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.
October 23, 2020
Sri Lanka’s Changing Relationship to Chinese Loans
By Umesh Moramudali
Both the share and the type of loans from China are changing as Sri Lanka wrestles with persistent balance of payment issues.
October 23, 2020
South Asia Has a New Economic Leader. Will the World Take Note?
By Ashfaq Zaman
COVID-19 has made Bangladesh richer per capita than India. Will diplomatic partners shift their strategies as a result?
October 20, 2020
Agree to Disagree? US, Taliban Trade Barbs Over Continuing Violence
By Catherine Putz
The Taliban and U.S. clearly have different understandings of the deal they signed in February.
October 20, 2020
Pakistan’s Former Prime Minister Takes the Generals Head on Amid Growing Confrontation
By Daud Khattak
The Pakistan army finds itself in a dilemma when it comes to continuing supporting the Imran Khan government.
October 20, 2020
Pakistan Remains in the UN Terror Financing Grey Zone
By Husain Haqqani
Pakistan has failed in letter and spirit to disrupt and dismantle terrorist financial infrastructure despite repeated warnings.
October 19, 2020
Amid Rising Big Power Tensions, Nepal Seeks a New Foreign Policy
By Kamal Dev Bhattarai
Kathmandu will have to balance Beijing, New Delhi, and Washington as it seeks a new way forward to advance national interest.
October 19, 2020
Upcoming Festivities in India Could Create a New COVID-19 Challenge
By Sudha Ramachandran
India seems to be on the mend when it comes to the pandemic. But that could change soon.
October 19, 2020
Afghans Say Preventing the Next War as Vital as Ending This One
By Associated Press
Even if an intra-Afghan deal is reached, many Afghans fear that the country's many factions will fight for power if U.S. and NATO troops leave.
October 19, 2020
Opposition Rallies Rock Pakistan As Its Leaders Push Against Imran Khan and the Military
By Abhijnan Rej
Opposition leader Nawaz Sharif’s push against the country’s powerful military is a bold gambit with no obvious end game.
October 16, 2020
How Balochistan Is Failing Its Girls
By Mariyam Suleman
It will take concerted, collective action to change the oppressed society for young girls and women in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.
October 15, 2020
Growing Sectarianism Can Challenge Lasting Peace in Afghanistan
By Said Sabir Ibrahimi
The Taliban’s insistence on the supremacy of Sunni Hanafism has alarmed Afghan Shias who have long been marginalized.
October 14, 2020
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Likely to Visit Sri Lanka Amid China’s Renewed Push There
By Prarthana Basu
Pompeo’s trip would come weeks after a high-level Chinese delegation visited the country.
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