Founded in 2009, the South Asia Center expanded Atlantic Council’s analysis of the region. SAC has consistently engaged the robust research expertise of all sixteen Atlantic Council programs to offer a distinctive perspective on South Asia.

Today, under the leadership of Senior Director Kapil Sharma, SAC leverages our unique position at the Atlantic Council, in the heart of Washington DC, to serve as a platform promoting regional strengths, providing solutions to key issues, and exploring new areas of cooperation.

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Experts react

Mar 18, 2024

Experts react: Pakistan just carried out airstrikes on Afghanistan. What’s next?

By Atlantic Council experts

How will Pakistan’s strikes inside Afghanistan affect the already tense relations between Islamabad and Kabul? Our experts share their insights.

Afghanistan Conflict

Inside the Taliban's gender apartheid

Mar 14, 2024

Why the Taliban’s persecution of women meets the bar of a crime against humanity

By Azadah Raz Mohammad

Codifying gender apartheid as a crime against humanity is an important step toward holding the Taliban accountable.

Afghanistan Human Rights

Inside the Taliban's gender apartheid

Mar 7, 2024

Inside Afghanistan’s gender apartheid: Listen as women reveal the impact of the Taliban’s oppressive decrees

Since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, women have battled against increasingly severe restrictions on education, employment, and daily public life. This report, a joint effort by the Civic Engagement Project and the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center, underscores their remarkable resilience and unyielding spirit in the face of gender apartheid.

Afghanistan Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Mar 7, 2024

Twice under the Taliban: The repeated nightmare of my generation

By Horia Mosadiq

The deepening human rights crisis under the Taliban underscores the dire need for global attention on the plight of Afghanistan’s women.

Afghanistan Human Rights

New Atlanticist

Feb 21, 2024

It’s a new era for US-India relations, except at the WTO. That needs to change.

By Mark Linscott

Now is the time for the United States and India to build on bilateral successes to find common ground in the World Trade Organization.

Economy & Business India

New Atlanticist

Feb 14, 2024

Five ways Imran Khan’s party used technology to outperform in Pakistan’s elections

By Uzair Younus

The result of the political party’s technological campaign strategy was a more engaged and informed electorate—and significant electoral gains.

Elections Pakistan

Experts react

Feb 9, 2024

Experts react: Imran Khan’s party outperformed expectations. What will this mean for Pakistan’s next government?

By Atlantic Council experts

PTI-backed independents are on track to win a plurality of seats in the national assembly. Who will lead the next coalition government?

Elections Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jan 25, 2024

The skies are quiet, but the Iran-Pakistan strikes left lasting diplomatic damage

By Muhammad Faisal

While the immediate crisis will subside, an intensified security dilemma will be permanent for Islamabad.

Conflict Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jan 18, 2024

Experts react: What’s really going on with Pakistan and Iran exchanging attacks?

By Atlantic Council experts

Pakistan just conducted airstrikes in southeastern Iran, two days after Iran used missiles and drones to strike western Pakistan. Atlantic Council experts explain what’s going on.

Conflict Iran

New Atlanticist

Jan 18, 2024

What Bangladesh’s widely boycotted election reveals about its future 

By Ali Riaz

The election results were a foregone conclusion, as there were no opposition parties contesting. But the results reveal a deeper entrenchment of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s party.

Civil Society Elections