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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End of the Military Strongman?

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

End of the Military Strongman?

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

End of the Military Strongman?

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

New Atlanticist

Jul 12, 2013

End of the Military Strongman?

By Kathryn Alexeeff

The success of Pakistan’s democratic elections in May and the outcome of the recent protests in Egypt point to a shift in both countries’ military participation in politics – while they will support or depose governments, they no longer seem interested in ruling the countries themselves.

Economy & Business Elections
Globe

New Atlanticist

Jun 26, 2013

Too Many Archdukes, Too Many Bullets

By Harlan Ullman

Ninety-nine years ago this Friday, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his pregnant wife Sofia were gunned down in Sarajevo by a 19-year old Bosnian Serb nationalist named Gavrilo Princip. The assassinations quickly provoked a crisis that more quickly erupted into world war. Ironically, many of the elites in Europe believed that an early 20th-century version of […]

Afghanistan Cybersecurity

Transcript

Jun 3, 2013

Transcript: Towards Regional Stability in South Asia

Full transcript from the June 3, 2013 South Asia Center event “Towards Regional Stability in South Asia.”

India Pakistan

Event Recap

Jun 3, 2013

Towards Regional Stability in South Asia

On June 3, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted a discussion with Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar, member of parliament, Rajya Sabha. 

India Pakistan

Event Recap

May 20, 2013

Governance Opportunities and Challenges for the Incoming Pakistani Administration

On May 20, 2013, Alex Thier of USAID joins the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center for a discussion on governance opportunities and challenges in Pakistan following the May 11 election.

Pakistan

Event Recap

May 17, 2013

Beyond Pakistan’s Elections: A Mountain of Challenges

On May 17, 2013, the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center hosted a discussion with Ambassador Riaz Mohammad Khan, former foreign secretary for Pakistan; Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi, former Pakistan ambassador to the United States; and Dr. Mohsin Khan, resident senior fellow, Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, Atlantic Council.

Pakistan

New Atlanticist

May 9, 2013

The Treacherous Road to Pakistan’s Historic Elections

By Shuja Nawaz

Pakistan’s upcoming elections on May 11 provoke both fear and hope.

Elections Pakistan

New Atlanticist

May 9, 2013

Pakistani Politics: Perils and Paradoxes

By Harlan Ullman

This weekend, many tens of millions of some 200 million Pakistanis will elect new national and four provincial governments. The elections are a remarkable milestone due in large measure to President Asif Zardari’s political navigational skills in the most roiled of waters.

Elections Pakistan
Mian Mansha at Atlantic Council

Event Recap

May 3, 2013

Mian Mansha Suggests Privatization in Pakistan to Spur Economic Growth

On May 3, 2013, Mian Mohammad Mansha, chairman, MCB Bank and Nishat Group, visited the South Asia Center to discuss the economic challenges and opportunities facing Pakistan.

Pakistan

Report

Apr 24, 2013

Stabilizing Afghanistan: Proposals for Improving Security, Governance, and Aid/Economic Development

By Tobias Ellwood

Tobias Ellwood, a leading UK parliamentarian from the Conservative party, urges the international community to make adjustments to its approach in supporting Afghanistan, if it is to achieve its aims post-2014. In a new Atlantic Council report released today, Stabilizing Afghanistan: Proposals for Improving Security, Governance, and Aid/Economic Development, Ellwood argues that the international community will […]

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