https://www.scmp.com/rss/523010/feed The latest news and top stories on Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and Director of Policy Analysis at the Middle East Forum. A specialist in Iran, Turkey and the broader Middle East, he previously served as a Pentagon official and political adviser in Baghdad. Rubin authored several books including ’Dancing with the Devil: The Perils of Engaging Rogue Regimes’ and has taught US military units on regional issues. He holds a PhD in history from Yale University. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju As Russia comes to India’s aid amid the global energy crisis, a familiar mantra has resurfaced among officials and political analysts – that Moscow is New Delhi’s “all weather-friend”. Such a stance is anchored by deep strategic interests, with both countries viewing each other as vital to their balancing between China and an increasingly erratic United States, according to observers. On Friday, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said Moscow was well-positioned to ramp up oil and... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3349063/india-turns-trusted-friend-russia-oil-lng-supply-iran-war-energises-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3349063/india-turns-trusted-friend-russia-oil-lng-supply-iran-war-energises-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Apr 2026 04:29:34 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press A retired US financier has been arrested on charges that he lured dozens of women, including former Playboy models, to be sexually and physically assaulted during encounters in his Central Park penthouse in a soundproofed room described in court papers as “The Dungeon”. Howard Rubin, 70, was arrested on Friday at his rental home in Fairfield, Connecticut, authorities said. He pleaded not guilty at a federal court in Brooklyn. His former personal assistant, Jennifer Powers, was also arrested at... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3327063/us-financier-charged-sexually-abusing-women-new-york-dungeon-10-years?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3327063/us-financier-charged-sexually-abusing-women-new-york-dungeon-10-years?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Sep 2025 01:12:10 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju An unexpected resurgence in ties between the United States and Pakistan amid Washington’s simmering tensions with India has turned the tables in the dynamics between the three nations, according to observers. US President Donald Trump last week imposed a 25 per cent tariff on goods imported from India, on top of a “penalty” import tax, citing New Delhi’s trade barriers and continued purchases of Russian oil and weapons. Hours after the announcement, the American leader revealed a “massive” oil... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3320578/trumps-pakistan-pivot-redefines-us-india-dynamics-no-permanent-friends?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3320578/trumps-pakistan-pivot-redefines-us-india-dynamics-no-permanent-friends?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Aug 2025 09:00:09 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju India’s acquisition of the latest variant of US-made Apache attack helicopters is a key step towards bolstering its ability to fight on two fronts against Pakistan and China, but experts are divided on whether the ageing aircraft can remain battleworthy over the long term. On Tuesday, the Indian army took delivery of the first three AH-64E Apache helicopters, with plans to induct them into its attack aviation wing based in the state of Rajasthan. Three more units are expected to arrive by the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3319329/new-apaches-india-are-us-helicopters-battle-ready-future-threats?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3319329/new-apaches-india-are-us-helicopters-battle-ready-future-threats?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Jul 2025 02:30:09 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju India’s failure to rally international backing for its claims that Pakistan was behind a recent deadly militant attack in Kashmir has exposed the limits of its diplomatic influence. The setback has raised questions about India’s ability to mobilise multilateral platforms in its favour, despite being a prominent member of the China-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the US-backed Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad), according to analysts. At the SCO meeting in Qingdao on June 25,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3317231/indias-global-clout-doubt-after-failing-sway-sco-quad-pakistan?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3317231/indias-global-clout-doubt-after-failing-sway-sco-quad-pakistan?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Jul 2025 10:00:16 +0000