Program: South Asia Center

About Afghanistan Rising

Sustaining Success in Afghanistan Mission Statement The Afghan government’s willingness to work with its international allies is stronger than ever. It has a historic opportunity, with the support of the United States and Afghanistan’s other international partners, to build on the remarkable progress made in the past fourteen years and to pursue peace and stability […]

A private briefing on US-Pakistan relations with Her Excellency Hina Rabbani Khar, former Foreign Minister of Pakistan

By Ben Polsky

Speaking at an Atlantic Council briefing, Former Foreign Minister of Pakistan Her Excellency Hina Rabbani Khar offered her unique perspective on “the broad trends prevailing in Pakistan” including the recent talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government in Murree, the Iran deal impact in Pakistan, the status quo of Indo-Pak relations, and the state […]

Sri Lanka and the emerging order in South Asia

After decades of damaging civil war, Sri Lanka and its new government are setting a course to prevent the reoccurrence of conflict and violence. In an unprecedented session combining political and civil society leaders, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States His Excellency Prasad Kariyawasam and Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies’ Jeevan Thiagarajah and Dhanya Ratnavale […]

India’s nuclear command and control and its implications for strategic stability in South Asia

By Nazia Khan

On June 23, Brigadier (ret’d) Arun Sahgal spoke to the Atlantic Council about the principles shaping India’s nuclear command and control structure. Now serving as the director of the Forum for Strategic Initiative, Sahgal does not represent the official Indian position, but spoke from over 36 years of experience in the Indian Army. He focused […]

Building self-reliance and prosperity in Afghanistan

By South Asia Center

On June 11, 2015 Paul Ross, Mission Chief for Afghanistan, International Monetary Fund (IMF) spoke with South Asia Center Senior Fellow and Khalilzad Chair Ambassador James B. Cunningham about the IMF’s involvement in Afghanistan and its efforts to help revitalize the Afghan economy. He briefed the audience on the recently-concluded agreement with the Afghan Government on an IMF Staff […]

A conversation with Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary H.E. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry

By Refayat Haque

On June 4, His Excellency Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary, gave public remarks at an event hosted by the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center. He spoke about the government’s progress in restoring peace and stability in the country and their approach to pursue regional security. H.E. Chaudhry outlined the success of the counter-insurgency campaign […]

Pakistan: The Citizens’ Fight for a Voice

By Nazia Khan

From a western perspective, Pakistan appears to be a country embroiled in numerous challenges, namely security and governance. But a growing movement comprised of Pakistan’s ordinary citizens seeks to reclaim the space taken by these challenges. Mohammed Jibran Nasir is at the heart of this movement, and visited the Atlantic Council in May to share […]