Carnegie Endowment for International Peace: South Asia Program

Think Again: Asia's Rise

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Don't believe the hype about the decline of America and the dawn of a new Asian age. It will be many decades before China, India, and the rest of the region take over the world, if they ever do.

The Taliban's Winning Strategy in Afghanistan

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

To prevent losing control of Afghanistan, the International Coalition must shift resources to reverse the Taliban’s progress in the North, while reinforcing the Kabul region.

Aid to Pakistan Without Rider is a Blank Cheque

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The United States should condition aid to Pakistan on making sustained, concrete and verifiable steps against terrorist groups operating on its territory.

Pakistan Dilemma for Obama and Europe

Thu, 07 May 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The idea that success in Afghanistan requires a new focus on Pakistan is misguided. Besides providing money and counterinsurgency training to the Pakistani army, international actors are powerless to influence the state.

Reframing Counter-narcotics Policy in Afghanistan

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The narcotics industry in Afghanistan and the region around it supports domestic instability and increases the terrorist threat emanating from the region. There needs to be a regional and multi-faceted approach to combating the problem.

Preserving Hegemony: The Strategic Tasks Facing the United States

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The principle task facing the new U.S. administration is to consolidate U.S. hegemony by reaffirming the nation’s global role, renewing its economic strength, and recovering its legitimacy.

Obama's Afghanistan-Pakistan Quandary

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

President Obama's failure to explicitly mention that the U.S. intends to stay in Afghanistan could could strengthen the Taliban, which seeks to outlast the international coalition.

Reconciling With the Taliban?: Toward an Alternative Grand Strategy in Afghanistan

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Negotiating with the Taliban is the worst possible approach the U.S. could adopt in its effort to stabilize Afghanistan. Instead, the U.S. must signal long-term commitment to rebuilding the nation.

What's the Problem With Pakistan?

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 00:00:00 -0400

The Pakistani army needs to recognize the dangers of inaction against terrorism and confront it squarely.

Obama's Afghanistan Speech

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

President Obama’s decision to send 17,000 troops to southern Afghanistan will not achieve his stated goal of "reversing Taliban's gains."

Obama's Afghanistan Strategy

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Obama’s Afghanistan strategy makes two welcome changes to existing strategy: It limits U.S. objectives to fighting al-Qaeda stationed in Pakistan, and it focuses on training the Afghan army, who will ultimately lead the war.

Obama's Afghanistan Policy: Q&A with Gilles Dorronsoro

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

As the Obama administration formulates its plan for Afghanistan, Gilles Dorronsoro explains that without a new strategy that focuses on securing Kabul, a surge of troops in the south cannot defeat the Taliban.

Another Wake-up Call

Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0400

To counter the threat posed by debris from space weapons tests, space-faring nations should enact a Code of Conduct that bans further destructive tests of anti-satellite weapons.

Reforming the Intelligence Agencies in Pakistan’s Transitional Democracy

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Previous abuses of power by Pakistani regimes and intelligence agencies make reforms imperative. With patience, resolve, and assistance from the international community, Pakistan’s government can reassert civilian control over the intelligence community.

Taliban Strategy in Afghanistan is Smart Politics, So U.S. Needs to Wise Up

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

In the southern and eastern regions of Afghanistan, American troops could win every battle and still fail to hold the ground. But if the U.S. focuses in and around Kabul, it can provide security for the Afghan people, and win a peace it can pass on to them.

Taliban Strategy in Afghanistan is Smart Politics, So U.S. Needs to Wizen Up

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

China's Bigger Role in Pakistan, Afghanistan

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

U.S. Secretary of State Clinton must make a case for China to play a greater role in stabilizing Afghanistan and Pakistan. This is an opportunity for China to prove it is a responsible stakeholder.

U.S. Examining Options to Central Asian Air Bases

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

In the wake of Kyrgyzstan’s decision to close its American airbase the U.S. must find a Central Asian location for its logistical operations outside of Afghanistan to ensure they remain uninterrupted in case the war deteriorates further.

Going South in Afghanistan

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0500

If it is to make a responsible exit in Afghanistan, the United States must strengthen civilian institutions and empower Afghan partners to take control of national interests.

Mumbai Attacks: Implications for the U.S.

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The Obama administration should pressure Pakistan to bring the LeT leadership responsible for the Mumbai attacks to justice, and to eliminate the organization's terror infrastructure so that it does not become a growing threat to regional, global, and U.S. security.

Obama is Likely to be More Effective Than Bush

Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The Obama administration will continue to treat relations with both New Delhi and Islamabad as a non-zero sum game. The new administration will not undo the U.S.-Indian nuclear agreement despite their reservations, while Vice-President Biden's expertise on Pakistan will provide new opportunities for progress.

The Lessons of Mumbai

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

India will continue to face a serious jihadi threat from Pakistan-based terrorist groups for the foreseeable future. However, India lacks military options that have strategic-level effects without a significant risk of a military response by Pakistan. Neither Indian nor U.S. policy is likely to be able to reduce that threat significantly in the short to medium term.

Delivering on the Promise: Advancing U.S. relations with India

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

A broad-based relationship between the U.S. and India will be necessary to solve complex global challenges, achieve security in the South Asian region, reestablish stability in the global economy, and overcome the threat of violent Islamic radicalism.

Focus and Exit: An Alternative Strategy for the Afghan War

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:00:00 -0500

The debate in Washington and European capitals has recently centered on how many more troops will be sent to Afghanistan in 2009 as part of a military surge. The real question, however, is how combat troops should be used - to pursue the Taliban, or secure key areas to allow institutions to develop. The main policy objective must be the development of a government that can survive U.S. withdrawal.

Investigations into Mumbai

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 00:00:00 -0500

The civilian government in Pakistan faces hard choices in its response to the Mumbai attacks. Action against the groups responsible for the violence will overturn traditional strategy that considers these groups national security ‘assets’ against India. There is also the danger of opening up another battle front for an army already conducting counter-terrorism operations on its western border.