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Maheen Shafeeq


Research Associate

Areas of Research:

India-Pakistan-US-China Relations, Indo-Pacific, International Security, Emerging Technologies, Future Warfare, Militarization of Social Media, Diplomacy, and Nuclear Security.

Maheen Shafeeq is a Research Associate at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI). She graduated with an MPhil degree in International Relations from the University of Sheffield, UK. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences with a major in International Relations from Bahria University Islamabad.

Previously, she worked as a Researcher at the Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS). In addition, she has experience of teaching at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at Bahria University and the School of Politics and International Relations at Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad. She has also worked with the Ministry of Reforms and Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pakistan.

Ms Maheen has published several journal articles, reports, opinion articles, working papers, conference papers and book reviews. She has completed her fellowship with Sandia National Labs USA and participated in numerous courses and workshops by highly prestigious institutions such as Kings College London, World Institute for Nuclear Security and Sandia National Labs. She is an active member of the International Association for Political Science Students IAPSS (Canada), World Institute for Nuclear Security WINS (Austria), Institute of Nuclear Materials Management INMM (Austria), and Chatham House (UK), to mention a few.

Her research area includes India-Pakistan-US-China Relations, Indo-Pacific, International Security, Emerging Technologies, Future Warfare, Militarization of Social Media, Diplomacy, and Nuclear Security.

She is also a professional photographer and has worked with football clubs in the UK, such as Manchester United, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday.

Issue Brief on “Understanding the Dynamics of 18th Lok Sabha Election Results”

Introduction The 18th Lok Sabha election results were announced on June 4, 2024, by the Election Commission of India (ECI). Spanning seven phases, India held...

Issue Brief on “Prospects and Challenges of Pakistan-India Trade “

Introduction The heavy burden of history and persistently strained relations between Pakistan and India have been a significant source of wedge in their economic...

Issue Brief on 18th Lok Sabha Election Manifestos 2024: Indian Foreign Policy and Pakistan

Introduction Ahead of the 18th Lok Sabha elections (commencing from April 19, 2024), the manifestos of India’s two major political parties are under scrutiny. The...

Issue Brief on “Operation Swift Retort Revisited”

On February 27, 2024, Pakistan commemorated the fifth anniversary of Operation Swift Retort in which the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) successfully downed Indian fighter...

Issue Brief on “Modi’s Trip to UAE: Implications on Pakistan”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from February 13-14, 2024, on an official visit. This was his seventh...

Issue Brief on “India’s Republic Day: Indo-French Partnership and Implications for Pakistan “

On the occasion of India’s Republic Day on January 26, 2024, French President Emmanuel Macron was invited as chief guest, which further illustrates the...

Issue Brief on “India’s Extrajudicial and Extraterritorial Killings in Pakistan”

Introduction On the evening of January 25, 2024, the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan, Syrus Sajjad Qazi unveiled a comprehensive evidence package of India’s extrajudicial...

Issue Brief on “India’s G20 Framework of Digital Public Infrastructure: Vulnerabilities and Mass Surveillance”

Introduction: The G20 Leaders’ Declaration welcomed the proposal of the ‘G20 Framework for Systems of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI)’ by India. The stated purpose of...

Issue Brief on 2023 In-Review: Dents in Indo-U.S. Relations

Introduction Since 2000, the Indo-U.S. partnership has been on a consistent positive trajectory, and in the year 2023, the two states expanded the horizons of...

Issue Brief on “Is India a Geopolitical Force in the Indian Ocean Region?”

India has been elevating its foothold in the Indian Ocean aimed at maritime force posturing for the past two decades. The Indian Navy identifies...