Given the uncertainties in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the Middle East, Central Asia will present both historic opportunities and serious challenges for the United States in the 21st century. The presence of oil and natural gas, coupled with the region’s geographic location, makes Central Asia strategically important to the United States. Instability in the greater Middle East and the war on terrorism are demanding a new strategic posture.

More on Central and South Asia

Commentary

Why U.S. Can’t Deliver Women’s Rights to Afghanistan

By Malou Innocent. CNN.com. April 2, 2013.

Slums Are Hubs of Hope, Progress and Dignity

By Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar. Times of India. March 31, 2013.

The Travails of Pakistan: Why Some Countries Don’t Work

By Doug Bandow. Forbes. March 18, 2013.

Cato Studies

India and the United States: How Individuals and Corporations Have Driven Indo-U.S. Relations

By Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar. Policy Analysis No. 713. December 11, 2012.

The Elephant That Became a Tiger: 20 Years of Economic Reform in India

By Swaminathan S. Anklesaria Aiyar. Development Policy Analysis No. 13. July 20, 2011.

Dominoes on the Durand Line? Overcoming Strategic Myths in Afghanistan and Pakistan

By Joshua Rovner and Austin Long. Foreign Policy Briefing No. 92. June 14, 2011.

Articles

Pakistan: Washington’s Blind Spot in Afghanistan

Malou Innocent. Foreign Service Journal. Vol. 87. No. 9. September 2010.

A Coherent Strategy for Pakistan’s Tribal Areas Would Draw Lessons from Anbar

Malou Innocent. World Politics Review. September 5, 2010.

Should the President Announce an Afghanistan Exit Strategy?

Malou Innocent. CQ Researcher. Vol. 19. No. 28. August 7, 2009.

Events

The War in Afghanistan: What Went Wrong?

Featuring Malou Innocent. April 5, 2013. Policy Forum.

The Insurgents: David Petraeus and the Plot to Change the American Way of War

Featuring Christopher A. Preble. March 18, 2013. Book Forum.

U.S. Policy toward Iran: The Prospects for Success — and for Failure

Featuring Justin Logan. March 30, 2012. Conference.