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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Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq Offers a Prescription for Success

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

Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq Offers a Prescription for Success

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

Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq Offers a Prescription for Success

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

New Atlanticist

Apr 21, 2016

Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq Offers a Prescription for Success

By Mitch Hulse

The “integration of civil-military forces” and “sustainable economic development” are critical to the success of state-building efforts, Zalmay Khalilzad, a former US Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the United Nations, said at the Atlantic Council on April 20. “There was a clear road map for political transition [in Afghanistan], but we never knew what the […]

Afghanistan Iraq

New Atlanticist

Apr 21, 2016

Is the Taliban Winning?

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Deadly suicide bombing in Kabul points to need for Pakistan to end support for terrorists, says Atlantic Council’s James B. Cunningham A deadly suicide bombing in Kabul shows that the Taliban are determined to drag out the conflict, but it also adds a sense of urgency for Pakistan to end its support for the militants, […]

Afghanistan

In the News

Apr 21, 2016

Ullman in the Daily Times: Radicalisation Ain’t Just for Muslims

By Harlan Ullman

Read the full article here.

Pakistan United States and Canada

In the News

Apr 20, 2016

McFate Joins HBO’s “Afghan Women’s Rights & Floating Armories”

By Sean McFate

Read the full article here.

Afghanistan
Kimberly Motley

Event Recap

Apr 18, 2016

Motley’s law: The new age of legal representation

By South Asia Center

On April 18, the South Asia Center’s Afghanistan Rising Initiative hosted Kimberley Motley for a conversation about her experiences as an international litigator in Afghanistan and around the world, as well as her advocacy for rule of law and human rights worldwide. In her remarks, she emphasized how the rule of law means little if […]

Afghanistan Rule of Law

New Atlanticist

Apr 14, 2016

US Foreign Policy Needs to be ‘Balanced’ Between ‘Great Exertions’ and ‘Retreat’

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Interview with Zalmay Khalilzad, former US Ambassador to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the United Nations Zalmay Khalilzad served as the US Ambassador to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the United Nations in the George W. Bush administration. A member of the Atlantic Council’s Board of Directors, Khalilzad has recently authored an insightful and widely praised memoir—The Envoy. In […]

Afghanistan Iran
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Ft. Bragg, April 5, 2016

NATOSource

Apr 7, 2016

NATO Chief Proposes Rapid-Deployment Training Force

By Paul Sonne, Wall Street Journal

The head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization outlined plans to create an at-the-ready crew of trainers prepared to deploy at a moment’s notice to help local forces aligned with the military alliance.

Afghanistan Iraq
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Washington, April 7, 2016

NATOSource

Apr 7, 2016

Secretary General Stoltenberg: NATO is Important for American Security

By Justin Vogt and Jens Stoltenberg, Foreign Affairs

Jens Stoltenberg became secretary general of NATO in 2014. Earlier, he served as prime minister of Norway, from 2005 until 2013. Earlier this week, Stoltenberg met at the White House with U.S. President Barack Obama

Afghanistan NATO
Admiral James Stavridis (ret.), Feb. 19, 2016

NATOSource

Apr 5, 2016

Former Supreme Allied Commander: Why NATO Is a Necessity

By James Stavridis, Time

NATO is decidedly not a Cold War relic. When I was Supreme Allied Commander, I had over 170,000 NATO troops from all 28 nations fighting on three continents in post-Cold War missions.

Afghanistan NATO

In the News

Apr 3, 2016

First Lady of Afghanistan Rula Ghani’s Remarks at Atlantic Council Featured in Outlook Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Read the full article here.

Afghanistan
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Experts

Board director

Franklin D. Kramer

Distinguished Fellow

Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security Transatlantic Security Initiative

Cybersecurity Defense Policy

Staff

Michael Kugelman

Resident Senior Fellow, South Asia

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

Afghanistan Bangladesh

Fellow

Jeff Lande

Nonresident Fellow, India

South Asia Center

Economy & Business India

Fellow

Mark Linscott

Nonresident Senior Fellow, India

Trade and tariffs

Millennium fellow

Fadji Maina

Research Scientist, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Millennium Leadership Program

Americas Education

Fellow

Tasha Manoranjan

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs

English Human Rights
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