South Asia Research & Reports

Report Oct 3, 2022

Pakistan sees growing culture of innovation amid tech startup boom

By Hamna Tariq and Uzair Younus

A tightening global macro environment coupled with increasing domestic political instability is a cause of concern for the sector, especially the domestic startup economy.
Economy & Business Entrepreneurship
South Asia Research & Reports

Report Sep 27, 2022

Afghanistan under the Taliban: Regional recalibrations, challenges, and ways forward

By Hameed Hakimi

Despite the spectacular and unprecedented events following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the global spotlight steadily shifted away from the country.
Afghanistan Economy & Business
South Asia Research & Reports

Issue Brief Sep 9, 2022

Supporting Afghan refugees: A case for cultural sensitivity and humility in resettlement practices

By Halima Ahmadi-Montecalvo, Amanda Terry, Belquis Ahmadi

In recognition of the one-year anniversary of the Taliban retaking control of Afghanistan, the authors of this publication seek to raise awareness of the whole person needs of settled refugees in the United States by highlighting experiences of a number of newly resettled Afghan refugees.
Afghanistan Politics & Diplomacy

A transatlantic charter of Afghanistan

Supporting peace, security, and sovereignty in Afghanistan

The participants of the Atlantic Council / Rockefeller Brothers Fund Strategic Dialogues have been working for the past eight months to develop a long-term strategic outlook to promote stability in Afghanistan consistent with Afghan, US, and European interests and values. This group of distinguished European, American, and Afghan diplomats, military officers, scholars, and analysts brought to our deliberations a deep understanding of the context both on the ground and among the allies. We explored a diplomatic-security framework based on the minimal conditions and variables necessary to realize a long-term vision of a sovereign, unified, democratic, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan and generated recommendations to support this vision.

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

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

Issue Brief

Sep 25, 2019

Assessing the treatment of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

By Rudabeh Shahid

Bangladesh must honor its responsibility to care for Rohingya refugees, and that the international community must do more to hold the government accountable while providing additional financial and logistical support to enable it to do so.

Bangladesh Human Rights

Issue Brief

Sep 25, 2019

Assessing the treatment of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh

By Rudabeh Shahid

Bangladesh must honor its responsibility to care for Rohingya refugees, and that the international community must do more to hold the government accountable while providing additional financial and logistical support to enable it to do so.

Bangladesh Human Rights

Report

Jul 16, 2019

Trade at a crossroads: A vision for the US-India trade relationship

By Mark Linscott, Trevor Cloen, and Nidhi Upadhyaya

Both countries should prioritize efforts to manage current tensions, reach an early agreement and build on successes to initiate a series of cooperative projects in areas such as intellectual property rights, digital trade and regulatory coherence, mirroring previous successes on the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement.

India Trade and tariffs

Report

Jan 15, 2019

Reforming US’ high-skilled guestworker program

By Ron Hira and Bharath Gopalaswamy

The H-1B visa program is one of more than twenty US guest worker programs, but it has arguably been in the spotlight more than any other. While the H1-B was originally intended to attract foreign workers to satisfy unmet demand for skilled labor, the current system undercuts opportunities for US workers and enables the exploitation […]

Economy & Business India

Report

Dec 11, 2018

Review of President Trump’s South Asia strategy

By Bharath Gopalaswamy, Amb James B. Cunningham, et al

Over one year after the announcement of the Trump administration’s strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia, significant opportunity remains to improve efforts to achieve peace. In the Atlantic Council South Asia Center’s new report, Review of President Trump’s South Asia Strategy: The Way Ahead, One Year In, authors Dr. Bharath Gopalaswamy, Director, South Asia Center, Atlantic […]

Afghanistan Security & Defense

Issue Brief

Sep 4, 2018

Unlocking US-India trade potential

By Mukesh Aghi, Bharath Gopalaswamy

Growing international trade and economic ties between the United States and India increasingly shape bilateral relations. However, major challenges including deficiencies in infrastructure, business practices, and protectionist policies pose complex challenges for the future of the US-India trade relationship.

India Trade and tariffs
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