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.

Pakistan’s Forgotten People

  • By Rohit Honawar
The last eight years have seen the meteoric rise of Pakistan from virtual political obscurity to a nation caught in the unfortunate tussle for power and legitimacy between the government and those that dare to challenge its existence. The rise of an indigenous Taliban coupled with the entrenchment of local and international terrorist organisations has meant that Pakistan has willingly or unwillingly the point is debatable taken on the unenviable position of being the most dangerous place on earth. Yet, the fact of the matter is that a significant number of Pakistanis have been thrust into a daily existence of which they want no part. One such group is the country's Internally Displaced People (IDPs) from the tribal areas and the frontier province. Forced to flee their homes when conflict between the army and militants engulfed the area, these people have been cheated by the government; forgotten by their countrymen and; marginalised by the international community. Yet their importance to Pakistan is unmistakable and must be recognised if the country is to achieve some semblance of stability in the long term.
Read More

A Retreat of Colour

Russia is standing at the precipice of an opportunity to regain its geopolitical influence in the eastern European neighbourhood. The conditions are just right: anti-government protests are on in Georgia and Moldova; Ukraine's most powerful leaders, former allies, are now dueling with each other for power; and the US is interested in seeking Russia's help for NATO operations in Afghanistan.
Read More

Where Religion Meets Politics…

  • By Gitanjali Bakshi
"There will be no peace among the nations without peace among the religions. There will be no peace among the religions without dialogue among the religions" Dr. Hans Kung
Read More

The Great Indian Numerical Curse

  • By Joyanto Mukherjee
The world's largest democracy has entered the polling booth for the 15th time in its illustrious history. The whole country is anticipating a very closely fought election this time around. The interest generated in the elections is more because of the sudden rise in the electorate. A total of 41 million new voters will be exercising their franchise and this makes the total number of registered voters rise to 714 million. Media channels are going crazy with this statistic and it has become the yardstick in these elections. An electorate of such a size is the wish of many countries across the world. Yet in India, a huge electorate doesn't always equal a conscious mandate.
Read More

The Obama Report Card

  • By Anumita Raj
As the 44th President of the United States approaches the completion of his first 100 days in office, the general public will no doubt be subject to many, many pieces on how he has fared, what it means, how the American public perceives him, how the international community perceives him and what his next challenges are likely to be. For the American political pundit, the first 100 days are a key indicator of the rest of their President's term. For the moment, let us concern ourselves with his foreign policy report card and what might come next.
Read More

The Day After the Celebrations

In 1910 a German women's right activist, Clara Zetkin, proposed that every year there should be a world wide celebration on the same day to advocate the rights of women and place their demands on a public space. In 1911 International Women's Day was born, and today almost a hundred years later, every year on March 8th we celebrate our women. A century ago with only two countries allowing women to vote, such a day was necessary. It brought to the fore front the struggles and challenges that women were facing, and placed their voices on a global forum. Today, decades later the celebrations have taken a different turn where in China, Macedonia, Russia and other countries March 8th is a an official holiday. Large rallies and events are held to celebrate the achievements of great and inspiring women, and the world takes a moment to recognize half its population.
Read More