Abdul Basit
Abdul Basit is Associate Research Fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore. He can be reached at isabasit@ntu.edu.sg.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Politics,Security,South Asia
Implications of Islamic State’s Expansion in South Asia
Following territorial losses in Syria, the Islamic State declared Wilayahs in India and Pakistan on May 10 and 15, 2019, respectively. In a recent statement, IS also threatened a fresh wave of attacks in India and Bangladesh.
Politics,South Asia
India-Pakistan Relations after Modi’s Re-election
Politics,Security,South Asia
Islamic State: From Territorial to Spiritual Caliphate
Politics,South Asia
South Asia’s Militant Landscape After the Pulwama Attack
The Pulwama attack has again exposed the vulnerability of India and Pakistan to terrorist blackmail, bringing the two to the brink of war. The aftermath of the attack underscores a new phase of militancy in Kashmir and renewed hostilities between India and Pakistan.
Politics,Security,South Asia
US-Pakistan Relations in the Shadow of Ongoing Afghan Peace Talks
Pakistan’s influence on the Afghan Taliban is misunderstood by the US. While Pakistan retains a modicum of influence on the Taliban, it is not able to dictate terms to them. It can convince the Taliban to enter peace talks but what comes out of these talks is not in its hands.
Politics,Security,South Asia
Implications of the US Drawdown from Afghanistan
US President Donald Trump’s announcement of the pullout of 7,000 US troops from Afghanistan took both his allies and adversaries by surprise. It will change the calculus on the ground in Afghanistan with far-reaching consequences for regional peace and security.
Politics,Security,South Asia
The Islamic State of Khorasan Expands in Afghanistan
Following the Islamic State’s battlefield and territorial losses in the Middle East, its franchise in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, the Islamic State of Khorasan, has emerged as the group’s most brutal iteration.
Politics,China,South Asia
Imran Khan’s China Visit: A Much-needed Reality Check
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan went to China eyeing immediate financial assistance to negotiate a bailout package from the International Monitory Fund. The joint statement issued marking the end of Khan’s visit did not mention any assistance package.
Politics,South Asia
Will Pakistan Stop Appeasing the Religious Right?
Following the Pakistan Supreme Court’s decision to acquit Asia Bibi in the blasphemy case, Tehrik-e-Labaik Pakistan’s rabble rousing clerics provoked open mutiny within the military and issued calls to kill the three Supreme Court judges.
Politics,South Asia
US-Pakistan Ties: Re-negotiating the Terms of Engagement
In September and October 2018, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi held two meetings in Islamabad and Washington to renegotiate the terms of engagement.
