MNA Ali Wazir, imprisoned for 18 months without trial, was allegedly kept from attending the National Assembly budget session despite an order that he be allowed to appear. This at a time when his constituents in South Waziristan face mounting challenges.
A short-sighted -- and highly inflammatory -- move by Pakistan's authorities. Arresting Pashteen risks further fanning the flames in North and South Waziristan and does nothing to address protesters' legitimate grievances.
Whatever the motive, there is no room for violence in politics. Not in Pakistan, not in the US, not anywhere. Whishing a speedy recovery to Imran Khan and those injured - may this be a moment for reflection and reassessment.
Fascinating adaptation by Kashmiri protesters in the age of fake news claims and counterclaims:
"Protesters started writing the date on their signs to prove when the event occurred, in response to reports that protests were fake or old."
This is a pretty remarkable datapoint:
"Of the ten army chiefs the country has had since 1972, five were appointed by the incumbent’s elder brother, Mian Nawaz Sharif, in separate tenures as prime minister."
A simple Pashto greeting is on my mind this evening - starray mashay. It's used as a welcome but literally means "may you not be tired."
To all the Afghans exhausted after four decades of war with no end in sight: one day soon, god willing, may you not be tired.
Honored, inspired, and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the
@StimsonCenter
's South Asia program at such a crucial time in the region.
Onwards and upwards!
We are excited to announce
@ethrelkeld
has been named Director of the
@StimsonCenter
’s South Asia Program, after holding the Deputy Director position since 2018.
“I am honored to build on the SA program’s remarkable record of research & engagement.”
After years of Pakistan denying transshipment of Indian goods into Afghanistan, this would be a very positive gesture at a time when Afghanistan needs all the humanitarian assistance it can get.
This is a devastating day for Afghans, and one that demands sober analysis of how we got here and how the region might return to firmer footing. Former
@Stimson
colleague
@Grace_easterly
and I hope our new
@USIP
report can add to that conversation.🧵
Couldn't be happier to welcome
@khansahar1
to the
@StimsonCenter
as our new South Asia program Deputy Director! Sahar is already a familiar face to many of you, and brings deep expertise on regional security issues and editorial+course design experience.
📣Calling all 🇮🇳 and 🇵🇰 security analysts - apply for the
@StimsonCenter
South Asia program's Visiting Fellowship by Oct 28!
It's your chance to research with experts in the field and spend two months in 🇺🇸 meeting with the policy community.
Details 👇!
I tell
@b_parkyn
of
@FT
:
“There’s an economic crisis which does not look like it’s likely to be resolved at this juncture, there are security challenges, there’s the risk of resumed flooding ... This sort of drama and distraction is deeply problematic.”
On PTM's first anniversary, its leaders rally against alleged state harassment in the former stronghold of the Faqir of Ipi, the famous Waziri anti-colonial fighter who later led the Pashtunistan independence movement. Hard to miss the symbolism.
Remembering the 141 students & teachers murdered 8 years ago at Peshawar's Army Public School - an especially grim anniversary with the TTP again on the rise. May their memories bring comfort to loved ones and resolve to those trusted to ensure such an attack is never repeated.🖤
Much to appreciate in this
@stephenwertheim
piece, but this statistic on deaths by suicide doesn't get the attention it deserves:
The U.S. lost "more than 7,000 service members in the post-Sept. 11 wars — and approximately four times as many by suicide"
Powerful editorial from
@Dawn_com
defending PTM in response to DG ISPR's accusations. "It is time for the prime minister to step up and embrace the disaffected and disillusioned youth of the PTM, whose demands are legitimate and constitutional."
What an absolute pleasure it was getting together with former
@StimsonCenter
South Asia Visiting Fellows and frequent
@SAVoices
contributors in New Delhi. Good food, good conversation, and great company. Thanks to all who joined!
I'm hearing from Afghans who have worked for
@USAID
-funded projects and are having trouble contacting former supervisors to request Priority 2 visa referrals. Is there any centralized POC for inquiries (or, if not, could there be)?
"informants who are discovered by adversarial intelligence services are not arrested, but instead are turned into double agents who feed disinformation to the C.I.A. .... Pakistanis have been particularly effective in this sphere, former officials said."
As Pakistan struggles to respond to COVID-19, many of its farmers are already reeling after locust swarms devastated crop yields. There's (obviously) never a good time for a pandemic, but this is a particularly bad one.
*Thrilled* to debut our latest project kicking off
@StimsonCenter
South Asia Program's 30th anniversary celebration -- an interactive timeline showcasing key regional events + our research and analysis from the past three decades.
Very proud to share the
@StimsonCenter
South Asia program's latest report -- our findings from a year-long U.S.-India strategic dialogue on the defense partnership. Big thanks to
@splalwani
for leading the charge and to co-authors
@clary_co
and
@zo_jo101
.
