Pakistan has been selected to chair the United Nations Security Council’s (UNSC) 1988 Taliban Sanctions Committee in 2025, a powerful body that oversees the enforcement of travel bans, asset freezes, and arms embargoes on individuals and entities associated with the Taliban. The committee plays a crucial role in monitoring threats to Afghanistan’s peace, security, and stability.

In addition to this post, Pakistan will also serve as a vice-chair of the 15-member UN Counter-Terrorism Committee, alongside France and Russia. The move has sparked quiet concern in diplomatic circles, particularly in light of Pakistan’s own complex history with terror-linked organizations.

The announcement comes as part of the annual restructuring of UNSC subsidiary bodies. Guyana and Russia will serve as vice-chairs of the Taliban Sanctions Committee, while Algeria will chair the 1373 Counter-Terrorism Committee. Denmark has been appointed chair of the 1267 Sanctions Committee focused on ISIL and Al-Qaida, with Russia and Sierra Leone named as vice-chairs for the year 2025.

Pakistan is currently a non-permanent member of the UNSC for the 2025–2026 term, a position it secured earlier this year. Apart from its chairmanship and vice-chairmanships, Islamabad will also co-chair two informal working groups: one on documentation and procedural questions, and another on general UNSC sanctions issues.

The development has revived scrutiny of Pakistan’s record on terrorism. India, which chaired the UNSC Counter-Terrorism Committee during its 2021–2022 tenure, has repeatedly raised alarms about Pakistan being home to the largest number of UN-designated terrorists. Among the most prominent examples is former Al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden, who was found hiding in Abbottabad and killed by US Navy SEALs in 2011.

The UNSC currently comprises five permanent members—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—and ten non-permanent members. Alongside Pakistan, the current non-permanent members include Algeria, Denmark, Greece, Guyana, Panama, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, and Somalia.

In recent elections held via secret ballot, Bahrain, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia, Latvia, and Colombia were elected to join the Security Council as non-permanent members for the 2026–2027 term, starting January 1, 2026.

China has officially revealed its DF-5B intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), marking a major statement in the ongoing evolution of its nuclear deterrence capabilities. The missile, showcased through official Chinese sources on June 3, 2025, boasts a strike range of 12,000 kilometers—placing the entire continental United States within reach—and a massive payload capacity estimated between 3 to 4 megatons of TNT.

The DF-5B is a substantial upgrade over the original Cold War-era DF-5, primarily due to the integration of MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle) technology. This allows a single missile to carry six to ten independently targeted nuclear warheads, drastically complicating interception efforts and overwhelming any existing missile defense systems.

Military experts point out that this MIRV feature significantly enhances the DF-5B’s value as a second-strike weapon, ensuring China retains the ability to retaliate even in the face of a preemptive nuclear strike. Unlike earlier single-warhead designs, MIRVs multiply the potential targets, enabling simultaneous strikes on a wide geographic range.

The DF-5B employs a combination of inertial and satellite-guided navigation systems, improving its targeting accuracy and enabling it to hit high-value enemy assets such as command centers, airbases, and critical infrastructure with devastating precision. Its reentry technology supports trajectory control during atmospheric descent, improving both effectiveness and survivability.

Though the missile is liquid-fueled—requiring a longer pre-launch preparation compared to solid-fueled systems like the DF-41—it compensates with greater payload flexibility and superior flight range. The missile is deployed in fortified silos deep within Chinese territory, adding layers of protection against conventional pre-emptive strikes.

This development carries serious strategic implications for the United States. With its extended range, the DF-5B can reach virtually any U.S. target, challenging American missile defense networks such as the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) and Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) systems. These systems, designed for limited intercepts, could be overwhelmed by the volume of warheads delivered by just a few DF-5Bs.

The timing of this public display is also notable. It comes amid intensifying military tensions between the United States and China, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. In recent weeks, U.S. officials have warned of the need to adapt American force posture to counter China’s growing missile reach. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has spoken about repositioning assets to better contain Chinese strategic advances.

China’s decision to showcase the DF-5B appears to be a calculated move aimed at signaling its readiness to respond to external pressures and reinforce its nuclear doctrine. It also reflects Beijing’s commitment to achieving strategic parity and deterring perceived encroachments on its sovereignty.

The DF-5B now stands as a central component of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force’s ongoing nuclear modernization program. Its combat features—extended range, high-yield warheads, MIRV configuration, and pinpoint targeting—make it a cornerstone of China’s long-range strategic capabilities and a visible emblem of its growing role in shaping global military balance.

In a case that has sparked fresh concerns over agroterrorism and biosecurity, two Chinese nationals—Zunyong Liu, 34, and Yunqing Jian, 33—have been charged with illegally smuggling a highly dangerous agricultural pathogen, Fusarium graminearum, into the United States. According to US authorities, the duo brought the fungus into a University of Michigan lab for unauthorized research, triggering alarms across agricultural and security agencies.

Also Read: FBI Arrests Two Chinese Nationals for Smuggling Fungus Targeting U.S. Food Supply

What Are Biological Pathogens?

Biological pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. While many are naturally occurring, some—like Fusarium graminearum—can be used maliciously to cause mass harm in agriculture or public health settings.

