Content

SouthAsiaSource

Dec 16, 2021

US sanctions on Bangladesh’s RAB: What happened? What’s next?

By Ali Riaz

On December 10, the US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Bangladesh’s elite paramilitary force, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), as well as seven of its current and former officers due to serious human rights violations. This has created a stir in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Human Rights

SouthAsiaSource

Dec 14, 2021

Will Afghanistan become another Somalia, Yugoslavia, or Medellin?

By Javid Ahmad

With no regional consensus on the way forward, the mixed dangers of Afghanistan morphing into another Somalia, or breaking into a loose confederacy of statelets like the former Yugoslavia, or becoming the next drug-replete Medellin is not a distant possibility.  

Afghanistan Economy & Business

SouthAsiaSource

Dec 8, 2021

3 reasons why Pakistan should have attended the Democracy Summit

By Uzair Younus

On Wednesday, December 8, journalist Kamran Yousaf broke the news that Pakistan was going to “skip the US summit on democracy.” There are three key reasons for why this decision is a mistake.

Indo-Pacific Pakistan

SouthAsiaSource

Dec 7, 2021

Five ways to reset Pakistan’s narrative

By Syed Ali Zia Jaffery

Pakistan’s foreign policy is a subject that has long enchanted scholars and practitioners alike, not least because of the country’s pivotal strategic location. Islamabad’s nuclear weapons, its complicated relations with New Delhi, and its growing strategic engagements with Beijing mean that it will continue to garner global attention.

Economy & Business Pakistan

SouthAsiaSource

Nov 23, 2021

Experts react: A renewed Pakistan-IMF agreement

By Atlantic Council

On Monday, November 22, 2021 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Pakistan reached a staff-level agreement to complete the sixth review under the $6 billion Extended Fund Facility, funding that has been stalled since April due to issues over the required reforms. Considering Pakistan’s historical struggles with currency devaluation, high inflation, dwindling foreign reserves, and more, completion of the review would make available 750 million in IMF special drawing rights, equivalent to $1 billion that would come as welcome relief. Below, South Asia Center experts share their analysis.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform

SouthAsiaSource

Nov 19, 2021

Experts react: USTR Katherine Tai’s India visit

By Atlantic Council

USTR Katherine Tai is set to visit India on a two-day visit from November 22 for talks with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, particularly to reconvene the Trade Policy Forum dialogues after a four year gap. The US-India trade talks are the Biden administration’s first serious stab at remedying trade tensions.

Economy & Business India

SouthAsiaSource

Nov 9, 2021

Issues and mistrust in US-Pakistan relations

By Nazir Ahmad Mir

The August 2021 withdrawal of the United States from Afghanistan has yet again exposed the fragility of Pakistan-US relations. Over the growing—and allegedly dubious—role of Pakistan in its commitment to the War on Terror, increasing concerns are being expressed in the United States about the nature of its relations with Islamabad.

Afghanistan Pakistan

SouthAsiaSource

Oct 29, 2021

A field of her own

By Megan Goyette and Emily Carll

Governments must re-examine their climate finance policies to ensure that funds are directed to and advised by those who know the on-the-ground truth, rather than others who will be drawn to invest in climate buzzwords such as renewables and technological saviors.

Climate Change & Climate Action Politics & Diplomacy

Interview

Oct 21, 2021

Interview with Barna Karimi, former Ambassador of Afghanistan to Canada

By Fariba Pajooh

Barna Karimi, former Ambassador of Afghanistan to Canada, joins Fariba Pajooh for an interview to discuss the fall of Kabul, the former Afghan government, the Afghan National Security and Defense Forces, and more.

Afghanistan Corruption

SouthAsiaSource

Oct 21, 2021

Coping and surviving: Insights about today’s Afghanistan

By Omar Samad

Ambassador Omar Samad speaks with four Afghans, two of whom are still in Afghanistan, to discuss events leading to the fall of Kabul, the transition that is underway, and how each speaker is coping with new realities as Afghans facing grave humanitarian challenges are now in survival mode. 

Afghanistan Civil Society