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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.
How to Better Protect Free Speech in Indian Cyberspace
By Nupur Chowdhury
Online platforms that operate in India need to be regulated to ensure free and fair elections and protect data privacy and free speech
The Many Obstacles in the Way of Sheikh Hasina’s Conviction
By Saqlain Rizve
While the former prime minister’s trial and conviction are legally possible, there are political, institutional and societal challenges.
Will the West Isolate New Delhi Amid the India-Canada Row?
By Rushali Saha
Given deep linkages in multifaceted directions, the derailment of India’s ties with Western countries would require geopolitical realignment, which seems unlikely at this stage.
Sentence Handed Down in Afghan Special Immigrant Visa Bribery Case
By Catherine Putz
Jeromy Pittmann was convicted of providing false recommendation letters to more than 20 SIV applicants in exchange for bribes, undermining an already beleaguered program.
The Handmaiden of Media Oligarchies in India
By Vibodh Parthasarathi
An opaque and weak Competition Commission of India risks being seen as a facilitator of media oligarchies in India.
Can Parliament’s Increased Influence Over Appointment of Judges Lead to Political Stability in Pakistan?
By Umair Jamal
Imran Khan's PTI expressed “no objections” to the final draft of the amendment. But it chose to boycott the voting procedure to please its voter base.
The State-Owned Company at the Center of Taliban Plans for Self-Sufficiency
By Patrick Yeager
The National Development Corporation (NDC), though established under the previous government, has become a key instrument for the Taliban’s economic planning.
After Modi-Xi Meet in Kazan, Will Rhetoric Be Matched by Action?
By Rishi Gupta
While the steps taken to de-escalate tensions along the India-China border are significant, they are merely the beginning of a long process.
Modi-Xi Meeting in Russia: Tactical Thaw or Prolonged Peace?
By Rushali Saha
The handshake on the sidelines of the BRICS summit happened days after India announced that the two countries had reached a border patrolling agreement
From Chits to Chatbots: Cheating in India’s Education System
By Naresh Singh
Cheating and plagiarism are already widespread in India's higher education sector. AI tools are making the problem worse, but could also make things better.
The Impact of the US Elections on India
By Vrinda Sahai
A Harris administration will push India to use its ties with Moscow to encourage an end to the Ukraine war and reduce its defense and economic links with Russia.
New Gwadar International Airport: An Asset for Pakistan or Another Economic Burden for China?
By Mariyam Suleman Anees
Located in the sparsely populated Gwadar district of Pakistan’s insurgency-wracked Balochistan province, the airport’s economic viability is doubtful.