Arif Rafiq

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

Follow Arif Rafiq:
On X
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
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2

Modi’s Sacred Cows

Argument
Arif Rafiq
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2

The Dangerous, Delicate Saudi-Pakistan Alliance

Argument
Arif Rafiq
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2

The Death Throes of the Pakistani Taliban

Argument
Arif Rafiq
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2

The Musharraf Boomerang

Argument
Arif Rafiq
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2

A Bad Time to Kill a Bad Man?

Argument
Arif Rafiq
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2

After Kayani

Argument
Arif Rafiq
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2

A Dream Gone Sour

Argument
Arif Rafiq
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2

The Battle for Islamabad

Argument
Arif Rafiq
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2
fp-placeholder-social-share-3-2

Sharifistan

Argument
Arif Rafiq
Load more by Arif Rafiq Return to staff list

Latest

See All Stories

Trending

  1. 1
    The Air Battle That Could Decide the Russia-Ukraine War
  2. 2
    Can Europe Break Free From China’s Rare-Earth Grip?
  3. 3
    Why Oil Sanctions No Longer Work This article has an audio recording
  4. 4
    Why Israel Keeps Attacking Syria