We're turning the big 3⃣0⃣! 🎂🥳🎉
Join
@StimsonCenter
's South Asia program for a look at how regional security has (and hasn't) changed over the past 3 decades - and where we go from here. With
@NoorSitara
,
@rushali_saha
,
@adilsultan
, and Manoj Joshi.👇
I feel fortunate that my daughter came home from school today, and that she is too young to understand that some didn't. My heart breaks for the parents who weren't as lucky, and for the children we have all failed. We have got to fix this.
One of those articles that makes me wish I'd followed my childhood sandbox dream of becoming an archaeologist. Astounding that we still haven't deciphered the script of the Indus Valley civilization.
.
@StimsonCenter
's South Asia program is now accepting applications for our 2024-2025 Junior Fellowship!
Apply by Feb 9 to join our team supporting a range of research and engagements on regional security issues - with pay + benefits. Work auth required.
Enjoyed hosting Pakistan's Amb.
@Masood__Khan
at the
@StimsonCenter
this morning. ICYMI, tune in to see our conversation on US-Pakistan ties, Pakistan's economy, domestic political rhetoric, defense spending, China, Afghanistan, India, and more👇
The IS-K suicide bomber behind the August airport attack had previously been arrested by Indian intel suspected of plotting an attack in Delhi. The regional CT implications of the Taliban takeover are significant, despite Tb assurances.
📣Couldn't be more thrilled to welcome
@frank11285
as the
@StimsonCenter
South Asia program's new Deputy Director! Frank has already supported our team as a Nonresident Fellow, and we're fortunate to have him putting on the Deputy🎩. Welcome, Frank!🎉🎉🎉
📣
@StimsonCenter
's South Asia team is hiring!📣
Join
@SAVoices
as our next Managing Editor! This Research Associate role puts you at the center of our network of 450 regional contributors. Help guide analysis of South Asian security, politics, and more!👇
Wonderful to (finally!) catch up with our former
@SAVoices
Visiting Fellow
@KashoonLeeza
-- great to meet and compare notes with the South Asia team in person at
@StimsonCenter
!
🇵🇰 has swiftly granted bail to the 🇨🇳 dam worker accused of blasphemy, calling the case the “result of a misunderstanding” that didn't constitute “reasonable ground.”
Would that all those accused of blasphemy received a similarly sober-minded hearing...
The fact that so much of the Biden administration's first call with Pakistan focused on the Omar Sheikh case shows how it will weigh on the relationship going forward. US CT concerns and Pakistani sovereignty sensitivities will be back in full force.
📣Thrilled to announce
@StimsonCenter
South Asia program's latest publication! We reflect on lessons (un)learned over the past two decades from Kargil to Balakot and look ahead at what we can expect for crisis dynamics going forward.
THREAD: This story of Pakistani authorities reportedly covering up an outbreak of type-2 (cVDPV) polio and a planned covert vaccination campaign is deeply troubling. If confirmed, it poses urgent risks and long-term challenges.
@HannahEP
@Guardian
For all the focus on the India-Pakistan cricket match, Afghanistan-Pakistan on Friday is going to be one to watch. What a time to be meeting on the pitch... 👀🍿
My take on Pakistan's balancing act as a Taliban takeover appears likely:
“Pakistan is really in a bind.... Even though Pakistan is really concerned about spillover violence and an influx of refugees, they want to keep the Taliban on side.”
As we mark the two-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine, I wrote a brief reflection on how Washington and New Delhi have managed their differences over the conflict -- and how it has accelerated key areas of cooperation.
The re-arrest of MNA and PTM leader
@mjdawar
is deeply troubling.There is an urgent need for dialogue to begin decreasing tensions between both sides. Additional arrests will only further inflame the situation.
The (false) claims of "civil war" in Karachi are an alarming reminder of social media's role in spreading disinformation. This is especially dangerous in crisis scenarios, when the "fog and friction" of war are already thick and tensions + domestic audience pressures are high.
📣New opening with
@StimsonCenter
's South Asia program! Join our growing team as a Program Assistant to help support our full range of research + engagements.
It's a great role for a recent BA or MA grad with 1+ year of work experience. Apply by July 16!
Many thanks to
@asadmk17
and Col. Dave Smith for such a dynamic + insightful conversation this morning, and to many of you for tuning in.
ICYMI -- we've posted a recording here:
An alarming reminder of the continued presence of Pakistani fighters on the battlefield in Syria with the Zainebiyoun Brigade. I haven't seen a solid, updated estimate of total numbers, but the prospect of 50 killed in recent fighting is worrisome.
"Kneecapping the government through sanctions and frozen aid won’t change the fact that the Taliban are now in charge, but it will ensure that ordinary public services collapse, the economy decays and Afghans’ livelihoods shrink even further."
