Intervening in Pakistani elections is a losing proposition, CFR Senior Fellow Daniel Markey argues. If pro-American leaders win, they will be tainted by association; if their opponents win, the United States will have alienated potential partners.

This Independent Task Force report assesses U.S. objectives, strategy, and policy options in Pakistan and Afghanistan. It supports a long-term partnership with Pakistan, calls for a new approach to Afghan political reform, reconciliation, and regional diplomacy, and says that a more limited U.S. mission in Afghanistan would be warranted if the present strategy does not show signs of progress. This report is also available in Italian.

Daniel Markey advises the Obama administration to pay close attention to Pakistan's political climate. The U.S. "should be clear on the potential outcomes of this political clash and should do its utmost to avoid the worst" in order to protect its interests in the region.

Daniel Markey offers some advice for the next U.S. special envoy to South Asia.

The terror attacks in the Indian city of Mumbai represent an escalation in Pakistan's battle between the forces of extremism and moderation, writes CFR's Daniel Markey.

Daniel Markey, CFR's expert on South Asia policy, says accusations of complicity between Pakistan and the Mumbai terrorists will further complicate U.S. efforts to balance ties with South Asia's two giant rivals.

CFR Senior Fellow Daniel Markey writes that the global financial downturn is exacerbating preexisting economic problems in Pakistan.

Daniel Markey writes that "the new Obama team will need to step forward quickly to determine whether Karzai is a minimally capable partner."

Daniel Markey examines Pakistan in the post-Musharraf era.

Daniel Markey, a former State Department specialist on South Asia, says Pakistan "is going through another series of really tough times" brought on by the economic downturn that has hit the country, and by the continuing problems fighting the Taliban and al-Qaeda.

Daniel Markey testified in regard to Pakistan's tribal areas in the context of U.S.-Pakistan relations.

Daniel Markey writes that "the bombers probably also had a more ambitious goal: to drive a deeper wedge between Pakistan and the United States."

Should another 9/11-type attack take place in the United States, it will likely have its origins in the tribal belt along Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, writes Daniel Markey. The region serves as a safe haven for a core group of nationally and internationally networked terrorists, a training and recruiting ground for Afghan Taliban, and, increasingly, a hotbed of indigenous militancy.

This report outlines the nature of the challenges in Pakistan's tribal areas, formulates strategies for addressing those challenges, and distills the strategies into realistic policy proposals worthy of consideration by the incoming administration.

Daniel Markey, a former State Department specialist on South Asia, says the United States should be concerned about the truce talks between Pakistan’s army and tribal leaders.

“Islamabad is about to cut another deal with the country’s tribal leaders. These agreements rarely last long and appear to have helped no one besides terrorists and hardened militants. But Washington should support the deal making—at least for a little longer,” writes Daniel Markey

Daniel Markey responds to Sadanand Dhume's article, "Is India an Ally?" in Commentary.

CFR’s Daniel Markey discusses U.S. policy toward Pakistan in our continuing podcast series, “Briefing the Next President.”

CFR experts offer their analysis of President George W. Bush's final State of the Union address.

In this paper, the first of a new publication type from the Council called the Policy Options Paper, Senior Fellow Daniel Markey poses a set of recommendations for the United States to consider in response to Pakistan’s ongoing political crisis—in particular, what position the Bush administration should take with regard to the country’s upcoming national elections.

Daniel Markey and Husain Haqqani debate whether the United States should abandon its support of Musharraf.