Events

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.

Content

New Atlanticist

Nov 8, 2011

A New Paradigm

By Shahid Javed Burki

The decision on November 2 by the Pakistani cabinet to grant the ‘Most Favoured Nation’ (MFN) status to India in matters pertaining to trade is a tectonic shift in the country’s relations with its large neighbour. India awarded the MFN status to Pakistan in 1996 soon after joining the World Trade Organisation. Pakistan was also […]

Economy & Business India

New Atlanticist

Nov 3, 2011

Pakistan and India Cracking Barriers of the Mind

By Shuja Nawaz

About bloody time, some would say. The news that Pakistan’s cabinet has approved Most Favored Nation trade status for long-time adversary India will also be greeted by the usual wry comments by skeptics and cynics on both sides of this volatile border. But though Pakistan may not have broken any barriers it may have cracked […]

India Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Nov 1, 2011

Istanbul: The Search for Consensus

By Maleeha Lodhi

An orderly ‘transition’ in 2014, when American and Nato combat forces pull out from Afghanistan, rests on progress towards a negotiated political settlement. But a serious peace process to advance Afghan national ‘reconciliation’ has yet to get off the ground. That is why a regional conference that will convene in Istanbul on November 2 will […]

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Oct 26, 2011

Stupidity May Be the Answer

By Harlan Ullman

In the late 1930’s with the U.S. economy depressed and the march to world war seemingly irreversible, the great American humorist Will Rogers offered his solution to the dire times: Stupidity got us into this mess, he observed, and perhaps stupidity is the only way out! Taking his wisdom to heart, solutions that conventional wisdom […]

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Oct 6, 2011

Crux of the Crisis

By Maleeha Lodhi

Diplomatic efforts have helped in the past week to defuse the latest crisis to rock Pakistan-US relations. Although the immediate tensions have dissipated these developments have reaffirmed the tenuous quality of the relationship. This was the third crisis in a rollercoaster year which started with the protracted row over the Raymond Davis affair and was […]

Afghanistan Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Oct 6, 2011

Whither or Wither Pakistan?

By Arnaud de Borchgrave

Before retiring last week, U.S. Navy Adm. Mike Mullen made 27 trips to Pakistan as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that convinced him he had established a close personal relationship with his opposite number, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani — only to conclude in farewell interviews that he is still baffled by the world’s […]

Pakistan

Event Recap

Oct 4, 2011

Financing Pakistan’s Development: A Failure of the International Aid Agencies or National Authorities?

By Adrienne Chuck

The Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted a public discussion on the role of the international financial institutions in Pakistan’s development with Mr. Abid Hasan, a former operations adviser at the World Bank and Pakistani newspaper columnist.

Pakistan

Event Recap

Sep 25, 2011

Challenges Facing Pakistan’s Economy

By Jason Harmala

On September 26, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center held a public discussion on “Challenges Facing Pakistan’ Economy,” with Dr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, finance minister of Pakistan.

Economy & Business Pakistan

Event Recap

Sep 19, 2011

How History Shapes India-Pakistan Relations

By Adrienne Chuck

The Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center held a roundtable discussion on “How History Shapes India-Pakistan Relations” with Tridivesh Maini, associate fellow at the Observer Research Foundation’s Centre for Resources Management in India.

India Pakistan

Event Recap

Sep 16, 2011

Third Annual Members’ Conference – Exit or Exodus: Implications of the Drawdown for Afghanistan and Pakistan

By Jason Harmala

Summary of the town hall “Exit or Exodus: Implications of the Drawdown for Afghanistan and Pakistan” at the 2011 Annual Members’ Conference. Participants Marc Grossman, United States Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, United States Department of State Moderated by Barbara Slavin, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council South Asia Center

Afghanistan NATO

Experts