About

About

South Asia Times (SAT) is the premier research and media lab of South Asia, aspiring to be the foremost reference point for the region. At SAT we believe in the power of research meeting media and are committed to delivering in-depth insights, cutting-edge analysis, and thought-provoking content that explores the diverse facets of South Asia and its global impact.

With a distinct South Asian lens, we offer a diverse range of topics, including security, economy, diplomacy, history, culture, and more – From enthralling stories that bring ancient heritage to life to data-driven insights that highlight the region’s modern aspirations, SAT is your gateway to understanding and connecting with South Asia’s vibrant tapestry!

Who we are?

At SAT, we are a team of dedicated practitioners, specialists, and academics who collectively possess a deep understanding of South Asia. Our diverse group of mentors from intelligentsia, academia, and industry brings together a wealth of expertise and perspectives, ensuring that we offer a comprehensive and well-rounded view of the region.

What do we do?

Our primary focus is conducting rigorous research and providing innovative solutions to complex issues. By harnessing data and employing innovative methodologies, we strive to generate valuable knowledge and contribute to informed public discourse. Our aim is to become the go-to resource for policy-makers, researchers, and individuals seeking reliable and insightful information on a broad range of topics.

Why choose SAT?

SAT stands apart as the trusted source of knowledge on South Asia, offering rich information, analysis, and multimedia content. Our unwavering commitment to objectivity, intellectual rigor, and comprehensive research sets us apart. We aim to provide accurate and nuanced perspectives on the region’s security, economy, history, culture, and beyond, ensuring that our audience gains a holistic understanding of South Asia.

Join us “Become a part of SAT Community” in our pursuit of excellence as we strive to shape the narrative, influence policy-making, and become the definitive platform for exploring the complexities and opportunities of South Asia and its global significance.

SAT Web Administrator

Recent

When Insurgents Rule: The Taliban’s Crisis of Governance

When Insurgents Rule: The Taliban’s Crisis of Governance

The Taliban’s confrontation with Pakistan reveals a deeper failure at the heart of their rule: an insurgent movement incapable of governing the state it conquered. Bound by rigid ideology and fractured by internal rivalries, the Taliban have turned their military victory into a political and economic collapse, exposing the limits of ruling through insurgent logic.

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The Great Unknotting: America’s Tech Break with China, and the Return of the American System

The Great Unknotting: America’s Tech Break with China, and the Return of the American System

As the U.S. unwinds decades of technological interdependence with China, a new industrial and strategic order is emerging. Through selective decoupling, focused on chips, AI, and critical supply chains, Washington aims to restore domestic manufacturing, secure data sovereignty, and revive the Hamiltonian vision of national self-reliance. This is not isolationism but a recalibration of globalization on America’s terms.

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Inside the Istanbul Talks: How Taliban Factionalism Killed a Peace Deal

Inside the Istanbul Talks: How Taliban Factionalism Killed a Peace Deal

The collapse of the Turkiye-hosted talks to address the TTP threat was not a diplomatic failure but a calculated act of sabotage from within the Taliban regime. Deep factional divides—between Kandahar, Kabul, and Khost blocs—turned mediation into chaos, as Kabul’s power players sought to use the TTP issue as leverage for U.S. re-engagement and financial relief. The episode exposed a regime too fractured and self-interested to act against terrorism or uphold sovereignty.

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The Indo-Afghan Arc: Rewriting Pakistan’s Strategic Geography

The Indo-Afghan Arc: Rewriting Pakistan’s Strategic Geography

The deepening India-Afghanistan engagement marks a new strategic era in South Asia. Beneath the façade of humanitarian cooperation lies a calculated effort to constrict Pakistan’s strategic space, from intelligence leverage and soft power projection to potential encirclement on both eastern and western fronts. Drawing from the insights of Iqbal and Khushhal Khan Khattak, this analysis argues that Pakistan must reclaim its strategic selfhood, strengthen regional diplomacy, and transform its western border from a vulnerability into a vision of regional connectivity and stability.

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Pakistan’s rejection of a Taliban proposal to include the TTP in Turkey talks reaffirmed its sovereignty and refusal to legitimize terrorism.

Legitimacy, Agency, and the Illusion of Mediation

The recent talks in Turkey, attended by Afghan representatives, exposed the delicate politics of legitimacy and agency in Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. By rejecting the Taliban’s proposal to include the TTP, Pakistan safeguarded its sovereignty and avoided legitimizing a militant group as a political actor, preserving its authority and strategic narrative.

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