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Event Recap

Jul 21, 2020

Event recap: “The role of victims in Afghanistan’s peace process”

By Atlantic Council

On July 20, 2020 the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted a panel discussion on the role of victims in Afghanistan’s peace process. Marika Theros, a nonresident senior fellow at the South Asia Center, moderated the discussion which was paneled by Shaharzad Akbar, Chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission; Sergio Jamarillo Caro, Former High Commissioner for Peace for Colombia; and Hadi Marifat, Executive Director of the Afghanistan Human Rights and Democracy Organization.

Afghanistan Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Jul 17, 2020

India’s hijras find themselves further marginalized amid the pandemic

By Phillip Baumgart and Shariq Farooqi

While India’s hijras have made considerable strides in civil and political rights in recent years, the pandemic has underscored the fact that their communities remain woefully neglected. Only with equitable legal recognition and government support will the hijra community cease to be disenfranchised.

Coronavirus Human Rights
Illicit Networks-Zaranj

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jul 15, 2020

Strategies for reforming Afghanistan’s illicit networks

By Harris Samad and Fatima Salman

Authored in-house and advised upon by senior fellows Ambassador James B. Cunningham, Ambassador Omar Samad, Marika Theros, Javid Ahmad, and Fatemeh Aman, this report explores illicit networks in Afghanistan in the context of peacebuilding, democratic consolidation, and enhancing state capacity. It concludes by outlining several specific policy recommendations that will be necessary to combat the illicit networks in a manner that supports the durability of the ongoing peace process in Afghanistan and the continued consolidation of its fragile democratic institutions.

Afghanistan Arms Control

Feature

Jul 2, 2020

South Asia midyear pause: Taking stock of 2020

By South Asia Center

The specific events of the year’s first six months might have taken us by surprise but the political-economic dynamics that have shaped South Asia’s response to these new challenges did not. Across the region democracy and freedom of expression are challenged, and protectionist impulses are indulged in flailing response to calamitous economic strife. And the United States continues its slide into strategic irrelevance, exercising little leadership or interest in building stronger ties to this vital region.

Afghanistan Bangladesh

New Atlanticist

Jul 2, 2020

As the Sino-Indian rivalry heats up, watch Bangladesh carefully

By Ali Riaz

Undoubtedly rivalry between India and China will intensify in South Asia in coming months and years ahead. With its position between the two rivals, Bangladesh will be a primary arena to watch the future competition.

Bangladesh China

SouthAsiaSource

Jul 1, 2020

What I dream of for Afghanistan

By Horia Mosadiq

I was very young when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan forty years ago. It was the first time that I heard the sounds of helicopters overhead and gunshots in the streets, sounds that were completely alien to me and the city I had grown up in. Since then, not a day has passed where I […]

Afghanistan Human Rights

Issue briefs and reports

Jun 30, 2020

Assessing Indian digital trade policies: Will they support a $5 trillion economy?

By Mark Linscott

Trade policy has come to the fore as a growing number of countries restrict exports of critical medical supplies to ensure sufficient availability for patients in-country. In this crisis, international collaboration to keep trade flowing has been limited and has not prevented many countries from imposing new trade restrictions.

Digital Policy Economy & Business

New Atlanticist

Jun 29, 2020

A divided Taliban could unleash a new proxy war in Afghanistan

By Jared Schwartz and Yelena Biberman

The shift in the balance of power within the Taliban has the potential to upend Afghan security, India-Pakistan relations, and the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Jun 25, 2020

Can Pakistan handle the double crisis of COVID-19 and a struggling economy?

By South Asia Center

While critics argue that the 2020-2021 budget released by Prime Minister Imran Khan’s administration will result in a greater deficit and allocates excessive funding to the defense sector, supporters have defended the budget and praised its introduction of the rationalization of custom duties as well as the advance ruling system, which would ease trade and minimize costs associated with cross border trade—a domain that Pakistan has historically struggled to contend in.

Economy & Business Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jun 18, 2020

Will Ghani’s plan for peace in Afghanistan work?

By South Asia Center

“What has been done so far is good enough, but what matters now is to address the underlying challenges the process faces ahead," Javid Ahmad says. "This includes the continuing concerns regarding the lack of a meaningful intra-Taliban consensus to negotiate peace, one likely to upset the upcoming process should the Taliban make unreasonable demands to please their hardliners."

Afghanistan Conflict