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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Cooper quoted in Politico Defense on India’s purchase of Russian arms

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
Cooper quoted in Politico Defense on India’s purchase of Russian arms

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
Cooper quoted in Politico Defense on India’s purchase of Russian arms

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

In the News

Oct 1, 2021

Cooper quoted in Politico Defense on India’s purchase of Russian arms

By Atlantic Council

Arms Control India

New Atlanticist

Sep 30, 2021

Why the Quad summit was a strategic success

By Ash Jain

While its specific outcomes may have been relatively modest, the summit successfully laid the foundation to advance three strategic US goals: countering China, aligning India, and revitalizing alliances.

Australia India

In the News

Sep 30, 2021

Chhibber wrote an opinion piece for The Economic Times: View: If India has to take on China, it must understand China and its future intentions 
China Economy & Business

In the News

Sep 30, 2021

Nasr testifies before Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing on Afghanistan Withdrawal

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Politics & Diplomacy

In the News

Sep 30, 2021

Verma joins the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum’s 4th annual conference

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business India

In the News

Sep 30, 2021

Wechsler quoted in Military.com on the future of counterterrorism in Afganistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Defense Policy

In the News

Sep 30, 2021

Nasr will testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee to examine military operations in Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Crisis Management

In the News

Sep 29, 2021

Samad quoted in Pakistan Observer on the tough road ahead for the Taliban

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Pakistan

In the News

Sep 28, 2021

Ashford in Politico: “Americans are increasingly skeptical of ambitious, nation-building style intervention overseas”

By Atlantic Council

On September 28, Ashford was quoted in Politico’s National Security Daily newsletter. “Some of the big trends we’ve been seeing in foreign policy opinion are continuing to hold: Americans are increasingly skeptical of ambitious, nation-building style intervention overseas, and would like to see other countries step up in terms of military spending and defense contributions,” […]

Afghanistan English

In the News

Sep 28, 2021

Shahid in article14: Singling Out Muslims: Bihar Govt Asks Citizens To Identify, Report ‘Illegal Immigrants’

By Atlantic Council

Civil Society Human Rights
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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 Fri, March 27, 2026 • 9:30 am ET

POSTPONED—IMEC during a time of war
Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia India Middle East