Michael Kugelman / Authors / About NOREF / Home

Michael Kugelman is programme associate with the Asia Program at the Washington, DC-based Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, where he is responsible for research, programming, and publications on South Asia. Much of his work has focused on resource shortages in Pakistan. He was the lead editor of Hunger Pains: Pakistan’s Food Insecurity , Wilson Center, (2010); Land Grab? The Race for the World’s Farmland , Wilson Center, (2009); and Running on Empty: Pakistan’s Water Crisis , Wilson Center, (2009). He is co-editor of Powering Pakistan: Meeting Pakistan’s Energy Needs in the 21st Century , Oxford University Press, (2009). He is also a regular contributor to Dawn , one of Pakistan’s major English-language newspapers. Michael Kugelman holds a master’s degree in international relations from Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

Urbanisation in Pakistan: causes and consequences: Michael Kugelman 24 January 2013
Pakistan’s current population is about one-third urban. However, that figure will rise to nearly 50% by 2025. This brief analyses the drivers of Pakistan’s urbanisation, and highlights both the positive and negative implications of the country’s transition to a more urban state. more
Decentralisation in Pakistan: the lost opportunity of the 18th amendment: Michael Kugelman 5 November 2012
Although largely ignored outside of Pakistan, the passage of the 18th amendment – which aims to decentralise political power – represented a seminal moment in the country’s history. Unfortunately, the amendment has failed to live up to expectations and has not come close to achieving its objectives. more
The long and rocky road to India-Pakistan rapprochement: Michael Kugelman 23 October 2012
There is cause for both optimism and concern with regard to prospects for peace between India and Pakistan. This analysis concludes that rising levels of bilateral co-operation increase the likelihood that the remaining obstacles to full-fledged normalisation could eventually be overcome. more
Social media in Pakistan: catalyst for communication, not change: Michael Kugelman 15 August 2012
Social media has been hailed as a medium that will bring political or societal change in Pakistan. However, the penetration rate of social media in Pakistani society is low and the new online media struggles to match the influence that traditional media already has. more
Prospects for youth-led movements for political change in Pakistan: Michael Kugelman 16 January 2012
In the context of the mass protest movements over the last year, this new policy brief assesses the likelihood of two types of youth-led political change movements emerging in the country: an Arab Spring-type campaign, and an Iran Revolution-style religious movement. more
Pakistan’s Population Prospects: Michael Kugelman 28 October 2011
Pakistan's future is closely tied to the fate of its mushrooming population. What must Pakistan do to produce a favourable demographic outcome for itself – and why does this constitute such a formidable challenge? more
International responses to Pakistan’s water crisis: opportunities and challenges: Michael Kugelman 22 November 2010
How can the international community help Pakistan respond to its widespread and deadly water crisis? Michael Kugelman identifies the opportunities available to the international community, while also highlighting the constraints it faces in tackling the water woes of one of the world’s most volatile nations. more

Michael Kugelman

Publications