South Asia

Finance Minister Dar on Pakistan’s Continuing Economic Challenges

On October 9, the South Asia Center hosted Ishaq Dar, finance minister of Pakistan, for an event entitled “Pakistan’s Continuing Economic Challenges.” 

Lavrov: Afghanistan Not Ready for NATO Forces Pullout

By RIA Novosti

The development of the situation in Afghanistan clearly shows that Afghan security forces will not be in position to take control of law and order in the war-torn country after the withdrawal of NATO-led forces, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Karzai says Taliban No Threat to Women, NATO Created ‘No Gains’ for Afghanistan

By Dan Murphy, Christian Science Monitor

Afghan President Hamid Karzai marked the 12th anniversary of the US-led NATO invasion of Afghanistan that dislodged the Taliban from power and ended up installing him as leader by saying that Afghan women have nothing to fear from a return of Taliban influence

A Necessary Transition in Pakistan

By Shuja Nawaz

In an historic moment this weekend, Pakistan’s two-term army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani announced that he would retire at the end of November after six years at the helm. An official later stated that Kayani would not seek any other job after retirement, putting an end to speculation in Pakistan that Kayani may stay on in […]

2014 NATO Summit: Laying the Groundwork Now

By Luke Coffey, Heritage Foundation

The U.S. should use the next NATO summit to advance an agenda that keeps NATO focused on the future of Afghanistan, ensures that NATO enlargement is firmly on the agenda, and readies the alliance for the challenges of the 21st century.

NATO Warms Up for Europe Role After Afghanistan Pullout

By Jerome Rivet, AFP

As NATO prepares to pull out of its longest and most faraway war in Afghanistan, its focus is back on Europe with a multitude of exercises planned, notably in the Mediterranean.

White House Welcomes UK Decision to Host NATO Summit

By White House

The United States welcomes the announcement by British Prime Minister Cameron, endorsed by NATO allies, that the United Kingdom will host the 2014 NATO Summit

Britain Considering Keeping 400 Troops in Afghanistan after 2014

By Ben Farmer, Telegraph

The proposal is the first official acknowledgment that Britain could keep forces in the province where nearly 450 troops have died in seven years of fighting.

Five Years of Strengthened Cooperation Between NATO and the United Nations

By NATO

This week the focus is on New York as world leaders, including NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, gather for the annual plenary session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Washington: Just Say No To Pakistan

By Robert A. Manning and James Clad

Another day, another calamity: thirty killed by a suicide bomber at a funeral in Quetta; the commanding General in Swat blown up by Pakistani Taliban; renewed Indo-Pakistani fighting along the Kashmir border threatens to torpedo fragile reconciliation efforts. These events—all in the past six weeks—reinforce recent disclosures in the Washington Post confirming deep-seated official US doubts and […]