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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Neither free nor fair: What Myanmar’s ‘sham’ elections mean for the country and its neighbors

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
Neither free nor fair: What Myanmar’s ‘sham’ elections mean for the country and its neighbors

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
Neither free nor fair: What Myanmar’s ‘sham’ elections mean for the country and its neighbors

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

Dispatches

Jan 9, 2026

Neither free nor fair: What Myanmar’s ‘sham’ elections mean for the country and its neighbors

By Rudabeh Shahid

The ongoing election staged by the ruling junta in Myanmar is structured less as a democratic exercise and more as a managed performance of legitimacy.

Conflict Elections

Inside the Taliban's gender apartheid

Dec 10, 2025

Resistance and resilience: Lessons from South Africa for Afghanistan’s fight against gender apartheid

By Farhat Ariana Azami

Zubeida Jaffar from South Africa and Tamana Zaryab Paryani from Afghanistan in conversation with Farhat Ariana Azami.

Afghanistan Human Rights

Issue Brief

Dec 10, 2025

Middle powers’ game-changing rivalries in Africa

By Rama Yade

As traditional powers retreat, middle powers like Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Indonesia are stepping into Africa with ambitious investments and strategic outreach. Their growing presence is transforming alliances, competition, and development across the continent.

Africa Middle East

MENASource

Dec 9, 2025

Is India losing clout in the Gulf?

By Jean-Loup Samaan

Until recently, Indian officials were careful not to pressure their Gulf partners on policies that ran counter to Delhi’s interests.

India Middle East

New Atlanticist

Nov 24, 2025

Safety should be front and center in India’s vision for its AI Impact Summit

By Trisha Ray

Despite the headline attention on impact, safety needs to be fundamental to India’s vision for artificial intelligence that engenders trust, inclusion, and empowerment.

Artificial Intelligence India

New Atlanticist

Nov 19, 2025

How we women of Afghanistan are defying Taliban repression

By Sara

Recounting her own ordeals with the Taliban, an Afghan woman shares how each new restriction pushes women and girls further into confinement.

Afghanistan Human Rights

Dispatches

Nov 19, 2025

How we women of Afghanistan are defying Taliban repression

By Sara

Recounting her own ordeals with the Taliban, an Afghan woman shares how each new restriction pushes women and girls further into confinement.

Afghanistan Human Rights

MENASource

Nov 18, 2025

The MBS visit to the White House could revive IMEC

By Afaq Hussain

After October 7, the corridor that once symbolized economic integration in the Middle East became a victim of regional instability.

India Middle East

New Atlanticist

Nov 17, 2025

Experts react: Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death in absentia. What does this mean for Bangladesh’s future?

By Atlantic Council experts

A tribunal in Dhaka has sentenced the former Bangladeshi prime minister for her role in the government’s deadly crackdown in July 2024.

Bangladesh Democratic Transitions

New Atlanticist

Nov 6, 2025

Gen Z protests have spread to seven countries. What do they all have in common?

By Will Mortenson

While the root causes vary, the data reveal several broad similarities among the countries that have seen massive Gen Z protest movements in recent months.

Africa Corruption
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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