Politact

In line with our mission to decipher, synthesize, and interpret the emerging geopolitical realities, from time-to-time PoliTact partners with leading global thought centers to understand the multifaceted tangents of the particular themes we are analyzing. The list includes the Middle East Institute, Stimson Center, and Atlantic Council.

We also maintain connections with leading intellectuals from different regions to understand the different political, economic, and security dynamics at play. Due to our holistic approach, PoliTact’s analyses are frequently sought after by the domestic and international news media centers. PoliTact’s assessments feature regularly in the Voice of America Urdu and Pashto services. See below an example of our recent events and collaborations. If you are interested in getting information on our future events, email info@politact.com.

Afghan Reconciliation – Stimson Center

In March 2018, PoliTact partnered with Stimson Center’s South Asia Program to organize an event held under the Chatham Rules and examined the various facets of the Afghan Reconciliation process. While several different approaches have been attempted in the past, none of them proved to be sustainable. Policy makers, academics, and think tank scholars participated in the discussion.

One of the points that emerged from this discussion was that US should hold direct talks with the Afghan Taliban. This approach has now been adopted and the on-going talks undertaken by the US Special Representative for Afghan Reconciliation Zalmay Khalilzad shows promise to amicably end the conflict.

Geopolitics in Middle East & South Asia: Lessons for the Balkans – International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES)

In June 2015, PoliTact’s Fellow Abdullah Khurram participated in a discussion organized under the framework of the “EU and the World” lecture cycle, in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

The Balkan states have come a long way since the Yugoslav wars and the ethnic cleansing of the 90s. The region has improved both economically as well as politically. Slovenia and Croatia have become members of the EU while all other countries in the region are actively working towards this goal. However, despite the tremendous progress, the region is still confronted with considerable political, economic and security challenges. Read the article: Five Point Agenda for the Western Balkans

Pakistan’s Campaign Against Extremism – Atlantic Council

In 2011, PoliTact’s Chief Analyst Arif Ansar presented a commentary at the event hosted by Atlantic Council and moderated by the Director of South Asia Center, Shuja Nawaz. Imtiaz Gul, an Islamabad-based expert reviewed Pakistan’s likely counter-terrorism strategy and its potential for success. Key questions examined were: what are the conditions under which the military of Pakistan can and will tackle the internal insurgency? Is the civilian component of the impending plan ready?