Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has stirred controversy by asserting that the country received “divine help” during its recent military clash with India. Speaking at the National Ulema Conference in Islamabad earlier this month, Munir claimed that this divine intervention was evident during the intense fighting that followed India’s Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The speech was broadcast on local television on 22 December 2025, amid ongoing regional tensions and debates over the role of religion in Pakistan’s military strategy.
The conflict Munir referenced began on 7 May 2025, when India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. Indian forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), prompting a swift Pakistani counter-response. Four days of sharp military exchanges, including airstrikes, artillery duels, and cross-border skirmishes, ended with a de-escalation agreement on 10 May.
Munir framed the clashes as not merely a tactical standoff but a spiritually ordained success, drawing parallels between contemporary Pakistan and the early Islamic state established by Prophet Muhammad. He cited Quranic verses to underscore Pakistan’s alleged divine favour and claimed that, among 57 Muslim-majority nations, Pakistan uniquely serves as the “protector of Haramain Sharifain”—the holy sites of Mecca and Medina. “We felt it (divine help),” Munir said, referring to perceived supernatural aid during the engagements. Analysts interpret this as an effort to boost domestic morale and legitimize military actions through religious authority, a recurring theme in Pakistani military discourse.
Munir also addressed threats along Pakistan’s western border with Afghanistan, issuing an ultimatum to the Taliban to choose between alliance with Pakistan or support for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He alleged that 70% of TTP militants infiltrating Pakistan are Afghan nationals and held Afghanistan accountable for resulting civilian casualties.
Additionally, Munir emphasized that only the state has the authority to declare jihad, warning clerics against issuing independent fatwas. This stance appears aimed at consolidating military and ideological control over religious and militant activities within Pakistan. The speech followed Munir’s recent promotion to Field Marshal—a rare honor symbolizing his preeminence within Pakistan’s military-dominated power structure. The official transcript of his 10 December address has not been released, adding opacity to his statements.
Munir’s claims of divine intervention have drawn criticism in India, where Operation Sindoor is viewed as a precise counter-terror operation that exposed weaknesses in Pakistan’s defenses. Pakistani claims of supernatural assistance contrast with Indian accounts, which reported significant Pakistani losses, including downed aircraft and disrupted launchpads.
Experts see Munir’s rhetoric as part of a broader effort to Islamize Pakistan’s national security narrative, strengthening public support amid economic and internal security challenges. By portraying Pakistan as a divinely ordained protector of Islam’s holiest sites, he reinforces the justification for assertive policies against India and the TTP—a fusion of faith and force reminiscent of past conflicts, including the 1965 and 1971 wars.
Regionally, the speech risks heightening Indo-Pak tensions, even after the May ceasefire. While India emphasizes a zero-tolerance approach to cross-border terrorism, Pakistan relies on asymmetric warfare and religious mobilization. International observers, including the U.S. and China, have remained cautious, wary of triggering a nuclear flashpoint. Domestically, Munir’s remarks reinforce the army’s self-image as the guardian of Islamic destiny, amplified through state media and religious alliances. Critics, however, argue that such militarized theology stifles pluralism and encourages extremism.
Looking ahead, Munir’s statements suggest no immediate easing of Pakistan’s confrontational stance. His warnings to Afghanistan could escalate border tensions, while claims of divine backing against India may embolden hardliners. As 2025 ends, South Asia faces potential instability, with Munir’s promotion and rhetoric positioning him as the architect of Pakistan’s martial-religious strategy. His speech underscores the persistent challenge of religion in Pakistan’s security calculus, where spiritual narratives often overshadow strategic realities, reinforcing India’s need for vigilance against hybrid threats combining terror and propaganda.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.
The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation in research, education, training, and technological support for defence and internal security. According to the Ministry of Defence, the agreement was signed by Distinguished Scientist & Director General (Production Coordination & Services Interaction) Chandrika Kaushik and RRU Vice Chancellor Prof. Bimal N. Patel, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at South Block, New Delhi, on December 22, 2025. Also present was Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO.
The MoU is intended to strengthen India’s self-reliance in defence and internal security technologies, aligning with the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the whole-of-nation strategy during Amrit Kaal. It underscores a shared commitment to integrating technology, expertise, and operational insights to boost national security preparedness and enhance India’s strategic autonomy in internal security.
RRU, an institution of national importance under the Ministry of Home Affairs and designated by the University Grants Commission (UGC) as a Nodal Centre for Defence Studies, contributes substantial academic, training, and policy expertise in internal security. DRDO, the country’s leading defence R&D organisation, provides advanced indigenous technologies and system-level capabilities to meet the needs of the Armed Forces and security agencies.
