South Asia

South Asia is home to over 1.8 billion people and the largest youth population in the world. It includes India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives. As one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, it serves as a strong economic link between the East and the West. South Asia’s strong global connections make it a zone of opportunity for businesses and governments engaging in infrastructure development, trade, and economic development.

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#ElectionWatch: Likes from Afar in Oaxaca

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
#ElectionWatch: Likes from Afar in Oaxaca

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
#ElectionWatch: Likes from Afar in Oaxaca

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

Programs

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

Facebook likes in Oaxaca

2018 Elections in Latin America

Jan 17, 2019

#ElectionWatch: Likes from Afar in Oaxaca

By Fernando Meneses Romero, Kanishk Karan, and Jose Luis Peñarredonda

South Asian Facebook accounts artificially inflated the number of Facebook “likes” on social media content for and about the State of Oaxaca in México.

Disinformation Elections

Report

Jan 15, 2019

Reforming US’ high-skilled guestworker program

By Ron Hira and Bharath Gopalaswamy

The H-1B visa program is one of more than twenty US guest worker programs, but it has arguably been in the spotlight more than any other. While the H1-B was originally intended to attract foreign workers to satisfy unmet demand for skilled labor, the current system undercuts opportunities for US workers and enables the exploitation […]

Economy & Business India

In the News

Jan 10, 2019

Charai on The Hill: Rethinking America’s Commitment to Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan International Norms

In the News

Jan 10, 2019

Charai in The Hill: Rethinking America’s commitment to Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan United States and Canada
President Donald Trump at the NATO Summit in Brussels, July 12, 2018.

NATOSource

Jan 9, 2019

President Trump: ‘I Want Europe to Pay’

By Donald Trump, White House

[Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan] is working so hard on the military. We have a — we were taken advantage of by so many countries on our military.

Afghanistan Germany

New Atlanticist

Dec 21, 2018

US troop drawdown from Afghanistan needs to be done responsibly

By Omar Samad

There are three most immediate concerns regarding Trump’s decision on Afghanistan: timing, geopolitical, and the political consequences for Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2018

A path forward in Afghanistan

By Bharath Gopalaswamy and James B. Cunningham

There is an opportunity to bring the conflict in Afghanistan to an end, but doing so will require time, commitment, and an effort commensurate to the task.

Afghanistan Conflict

Report

Dec 11, 2018

Review of President Trump’s South Asia strategy

By Bharath Gopalaswamy, Amb James B. Cunningham, et al

Over one year after the announcement of the Trump administration’s strategy in Afghanistan and South Asia, significant opportunity remains to improve efforts to achieve peace. In the Atlantic Council South Asia Center’s new report, Review of President Trump’s South Asia Strategy: The Way Ahead, One Year In, authors Dr. Bharath Gopalaswamy, Director, South Asia Center, Atlantic […]

Afghanistan Security & Defense

In the News

Dec 1, 2018

Biberman in Journal of Strategic Studies: Self-Defense Militias, Death Squads, and State Outsourcing of Violence in India and Turkey

By Atlantic Council

Conflict India

In the News

Dec 1, 2018

Biberman in Political Science Quarterly: When Militias Provide Welfare: Lessons from Pakistan and Nigeria

By Atlantic Council

Nigeria Pakistan
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Experts

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

Fellow

Paul Amato

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Missile Defense Nuclear Deterrence

Fellow

Peter Arvo

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

China Human Rights

Staff

Rayhan Asat

Former Senior Legal & Policy Advisor, China Lead

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Central Asia China

Fellow

Kyle Atwell

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Afghanistan Colombia
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Events

Online Event Wed, April 8, 2026 • 8:30 am ET

IMEC during a time of war
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia India Middle East