Asia

Pakistan

  • Pakistan
    Winning the Information War in Afghanistan and Pakistan
    President Obama has made "strategic communications" an essential part of his move to boost the military and nation-building effort in Afghanistan. But experts say countering Taliban messaging will take technology, speed, and demonstrated success in providing security.
    Backgrounder by Greg Bruno May 6, 2009
  • Afghanistan
    Pakistan’s ’Existential Threat’ Comes From Within
    Bruce Riedel, who chaired a special interagency committee to develop President Obama’s policy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, says "the situation remains dire" in the region and it’s crucial that the U.S. Congress expedite legislation on an economic aid package for Pakistan.  
    Interview with Bruce O. Riedel and Bernard Gwertzman May 5, 2009
  • Pakistan
    Stabilizing Pakistan: Boosting its Private Sector
    Amid a growing insurgency and escalating economic troubles in Pakistan, U.S. President Barack Obama said the United States must "help Pakistan help Pakistanis." Experts say strengthening the country’s private sector and boosting trade opportunities could underpin security.
    Backgrounder by Jayshree Bajoria April 30, 2009
  • Afghanistan
    Afghanistan, Pakistan, and U.S. National Security Symposium: Panel I: The Current State of Play
    Play
    Watch experts describe the current state of play in Afghanistan and Pakistan and how developments on the ground are affecting decision makers in the United States. This discussion was part of the Council on Foreign Relations' Afghanistan, Pakistan, and U.S. National Security Symposium.
    Event April 21, 2009
  • Pakistan
    From AfPak to PakAf
    Overview President Obama publicly unveiled his administration's policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan in March 2009. In this Policy Options Paper, CFR Senior Fellow Daniel Markey analyzes the Obama administration’s strategy and lays out two realistic alternatives. He argues that a narrow focus on counterterrorism is insufficient to protect U.S. interests in South Asia and advocates a long-term approach that prioritizes engagement with Pakistan. Finally, he proposes a number of detailed recommendations to implement this strategy.
    Report by Daniel S. Markey April 16, 2009 Asia Program
  • Pakistan
    Uncertainty About New U.S. Policy Toward Pakistan, Afghanistan
    Defense expert Anthony H. Cordesman says President Obama "has outlined what many people feel is the best available strategy" on Afghanistan but that it will take many months to know how his plans will be executed.
    Interview with Anthony Cordesman and Bernard Gwertzman April 2, 2009
  • Afghanistan
    Obama’s Afghanistan-Pakistan Strategy: ’A Reasonable First Step’
    CFR’s Stephen Biddle says President Obama’s decision to add four thousand troops to train Afghan troops is "a reasonable first step" but that Obama faces huge challenges in standing up a viable Afghan army.
    Interview with Stephen Biddle and Bernard Gwertzman March 30, 2009
  • Afghanistan
    Six Experts on Negotiating with the Taliban
    Reaching out to moderate elements within the Taliban as part of a U.S. war strategy in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region has been the subject of much debate in Washington. Six experts weigh in on the merits of such a policy.
    Expert Roundup by Jayshree Bajoria, Shuja Nawaz, Thomas H. Johnson, Robert Templer, Hilary Synnott, Michael Semple and Masood Aziz March 20, 2009
  • Conflict Prevention
    The Troubled Afghan-Pakistani Border
    The contentious border between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains a site of major conflict, and houses some of the world’s most dangerous militants.
    Backgrounder by Jayshree Bajoria March 20, 2009
  • Race and Ethnicity
    Pakistan’s Fragile Foundations
    Beset by increased terror attacks and political infighting, Pakistan’s viability as a state is a matter of increasing concern. Experts call for reforming weak civil institutions, resolving ethnic disputes, and checking the power of the military.
    Backgrounder by Jayshree Bajoria March 11, 2009
  • Democracy
    For Holbrooke, Situation in Pakistan, Afghanistan Is ’Dim and Dismal’
    Bruce O. Riedel, an expert on South Asia, who has worked for the CIA, Pentagon, and National Security Council, says getting Pakistan to close down sanctuaries for Taliban militants poses the toughest test for the region’s new special representative, Richard Holbrooke.
    Interview with Bruce O. Riedel and Bernard Gwertzman January 28, 2009
  • Pakistan
    Obama May Face ’Rebuff’ from Europe on Military Step-Up in Afghanistan
    Robert E. Hunter, former U.S. ambassador to NATO, says despite U.S. wishes for more robust military presence of European NATO members, he thinks there will only be a "token response."
    Interview with Robert E. Hunter and Bernard Gwertzman January 21, 2009