Saima Afzal is a geopolitical analyst, specializing in South Asian security, counterterrorism, Afghanistan, the Middle East and Indo-Pacific strategic affairs. She is currently a PhD Researcher at Justus Liebig University, Germany. Her research and commentary explore regional conflict dynamics, great-power competition and emerging geoeconomics shifts. Saima regularly contributes to Asia Times, The National Interest, The Lowy Institute, Counterpunch, Turkiye Today, Fair Observer and The Strategist, and has authored four peer-reviewed journal articles and over 250 op-eds. An alumna of A Hobid Summer School 2023 (Germany), she is committed to evidence-based policy analysis, regional stability and responsible statecraft. She lives in Germany and remains deeply interested in global affairs, reading and cross-regional dialogue.