Shuja Nawaz, a native of Pakistan, was the founding director of the South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council from January 2009 until 2014.. He is currently a distinguished fellow at the Center.

A political and strategic analyst, Mr. Nawaz has worked with RAND, the United States Institute of Peace, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, BROOKINGS, and other leading think tanks on projects dealing with Pakistan and the Middle East. He has also advised or briefed senior government and military officials and parliamentarians in the US, Europe, and Pakistan.