TRT World - Author: Arif Rafiq

Arif Rafiq

Arif Rafiq

Arif Rafiq is a fellow at the Center for Global Policy. He is writing a book on the history of Muslims in New York City.

Arif Rafiq is a fellow at the Center for Global Policy. He is writing a book on the history of Muslims in New York City.

Articles from author

Why the world should be concerned about India's recent election results

Uttar Pradesh chief Yogi Adityanath is a radical Hindu cleric who could one day lead the world’s second-most populous country with an iron fist.

Why the world should be concerned about India's recent election results

Why the world should be concerned about India's recent election results

How Daesh is leveraging geopolitics to paint the Taliban into a corner

While organised, armed opposition to Taliban rule in Afghanistan has largely ceased, the one exception is the local affiliate of the so-called Islamic State.

How Daesh is leveraging geopolitics to paint the Taliban into a corner

How Daesh is leveraging geopolitics to paint the Taliban into a corner

Taliban: Seizing Afghanistan and ruling it are two different beasts

The Taliban regime may last longer than before, as it controls more territory and could see global recognition. But holding onto power would require it to make a break with its past.

Taliban: Seizing Afghanistan and ruling it are two different beasts

Taliban: Seizing Afghanistan and ruling it are two different beasts

Weakening 'Israel consensus' in Washington is a window for Palestinians

The partisan gap on Israel-Palestine is consistent with the broader values gap that has widened between Democrats and Republicans over the past two decades.

Weakening 'Israel consensus' in Washington is a window for Palestinians

Weakening 'Israel consensus' in Washington is a window for Palestinians

India’s Covid crisis exposes its great power delusions

India’s arrival as a global power is prematurely pronounced and is emblematic of a pattern replayed in recent years.

India’s Covid crisis exposes its great power delusions

India’s Covid crisis exposes its great power delusions

US strategic thinking in Afghanistan doesn’t square with reality

The sooner America’s national security elite accepts that US leverage over the Taliban has eroded, the better its chances of a successful withdrawal - for all parties involved - will be.

US strategic thinking in Afghanistan doesn’t square with reality

US strategic thinking in Afghanistan doesn’t square with reality

American Fitna: the paranoid style of politics

The US is mired in a period of fitna — a term used in the Islamic tradition to describe eras of socio-political tumult. It began before Trump took office. And it will outlive him.

American Fitna: the paranoid style of politics

American Fitna: the paranoid style of politics

A Biden administration will contend with a vastly changed South Asia

The US will need to focus on bilateral relationships in the Indian Subcontinent rather than relying on India as its guide.

A Biden administration will contend with a vastly changed South Asia

A Biden administration will contend with a vastly changed South Asia

Ashraf Ghani’s risky bet on a Trump defeat could backfire

A Trump defeat could alter Afghanistan's trajectory, but it won't necessarily change Ghani's fortunes.

Ashraf Ghani’s risky bet on a Trump defeat could backfire

Ashraf Ghani’s risky bet on a Trump defeat could backfire

Have we reached peak Modi?

Western elites had been souring on Modi. But after this month’s clashes with China, they’re giving him a second look.

Have we reached peak Modi?

Have we reached peak Modi?