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Umer
Karim

Visiting Fellow, Pakistan

Umer Karim is a visiting fellow at RUSI where he focuses on Pakistan's evolving political and security environment within its neighborhood. He is also a doctoral researcher at the Department of Political Science and International Studies, University of Birmingham. His academic research focuses on Saudi Arabian Foreign Policy and Politics, in particular Saudi-Iran regional rivalry and the broader geopolitics of the Middle East. Umer's work has appeared in academic journals and mainstream news sources alike.
He tweets at @umarkarim89

Umer
Karim
Visiting Fellow, Pakistan

Contact Details

RUSI Whitehall

Research Focus

Pakistan, The Gulf Region, Central and South Asia, Middle East and North Africa Saudi Arabian Foreign Policy and Politics

By This Author

""Saudi Arabia is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea," Umar Karim, a visiting fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, told AFP. "The delay in announcing its decision shows it understands the political consequences of cancelling the hajj or reducing its scale.""

Saudi faces perilous hajj call as virus spikes

16 June 2020

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""Saudi Arabia is trying to project itself as more responsible than Iran," Umar Karim, a visiting fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, told AFP. "But there is apprehension that its decision could reignite the political debate in the Muslim world about whether it should be the sole authority on the hajj and the two holy cities.""

Saudi risks fallout with coronavirus curbs on holy sites

5 March 2020

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Qassem Soleimani's Funeral in Tehran

Death of Qassem Soleimani: What to Expect in Afghanistan and Pakistan

24 January 2020

Soleimani’s successor is an Iranian officer with experience in fomenting trouble in Afghanistan and Pakistan. That is an ominous sign for...

Tags: Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, National Security

"While Mr Suleimani was focused on the Arab Middle East, Mr Qaani has been involved in activities related to Pakistan and Afghanistan, where Tehran has a different set of priorities in dealing with the US. His oversight of Iran's eastern front had seen him deal with Pakistan on three sensitive issues, said Umer Karim of the Royal United Services Institute. "

Who is Esmail Qaani, the new Iranian elite force commander?

3 January 2020

Tags:

" Depending on how the country's political spectrum now evolves, there are signs that the current state of affairs within civil-military ties will be sustained until leaders on both sides bid farewell to their positions."

Current state of civil-military relationship and future trends

4 December 2019

Tags: Pakistan

"Umer Karim, visiting fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a UK-based security think tank, told VICE News that in carrying out the attacks while calling for the resumption of talks, the Taliban was acting according to a familiar logic.“They’re saying we’re happy to resume talks — but they’re also sending a signal that when they are sitting around the table, they’ll be there in a position of strength.”"

Hours After Killing 48 People in Bombings, the Taliban Says It Wants to Restart Peace Talks

18 September 2019

Tags: Afghanistan

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""Saudi Arabia is caught between the devil and the deep blue sea," Umar Karim, a visiting fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, told AFP. "The delay in announcing its decision shows it understands the political consequences of cancelling the hajj or reducing its scale.""

Saudi faces perilous hajj call as virus spikes

16 June 2020 Tags:

""Saudi Arabia is trying to project itself as more responsible than Iran," Umar Karim, a visiting fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, told AFP. "But there is apprehension that its decision could reignite the political debate in the Muslim world about whether it should be the sole authority on the hajj and the two holy cities.""

Saudi risks fallout with coronavirus curbs on holy sites

5 March 2020 Tags:

"While Mr Suleimani was focused on the Arab Middle East, Mr Qaani has been involved in activities related to Pakistan and Afghanistan, where Tehran has a different set of priorities in dealing with the US. His oversight of Iran's eastern front had seen him deal with Pakistan on three sensitive issues, said Umer Karim of the Royal United Services Institute. "

Who is Esmail Qaani, the new Iranian elite force commander?

3 January 2020 Tags:

" Depending on how the country's political spectrum now evolves, there are signs that the current state of affairs within civil-military ties will be sustained until leaders on both sides bid farewell to their positions."

Current state of civil-military relationship and future trends

4 December 2019 Tags: Pakistan

"Umer Karim, visiting fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a UK-based security think tank, told VICE News that in carrying out the attacks while calling for the resumption of talks, the Taliban was acting according to a familiar logic.“They’re saying we’re happy to resume talks — but they’re also sending a signal that when they are sitting around the table, they’ll be there in a position of strength.”"

Hours After Killing 48 People in Bombings, the Taliban Says It Wants to Restart Peace Talks

18 September 2019 Tags: Afghanistan

""Before the center of attention was Afghan troops and Afghan military personnel, but now we may see U.S. troops under the Taliban radar as well," said Umer Karim, a visiting fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank. "

After Trump kills Taliban deal, Afghanistan faces more violence, longer odds for peace, experts say

9 September 2019 Tags: United States, Afghanistan

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