A transatlantic charter of Afghanistan

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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All In-Depth Research and Reports

Issue Brief

Oct 18, 2021

Recasting Pakistan’s water scarcity challenge

By Fazilda Nabeel

Pakistan’s water situation is at a crossroads. The country has been increasingly cited by international organizations for being on the brink of water scarcity because of its declining per capita water availability. At the same time, the architecture of water resource governance in the country is undergoing a major overhaul.

Civil Society Energy Markets & Governance

Issue Brief

Aug 4, 2021

Beyond Pakistan’s 2021-22 budget: The economy and growth

By Uzair Younus

Recently appointed to his position, Shaukat Tarin has positioned the budget as being growth oriented in focus, with significant increases to subsidies, public-sector development, and salaries of government employees.

Economy & Business Fiscal and Structural Reform
india, trade relations

Report

Jul 6, 2021

Reimagining the US-India trade relationship

By Ridhika Batra, Mark Linscott, Anand Raghuraman, Harsha Vardhana Singh

The United States and India have long striven to maintain and deepen bilateral ties, weathering Cold War tensions and antagonisms over India’s nuclear tests to reinvigorate linkages and strengthen cooperation.

Economy & Business Politics & Diplomacy

In-Depth Research & Reports

Jan 14, 2021

The hard work ahead in improving US-India agricultural trade

By Mark Linscott and Scott Sindelar

Between the United States and India, challenges on trade, specifically agricultural trade, persist. This analysis concludes that both countries should pursue a multi-pronged approach to expanding bilateral agricultural trade.

India South Asia

Issue Brief

Sep 16, 2020

Aligning India’s data governance frameworks

By Mark Linscott and Anand Raghuraman

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to usher in another half a billion Indians online is a fitting goal for an ambitious, young digital nation. Yet closing India’s digital divides and developing a robust digital economy will require a moonshot effort that leaves little room for error.

Digital Policy Economy & Business

Issue Brief

Sep 9, 2020

Transforming Indian agriculture: A policy framework to guide US-India partnership

By D. Narain

Agriculture has formed the backbone of India’s economy for many decades and remains crucial to providing food security for the country’s growing population. It constitutes a major pillar of India’s economic growth and a significant contributor to its growing exports sector.

Economy & Business India

Report

Aug 13, 2020

Evolving news media landscapes in India and Pakistan: Implications for regional peace and stability

By Fatima Salman

India and Pakistan recognize the utility of the press in contemporary conflicts, and seek to deploy it as an offensive weapon in a larger information war. Both countries have utilized digital, print, and broadcast media to shape international perceptions and public opinion domestically.

India Media
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

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

Report

Feb 6, 2020

Withdrawal deadlines in war: Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan

By Paul D. Miller

Withdrawal timetables do not achieve the political benefits that policymakers desire, but they do incur the risks policymakers rightly fear.

Afghanistan Conflict