Such a pleasure hosting a
@StimsonCenter
book launch for "Pakistan's Political Parties" with editor
@NiloSiddiqui
, chapter author
@shafqat_saeed
, and discussant
@colincookman
. It's a great read and a worthy addition to scholarship on 🇵🇰. Book link below!
Calling all graduating seniors and Master's candidates📣
Apply by Feb 17 for the
@StimsonCenter
South Asia program's Junior Fellowship!
▶️Join our great team
▶️Start your career in foreign policy
▶️Aug '22-July '23
▶️Full-time, paid+benefits
More info👇
Despite its wheat export ban, 🇮🇳 donated an additional 2k metric tons of wheat to 🇦🇫 via 🇵🇰 last week. That raises the total sent to 12k of a promised 50k metric tons - a taller order now after the Ukraine war raised prices and prompted scarcity concerns.
"But even if a handful of videos of Indian Muslims allegedly cheering for Pakistan turn out to be authentic, dwelling on them misses the larger point. Democracies don’t jail people for cheering the wrong sports team."
THREAD: With all the focus on the US-Taliban deal, there's been very little attention to how it lines up with the linked US-Afghan joint declaration. I take a close look for
@lawfareblog
at what we can learn from three key points of disagreement. 1/8
Michael was a profoundly generous mentor -- always willing to share advice and be a sounding board. He also didn't hesitate to give you a push when you needed it, knowing how powerful that encouragement can be. Remembering him today, and all he accomplished, with deep gratitude.
We are deeply saddened to share the news that Michael Krepon, co-founder of the Stimson Center and tireless advocate for international peace and security, passed away today at his home in Charlottesville, VA. Our thoughts are with Sandra, Misha, Joshua, and the entire family.
These aren't issues that garner as much attention internationally as access to education and public life, but they are real concerns for Afghan women, especially in rural communities. Time will tell if the Taliban is serious about implementation.
The
#Taliban
held a
#Jirga
in
#Paktia
province and passed a bill regarding different matters including
#WomensRights
:
1) The previously accepted cultural practice of vengeance (killing the perpetrator's uncle for killing your uncle) will be treated as a case of murder. [1/5]
📣Hiring update!📣We're now seeking Fellow/Senior Fellow candidates (depending on experience) to join our
@StimsonCenter
South Asia program in a leadership capacity. This is a rare opportunity to join a great team at a senior level -- apply by April 23!
WE'RE HIRING!
@StimsonCenter
's South Asia program is🔎for a Research Associate to lead our flagship publication
@SAVoices
. If you like to work with smart regional analysts, build writing and composition skills, and convene important conversations, we'd love to hear from you.👇
🚨Interested
#internationalsecurity
and
#geopolitics
? Our South Asia Program is looking for a Research Associate. Work with a network of over 300 authors from across the region and oversee the
@SAVoices
publication.
⬇️ Apply today.
Glad to join
@WarOnTheRocks
to discuss the recent Af-Pak border clashes and regional implications. The Durand Line hasn't gotten as much attention as the LoC or LAC lately, but it will be critical to post-US-withdrawal (in)stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Looking forward to a conversation with
@PakinUSA
Ambassador
@Masood__Khan
I'll be hosting
@StimsonCenter
next Thursday 12/8, 10:30-11:30am DC/8:30-9:30pm Pak. Tune in for discussion of 🇺🇸-🇵🇰 ties, developments in Pakistan, and regional geopolitics. RSVP👇
With events in 🇵🇰 unfolding rapidly, I take a step back to put yesterday's attack on Imran Khan in context and explore potential implications of its aftermath. All signs point to challenging times ahead.
Congrats,
@SAVoices
!! This milestone wouldn't have been possible without our 300+ contributors from across the region, our top-notch editors, and the many of you who have come to see SAV as a source for informed analysis you won't find anywhere else.
South Asian Voices has crossed 3 million lifetime pageviews! Thank you to all our readers and contributors throughout the years, and we look forward to continuing to feature analysis on South Asia's political, economic, and security affairs as we head into 2022!
Worth asking who counts as a "civilian", given prior claims of the TTP targeting so-called anti-state groups.
“the Pakistani security forces will not take action against the TTP and the TTP will not carry out attacks on the security forces or civilians."
It was a pleasure hosting
@US4AfghanPeace
for a wide-ranging discussion at the
@StimsonCenter
.
Tune in 👇 for insights on Afghanistan's domestic challenges, international engagement, and U.S. policy going forward. Thanks to all who joined us!
Three things jumped out from this DoD background call transcript on troop reductions in 🇦🇫:
1) surprisingly candid assessment that Al Qaeda is here to stay;
2) no mention of Taliban breaking with AQ;
3) no details on conditions met per Doha agreement.
