Welcome to The Durand Dispatch!
At The Durand Dispatch, we seek to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world policy by delivering sharp, timely analyses on security dynamics, political violence, and militancy across South and Central Asia, with a special focus on the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.
The Durand Dispatch represents a new model for democratizing expertise on South and Central Asia security affairs. Founded by Dr. Amira Jadoon– a leading counterterrorism and international security expert – we’re committed to bringing fresh, diverse perspectives to regional security analysis through our network of student volunteers and local researchers.
Our mission is to cut through the noise, focusing on what matters most. Through careful curation of academic literature, policy papers, militant communications, and on-the-ground reporting, we distill complex regional developments into clear, accessible analysis.
We release two monthly newsletters:
Durand Dispatch PerspectivesA curated roundup of key regional security & militancy developments.
Durand Dispatch Strategic Messaging An analysis of propaganda and information warfare components from non-state actors.
Our Team
Amira Jadoon, Ph.D.
Writer and Researcher (Lead)
Amira Jadoon is a political scientist and professor at Clemson University, prior to which she worked at the Combating Terrorism Center at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York (2017-2022). Her research explores the multifaceted consequences of international security tools & counterterrorism strategies, examining their interlinkages with political violence, extremism, and the strategic dissemination of disinformation. Jadoon has published in numerous academic and policy journals including the Journal of Politics, Journal of Conflict Resolution, and International Studies Quarterly and is also the author of the book, The Islamic State in Afghanistan and Pakistan: Strategic Rivalries and Alliances (Lynne Rienner, 2023). Additionally, she is a non-resident fellow at the Stimson Center, and an associate editor at the European Journal of International Security. In 2022, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) named Jadoon as one of 50 honorees in the U.S. National Security & Foreign Affairs Leadership List.
Jadoon regularly briefs and engages with elements at all levels of the United States Government, including the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense as well as with international organizations and policymakers. She is fluent in Urdu, Hindko, and Punjabi and holds a Ph.D. in Political Science (State University of New York, Albany) and an MSc in Economic Development (London School of Economics). Prior to beginning her career in academia and research, Dr. Jadoon worked as a consultant for Deloitte London (U.K.) between 2006-2011.
Strategy Lead
Ayush Verma is a Geopolitical Risk Intelligence Specialist based in the United Kingdom, currently working at Resolver, A Kroll Business. Ayush has worked on several analytical reports related to emerging security threats, violent extremism, and information warfare including for platforms such as London Politica and Militant Wire, and also provided editorial support for a book project on the Islamic State Khorasan Province. Fluent in English, Hindi, Bengali, Punjabi, and Russian, with a working knowledge of Spanish and Urdu, Ayush brings a multilingual perspective to global security discourse.
Saif Tahir
Researcher & Contributor
Saif Tahir is a Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE) analyst and policy researcher with expertise in analysing jihadist propaganda narratives. His research focuses on analyzing jihadist propaganda, tactical and operational narratives, and the militant landscape across Pakistan and Afghanistan. As a doctoral candidate at Victoria University of Wellington, Saif’s research focuses on analyzing non-state actors' visual propaganda and online engagement patterns.
Field Researcher & Writer
Qambar Ali brings a decade of experience leading peace education initiatives, community-based research on P/CVE, education advocacy, and training programs across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and South Punjab. He has worked with the World Bank, the United States Institute of Peace as well as other notable organizations. Working closely with teachers, religious leaders, government officials, and local communities on peacebuilding, climate awareness, and social cohesion, he brings field insights and commitment to telling overlooked stories that help shed light on some of Pakistan’s most complex and underreported regions.
Researcher
Olivia Hodge is an HR Rotational Associate at Fidelity Investments. She has recently graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, specializing in global politics and business administration. She possesses a passion for foreign affairs and understanding militant organizations.
Researcher
John Elliot is an undergraduate student studying a dual major in Economics and Political Science at Clemson University. He will be perusing a Master’s degree in Economic Analytics in 2026. His career ambitions reflect a passion for data analytics and foreign policy, with a particular interest in global politics.
Researcher
Zainab Biabani is a researcher specializing in countering violent extremism (CVE), international humanitarian responses, and migration. Her experience spans foreign policy and irregular migration research. She has contributed to regional analysis on South and Central Asia, and has worked with underserved populations through roles in basic needs programs, college access mentoring, and public service organizations. Her interests include international security, terrorism, human rights, and the intersection of policy and social equity. She holds a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations from UC Berkeley.
Ameera Moinuddin
Researcher
Ameera Moinuddin is an undergraduate student at Wake Forest University pursuing a double major in Politics and International Affairs and Statistics. Having lived in both Pakistan and the Middle Eastern Gulf, and being a native Urdu speaker, she is most interested in the politics of South Asia and the Middle East. Ameera regularly writes for the college newspaper, showing her passion for writing and research, and is a member of the judicial branch in the Wake Forest Student Government. After completing her undergraduate degree, she intends to attend law school.
Researcher
William Shillinglaw is a senior undergraduate in the Department of Political Science at Clemson University specializing in counterterrorism, unconventional warfare, and state sponsorship of terrorism. His goal is to provide accurate and accountable information on security developments in the region, contributing to a deeper understanding of militant dynamics and their implications.
Researcher
Hamza Israr, is a researcher currently based in based in Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Peshawar. His work focuses on postcolonial contexts in Pakistan’s peripheries. He is interested in critical analysis that explores civil society resistance, state repression, documenting marginalised voices, and tracing patterns of power.
If you want to work with us, we’re always looking for smart graduate students and exceptional undergraduate students. Please send us an email with your resume and a cover letter at [email protected] indicating your area of interest and whether you are interested in research or writing for us. Please note that at present, these are unpaid and voluntary positions.