AFGHAN REFUGEES: THE IMPACT ON PAKISTAN

One of the most important arenas that have been profoundly affected by the security situation in Afghanistan is Pakistan's internal security environment. The instability in Afghanistan has had a negative spill-over effect on Pakistan's domestic security scenario, as the Afghan quagmire poses immense implications on Pakistan's domestic framework. One of the important consequences of the Afghan conflict since the 1970s has been the massive inflow of the Afghan refugee population to the neighbouring Pakistan which in following years has brought about a number of demographic and security challenges to the Pakistani society. Therefore along with a number of factors, at this present juncture, Afghan refugees have also become a principal factor in determining Pakistan's Afghanistan policy.     

THE IRAN NUCLEAR NEGOTIATIONS: ONE YEAR ON

This article, written by the former British Ambassador to Iran, starts with an overview from an insider's perspective of the 15 years of diplomacy leading up to the July 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regarding Iran's Nuclear capabilities. It discusses the merits of the plan and its prospects for the future. It examines the development of international economic engagement, and in particular argues that the western powers need to do far more to deliver an economic quid pro quo for Iran's nuclear concessions: if the situation is not appreciably better soon, it will be impossible for the US and its partners to argue credibly that they are not in breach of the JCPOA. The article concludes with a discussion of Iran's economic and political prospects in the light of the nuclear deal.     

EXORCISING WITCHCRAFT: THE RETURN OF THE GODS IN NEW RELIGIOUS MOVEMENTS ON THE JOS PLATEAU AND THE BENUE REGIONS OF NIGERIA

This articles looks at anti-witchcraft cults and the spiritworlds among the Eggon of the Jos Plateau and the Tiv of theBenue valley of central Nigeria. These cults, which were oftenanti-colonial in origin, were suppressed by the colonial authoritiesand strongly discouraged by Christian missionary activity. Morerecently they have demonstrated a dynamic resurgence, not onlyin Nigeria but elsewhere in Africa. The history of various Eggonand Tiv exorcist movements are examined in the context of NewReligious Movements in formation. However, the conclusion isthat the cults are not so much a revival of indigenous religiousbeliefs but that the old gods never went away.