Pathogens targeting crops or livestock fall under a specific category of biothreat known as agroterrorism.

What Is Agroterrorism?

Agroterrorism refers to the intentional introduction of harmful biological agents into agricultural systems to cause damage, panic, and economic disruption. It is a form of bioterrorism specifically aimed at food systems—including farmlands, livestock, and food supply chains.

This form of attack is particularly dangerous because farms and food processing units are often spread out and minimally protected. A single infected source—whether a fungus, virus, or pest—can go undetected for days or even weeks, allowing it to spread and destroy large quantities of food crops or animals.

What Is Fusarium Graminearum?

Fusarium graminearum is a destructive fungus that infects cereal crops such as wheat, corn, barley, and oats. It causes Fusarium Head Blight (FHB)—a plant disease that can devastate crop yields and significantly reduce grain quality.

The fungus thrives in warm and humid conditions, and once it infects a plant, it spreads rapidly. Infected crops show signs of premature bleaching, shriveled grains, and discoloration—leading to direct yield loss and economic damage.

More concerning is the fungus’s ability to produce toxic chemicals, including deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) and zearalenone, which contaminate food and feed. These mycotoxins can cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive issues in both humans and animals.

Due to its devastating impact, Fusarium graminearum has been identified in scientific and security circles as a potential biological weapon and a high-risk agroterrorism agent.

Previous Incidents

One of the most cited examples of agroterrorism occurred in 1984, when members of a religious cult in Oregon deliberately contaminated local salad bars with salmonella bacteria in an attempt to influence election outcomes. The attack infected over 750 people and highlighted how vulnerable public food systems can be to biological sabotage.

Symptoms of ‘Head Blight’ in Crops

Fusarium graminearum attacks the flowering heads of cereal plants. Symptoms of Fusarium Head Blight include:

• Bleaching of wheat or barley spikes before harvest
• Shriveling or discoloration of kernels (often white or pinkish)
• Accumulation of harmful toxins within the grain
• Reduced yield and grain quality

Contaminated grain is often rejected for both human consumption and animal feed, which can have serious implications for food security and international agricultural trade.

Why the Smuggling Case Matters

The US Department of Justice has described the case as a “national security concern.” Investigations revealed that the smuggled fungus was intended for unauthorized experiments in a university lab that lacked the required federal biohazard permits. Authorities say Jian had connections to Chinese state-funded research and expressed loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Experts warn that the case could signal a broader effort to exploit weak points in US food systems. FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the seriousness of the incident, stating, “This is not just academic misconduct. It’s a direct threat to our food supply, our farmers, and our economy.”

Conclusion

The smuggling of Fusarium graminearum into the United States is more than a violation of bio-research protocols—it is a reminder of the growing threat posed by agroterrorism. With pathogens like this capable of destroying crops, contaminating food supplies, and undermining economies, experts are calling for tighter biosecurity laws, international cooperation, and vigilant oversight of agricultural research and international scientific exchanges.

In a case that has raised serious concerns about national security and agroterrorism, the FBI has arrested two Chinese nationals for allegedly smuggling a highly dangerous fungal pathogen into the United States. The accused, Yunqing Jian, 33, a researcher at the University of Michigan, and Zunyong Liu, 34, her boyfriend and fellow academic from China, are charged with bringing Fusarium graminearum—a fungus known to devastate staple crops—into the country without authorization.

Also Read: What Is Fusarium Graminearum, the Fungus Smuggled by The Chinese Into the US?

The arrests were announced by the FBI’s Detroit division in cooperation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Authorities say the smuggled fungus poses a direct threat to the U.S. food supply. It causes head blight, a disease that severely damages wheat, barley, maize, and rice, with global economic losses running into billions of dollars annually. Moreover, the fungus produces mycotoxins harmful to humans and livestock, capable of inducing vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive issues.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Jian and Liu intended to conduct unlicensed research with the pathogen at a University of Michigan laboratory, which was not cleared to handle such biohazards. Liu was intercepted at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in July 2024 when red plant material was discovered in his backpack. He was deported to China immediately, but Jian is believed to have already been working with the material prior to his arrival.

Investigators discovered messages indicating Jian’s ongoing work with the fungus and her loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party. She had reportedly received funding from the Chinese government for similar research in China. U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon Jr. stated that the incident represents a significant national security concern, pointing to the risks of foreign interference in American scientific institutions.

Jian was taken into custody on June 3 and appeared in court in Detroit. She is currently being held pending a bond hearing. Liu remains in China and is unlikely to face extradition due to the absence of a treaty between the two countries. The charges filed include conspiracy, smuggling, making false statements, and visa fraud.

FBI Director Kash Patel described the case as a “sobering reminder” of the threat posed by foreign agents targeting critical U.S. infrastructure such as agriculture. He praised the quick action of the FBI Detroit office and CBP in averting what could have been a major biosecurity breach.

The incident has reignited debate over the security of American research labs and the presence of foreign researchers in sensitive academic settings. This case also emerges amid escalating U.S.-China tensions, with visa restrictions and trade disputes fueling mistrust. The University of Michigan and the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., have yet to issue statements on the matter.

As the investigation continues, officials emphasize the urgent need for stronger safeguards in biological research and academic institutions to prevent future threats to the nation’s food and economic security.