This interview with Zalmai Nishat, the Founder and Executive Chair of Mosaic Global Foundation was originally published in The Narrative 360 on 4 July 2025. This is the second part of ’10 Questions for’ with Zalmai Nishat
In recent years, Central Asia has emerged as a critical geostrategic crossroads, poised between the ambitions of global powers and the aspirations of its diverse societies. The 2022 UN resolution declaring the region a “Zone of Peace, Trust, and Cooperation” offers a bold diplomatic vision—but one that must contend with deep-rooted historical, political, and infrastructural challenges. In this wide-ranging interview, we speak with the author of the article “Is the New Silk Road Still on Track to Create a Zone of Peace, Trust, and Cooperation?”—a powerful analysis originally published on Narrativa360. Drawing from a deep understanding of the region’s civilizational legacy, security dynamics, and diplomatic currents, the author reflects on the real-world prospects for integration, the role of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, the complexities of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, and the future of the Organisation of Turkic States. At the heart of the discussion lies a provocative yet timely question: can Central Asia transcend fragmentation and rediscover a pluralistic ethos rooted in its Turco-Persian past? This conversation offers critical insight into the competing forces shaping the region—and what it will take to turn a shared vision into lasting reality.
6.) Tony Blair is the Labour Party’s most successful leader and the UK’s second-longest-serving post-war Prime Minister. He was also the reason I started to follow politics and international relations. What was it like working for such a consequential global figure, and how has that shaped your own leadership style and global outlook?
Following the precipitous withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan and the subsequent fall of the republic in August 2021, Tony Blair authored a powerful piece condemning what he rightly described as an “imbecilic decision”—a rare moment of moral clarity from a global statesman. He was, in fact, the first major international leader to respond publicly to the Taliban’s return to power, resulting from poor Western political decisions. As someone originally from Afghanistan, I found his strategic assessment both accurate and profoundly resonant.
It was this clarity of thought—and urgency to engage proactively with the future—that inspired me to join the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI). There, I had the privilege of serving as Programme Lead for Central and South Asia for nearly two years. Under Tony Blair’s leadership, I learned to appreciate three critical pillars of impactful public service:
- Clarity of vision and mission—everyone at TBI clearly understood the organisation’s objectives and purpose.
- Effective delivery is entirely dependent on the quality of the people driving it.
- Individuals thrive only in supportive, values-driven organisational cultures.
TBI’s mandate—to reimagine the state through strategy, policy, and delivery, especially emphasising technology as a core enabler—is genuinely revolutionary. Advising over 40 governments worldwide, the Institute aims to build an open, free, and interconnected world. My tenure taught me to develop bold policy solutions grounded firmly in practical realities designed to achieve tangible impact.
Working closely with Tony Blair has profoundly shaped my leadership style and global perspective. His unique blend of strategic foresight, moral conviction, and institutional innovation continues to guide how I approach statecraft and systems change amidst today’s turbulence.
7.) You recently participated in a landmark global conference, “Girls’ Education in Islamic Communities: Challenges and Opportunities,” co-hosted by the Muslim World League and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Islamabad. Given the Taliban’s absence from the talks, should the Islamic world now take a firmer, more public stance in confronting their policies?
The Taliban project their interpretation of Islam through the narrow prism of Pashtun—or specifically, rural Pashtun—culture. This strategic conflation is profoundly problematic. The Pashtuns (or Afghans), along with other diverse communities within Afghanistan, have historically formed a broader civilisational fabric known as Khurasan, deeply embedded in rich Persianate political and intellectual traditions. Islamic madrasas flourished for over a millennium across this vast space, illustrating pluralistic and sophisticated religious traditions.
The Taliban’s ideology represents a modern construct divorced from these historical realities, simply another variant of political Islam. The portrayal of the Taliban as merely conservative Pashtun Muslims is inaccurate; their movement is a dangerous manifestation of political Islam.
