Hassan Abbas

Distinguished Professor @TheNesaCenter; past affiliations: @AsiaSociety Quaid-i-Azam Chair @ColumbiaSIPA @BelferCenter @newamerica @Harvard_Law Views=personal

[Hassan Abbas @Watandost]

My new essay for ⁦@RSAsianAffairs⁩ explores a hard truth: the Taliban state is more resilient & adaptable than many expected but still repressive and structurally vulnerable. A reflection on power, constraint, conflict with Pakistan & state’s future. https://t.co/b42InGktEH

[Ilhan Niaz @IlhanNiaz]

The emergence of Pakistan as a declared nuclear weapons state on May 28, 1998, was one of the major events of the late-20th century with far-reaching implications. The fact that Pakistan succeeded where many richer and better positioned states have failed or given up was the result of national resolve, the ability to exploit circumstances, and an urgency born of a deeply felt survival imperative.

Today, Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal encompasses 170+ nuclear warheads, accompanied by continuous progress in delivery systems, and advancement in aerospace capabilities.

Here are 4 books by Pakistani authors that tell this story from different perspectives. Be sure to get them because the story of Pakistan’s nuclear program is one of extraordinary success in spite of the gods.

As the world threatens to return to its historic normal of pure geopolitical competition shorn of legal pretensions there are many nations who can learn from Pakistan’s hard power focus.

[Christopher Clary @clary_co]

I took a few minutes this morning to reflect back on what we know about the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict that wasn't apparent a year ago.

[Hassan Abbas @Watandost]

The most profound life lessons often come from our closest brushes with losing it.

“It’s not the Nobel Prize, the Ferrari, or the recognition. It’s the ability to breathe, a morning coffee, the sun rising.” — Benjamin List, Nobel laureate in Chemistry

[The Nobel Prize @NobelPrize]

What is the meaning of life?

Hear 2021 chemistry laureate Benjamin List answer the question we all are trying to find an answer to.

[Hassan Abbas @Watandost]

“If we want to talk about what we can expect without speculating too much regarding these negotiations, I believe that the burden, really, will fall on third-party mediators like Pakistan, who will be having to relay messages between Iran & Washington …” https://t.co/B5OUpILCjJ

[Hassan Abbas @Watandost]

Excellent collection on Palestine & Gaza

[Hassan Abbas @Watandost]

At the Harvard Book Store today and came away with these four: Trafficking Data, Love Your Enemies, Fooled by Randomness, and Chokepoints. Few pleasures rival walking out of a bookstore carrying new ideas.

[Department of State @StateDept]

PRESS SEC on U.S.-Iran negotiations: The Pakistanis have been incredible mediators and we really appreciate their friendship and efforts to bring this deal to a close. 

The President feels it's important to continue to streamline this communication through the Pakistanis.

[Asma Shirazi @asmashirazi]

پروفیسر حسن عباس: ماہر بین الاقوامی امور
پاکستان کوئی شمالی کوریا کی طرح کا ملک نہیں جس کے پاس دو تین ایٹم بم ہیں۔۔ پاکستان کے پاس 150 سے 170 ایٹمی ہتھیار ہیں۔ پاکستان نے اپنی آزاد سیکیورٹی پالیسی بنائی اور آج بھی اس پر چل رہا ہے۔ پاکستان کے بھارت کو منہ توڑ جواب نے پاکستان کی عزت دنیا میں بڑھائی ہے جوپاکستان کی ملٹری پاور ہے۔ پاکستان کو اب قطرطرز کی اس ڈپلومیسی سے فائدہ لینے کے لیے جو ملک آئے سرمایہ کاری پر ضرور بات کرنا ہو گی۔ @Watandost
#FaislaAapKa TEAM | Hum News

[Şerşeh🍁 @_shershahhkhan_]

long story.

