South Asia

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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Nawaz on Taliban Attack in Pakistan

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

Nawaz on Taliban Attack in Pakistan

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

Nawaz on Taliban Attack in Pakistan

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

In the News

Dec 16, 2014

Nawaz on Taliban Attack in Pakistan

By Shuja Nawaz

South Asia Center Distinguished Fellow Shuja Nawaz joins KQED to discuss the recent Taliban attack on a school in Pakistan: Listen to the full interview.

Pakistan

In the News

Dec 15, 2014

Nawaz on Taliban School Attack

By Shuja Nawaz

South Asia Center Distinguished Fellow Shuja Nawaz joins Al Jazeera English to discuss the recent attack by the Taliban on a school in Pakistan: 

Pakistan
Polish soldiers in Ghazni, April 29, 2011

NATOSource

Dec 11, 2014

How the mission in Afghanistan changed the Polish Army

By Jacek Mutszak, Defence Global

Afghanistan is a challenge that NATO has struggled with for over twelve years. Poland was one of the member countries that sent its army there. It was the biggest test for the Polish Army since the end of World War II.

Afghanistan International Security Assistance Force

New Atlanticist

Dec 11, 2014

Isolated from the West, President Putin Visits India

By Ashish Kumar Sen

Atlantic Council’s Bharath Gopalaswamy: ‘Russia is keen to demonstrate that it has friends in other parts of the world’ The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on December 11 sought to re-energize a relationship between two nations which had its peak during the Cold War.

India Russia

New Atlanticist

Dec 10, 2014

Coalition Troops Officially End Combat Mission in Afghanistan Amid Growing Security Concerns

By Ashish Kumar Sen

As US and NATO troops depart Afghanistan, they are taking with them their expertise, hardware, dollars, and jobs – and also leaving behind many questions about the fate of that country’s security and economy.

Afghanistan NATO
ISAF Commander General John F. Campbell, Dec. 8, 2014

NATOSource

Dec 8, 2014

US, NATO end Afghan combat command after thirteen years

By Lynne O'Donnell, AP

The U.S. and NATO closed their combat command in Afghanistan on Monday, more than 13 years after invading the country in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks to target al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden. . . .

Afghanistan International Security Assistance Force

In the News

Dec 4, 2014

Gopalaswamy on the Russian-Pakistani Relationship

By Bharath Gopalaswamy

South Asia Center Deputy Director Bharath Gopalaswamy joins Channel News Asia to discuss the relationship between Moscow and Islamabad:

Pakistan Russia

In the News

Dec 2, 2014

Emerging Leaders of Pakistan Join VOA Urdu

By Atlantic Council

Voice of America Urdu interviews the Emerging Leaders of Pakistan fellows during their 2014 visit to the Atlantic Council:

Pakistan
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, December 1, 2014

NATOSource

Dec 1, 2014

Secretary general previews four outcomes from tomorrow’s meeting of NATO foreign ministers

By Jens Stoltenberg, NATO

2014 has been a year of aggression, crisis and conflict. But NATO stands strong.

Afghanistan International Security Assistance Force

New Atlanticist

Nov 22, 2014

Obama to Visit India in January

By New Atlanticist

Atlantic Council’s Gopalaswamy Comments President Barack Obama will travel to India in January, becoming the first US president to visit the country twice while in office. Bharath Gopalaswamy, deputy director of the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center, tells Ashish Kumar Sen why this visit is important—and notably how it will be seen by India’s main […]

India Pakistan
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Experts

Fellow

Grace Abuhamad

Former 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

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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