Afghanistan, a nation historically characterised by diversity, has never had a single ethnic majority. Thus, imposing a singular ethno-religious narrative is both ahistorical and unjust. Islamic civilisation historically embraced pluralism, with multiple expressions of faith reflecting diverse local cultures.
The Taliban’s ideology is inflexible and resistant to reform, making the notion of a “moderate Taliban” dangerously misleading. Controlled through the mechanism of bay‘at, or allegiance, any superficial rhetoric changes will not substantively alter policy or orientation.
Given this reality—particularly with the Taliban imposing a regime of gender apartheid and erasing cultural and religious pluralism—the Islamic world must adopt a principled, firm stance. Rather than attempting futile reform, efforts should empower those resisting Taliban tyranny. Defending religious pluralism and education rights requires active support beyond mere rhetoric.
8.) You’ve worked across governments, NGOs, and multilateral institutions. What common obstacles have you encountered in advancing long-term peace and development agendas in fragile regions like Central and South Asia?
This challenging yet crucial question reflects my extensive experience over two decades in government, civil society, and international development agencies operating in fragile contexts. Working across these sectors provided a comprehensive understanding of both the potential and limitations of peace and development initiatives.
A persistent structural obstacle across regions like South Asia, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and West Asia is the heavy reliance on ethno-nationalism or religious nationalism as the foundation of state identity. This approach marginalises alternative, inclusive civic identities, exacerbating divisions rather than resolving them.
Modern institutions often anchor state identity narrowly in singular religion, ethnicity, or language. Historically, however, the region’s Persianate heritage embraced diversity and multiplicity—values aligning naturally with inclusivity, equality, freedom, secularism, and democracy.
The devastating legacy of narrowly defined nationalism is evident historically, as seen in the partition of British India, shaped by the religiously defined “two-nation theory,” which profoundly impacted regional stability.
Addressing these challenges requires fundamental reimagining of state identity, citizenship, and institutional roles, combined with comprehensive educational, governance, and civic reforms, to establish peace built upon genuine inclusivity.
9.) You founded two NGOs focused on counter-radicalisation and education. With extremism resurging in new forms, especially online, what innovations do you believe are most urgently needed?
In Afghanistan, I recognised a profound cultural battle waged through grassroots indoctrination by extremist groups, imposing rigid, politicised interpretations of Islam.
At the Etidal Foundation, our counter-strategy was rooted in reclaiming Islam’s historical pluralism, highlighting theological diversity, ethical reasoning, and regional traditions. A powerful resource was the Persianate tradition of andarz-nāma (“mirrors for princes”), advocating justice and equality, reinforced by inclusive interpretations from Sufi traditions and classical Persian poetry.
To effectively counter radicalisation today, this strategy must adapt digitally. Extremists weaponise online spaces, necessitating a reclaiming through pluralistic, historically grounded Islamic narratives disseminated via short videos, podcasts, and interactive dialogues.
Moreover, creating a supportive ecosystem involving trusted local voices, youth-driven activism, ethical AI moderation, and strong partnerships among educators, technologists, and faith leaders is crucial. Responding effectively requires cultivating strategic cultures emphasising nuance, hope, and tradition-rooted critical thinking.
10.) As Founder and Executive Chair of the Mosaic Global Foundation, what’s your long-term vision, and how do you see Mosaic positioning itself in the evolving landscape of diplomacy, civil society, and global development?
At Mosaic Global Foundation, we envision a world where humanity thrives through diversity, equality, and shared prosperity. Guided by timeless values from Persianate and Eastern Islamic traditions, we seek sustainable peace, empowering every voice and culture.
We advocate for states unbound by singular religion, ethnicity, or language, championing inclusive governance and civic structures. Our efforts focus on diverse educational systems, human rights defence, amplifying civil society, integrating refugees with dignity—particularly in the UK—and promoting equality and pluralism.
Our name, Mosaic, symbolises our ethos—unity through diversity. In today’s fragmented world, Mosaic presents an alternative rooted in dialogue, justice, and enduring coexistence.