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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South Asia’s climate challenges are transnational. Its climate solutions must be, too.

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
South Asia’s climate challenges are transnational. Its climate solutions must be, too.

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
South Asia’s climate challenges are transnational. Its climate solutions must be, too.

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

SouthAsiaSource

Jul 7, 2023

South Asia’s climate challenges are transnational. Its climate solutions must be, too.

By Ahsan Butt

The fundamental reality is that, for South Asia, cooperation on climate change is not a nice-to-have, but a need-to-have.

Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment

IranSource

Jul 7, 2023

Iran and Afghanistan are feuding over the Helmand River. The water wars have no end in sight.

By Holly Dagres

Fatemeh Aman, a non-resident senior fellow at MEI, on why the Islamic Republic and Taliban are bumping heads on transboundary water issues.

Afghanistan Climate Change & Climate Action

Issue Brief

Jun 29, 2023

How to advance women’s rights in Afghanistan

By Roya Rahmani

Providing Afghan women with rights and opportunities must be at the top of the regional and global security agenda.

Afghanistan Civil Society

In the News

Jun 26, 2023

Shahid in Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs: Navigating the troubled waters: ‘maritimization’ of Bangladesh’s foreign policy

By Rubadeh Shahid

Bangladesh Maritime Security

In the News

Jun 25, 2023

Shahid in Kalerkantho: Trade and security gained importance in Modi-Biden meeting

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business India

In the News

Jun 24, 2023

Stefanini in Il Tempo on Wagner’s insurgency in Russia

By Stefano Stefanini

On June 24, Transatlantic Security Initiative nonresident senior fellow Stefano Stefanini was quoted in Il Tempo addressing Wagner group’s rebellion in Russia (text in Italian). 

Defense Technologies Europe & Eurasia

In the News

Jun 23, 2023

Donovan quoted by The Cipher Brief on coordinating Russia sanctions with the Global South

Read the full article here.

Economy & Business Financial Sanctions and Economic Coercion

In the News

Jun 22, 2023

Williams in The Hill on Russia’s war in Ukraine

By Michael John Williams

On June 22, Transatlantic Security Initiative nonresident senior fellow Michael John Williams was quoted in The Hill, discussing Russia’s War in Ukraine and NATO enlargement.

Defense Technologies Europe & Eurasia

Transcript

Jun 20, 2023

Read Imran Khan’s full Atlantic Council interview on failed peace with India, Pakistan’s plight, and his own fate

By Atlantic Council

In an Atlantic Council conversation, former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan shared details about a potential peace plan with India and discussed the future economic and political prospects for Pakistan.

Economy & Business Elections

New Atlanticist

Jun 20, 2023

Imran Khan on the failed India-Pakistan thaw and why he’s ‘prepared for everything’—even death

By Wajahat Khan

The former Pakistani prime minister spoke with the Atlantic Council about unsuccessful plans to meet with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and much more.

Corruption Economy & Business
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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

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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