Archives

Our archives are a repository of original thinking that chronicles two decades of research, analysis, and policy innovation. This collection brings together articles written by SFG’s founders and research analysts between 2005 and 2025, preserving the ideas, and insights that shaped our intellectual journey. These writings reflect the evolution of our thinking as we engaged with some of the world’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.

The archive offers a rich body of material for researchers, policymakers, students, journalists, and anyone interested in understanding complex global issues through a long-term strategic lens. The articles explore a wide spectrum of subjects, including peace and conflict, water diplomacy, international relations, technology, environmental sustainability, governance, security, and the changing dynamics of regional and global cooperation. They also place regional developments within broader international and geopolitical contexts.

Many of these articles anticipated trends and policy challenges that later became central to international discourse. Others document the development of concepts and frameworks that informed SFG’s subsequent research, dialogues, and publications. Together, they provide not only historical context but also enduring perspectives that continue to resonate in a rapidly changing world.

Beyond serving as a research resource, this archive offers a window into the intellectual history of SFG. It traces how our ideas evolved over time, how new policy concepts emerged through sustained inquiry, and how our engagement expanded from regional concerns to global challenges. Readers can follow the progression of our work across changing geopolitical landscapes and appreciate our evidence-based approaches to peace, security, and international cooperation.

Whether you are revisiting landmark analyses, exploring the origins of key policy ideas, or discovering our work for the first time, we hope these archives provide valuable insights, stimulate informed debate, and inspire fresh thinking about the future.

12 for 2012

  • By Sundeep Waslekar
Reflecting on the year that has passed, Sundeep Waslekar looks at 12 things in 2012 that could influence the future of the world.
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Microbial Villains: No Longer Fiction

  • By Ilmas Futehally
A radio play broadcast in 1938 about an invasion by Martians into New Jersey created pandemonium on Halloween evening. Structured as a series of radio news broadcasts, the play managed to create panic across North Eastern United States and Canada with thousands of people fleeing their homes in whatever transport that they could find- cars, trains and on foot.
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The Rise of Imran Khan

  • By Anumita Raj
Imran Khan has played many prominent roles in Pakistan over the past few decades: champion cricketer, philanthropist, author and politician. However, it is his latest role that is drawing him the most attention at present: potential presidential candidate.
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Rising East Africa: Signs of Hope

  • By Shivangi Muttoo
Last month, I got an opportunity to travel through Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda on a field trip. As part of my research, I interacted with policy-makers, regional experts from diverse backgrounds, academics and journalists. Through my interaction and exposure to East African culture, I was able to develop an improved understanding of the region. Discussions on Africa are generally centered on poverty, disease and disasters. Positive developments in Africa are featured less prominently in mainstream socio-political discourse. Endowed with abundant resources, both human and natural, African countries, especially in East Africa, are gradually getting their act together and striving for growth for their people. The potential of East Africa to emerge as a powerful regional bloc in the continent should receive significant attention.
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Learning from the Past: A Rwandan Example

After a two week journey through East Africa, my last stop, Kigali, was literally a breath of fresh air. Clean and green, with ordered traffic and smooth wide avenues, Kigali is a far cry from what one would imagine. 17 years after one of the worst genocides in history, the country and the people have come a long way, and Rwandans have much to feel satisfied about. During the course of visit to the country, I experienced a sense of positivity in the country that is only possible when people truly believe that there is hope in their future. From interactions with all aspects of the civil society, the government and everyday Rwandans, I realized what is most remarkable and commendable is that people have chosen to learn from their horrific past and take charge of their future.
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Wind Energy in Bangladesh: A Promise for the Future

  • By Sanaa Arora
Bangladesh is in the midst of a severe energy and power supply crisis; one of the worst in South Asia. Approximately 85% of the power generated in the country is from natural gas. The growth in demand and consumption of gas has been far outstripping any increase in supply and production, leading to gas deficits, which are likely to worsen in the coming years. In order to meet the growing energy demand, the government has increased its focus on renewable energy in the past decade. Initially, the aim was to expand solar and biogas energy in the rural regions of the country. However, the government is now looking to explore the potential of wind energy, particularly along the country's 700 kilometer long coastline.
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