On April 22, a terror attack in disputed Kashmir ignited the most serious fighting between India and Pakistan in more than 50 years, raising serious concerns over the potential for escalation between the two nuclear-armed rivals. Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire announced on May 10, the situation remains tense, as domestic political pressures and a changing regional landscape contribute to growing risks along one of the world’s most dangerous geopolitical flashpoints. In this episode of Talking Policy, Amit Ahuja, an associate professor at UC Santa Barbara, and Josh White, a professor of practice at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, speak with host Lindsay Shingler to help unpack what is at stake and what might happen next.

This interview was conducted on May 14, 2025. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.