Deciphering the Afghan riddle

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

Deciphering the Afghan riddle

New Atlanticist
Mar 25, 2025

Starlink’s India launch is a crash course on New Delhi’s approach to tech sovereignty

By
Trisha Ray

A recently announced partnership to deploy the Elon Musk-led company’s satellite internet in India offers a window into New Delhi’s “hybrid” approach.

Economy & Business
India

Deciphering the Afghan riddle

New Atlanticist
Feb 19, 2025

Why India and Armenia are now taking their relationship to new heights

By
Tatevik Khachatryan, Srujan Palkar

The growing military and diplomatic cooperation between New Delhi and Yerevan benefits both beyond immediate defense concerns.

Economy & Business
India

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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

New Atlanticist

Oct 11, 2018

Deciphering the Afghan riddle

By Omar Samad

Despite the gains and sacrifices made by Afghans and their allies, mounting human losses, growing ethnic rifts, economic woes, and weakened political consensus have disrupted part of the “self-reliance” agenda.

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Oct 5, 2018

Manning in Foreign Policy: The United States Needs an Afghanistan Exit Strategy

By Robert A. Manning

Read the full article here.

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Oct 5, 2018

An inflection point in the Maldives?

By Bharath Gopalaswamy and Trevor Cloen

Despite all odds, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) achieved a stunning electoral victory on September 23 that provides the Indian Ocean nation with an opportunity to reverse the erosion of rights and freedoms that occurred during Yameen’s tenure.

China Democratic Transitions

In the News

Sep 19, 2018

Ahmad in WSJ: The Mafia That Threatens Afghanistan

By Javid Ahmad

Read the full article here.

Afghanistan

In the News

Sep 14, 2018

Ahmad in Washington Post: I Will Still Support the US Presence in Afghanistan. But Now it’s Time to Fight for Peace in my Country.

By Javid Ahmad

Read the full article here.

Afghanistan

New Atlanticist

Sep 13, 2018

The war for peace in Afghanistan

By Fatemeh Aman

An enduring peace in Afghanistan is only possible if it involves a deal between the Afghan government and the Taliban, and addresses the challenge posed by these other insurgent groups.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Sep 11, 2018

Can peace be won in Afghanistan?

By Omar Samad

How will key regional stakeholders—Pakistan, Russia, Iran, China, and India—manage shifting interests and threat perceptions at a time when the United States is pushing for a peace deal, and is there a contingency plan if talks fail?

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Sep 11, 2018

#StrongerWithAllies: The day NATO stood with the United States

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Since 2001, US NATO allies have lost more than 1,000 troops in Afghanistan. “They died in solidarity with us, for the Alliance and the values it defends,” said Daniel Fried, distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council's Future Europe Initiative and Eurasia Center.

Afghanistan NATO

NATOSource

Sep 7, 2018

US General Miller Takes Over NATO Mission in Afghanistan

By NATO

General Austin Scott Miller assumed command of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission from General John ”Mick” Nicholson at a ceremony at mission headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Sep 5, 2018

Trump picks Zalmay Khalilzad, Atlantic Council board director, as special representative on Afghanistan

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Khalilzad’s appointment is a “good sign that the administration recognizes that if it’s going to be serious about trying to achieve a negotiated settlement, that requires having some real diplomatic muscle applied to the task,” said Laurel E. Miller, a senior foreign policy expert at the RAND Corporation.

Afghanistan Pakistan
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Experts

Millennium fellow

Matthew Zubrow

Vice President, Hepco Capital Management

Millennium Leadership Program

Americas Economy & Business

Fellow

Ratan Shrivastava

Nonresident Fellow

South Asia Center

India International Markets

Fellow

Tasha Manoranjan

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Human Rights

Fellow

Grace Abuhamad

Nonresident Fellow

Digital Forensic Research Lab

Digital Policy Internet

Fellow

Elliot Ackerman

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Defense Policy

Staff

Rayhan Asat

Senior Legal & Policy Advisor, China Lead

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Central Asia China
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