Under this MoU, both organisations will collaborate on joint research initiatives, PhD and fellowship programmes, as well as specialised training and capacity-building for security forces. The partnership will also focus on studying emerging operational challenges, analysing technology gaps, forecasting future requirements, and managing the life cycle of DRDO-developed systems deployed within the Central Armed Police Forces and other agencies under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Ministry of Defence.
In a sign of warming ties between Beijing and U.S. tech giants, China's Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang sat down with Apple COO Sabih Khan last Friday for talks aimed at deepening the company's footprint in the Chinese market. The meeting, confirmed by the Ministry of Commerce on Monday, comes as China rolls out the red carpet for foreign firms, urging Apple to forge stronger links with local partners and dive deeper into its massive consumer base of over 1.4 billion people.
This engagement highlights Apple's critical reliance on China, where more than 80% of its key suppliers—like Foxconn and Luxshare—handle production of iPhones, AirPods, and other gadgets that drive billions in annual revenue. With U.S.-China trade frictions lingering after President Trump's 2024 reelection, such high-level chats offer reassurance for Apple's factories in Shenzhen and stores in Shanghai, potentially easing concerns over tariffs or export restrictions.
The discussions echo recent visits by Apple executives, including COO Jeff Williams, signaling a steady commitment to these partnerships amid global supply chain shifts. For Apple, it spells opportunities to grow services like Apple Pay as hardware sales slow, while China gains from jobs, innovation, and investment in tech hubs—much like its outreach to Tesla. Investors may view this as bullish for AAPL stock, betting on stable access to one of the world's biggest markets.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
A senior Russian military officer, Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, was killed in a car bomb explosion in Moscow on Monday. Investigators confirmed that the blast was caused by an explosive device planted under his vehicle, according to RT. The explosion occurred earlier in the day in the southern part of the city, damaging multiple vehicles nearby.
Initial reports indicated that the driver was seriously injured, but authorities later confirmed Sarvarov, who headed operational training at the General Staff, as the victim. Investigators noted that the device had been deliberately placed beneath the car, suggesting a targeted attack. Russian authorities are considering a possible link to Ukrainian intelligence services.
The incident highlights a pattern of targeted attacks in Russia. Ukrainian authorities have previously been accused of carrying out bombings against officials and public figures. In December of last year, a bomb hidden in an electric scooter killed Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, commander of Russia’s Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Forces, along with his aide—an attack investigators attributed to Ukrainian operatives.
Details of Sarvarov’s military career have also surfaced. He was a career officer with combat experience from counterterrorism operations in southern Russia during the late 1990s and early 2000s. At 56 years old, Sarvarov had led the department responsible for training senior officers through staff exercises and operational events since 2016. Before that, he participated in Russia’s military operations in Syria.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held a discussion while inspecting a guard of honor during a formal welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace courtyard in Warsaw, Poland, on December 19, 2025, highlighting diplomatic ties and mutual respect between the two nations.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Every Monday and Friday throughout December, we are republishing some of our most loved audio long reads of 2025 for those who may have missed them, each introduced by our editorial team to explain the choice. From September, this piece explores how rising sea levels are forcing much of the population to face the possibility that their homeland could disappear. The question remains where they will go. By Atul Dev. Narrated by Mikhail Sen.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
In Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro interviews Singaporeans working in the artificial intelligence space to explore how they are shaping and mentoring the next generation of AI-driven content creators. Jayce Tham, co-founder of media agency CreativesAtWork and generative AI content studio Dear.AI, shares how professionals in Singapore can use generative AI to enhance storytelling, content marketing, and production processes. Filmmaker, influencer, and Dear.AI Creative Director Jaze Phua discusses how AI fuels creative expression, enabling content creators to blend humour, narrative, and pop culture to produce highly shareable, viral content.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party has selected 46-year-old academic Yodchanan Wongsawat, a nephew of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as its leading candidate for the premiership in the February election. The move brings the influential Shinawatra family back into focus as Thailand grapples with deadly border clashes with Cambodia and internal challenges within the party. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss the implications of his candidacy for party cohesion, border security, and the country’s political trajectory with Kevin Hewison, Emeritus Professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
As funerals begin for the 15 people killed in the Bondi terror attack, one of the alleged gunmen, Naveed Akram, has regained consciousness in hospital and is being guarded by police. Meanwhile, further details have emerged about Naveed and his father. Police said that Naveed, 24, and his 50-year-old father, Sajid, travelled to the Philippines last month, though the purpose of the trip is still unknown. The prime minister also stated at a press conference that there is evidence suggesting the suspected attackers may have been influenced by Islamic State ideology.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
