India and Pakistan on the Brink: Dr. Paul Staniland on Operation Sindoor, the Kashmir Terror Attack, and the Ceasefire’s Stability

In this episode, A’ndre speaks with his old boss Dr. Paul Staniland, Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and a leading authority on political violence and South Asian security, for an in-depth conversation on the recent confrontation between India and Pakistan.

Dr. Staniland analyzes the strategic logic behind India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in response to a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. The conversation explores the evolving nature of India and Pakistan's disputes over Kashmir, the role of militant networks, and the risks of escalation in a nuclear-armed region shaped by domestic politics and great power rivalry.

Topics covered include:

• The political and strategic rationale behind India’s cross-border strikes
• Pakistan’s relationship with armed groups and its role in crisis escalation
• Lessons from past India-Pakistan confrontations — and what may be different now
• The role of the U.S., China, and backchannel diplomacy in managing the ceasefire
• How domestic politics contributed to the confrontation

Dr. Staniland offers a uniquely grounded perspective on how South Asia’s most volatile rivalry is evolving — and what to watch for as both countries recalibrate their strategies under rising regional and global pressure.