Read my essay from last week on the Pakistan-Iran relationship, posted a bit late here as I was away travelling when it was published.
Iran
Has Pakistan Won the War in Afghanistan?
During a recent trip to Lahore, several Pakistanis told me that their country had won the Afghan war. My new article asks if this is true.
US Greatly Downplaying Size of Afghan Taliban
My new story at TRT World shows that the Taliban has around three times as many fighters as officials estimate, in addition to tens of thousands of support personnel.
India, Russia, and the S-400 Deal
My new article, available here, considers the political ramifications of the S-400 missile deal between India and Russia.
Can Saudi Arabia Play Peacemaker in Afghanistan?
I have an article at TRT World examining Saudi Arabia’s role in Afghanistan, available here.
Can Imran Khan Improve Pakistan-Iran Relations?
In my new piece for The Diplomat, I look at the possibility that Pakistan’s new prime minister, Imran Khan, can fulfil his promise to boost bilateral relations with Iran.
New Writing on Iran & Afghanistan
In a rare double-whammy, I have two new articles out today, the first examining the durability of the Russia-Iran alliance (at Prospect Magazine), the second looking at the surprising drop in civilian casualties in Afghanistan last year (at National Review).
Trump’s Risky Pakistan Strategy
Last week the Trump administration announced it would be suspending all US security assistance to Pakistan. Here is my new piece at Prospect Magazine arguing why that is a risky move.
Why Pressuring Pakistan Will Not Be Easy
Read my latest, which argues that Pakistan has gravitated away from the US and its allies, cultivating stronger ties with China and other countries outside the western bloc. This deprives the US of leverage and might undermine President Trump’s desire to pressurize Pakistan into changing its policies. (Thanks to the Center for Research & Security Studies in Islamabad, which also ran the piece on their website here).
Iran: A Challenge for the “Special Relationship”
Read my latest piece at Prospect Magazine on the Iran nuclear deal and US-UK relations.
Rupert Stone 