AfPak File: Beijing's Coronavirus Response In Afghanistan And Pakistan: What Is Happening And What Is Driving It?

In recent weeks, as the coronavirus pandemic has eased within its borders, Beijing has stepped up efforts to provide assistance to other countries and to project itself as a leader in the overall global response.

These efforts have included the shipment of supplies and other assistance to Afghanistan and to an even greater extent Pakistan, a key Chinese ally.

What is driving this response, and what implications does it have for Kabul and Islamabad? These questions and more are addressed by Mustafa Sarwar, a journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Afghanistan Service, Radio Azadi; Ayesha Tanzeem, Afghanistan/Pakistan bureau chief for Voice of America; Yun Sun, director of the China Program at the Stimson Center; and Michael Kugelman, senior associate for South Asia at the Wilson Center.

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty media manager Muhammad Tahir moderates the discussion.

This podcast originally appeared on RFE/RL.