- Afghan forces struggle to hold firm against Taliban in south
- Pakistan pressed over dual-track terror strategy
Pakistan’s response to a suicide bombing that killed dozens this week reflects an unwillingness to alter policies that enable jihadist groups to operate there, according to critics of Islamabad’s approach on terrorism. – Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
The commander in charge of US forces in Afghanistan has asked India to step up military aid in the Asian country. Gen. John Nicholson's call to action comes as Western sanctions against Russia is leading to a paucity of spares for Russian-made weaponry used by Afghan forces. – Defense News
Pakistan has adopted a much-criticized cyber security law that grants sweeping powers to regulators to block private information they deem illegal. - Reuters
Bangladesh police said on Friday they had arrested five members of a domestic Islamist militant group planning suicide attacks in the capital, Dhaka, as authorities hunted for the mastermind of a deadly assault last month. - Reuters