[Hassan Abbas @Watandost]

Pakistan deserves credit for showing that measured diplomacy still matters. Islamabad opened space for dialogue where others saw only deadlock. One hopes this fragile opening leads to lasting peace. https://t.co/uPK4jfK8dS

[Asma Shirazi @asmashirazi]

Honoured to participate in the Pakistan Conference at Harvard University. Will be speaking at a session with honourable Professor Hassan Abbas at 2:45 pm on "A life in the Media".
@Watandost @Harvard

[Hassan Abbas @Watandost]

A timely and much-needed @harvard conference on Pakistan at a consequential moment. With a strong line-up, this promises to be an important space for informed debate, fresh ideas, and serious engagement on the country’s future. https://t.co/iLty8JGibO

[Atif Mian @AtifRMian]

How Pakistan made the world over 3 trillion dollars richer

On April 7, the world edged toward Trump's 8pm ultimatum that "a whole civilization will die tonight." By mid-afternoon, Polymarket gave less than a 5% chance for a ceasefire. But then in a flurry of last-minute diplomacy led by Pakistan's PM Shehbaz Sharif, ceasefire odds shifted from near-impossibility to 100%, as both U.S. and Iranian leadership publicly acknowledged the important role played by Pakistan.

The sharp shift in probability of ceasefire from near-zero to certainty, allows us to estimate cleanly the market value of Pakistan's successful diplomacy. There was a sharp jump of 2.9% in S&P500 around the ceasefire announcement. The reaction was similar the world over.

Global markets represent about $125T, so a 2.9% jump represents a gain of 3.6 trillion dollars for the world. Pakistan helped create TEN times its own GDP for the world!

For me, the best part is not the trillions of dollar, but seeing Pakistan on the world stage as a peace maker.

I hope Pakistan runs with this new identity by promoting peace not only abroad, but also at home. That means moving away from politics of division and exclusion, and treating every citizen as its own.

[Shehbaz Sharif @CMShehbaz]

Diplomatic efforts for peaceful settlement of the ongoing war in the Middle East are progressing steadily, strongly and powerfully with the potential to lead to substantive results in near future. To allow diplomacy to run its course, I earnestly request President Trump to extend the deadline for two weeks. Pakistan, in all sincerity, requests the Iranian brothers to open Strait of Hormuz for a corresponding period of two weeks as a goodwill gesture. We also urge all warring parties to observe a ceasefire everywhere for two weeks to allow diplomacy to achieve conclusive termination of war, in the interest of long-term peace and stability in the region.

@realDonaldTrump
@JDVance
@SecRubio
@SteveWitkoff
@SEPeaceMissions
@drpezeshkian
@mb_ghalibaf
@araghchi

[Royal Society for Asian Affairs @RSAsianAffairs]

From internal discipline to regional diplomacy, the Taliban’s rule is proving more resilient than many expected - but its foundations remain fragile. In our latest blog, Dr Hassan Abbas (@Watandost) examines how power has consolidated around Hibatullah Akhundzada, why internal dissent has been contained, and what structural vulnerabilities still threaten the emirate’s future. Link in the comments. #Afghanistan

[Hassan Abbas @Watandost]

Today marks the 47th anniversary of the judicial killing of the legendary Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, hanged on false charges by a military junta. His fearless defiance of authoritarianism and his enduring voice for the people remain deeply etched in the country’s democratic conscience.

[Shoaib Ahmed Malik (PhD, PhD, FISSR, SFHEA) @DrShoaibAM]

I am delighted to announce that my OPEN ACCESS volume, Seven Classical Perspectives for Islam and Science, is now available. Enjoy!

https://t.co/ZsTLX8NEKx

[Hassan Abbas @Watandost]

This essay by Javad Zarif is worth reading as part of a broader reflection on the possibilities of peace. At a moment when the costs of war and disruption are simply too high for all, serious engagement with arguments for de-escalation are crucial. https://t.co/FXik1gS69m

[Hassan Abbas @Watandost]

A great day for Islamabad, but the harder task still lies ahead: not just helping broker peace, but helping guarantee it. Ceasefires can be reached quickly; preserving peace demands courage and patience. May God guide them toward what is just, wise, and lasting.