Program: South Asia Center

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

The Atlantic Council’s greatest hits of 2023

By Frederick Kempe

Here's the best of our efforts to further our mission to shape the global future together with allies and partners in 2023.

Bangladesh is at a tipping point. Here are the scenarios for a contentious election season.

By Ali Riaz

Violence and street agitations are back in full swing in Bangladesh ahead of the scheduled general elections in January 2024.