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.

Afghanistan, Pakistan the Region

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

Afghanistan, Pakistan the Region

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

Afghanistan, Pakistan the Region

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

Public Event
Fri, July 25, 2025 • 10:30 am ET

Pakistan’s foreign minister on tensions with India and the future of US ties

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT—Pakistani Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar joins the Atlantic Council for a timely conversation on India-Pakistan tensions, regional stability, and the future of US-Pakistan relations.

Defense Policy
Economy & Business
Indo-Pacific
Pakistan


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

Event Recap

Oct 16, 2015

Afghanistan, Pakistan the Region

By South Asia Center

On October 16th, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted a discussion with Shuja Nawaz, Distinguished Fellow at the South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council, and Vali Nasr, the Dean of John Hopkins Universality School of Advance International Studies. The panel, which was moderated by Ambassador James Cunningham, former Ambassador to Afghanistan and Senior […]

Afghanistan Pakistan

In the News

Oct 16, 2015

Gopalaswamy on US Troops in Afghanistan and Prime Minister Sharif’s US Visit

By Bharath Gopalaswamy

South Asia Center Director Bharath Gopalaswamy joins Voice of America Urdu TV to discuss President Obama’s announcement that he will be maintaining troop levels in Afghanistan and US-Pakistan relations in light of Prime Minister Sharif’s upcoming visit to the United States:

Afghanistan Pakistan

In the News

Oct 13, 2015

Rakisits: A Path to the Sea: China’s Pakistan Plan

By Claude Rakisits

South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Claude Rakisits writes for World Affairs Journal on the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which consists of both transportation and energy projects:

China Pakistan
150915LathaReddy

Event Recap

Sep 15, 2015

Addressing nontraditional security threats in South Asia

By Nazia Khan

“Water scarcity and food security are the most serious nontraditional security threats facing India,” stated Ambassador Latha Reddy, Former Deputy National Security Adviser of India. Speaking at an Atlantic Council South Asia Center event, Reddy warned that nontraditional security concerns—such as water and food security, energy management, environment and climate change, health, cyber warfare, and […]

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

New Atlanticist

Sep 1, 2015

‘Why is Pakistan Playing this Game?’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Afghan lawmaker, Shinkai Karokhail, says Pakistan has been ‘selective’ about dealing with terrorists Shinkai Karokhail, a member of the budget and finance committee of the lower house (Wolesi Jirga) of the Afghan National Assembly and a longtime activist for women’s rights, education, and conflict prevention, sat down with the New Atlanticist’s Ashish Kumar Sen for […]

Afghanistan Pakistan

In the News

Aug 27, 2015

Rakisits on Pakistani-Afghan Relations

By Claude Rakisits

Defense News quotes South Asia Center Nonresident Senior Fellow Claude Rakisits on Islamabad’s latest military operations against terror groups on its soil and their implications for Afghan-Pakistani relations:

Afghanistan Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Aug 11, 2015

Afghan Peace Process: DOA?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Pakistan can do more on terrorist groups, says Atlantic Council Senior Fellow James B. Cunningham Afghan President Ashraf Ghani is right, Pakistan can do more to disrupt terrorist networks that plan and carry out attacks across the border in Afghanistan, says Atlantic Council Senior Fellow James B. Cunningham. A broad spectrum of terrorist and criminal […]

Afghanistan Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jul 31, 2015

In Afghanistan, the Taliban Has a New Leader, But it’s His Deputy Who is Raising Eyebrows

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Haqqani Network leader’s appointment could jeopardize peace process in Afghanistan The appointment of the head of a Pakistan-based terrorist network as a deputy leader of the Taliban may prove to be an obstacle in Afghan-led efforts to make peace with the Islamic militants. While confirming reports of the death of its reclusive one-eyed leader, Mullah […]

Afghanistan Pakistan

In the News

Jul 30, 2015

Cunningham on Taliban Leader’s Death

By James B. Cunningham

The New York Times quotes Zalmay Khalilzad Chair on Afghanistan and Resident Senior Fellow James B. Cunningham on the death of Mullah Muhammad Omar, the secretive leader of the Taliban:

Afghanistan Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jul 29, 2015

Will Mullah Omar’s Death Doom Peace Process?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s James B. Cunningham says questions already being raised about authority of Afghan militants’ representatives Taliban leader Mullah Omar’s death could call into question the Taliban’s leadership and undermine the Afghan government’s efforts to jumpstart a peace process with the militant group, says the Atlantic Council’s James B. Cunningham. The Taliban July 30 confirmed […]

Afghanistan Pakistan
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Experts

Fellow

Cameron Munter

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Europe Center South Asia Center

National Security Conflict

Millennium fellow

Anoosha Shaigan

Chief Operating Officer and Editor, Courting The Law

Millennium Leadership Program

Human Rights Media

Fellow

Thomas S. Warrick

Nonresident Senior Fellow, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative

Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative GeoStrategy Initiative

National Security Terrorism

Fellow

Sofyan Yusufi

Senior Advisor

South Asia Center

Financial Regulation Technology & Innovation