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.

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

Dec 27, 2008

Pakistan Readies for War with India

By James Joyner

Pakistan is reportedly moving large numbers of troops to its border with India and canceling leave for soldiers.  At the same time, however, it is signaling that it wishes very much to avoid war.

Pakistan
STOCK India-Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 26, 2008

Pakistan Scales Down Anti-Terrorist Operations

By James Joyner

Pakistan has diverted troops away from anti-terrorist operations in order to safeguard against an attack from India.  Meanwhile, India and Saudi Arabia are calling for “joint action” against terrorists.  BBC: The Pakistani military has scaled down its operations against Islamist militants in the north-west following tensions with India, officials say.

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 8, 2008

Mumbai Mastermind Reportedly Captured in Kashmir

By James Joyner

Pakistani security forces have conduced a raid on a major Laskhar-e-Taiba training camp and captured a dozen terrorists, including Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, allegedly the mastermind of last month’s Mumbai massacre.  It remains to be seen whether these are in fact the responsible parties and what follow-up action will be taken.

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Dec 6, 2008

Hoax Tests India-Pakistan Relationship

By James Joyner

A prankster put India and Pakistan on the brink of war.  That this is possible demonstrates just how fragile that relationship is. That it didn’t escalate, though, tells us something important, too.

India Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Sep 25, 2008

Pakistan’s Strategic Moment

By Jeffrey Lightfoot

The massive bombing of the Islamabad Marriott has deeply shaken Pakistan, offering the newly elected civilian leadership a strategic opportunity to aggressively pursue the Islamic militants that threaten the country’s viability and territorial integrity. After alienating Pakistanis with counterproductive military action against militants on the Pakistani side of the Durand line, Washington must now play […]

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Sep 17, 2008

Winning in Afghanistan: Whose Side is Pakistan Really On?

By James Joyner

In a rather cheery piece in Slate, Anne Applebaum declares, “Of Course We Can Win in Afghanistan — If we’re willing to pay the price of victory.” 

Afghanistan Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Sep 17, 2008

Pakistan’s Perfect Storm

By Shuja Nawaz

Within a matter of days, events on the Afghan border seem to be creating a perfect storm of mistrust and conflict between the United States and Pakistan

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Jan 3, 2008

Bhutto Killing Breeds a Failing Nuclear State

By Frederick Kempe

Two months ago I suggested that, amid the Bush administration’s focus on Iraq’s present dangers and Iran’s future perils, Pakistan was most likely to produce a so- called black-swan event.

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

Nov 4, 2007

Pakistan Gets My Vote for a Black Swan Event

By Frederick Kempe

Washington is obsessed with the war in Iraq, the danger of Turkish troops clashing with Kurdish militants and President George W. Bush’s possible showdown with Iran over its nuclear weapons ambitions.

Pakistan

Experts