Arif Rafiq

Arif Rafiq is president of Vizier Consulting, a political risk advisory firm focused on the Middle East and South Asia.

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Articles by Arif Rafiq
Bhutto holds his arms in the air waving as a Pakistani flag waves in the background.
Bhutto holds his arms in the air waving as a Pakistani flag waves in the background.

Pakistan’s Ghosts Loom Over Imran Khan

Analysis
Arif Rafiq
A man stands in front of a line of parked trucks near a sign that reads "Welcome to Gwadar Port."
A man stands in front of a line of parked trucks near a sign that reads "Welcome to Gwadar Port."

Pakistan Wanted Gwadar to Be the Next Singapore. China’s Role Didn’t Help.

Analysis
Arif Rafiq
A close up photo of Zalmay Khalilzad's face.
A close up photo of Zalmay Khalilzad's face.

Don’t Blame Khalilzad for the Afghanistan Debacle

Argument
Arif Rafiq
A sweeper cleans a deserted bus station after the provincial government suspended public transport during a lockdown in Peshawar, Pakistan, on April 3.
A sweeper cleans a deserted bus station after the provincial government suspended public transport during a lockdown in Peshawar, Pakistan, on April 3.

Pakistan’s Geoeconomic Delusions

Argument
Arif Rafiq
A Pakistan Army personnel looks on during the opening of a trade route project at the Gwadar port in Pakistan on Nov. 13, 2016.
A Pakistan Army personnel looks on during the opening of a trade route project at the Gwadar port in Pakistan on Nov. 13, 2016.

The Pakistan Army’s Belt and Road Putsch

Argument
Arif Rafiq
A soldier atop an armored personal vehicle smiles as Soviet troops stop in Kabul prior to their withdrawal from Afghanistan on May 16, 1988.
A soldier atop an armored personal vehicle smiles as Soviet troops stop in Kabul prior to their withdrawal from Afghanistan on May 16, 1988.

In Afghanistan and Kashmir, It’s the 1980s All Over Again

Argument
Arif Rafiq
GettyImages-482681863
GettyImages-482681863

Modi’s Sacred Cows

Argument
Arif Rafiq
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif holds a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron in the White Room of Number 10 Downing Street on April 30, 2014 in London, England. During his visit to the UK, Mr Sharif is scheduled to meet with David Cameron, address an Investment Conference and meet members of the Pakistani Diaspora. (Photo by Oli Scarff - WPA Pool /Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif holds a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron in the White Room of Number 10 Downing Street on April 30, 2014 in London, England. During his visit to the UK, Mr Sharif is scheduled to meet with David Cameron, address an Investment Conference and meet members of the Pakistani Diaspora. (Photo by Oli Scarff - WPA Pool /Getty Images)

The Dangerous, Delicate Saudi-Pakistan Alliance

Argument
Arif Rafiq
460588008_12-17
460588008_12-17

The Death Throes of the Pakistani Taliban

Argument
Arif Rafiq
Photo: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images
Photo: Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images

The Musharraf Boomerang

Argument
Arif Rafiq
NASEER MEHSUD/AFP/Getty Images
NASEER MEHSUD/AFP/Getty Images

A Bad Time to Kill a Bad Man?

Argument
Arif Rafiq
Photo: Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images
Photo: Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images

After Kayani

Argument
Arif Rafiq
Cate Gillon/Getty Images
Cate Gillon/Getty Images

A Dream Gone Sour

Argument
Arif Rafiq
REHMAN ALI/AFP/Getty Images
REHMAN ALI/AFP/Getty Images

The Battle for Islamabad

Argument
Arif Rafiq
Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images
Arif Ali/AFP/Getty Images

Sharifistan

Argument
Arif Rafiq
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