Blog
The Pulse
South Asia is a story of promise and peril where Asia’s conflicting forces of modernity and reaction meet head on. Home to a multitude of different cultures, ethnicities, and religions, The Diplomat's regional correspondents and experts will provide the insight you need to navigate one of the world's most consequential regions.
May 08, 2021
What to Expect From the Virtual EU-India Leaders’ Meeting
By Stefania Benaglia
There are high expectations for the meeting on May 8, in the context of the EU's Indo-Pacific turn, and New Delhi's increasing outreach to Brussels.
May 08, 2021
Maldives’ Parliament Speaker Nasheed in Critical Condition After Blast
By Mohamed Sharuhaan
Police said that they were investigating the explosion as an act of terrorism targeting the former president.
May 07, 2021
US Sends More Warplanes to Protect Pullout from Afghanistan
By Robert Burns and Lolita C. Baldor
Military commanders have said that additional forces will flow in temporarily to help with security and logistics for the drawdown.
May 07, 2021
What’s Behind Pakistan Outreach to Saudi Arabia?
By Umair Jamal
Amid a serious regional churn, Islamabad may not be ready to jettison its long-time ally just yet.
May 07, 2021
China in Sri Lanka: The Colombo Port Conundrum
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Sri Lanka’s Parliament postponed discussion of a bill regarding Colombo Port City, but it is expected to pass.
May 07, 2021
Afghanistan’s Wildcard Warlords
By Waleed Mir
Warlords are a volatile group and with uncertainty looming in Afghanistan, these strongmen may look to protect their own interests first.
May 06, 2021
Internet and Social Media Blackouts Are Hurting Businesses in Pakistan
By Shahid Afzal Khan
The internet offers Pakistan a path for sustainable economic growth. Government “security” policies must not get in its way.
May 06, 2021
Amid US Pullout, Taliban Issue Threat to Afghan Journalists
By Kathy Gannon and Tameem Akhgar
The Taliban warned journalists to stop giving “one-sided news in support of Afghanistan's intelligence" service or "face the consequences."
May 05, 2021
Staunch Anti-India Kashmir Politician Dies in Police Custody
By Aijaz Hussain
Mohammed Ashraf Sehrai had been in jail for nearly a year under the Public Safety Act.
May 05, 2021
Pandemic Second Wave Presents a Moment of Reckoning for Modi – and Indian Politics
By Asim Ali
While the BJP’s defeat in the West Bengal elections hardly marks a referendum against Modi, rising middle class anger could indeed reverse his fortunes.
May 04, 2021
Violence Remains High in Afghanistan as US Withdrawal Begins
By Catherine Putz
Since the U.S.-Taliban peace deal, Afghan casualties -- both military and civilian -- have soared. That bodes ill for the future.
May 04, 2021
Virus Second Wave Sweeps Away Modi’s House of Cards
By Abhimanyu Chandra
For the past seven years, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has privileged optics over substance. That strategy has now spectacularly failed.
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