A Special Guest and Presentation, Monday, March 5

The Dhar India Studies Program, working with the Center for the Study of the Middle East, and Ambassador Faisal Istrabadi, is pleased to bring Saeed Shafqat, a noted Pakistani political and policy analyst, to IUB for a special talk

End Game in Afghanistan: What are the implications for Pakistan?
Monday, March 5
5:30 pm
India House - 825 E. 8th St.

Dr. Shafqat (http://www.saeedshafqat.com/profile.html) has kindly provided this abstract of his presentation:

As American and NATO forces make a phased withdrawal from Afghanistan starting summer of 2011 leading to a declared total disengagement by 2014; radicalism and governance are likely to gain new regional salience-- improving regional governance and security will increasingly fall upon Afghanistan’s neighbors and near neighbors (Iran, Pakistan, India, China, Russia and Central Asian States). These regional actors had been engaged in the Afghan war (and its spillover effects--civil war, cross border terrorism and civil strife) since the late 1970s. Pakistan has been and for the foreseeable future is likely to be a key player in the region. Pakistan’s involvement in Afghanistan has led to transformative political, economic and social consequences at home. Breeding religious militancy, escalation in suicide attacks disrupting societal peace and harmony and deepening the crisis of governance. Over three million Afghan refugees moved into Pakistan and changed the demographic composition and culture of many parts of Pakistan: heroine trade, drug addiction, proliferation of portable arms and cross border terrorism emerged as serious new governance challenges. Consequently, over these decades a complex web of jihad, sectarianism and extremist groups became a potent force, changing the complexion of Pakistani State and society. The analysts and policy makers are trying to figure out how will US decision impact Pakistan’s fledgling democracy? Second what kind of strategies India and Pakistan are likely to follow to fill in the anticipated ‘power vacuum’ that this withdrawal offers? Providing a critical appraisal of Pakistan’s Afghan policy, will draw attention to possible future scenarios.

This talk is free, open, and welcoming to the campus and community.