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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 “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...

Issue Brief on “The Fifth Annual India-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue”

Introduction Indian Minister for External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar and Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh hosted U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary...

Issue Brief on “India Ditches Its ‘Neutrality’?”

Introduction Within hours of Hamas’ attack on Israel, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a bold move by expressing his full solidarity with Israel on...

Issue Brief on “India-Canada Diplomatic Row”

Introduction In his recent speech at the Canadian Parliament, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of conducting terrorist acts on its soil,...