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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White House Welcomes UK Decision to Host NATO Summit

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

White House Welcomes UK Decision to Host NATO Summit

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

White House Welcomes UK Decision to Host NATO Summit

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

Barack Obama in the Oval Office, Sept. 27, 2013

NATOSource

Sep 30, 2013

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

Afghanistan NATO
Royal Marines Commando in Training

NATOSource

Sep 23, 2013

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.

Afghanistan NATO
Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen at the UN, Sept. 19, 2011

NATOSource

Sep 23, 2013

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.

Afghanistan International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Sep 20, 2013

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 […]

Pakistan
NATO Military Committee Conference 2013, Budapest

NATOSource

Sep 17, 2013

NATO Chiefs of Defense Discuss Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Force Transformation

By NATO

NATO Chiefs of Defence concluded a successful 2013 Military Committee Conference, laying out recommendations to the Defence Ministers, who will meet next month in Brussels.

Afghanistan NATO

Event Recap

Sep 10, 2013

Dobbins, Other Leaders Call for Continued Assistance to Pakistan

At an event co-hosted by the Atlantic Council and International Relief and Development (IRD), Ambassador James Dobbins, special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs, US Department of State, said the international community’s provision of civilian assistance to Pakistan was a calculated bet on regional stability, economic progress, and long-term development.

Pakistan

Event Recap

Sep 5, 2013

Cyber Rivalry in South Asia

The Atlantic Council's South Asia Center and Cyber Statecraft Initiative hosted Dr. Tughral Yamin for a discussion on cyber security in South Asia, and the potential for building regional confidence building measures for the information space.

Cybersecurity South Asia
USMC Gen. Joseph Dunford, Commander of ISAF

NATOSource

Sep 3, 2013

NATO Commander: Afghan Forces Suffering Too Many Casualties

By Emma Graham-Harrison, Guardian

Afghanistan’s police and army are losing too many men in battle, and may need up to five more years of western support

Afghanistan NATO
Obama meeting with Baltic leaders at White House

NATOSource

Aug 30, 2013

Obama Highlights Strong Relationships with Nordic-Baltic Countries

By Magnus Nordenman

President Barack Obama’s meeting in Washington with the presidents of the Baltic states, his trip to Sweden, and his meeting with the Nordic heads of government while there, is a recognition of the broad success story of the region

Afghanistan NATO

Article

Aug 26, 2013

The Political Economy of Pakistan’s National Energy Policy

By Asif Faiz

As Pakistan’s government was preparing to present the National Energy Policy 2013-18 to the Council of Common Interest (CCI), the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) was placing advertisements in major newspapers in KP during the holy month of Ramadan, exhorting the faithful that stealing electricity is a sin. Seeking divine help may now be the […]

Energy & Environment 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