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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NATO has Exited Roughly 90 Percent of its Bases in Afghanistan

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

NATO has Exited Roughly 90 Percent of its Bases in Afghanistan

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

NATO has Exited Roughly 90 Percent of its Bases in Afghanistan

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

ISAF spokesman Gen. Heinz Feldmann

NATOSource

Aug 22, 2013

NATO has Exited Roughly 90 Percent of its Bases in Afghanistan

By Pajhwok Afghan News

The International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) on Tuesday said foreign soldiers had exited more than 700 military bases ahead of their withdrawal from the country in 2014.

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Aug 22, 2013

Iran a Bright Spot in a Bleak Middle East?

By Barbara Slavin

As President Barack Obama returned from vacation this week – a short break interrupted by his need to react to the mayhem in Cairo – he may have been thinking that prospects for a major foreign policy achievement in his second term were fading.

European Union International Organizations

New Atlanticist

Aug 21, 2013

The Myth of US-India Containment

By Robert A. Manning

US Vice-President Biden’s recent trip to India appears to have reinforced fears in China of a containment strategy. This notion exaggerates US policy and underestimates India as an independent strategic actor.

China India
aco 8 19 13 Ramstein Rover

NATOSource

Aug 19, 2013

NATO Exercise Ramstein Rover Begins Soon in Czech Republic

By Allied Command Operations

From 2 to 20 September 2013 a new edition of NATO’s Ramstein Rover (RARO) exercise series for Forward Air Controllers (FACs) will take place in the Czech Republic, where it had already been conducted last year.

Afghanistan Germany
Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov

NATOSource

Aug 16, 2013

NATO Pullout From Afghanistan ‘Too Hasty’ – Russian Defense Official

By RIA Novosti

ISAF “has been too hasty about making the final decision to pull out in 2014,” Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov said, adding that Afghan “domestic security forces capable of countering radical elements have not yet been created.”

Afghanistan NATO

New Atlanticist

Aug 7, 2013

John Kerry’s Pakistan Deja Vu

By Shuja Nawaz

“Time is running out” to help nuclear-armed Pakistan’s civilian government survive. That is what then-Senator John Kerry (D-MA) said in support of the recommendations of an Atlantic Council report that was released in February 2009. The report, which provided a comprehensive look at Western relations with Pakistan, estimated that, at that point, then-President Asif Ali Zardari’s government […]

Pakistan South Asia

Event Recap

Jul 30, 2013

Debating the United States’ Role in Afghanistan After 2014

The South Asia Center and the Brent Scowcroft Center for International Security hosted a panel of experts to discuss the winding down of the war in Afghanistan, and what role, if any, should the United States play in shaping the future of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

Transcript

Jul 30, 2013

Transcript: Debating the United States’ Role in Afghanistan After 2014

Full transcript of the July 30 event “Debating the United States’ Role in Afghanistan After 2014” hosted by the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center and Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security.

Afghanistan United States and Canada

New Atlanticist

Jul 26, 2013

Can Gratitude Improve American Policy in Afghanistan?

By Jeff Lightfoot

General de Gaulle is attributed to have said “Countries have no friends, only interests.” He offered this contribution to international relations theory from his war-time exile in London, where he depended entirely on the hospitality of the British government for the survival of Free France.

Afghanistan Politics & Diplomacy

New Atlanticist

Jul 17, 2013

Operation Irresolute Support

By Julian Lindley-French

In 1842 Sir Charles Napier wrote perhaps the most succinct telegram in military history to mark his success at the end of the First Anglo-Afghan War – “Peccavi,” he wrote, “I have sinned.” It was a play on words as Napier had just conquered what is today the Pakistani province of Sindh. In another play […]

Afghanistan
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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