Featured commentary

COVID-19 in South Asia

New Atlanticist Sep 30, 2020

Nepal in the face of intersectional crises: A history of mismanagement

By Capucine Querenet

Nepal’s poor governance track record—characterized by inadequate leadership after the 2015 earthquake, a divided ruling party, corruption and mishandling of funds by the government, and questionable governance practices by the prime minister—not only puts the population at a disadvantage in weathering the pandemic, but it also may deal additional blows to the country’s health and economic wellbeing.
Civil Society Coronavirus
COVID-19 in South Asia

New Atlanticist Sep 16, 2020

The international community must do more to support Afghan and Rohingya refugees amid the COVID-19 pandemic

By Rudabeh Shahid and Harris Samad

While the international community remains hyper-focused on addressing the virus and its associated economic slowdown, Afghan and Rohingya refugees continue to be forced into a life of complete uncertainty as they escape violence in their home countries. Concerted action by the international community and host countries towards mitigating the virus’ disproportionate effects on asylum seekers would immensely improve refugee welfare.

Afghanistan Bangladesh
COVID-19 in South Asia

Event Recap Sep 9, 2020

Event recap: “The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on South Asian Economies” with the US Embassy in Delhi

By Atlantic Council

On September 3, 2020, the US Embassy in Delhi hosted a webinar about the effects of COVID-19 on the regional economies of South Asia, featuring Dr Irfan Nooruddin, director of the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center.
Afghanistan Bangladesh

The South Asia Center is the hub for the Atlantic Council’s analysis of the political, social, geographical, and cultural diversity of the region. ​At the intersection of South Asia and its geopolitics, SAC cultivates dialogue to shape policy and forge ties between the region and the global community.

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The South Asia Center serves as the Atlantic Council’s focal point for work on greater South Asia as well as its relations between these countries, the neighboring regions, Europe, and the United States.



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Webinars

Public Event Mon, April 27, 2020 • 8:45 am ET

The COVID-19 challenge: Achieving a humanitarian ceasefire in Afghanistan

ONLINE EVENT – The South Asia Center hosts a live discussion on the challenges of reaching a humanitarian ceasefire and the ramifications of continued conflict in the midst of COVID-19 on Afghanistan with Ambassador Roland Kobia, Dr. Orzala Nemat, Sahar Halaimzai, and Andrew Watkins, moderated by South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Marika Theros.
Afghanistan Coronavirus Human Rights Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
Public Event Fri, April 24, 2020 • 10:00 am ET

An inside look at Pakistan’s COVID-19 response

ONLINE EVENT- A discussion on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s response to COVID-19 and the economic repercussions of the pandemic on Pakistan featuring Pakistani politician and current Provincial Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for Finance and Health Taimur Khan Jhagra and South Asia Center’s Uzair Younus.

Coronavirus Economy & Business Pakistan South Asia

SouthAsiaSource

Apr 14, 2020

Surveying opinions from rural India on the COVID-19 lockdown

By South Asia Center

India is now several week into the government-mandated lockdown intended to control the spread of COVID-19. Led by Non-Resident Senior Fellow Dr Edmond Fernandes, the CHD Group and the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center surveyed Indian citizens in rural Karnataka to capture the impact of the outbreak and lockdown on their access to public health services […]

Coronavirus Hindi

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Apr 9, 2020

The unique challenges posed by COVID-19 in Iran and Afghanistan

By South Asia Center

The following interview was conducted on April 7th, 2020. On the 7th of April 2020, the South Asia Center and the Future of Iran Initiative hosted a virtual panel on Iran and Afghanistan’s public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, moderated by Nonresident Senior Fellow Fatemeh Aman. The panel consisted of Dr. Fatima Rezaei, Iran Country […]

Afghanistan Coronavirus
Public Event Wed, April 1, 2020 • 10:00 am ET

South Asia’s economic outlook in the era of COVID-19

ONLINE EVENT – The South Asia Center’s Irfan Nooruddin, Uzair Younus, Dr. Ali Riaz, and the Centre for Policy Research’s Yamini Aiyar host a timely and robust discussion on the long-term ramifications of COVID-19 on the regional South Asian economies.
Afghanistan Bangladesh Coronavirus Economy & Business

Timely Commentary & Analysis

Mar 24, 2020

India’s public health response to COVID-19 with Dr. Edmond Fernandes, MD

By South Asia Center

The following interview was conducted on March 23, 2020. Let’s just start with the basic facts. To the best of your knowledge as of this evening, March 24, 2020, what is the situation in India right now. What are the total number of infections, what has been the main origin, is there community spread occurring […]

Coronavirus India

Content

In the News

Aug 21, 2020

Fernandes in UNESCAP: A cascade of COVID-19 and climate extremes call for new algorithms to protect at-risk communities

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus South Asia

In the News

Aug 11, 2020

Chhibber in the Economic Times: The virus has seriously exposed the limits of populism. But will the pandemic push it against the wall?

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Populism

New Atlanticist

Aug 5, 2020

The IMF, the World Bank, and South Asia in the face of COVID-19

By Capucine Querenet

Given the region’s deteriorating economic outlook, heavy funding from International Financial Institutions (IFIs) is crucial to prevent a prolonged public health crisis and financial woes. Unfortunately, this has not yet materialized.

Coronavirus International Financial Institutions

New Atlanticist

Jul 30, 2020

Sri Lanka’s parliamentary elections will shape its political future—likely for the worse

By Phillip Baumgart

With complications from the coronavirus pandemic, during which the Sri Lankan election commission has struggled to ensure that voting will be free, fair, and safe for all, the twice-delayed election may favor President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s party, allowing it to strike down a significant constitutional amendment and move Sri Lanka further into China’s orbit of influence.

Coronavirus Elections

In the News

Jul 22, 2020

Fernandes in The Times of India: Disaster risk reduction & global health: Covid-19 & multilateralism

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Resilience & Society

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

In the News

Jul 13, 2020

Verma joins the Senator Harry Reid Civic Dialogue Program at UNLV: Restoring U.S. Global Leadership in a Post Covid-19 World

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus Resilience & Society

In the News

Jul 12, 2020

Riaz in The Daily Star: A Tale of Misplaced Priorities

By Atlantic Council

Bangladesh Coronavirus

In the News

Jul 10, 2020

Salman joins FICCI India to discuss digital news in India

By Atlantic Council

Coronavirus India

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.

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