Mapping Pakistan's Internal Dynamics: Implications for State Stability and Regional Security

“Mapping Pakistan’s Internal Dynamics” is an initiative by the National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) to analyze Pakistan’s internal security landscape and external geopolitical environment. In partnership with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), this project convenes international experts from the research and policymaking communities. The initiative is made possible by the generous support of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

Today, Pakistan represents one of the world’s most significant and vexing geopolitical challenges. Its geographic position at the nexus of the Middle East and Asia, its nuclear stockpile, and the strength and determination of its domestic extremist groups make Pakistan’s future course a top geopolitical interest for the United States and the broader Asia-Pacific region. This project will inform a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics influencing Pakistan’s political and security environment and assess their implications for internal and regional stability.

Mahin Karim, Senior Associate, The National Bureau of Asian Research

Tiffany Ma, Senior Director, Political and Security Affairs, The National Bureau of Asian Research

Leading Project Experts

The final project report was authored by Mumtaz Ahmad, Dipankar Banerjee, Aryaman Bhatnagar, C. Christine Fair, Vanda Felbab-Brown, Husain Haqqani, Mahin Karim, Tariq A. Karim, Vivek Katju, C. Raja Mohan, Matthew J. Nelson, and Jayadeva Ranade.