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South Asia: Issues in Focus

Decorated truck with men sitting on top, courtesy of Anthony Maw/Wikimedia Commons

Khyber Gate on Jamrud Road.

After looking at South Asia’s broader regional dynamics last week, we now turn to some of the specific security challenges faced by its inhabitants. We begin by profiling the weaknesses of India’s national security decision-making processes and separating fact from fiction when it comes to the US’ lethal drone program in Pakistan. We then examine the alleged fragility of the Pakistani state and focus on two problems it shares with its neighbors – i.e., water and food security. Finally, we speculate on whether South Asian countries can collectively develop a ‘non-traditional architecture’ to face their security problems or whether they will remain mired in a self-help system.

Police officer with gun, courtesy of Aaron Iaquinto/Flickr

National Security Decision-Making in India

22 Jul 2013 / Special Feature

India may be a rising economic power but its security problems loom large. In response, Bibhu Prasad Routray argues that New Delhi needs to streamline its national security decision-making processes. Otherwise, its foreign policy will remain more reactive than proactive. More on «National Security Decision-Making in India»

Flags on Pakistani Border

Drones: Myths and Reality in Pakistan

23 Jul 2013 / Special Feature

Nine years after the first US drone strikes in Pakistan, the US still denies the program’s existence and Islamabad still denies it consents to strikes on its territory. Today, the ICG recommends ways the US can increase the transparency of the program and ensure it complies with humanitarian law. More on «Drones: Myths and Reality in Pakistan»

Pakistani soldier on a mountain top, courtesy Al Jazeera English/flickr

State Weakness and Internal Instability in Pakistan

24 Jul 2013 / Article

Pakistan may be fragile, but it has just transitioned from one democratically elected government to another. In today’s Questions and Answers session, Chatham House’s Gareth Price explores how the Sharif government can build on this momentum by mitigating domestic sources of instability. More on «State Weakness and Internal Instability in Pakistan»

Worshippers on Ganges River, India

Water Security in South Asia: Running Dry?

25 Jul 2013 / Special Feature

With over 250 million ‘food-insecure’ people competing for the scarce water resources of the Indus basin, South Asia does indeed have serious security problems in these areas. Today, our partners at the Atlantic Council address these challenges and how India and Pakistan might tackle them together. More on «Water Security in South Asia: Running Dry?»

Farmer watches rice field burn, India

The Future of South Asian Security

26 Jul 2013 / Special Feature

Non-traditional security threats will be the major drivers of conflict in South Asia through 2025, argues Mahin Karim. Today, she explores the possible impact of these threats and the prospects for a ‘non-traditional’ regional security architecture to help combat them. More on «The Future of South Asian Security»

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