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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.
Sri Lanka Lawmakers to Pick New President but No Deal on Prime Minister
By Krishan Francis
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa promised to step down, while Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said he would leave once a new government was in place.
As Sri Lanka’s Economy Unravels, a Crude Awakening
By Luke Hunt
Gotabaya Rajapaksa has stepped down, but the task of cleaning up the country's economic mess has only just begun.
India Mourns Demise of ‘Great Friend’ Abe Shinzo
By Sudha Ramachandran
Under Abe’s government, Japan’s ties with India expanded beyond economic relations to include nuclear and security cooperation too.
New Coronavirus Mutant Raises Concerns in India and Beyond
By Laura Ungar and Anirddha Ghosal
Indian scientists say that the super contagious Omicron mutant has been spotted in several distant states in India.
Gotabaya Rajapaksa Is Finally Resigning. What’s Next for Sri Lanka?
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The country needs a credible government that enjoys legitimacy in the eyes of the people. Forming one will be a herculean task.
Sri Lankans Storm President’s House, Office in Biggest Rally Yet
By Krishan Francis
Protesters had successfully demanded the prime minister’s resignation, but they want his brother gone from the presidency as well.
As Imran Khan Seeks a Comeback, All Eyes on By-Elections in Pakistan’s Punjab
By Umair Jamal
Will Imran Khan’s targeting of the military establishment help his party win seats?
India’s Double-Faced Approach to Terrorism
By Sudha Ramachandran
The Muslim killers of a Hindu tailor have rightly been charged under a terrorism law. But Hindutva extremists are rarely punished, let alone charged under terrorism laws.
Can the Taliban Actually Prevent Attacks Launched From Afghan Soil?
By Catherine Putz
The Taliban promised, again, that Afghan soil would not be used to threaten the security of neighboring countries a day after five rockets landed in an Uzbek border town.
Economic Crisis Forces Sri Lanka to Shed Fears and Move Closer to US, Middle East
By P.K. Balachandran
Sri Lanka has accepted a USAID project to promote “productive democratic governance” and is seeking fuel on credit from Middle East.
China Takes Full Advantage of Taliban’s Isolation
By Niva Yau
Chinese interests in expanding its engagement in Afghanistan lies in opportunist thinking.
Twitter Files Lawsuit Against Indian Government in Court
By Sheikh Saaliq
The Modi government has often directed Twitter to take down tweets or accounts that appear critical of its policies. Twitter has snapped back.