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.
Sri Lankan President and PM Locked in a Tug-of-War
By Sudha Ramachandran
Under pressure from the people to resign, Gotabaya and Mahinda Rajapaksa are scheming separately, each to sink the other to save his own seat.
Suicide Blast in Southern Pakistan Kills 3 Chinese, Driver
By Adil Jawad
The director of the Chinese-built Confucius Institute in Karachi and two teachers were killed in a blast outside the University of Karachi.
Modi Flaunts India’s Grassroots Democracy on Visit to Jammu and Kashmir
By Tarushi Aswani
His lofty claims ring hollow in the restive region as the Union Territory is being ruled directly from New Delhi.
India’s Subtle Shifts Toward the West and Away From Russia
By Niranjan Marjani
New Delhi is not abandoning Russia, but it is slowly laying the groundwork to reduce its key areas of dependence on Moscow.
Afghan IS Group Claims Series of Bombings Targeting Shiites
By Kathy Gannon
Since sweeping to power last August, the Taliban have been battling the upstart Islamic State affiliate known as Islamic State in Khorasan Province or IS-K.
Modi’s India Has No Space For Muslims
By Tarushi Aswani
Hindutva activists are implementing a planned strategy to destroy Muslims, their homes, shops, and way of life.
Don’t Single Ukraine Out For Selling Military Hardware to Pakistan
By Krzysztof Iwanek
Just as it is in India’s national interest to keep good relations with both Russia and West, it was in Ukraine’s to sell arms to both India and Pakistan.
As Blasts Kill Afghans, the Taliban Ban TikTok
By Catherine Putz
Afghans have far bigger problems than quibbling over the morality of TikTok videos, like deepening poverty, hunger, and physical safety
Shehbaz Sharif Has Too Many Fires to Put Out
By Niha Dagia
In addition to holding the ruling coalition together, Pakistan’s new prime minister will have to deal with an ailing economy and rising anti-Americanism.
Pakistan Acts Tough on Top Terrorist
By Liam Gibson
Its sentencing of Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed is grounded in economic realism.
Muslim Properties Razed in New Delhi After Communal Violence
By Sheikh Saaliq
Muslim-owned shops continued to be bulldozed for almost an hour after the Supreme Court ordered a halt to the demolitions.
Pakistan Takes Fight Against TTP Into Afghanistan
By Umair Jamal
The military action inside Afghanistan marks a significant shift in its approach to the terror group.