This is an important statement. What's urgently needed is a recognition that "Pashtun culture" is not monolithic and cannot be defined by any one group's claims. Reducing millions to stereotypes only feeds discrimination while absolving those in power of any responsibility.
My apologies for the hurt caused by my comments at the humanitarian briefing on Afghanistan.I mispoke & my words did not accurately reflect Pakistan’s position.I have deep respect for Pashtun culture.Denying women & girls access to education is neither Islamic,nor Pashtun culture
Pleased to share the latest
@StimsonCenter
policy memo from
@sattarical
.
It's a deep dive into links between Pakistan's water-intensive agriculture, elite interests, export goods, and climate change -- and how int'l stakeholders can incentivize reform.👇
Pakistan's Foreign Minister will visit New Delhi for a SCO meeting in early May, the first such high-level visit since 2014 and a positive step for regional diplomacy.
FM
@BBhuttoZardari
will lead 🇵🇰delegation to SCO-CFM meeting being held on 4-5 May 2023 in Goa,India. FM’s participation in Meeting reflects 🇵🇰’s continued commitment to SCO Charter & processes & the importance that Pakistan accords to the region in its foreign policy priorities.
The Kartarpur Corridor remains an important and often-overlooked example of positive 🇮🇳 🇵🇰 engagement facilitating religious observance and people-to-people ties.
#JUSTIN
: A total of 433 pilgrims from
#India
visited Sri Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara in
#Pakistan
, through ICP Dera Baba Nanak,
#Amritsar
today to offer prayers on the ocassion of Gurupurab. All have returned: MHA, reports
@vijaita
🚨Job Alert🚨
Join our
@StimsonCenter
South Asia team as a 2023-2024 Junior Fellow!
Open to all graduating undergrad and master's students, and a great opportunity to work on interesting, important issues with regional experts and super colleagues.⬇️
Don't miss this
@SAVoices
interview with Pakistani MP and former Foreign Minister
@HinaRKhar
on an array of regional challenges (and opportunities?) facing Pakistan -- 🇦🇫🇮🇳🇨🇳🇺🇸 and more.
Twice in his
@suhasinih
interview,
@US4AfghanPeace
claims the Taliban agreed not to allow terror attacks "against the US and its allies, and indeed the rest of the world." But the US-Taliban deal (the public version) never mentions "the rest of the world."
The first of our
@StimsonCenter
@SAVoices
policy memos is on the wires! Check out 2020 Visiting Fellow
@Fiza555
's deeply researched + timely piece on the role of Pakistan's political parties in future Afghan stability.👇
Despite Indian media reports, no decision on potential blacklisting of Pakistan is expected until the October Paris meeting. Today's official FATF APG meeting readout:
Days after 5 Chinese dam workers were killed, the Power Construction Corp. of China has halted work on another dam project in KP at Tarbela.
“all site workers and office staff members had been laid off until further orders due to security reasons”
Datapoints on Chinese presence + security protection in Sindh:
- Nearly 1:1 ratio of Chinese nationals working on CPEC (3,637) and Pakistani security protection (3,361).
- Additional 2,879 Chinese working on 21 non-CPEC projects, with additional security.
A key point by Ahmed Rashid on Pakistan's potential leverage over the Taliban -- "a great amount of Taliban logistics come through Pakistan" and ... it is "not clear whether those supply chains have been stopped."
"'Every road is closed to Iran,' said Fereydoun Majlesi, a former diplomat and a columnist for several Iranian newspapers on diplomacy. 'The only path open is China. Whatever it is, until sanctions are lifted, this deal is the best option.'"
A potential quiet but meaningful opportunity for India-Pakistan cooperation on search and recovery operations after the unfortunate capsizing of a Pakistani fishing vessel.
Glad to discuss a few findings from my upcoming
@USIP
report on Af-Pak relations and Afghan (in)stability in this
@convsix
with
@JJSchroden
. The relationship is at a low point, but finding areas for continued engagement is critical to future regional security+prosperity.
Important new piece by
@StimsonCenter
South Asia Visiting Fellow
@Haleema_Saadia
proposing a new multilateral agreement outlawing attacks on nuclear facilities. 🇮🇳 and 🇵🇰 pioneered this CBM, providing a model to build on post-Ukraine.
Hope you'll join us in a little over two hours for this important conversation with Pakistan's Ambassador to the US
@asadmk17
-- 10am ET / 7pm PKT. RSVP below!👇
“We want to move towards normal relations with Pakistan. We also didn’t stop trade with Pakistan, as it was Pakistan that did it,” he claimed. “It would be better to see how we can change our problems and situations.”
Nuclear South Asia course has ended. Great discussions: Krepon,
@PravinSawhney
on the future of nuclear SA and today on the role of third party in crisis management in SA with
@ethrelkeld
@ejazhaider
Thank you
@StimsonCenter
for helping us integrate Nuclear Learning in SA course