The world has declared COVID-19 (a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus or novel coronavirus) to be a pandemic. China has been chastised by various countries, especially the United States, for suppressing information and not taking necessary measures which could have helped in controlling the spread of and/or eradicating the disease in the earlier stages. Consequently, China has undertaken numerous measures to change the COVID-19 narrative and disassociate itself from COVID-19. It launched a campaign to question the origins of SARS-CoV-2, blamed the United States for spreading COVID-19, claimed victory in combating COVID-19 domestically, and provided aid (“mask diplomacy”) to countries. These actions betray China’s concern about its image. The country wants to portray itself as a Good Samaritan, a responsible and reliable partner, and an essential global power. Additionally, China has grave concerns about regime stability and survival. President Xi’s legitimacy is built on technocratic competence. The outbreak has the potential to seriously dent his personal legacy.

China has attempted to change the COVID-19 narrative (a disease caused by SARS-COV2 virus) and dissociate itself from the virus after reports indicate SARS-COV2 spread from a 'wet market' in Wuhan. It is acting both out of fear and confidence. China is afraid that its standing in world affairs will take a beating due to its botched response in the initial stages to combat COVID-19. It is trying to save face internationally. China is apprehensive that the pandemic will highlight its less developed domestic conditions. It is also concerned it will be blamed for more than three million infections and more than 185,000 deaths globally and for the worst economic meltdown since the 'Great Depression' of the 1930s. China is also deeply anxious about regime survival due to domestic and global economic meltdown. On the global stage, China is exuding confidence in its victory in the war against COVID-19 under the leadership of President Xi. China has declared that there are no new cases in mainland China and only foreign and asymptomatic cases were being reported until recently. 1 China is portraying itself as an essential power which has the capacity to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and ancillary medical equipment (as a public good) relative to the US-led West. It has allowed Xi to boost his image as a model global leader. China has also highlighted the strengths and effectiveness of its governance model. It has repeatedly emphasized the struggles of Western countries in combating COVID-19 and criticized these countries for their inadequacies.

There is a broad consensus that the US–Taliban peace deal does not augur peace and stability in Afghanistan. However, most of the experts have ignored the role of regional powers and their interests and their impact on the US–Taliban peace deal. This paper explores the case of Iran as a potential spoiler and exacerbating violence and instability in Afghanistan. It discusses three reasons for Iran’s intervention: the Taliban dominating the inclusive national unity government or trying to establish an Islamic Emirate through military force and Iran-Pakistan clash of interests, the continued persecution of Shias and Hazaras by the Taliban and worsening of US–Iran relations. It highlights the various tools especially the non-state actors at Iran’s disposal to achieve its political, economic and strategic objectives in Afghanistan. It also analyses the potential constraints that might limit/inhibit Iran in meeting its foreign policy and security objectives in Afghanistan and the broader region.

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The intra-Afghan dialogue stalled despite hectic diplomatic efforts by the United States, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Russia, and other countries to revitalize the dialogue and reach a political settlement before Western troops left Afghanistan. This article argues that there were three main reasons for disagreement between the Afghan government and the Taliban, and these issues remained a major stumbling block in the peace process and will prevent lasting peace. First, the Taliban were unwilling to reduce violence or declare a "permanent and comprehensive ceasefire," as stated in the US-Taliban peace deal. Second, the Taliban would not accept Afghanistan's democratic political system and insisted on establishing an "Islamic Emirate." The group also showed its reluctance to respect women's rights and advances made with respect to their social position.Third, the Taliban consistently refused to respect ethnic and religious tolerance of minorities, especially the Shia Hazara. The Hazara have declared that they will take up arms to protect themselves against the Taliban's return to power in Kabul, which does not bode well for peace and stability in Afghanistan.On February 29, 2020, US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the political chief of the Taliban's Qatar office, signed the US-Taliban conditional peace deal in Doha, Qatar. According to the agreement, the United States and NATO agreed to withdraw all their forces-trainers, advisers and private security contractors-from Afghanistan in 14 months if the Taliban kept all their commitments. For their part, the Taliban pledged to prevent al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations from operating and acting against the United States and its allies in territory under its control, and to start peace talks with the Afghan government in Oslo, Norway, 172