Tensions between Pakistan and Iran are on the rise.

Tit for Tat

The Story

Tensions between Pakistan and Iran are on the rise.

Tell me more.

Both countries have long fought along their shared border, each accusing the other of housing separatist and militant groups. Now, those tensions have reached unprecedented levels amid tit-for-tat attacks.

What happened?

Earlier this week, Iran carried out strikes in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province, killing two children, according to Pakistani authorities. Iran said it targeted Jaish al-Adl, a Sunni separatist militant group that killed 11 officers last month in Iran. Days later, Pakistan launched its own strikes, targeting the Baluchistan Liberation Front (BLF) — a separatist group — in Iran. At least seven people died.

Is this related to Gaza?

Not directly. Since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, Iran has been using its proxy groups (re: Houthis and Hezbollah) in other countries. Some experts say Iran could be using the instability in the Middle East as an opportunity to target its enemies. Others say Iran is trying to show the strength of its military power, especially after an ISIS attack killed nearly 100 Iranians earlier this month.

What’s next?

It’s not clear if these back-to-back strikes could pull Pakistan into the Middle East’s conflicts. Pakistan said it was targeting a terrorist threat, not Iran. Tehran condemned Pakistan's attacks, but also reportedly said it doesn’t want to “allow enemies to strain the amicable and brotherly relations of Tehran and Islamabad.” Meanwhile, the US said “there’s no need for escalation.”

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Pakistan's strikes marked the first time Iran has experienced a land attack since the end of the Iran-Iraq war more than 30 years ago. It has many on edge amid concerns that tensions could spill over into the Middle East.

Humanitarian Crisis

Yesterday, Mexico and Chile referred the Israel-Hamas war to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for evaluation of possible war crimes by Israel and Hamas “due to growing worry over the latest escalation of violence.” Gaza's been under a week-long communications blackout and faces a looming threat of famine. One visiting UN official described the territory as “the most dangerous place in the world to be a child.” An estimated 50,000 pregnant women are struggling due to lack of access to proper medical care, with reports of some babies dying in childbirth. The death toll for Palestinians in Gaza has grown to over 24,000 people, at least half of them women and children. 85% of Gaza’s population — up to 1.9 million people — has been displaced.

Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu rejected calls for a two-state solution yesterday, amid pressure from the US to move toward a path for a Palestinian state. The PM's comments point to mounting tensions with the Biden administration. The news comes as Israelis marked the one-year birthday of Kfir Bibas, a baby Israel says Hamas took hostage on October 7 — when more than 1,200 people were killed, according to Israeli figures, and more than 250 others were captured. It also comes amid mounting reports of rape and sexual assault by Hamas. Hamas has denied the allegations of sexual violence.

What could be forgiven, again...

Student loans. This morning, President Joe Biden granted additional student loan relief for 74,000 borrowers, wiping out $4.9 billion in debt. Approximately $1.7 billion of the aid will go to 29,700 borrowers who are enrolled in income-driven repayment plans. In addition, the DOE announced that 43,900 borrowers with ten years or more of public sector service would have $3.2 billion in loans forgiven. In an effort to fulfill his campaign pledge to waive $10,000 in student loan debt per person, the Biden administration has now forgiven over 3.7 million Americans' outstanding debt totaling over $136 billion, despite seeing setbacks from the Supreme Court.

What Congress figured out (for now)...

The government shutdown. Yesterday, Congress passed a short-term spending bill to avoid a partial government shutdown nearly a day before the deadline. President Biden is expected to sign it. Republicans and Democrats agreed to keep spending at current levels, but the bill's passage didn't come without some drama. The ​​far-right House Freedom Caucus tried to convince Republicans to vote against the bill, saying the focus should be on securing the southern border and calling the legislation a “surrender.” Still, all of this kicks the can down the road to early March, the next shutdown deadline.

What’s on Florida's mind…

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Earlier this week, Florida’s Board of Education passed a new rule that blocks 28 state colleges from using taxpayer funds for DEI programs. The ban could impact campus clubs, classes, and other programs that the board says “categorize individuals based on race or sex for the purpose of differential or preferential treatment.” A civil rights advocate said Florida is going “down a misguided path of censorship.” It comes amid a broader backlash against DEI in corporate settings.

…Oh but on the flip side: Spelman College announced it received a $100 million donation, the largest single donation ever given to a historically Black college or university.

Who could be saying ‘no really, bring on the robot takeover’...

Mark Zuckerberg. Yesterday, the Meta CEO said his company plans to build artificial general intelligence (AGI) — believed to refer to the point where AI meets or passes general human intelligence. He’s planning to dump billions of dollars into the project. Zuckerberg didn’t give a timeline for when Meta could reach AGI, but he said the goal would be to make the technology widely available so that “everyone can benefit” while making sure to do so “responsibly.”

Who people thought deserved better…

Usher.

Who’s got the attention of the true crime community…

Scott Peterson.

What could have viewers spellbound again…

A “Wizards of Waverly Place” sequel.

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