Pakistan

Pakistan

Formed after gaining independence in 1947 from the British empire, Pakistan continues to be plagued by internal and external instability. It has been hard for Pakistan to achieve strong economic growth over the years, but it still provides opportunities for private sector investors. Security remains a primary concern for Pakistan, as the decades-long conflict in Afghanistan and tensions with its eastern neighbor India persist.

Biberman in Foreign Policy: China and Pakistan have struck a devil’s bargain with militants

Issue Brief Apr 1, 2025

Rescuing Pakistan’s economy

By Aasim M. Husain

For decades, Pakistan has struggled with a declining standard of living, skyrocketing public debt, and economic policies that have failed to address the root causes of its stagnation.
Economy & Business Middle East
Biberman in Foreign Policy: China and Pakistan have struck a devil’s bargain with militants

Issue Brief Nov 14, 2024

Mapping South Asia’s digital landscape

By Mark Linscott, Gopal Nadadur

Data protection regulations are becoming critical for South Asia, where some countries are increasingly driven by digital economies.
Bangladesh Digital Policy
Biberman in Foreign Policy: China and Pakistan have struck a devil’s bargain with militants

Memo to… May 16, 2024

Memo to the UN secretary-general: Establish a UN conflict prevention mechanism for the Afghanistan region

By Laurie Nathan and Nilofar Sakhi

The risk of conflict between Afghanistan and its neighbors has been rising since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, and is now at a critical point. The UN has tools that have lowered the risk of major conflict in other tense neighborhoods. It’s time to deploy them for Afghanistan.
Afghanistan Central Asia

Events

Online Event Mon, August 17, 2026 • 9:00 am ET

The Mecca Joint Defense Agreement and the future of regional security
Middle East Pakistan Saudi Arabia Security & Defense

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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Content

In the News

Apr 5, 2019

Biberman in Foreign Policy: China and Pakistan have struck a devil’s bargain with militants

By Atlantic Council

China Pakistan

IranSource

Apr 5, 2019

Something fishy is going on between Iran and China (and Pakistan)

By Fatemeh Aman

Two of Beijing’s close allies, Iran and Pakistan, have been increasingly impacted by China’s growing appetite for fish, both for domestic consumption and to supply its processed fish industry. Stricter regulations in Pakistan and an internal political fight in Iran could make it harder for China to expand its fishing industry into their waters.

China Iran
Pakistan Army's Covert Social Network

Article

Apr 1, 2019

Pakistan Army’s Covert Social Network

By Ben Nimmo and Kanishk Karan

Individuals linked to the Pakistan Army’s public-relations division ran a network of covert Facebook and Instagram pages until Facebook removed the pages.

Disinformation English

In the News

Mar 29, 2019

Biberman in East Asia Forum: Pakistan is ready for stability in Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Pakistan

In the News

Mar 21, 2019

Dagres Quoted in Middle East Eye on Smuggling Along the Iran-Pakistan Border

By Holly Dagres

Read the full article here

Iran Pakistan

In the News

Mar 10, 2019

Nawaz quoted in NPR on deadly attack in Kashmir region

By Shuja Nawaz

Listen to the full discussion here.

India Pakistan

In the News

Mar 7, 2019

Ben Nimmo quoted in Politico on Facebook removing accounts in UK and Romania

By Ben Nimmo

Ben Nimmo was quoted in Politico on Facebook removing inauthentic accounts in the United Kingdom and Romania.

Central Europe Disinformation

In the News

Mar 5, 2019

Nawaz joins CGTN to Discuss Growing India-Pakistan Tensions

By Shuja Nawaz

Watch the full discussion here

India Pakistan

In the News

Mar 5, 2019

Nawaz quoted in NBC on India-Pakistan Crisis

By Shuja Nawaz

Read the full article here

India Pakistan

Inflection Points

Mar 3, 2019

Nuclear threats and opportunity

By Frederick Kempe

It's time for India and Pakistan's international partners to insist they engage urgently in talks to better manage their relationship.

India Nuclear Deterrence
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Experts

Fellow

Jon F. Danilowicz

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Bangladesh Fiscal and Structural Reform

Fellow

Nik Foster

Nonresident Fellow

Global China Hub

China Energy & Environment

Fellow

Erum Haider

Assistant Professor, Political Science and Environmental Studies, The College of Wooster

South Asia Center

Civil Society Economy & Business

Fellow

Hameed Hakimi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

South Asia Center

Migration Security & Defense

Staff

Michael Kugelman

Resident Senior Fellow, South Asia

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Afghanistan Bangladesh

Fellow

Paul D. Miller

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Pakistan
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