons set the stage. Soon they were joined by weaponized drones en masse for the first time along the old Line of Control in Kashmir — hundreds of them in the sky, probing...

...The Turkish foreign ministry called on both parties to "exercise common sense and refrain from unilateral actions."They added, "We expect that measures will be taken to reduce tensions in the region as soon as possible and that the necessary mechanisms, including in the field of counter-terrorism, will be put in place to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents. We also support Pakistan's call for an investigation into the 22 April terrorist attack."...Azerbaijan also issued a statement soon after the attack, condemning violence against Pakistan.In their statement they said, "The Republic of Azerbaijan expresses its concern over the further escalation of...

Reports say Pakistan violated the ceasefire agreement with India just hours after President Donald Trump announced one between the two nations. Explosions were heard in Srinagar and Jammu, with projectiles and flashes visible in the night sky over Jammu. “What the hell just happened to the ceasefire? Explosions heard across Srinagar!!!" Omar Abdullah, the region's top elected official wrote on X. "This is no ceasefire. The air defence units in the middle of Srinagar just opened up."

Transcript linked to video, chock full of on-scene video footage.

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both Countries on using Common Sense and Great Intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter! May 10, 2025, 7:55 AM

White House NEC Director Kevin Hassett gives an update on the current status of trade negotiations around the world. After finishing a CNBC interview (also linked below) Director Hassett noted that Asia was likely to be the next place for an announcement following the completion of the United Kingdom deal. Hassett outlines that approximately “two dozen” bilateral free trade agreements are completed within the reciprocity framework, and the sequencing of announcements is up to President Trump. Japan, South Korea and ASEAN nations would be candidates for the next deal as announced. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and USTR Jamieson Greer are...

After Pakistani militants attacked Indian-administered Kashmir in late April, gunning down 26 tourists and escalating a new series of offensives in the ongoing Indo-Pakistani conflict, media has drawn attention to the sectarian perspectives of Pakistani Muslims and Hindu nationalists in India, as well as more ameliorating voices in the region. The perspective of Christians in the region, however, has gone largely ignored. It is worth noting that Christians as well as Hindus were targeted for their ethno-religious status in the Kashmiri attack, and that this was by no means the first time that Christians were caught in the crossfire. Trends...

VIDEOHe won't get the credit for it in much of the media but President Donald Trump might have prevented South Asia from turning into a radioactive wasteland by brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Although most folks in the USA have not being paying much attention to this conflict, the fact that both nations have nukes made it essential that their conflict be prevented from devolving into the Apocalypse. However, the animosities between India and Pakistan are long and strong so here is a sneak preview of what their ceasefire talks will probably sound like at least initially. Oh,...

Multiple explosions have reportedly been heard in Indian-controlled Kashmir just hours after Donald Trump boasted a ceasefire with Pakistan had been reached. Residents said the loud explosions in Srinagar and Jammu were followed by a blackout in the two cities. Cross-border shelling and gunfire was also reported from at least five places along the Line of Control, a de facto frontier that divides disputed Kashmir between two nuclear-armed nations.

Pakistan on Saturday violated the ceasefire agreement along the International Border and Line of Control (LoC) at multiple locations, just hours after both nations agreed to a truce...

India has killed Abdul Rauf Azhar, the Pakistani Al Qaeda terrorist who brutally beheaded American journalist Daniel Pearl on video in 2002.. Daniel’s last words were: “My name is Daniel Pearl. My father is Jewish. My mother is Jewish. I am a Jew.” Thank you India. ... Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is alleged to have been involved in the death of Daniel Pearl, and he is currently in American custody.

* India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire. President Trump said it came after a “long night of talks mediated by the US” * The two countries earlier accused each other of targeting military airbases as tensions escalated * A South Asia expert said that the India-Pakistan conflict had not reached this level of intensity in 40 years * Global powers including the G7, which the UK is part of, the US and China urged India and Pakistan to show maximum restraint, re-establish direct communication and de-escalate ...

Pakistan has launched attacks on "multiple targets" across India, according to the media wing of Pakistan's military. In a statement, Pakistan said it has unleashed Operation Bunyan ul Marsoos (Solid Wall of Steel) in response to what it calls "continuous provocation" by India. "Multiple targets in this operation are being engaged all across India," the statement added. Reuters said Pakistan has targeted the BrahMos missile storage facility in Beas and airbases in Pathankot and Udhampur. The news agency has also stated India has launched air operations in Pakistan, quoting an Indian military source. State-run Pakistan television said retaliatory attacks were...