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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.
Pakistan Warns Afghanistan Not to Shelter Militants
By Kathy Gannon
Militant attacks in Pakistan have grown since the Taliban came to power last year.
US Human Rights Report Raps Bangladesh on the Knuckles
By Shafi Md Mostofa
The Biden administration has raised questions over the legitimacy of the Sheikh Hasina government over three years after the general elections.
Challenges Ahead for the Colombo Security Conclave, the Indian Ocean Quad
By Kannan Reghunathan Nair
The Delhi-driven subregional arrangement faces a number of challenges but stands as a noteworthy endeavor to coordinate on maritime safety and security in the Indian Ocean region.
Why India Has Been Soft on Russia Over Ukraine
By Sumit Ganguly
The two countries have strong military, diplomatic, and energy ties.
As Nepal Turns to the Indo-Pacific, China Worries
By Shrey Khanna and Aarthi Ratnam
Nepal has shifted more toward India and the United States under the Deuba government, sparking concern from Beijing.
Economic Fallout of Pakistan’s Political Crisis
By Osama Rizvi
Should Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif take populist steps like reducing energy prices, Pakistan could go down the same route as Sri Lanka.
Imran Khan’s US Conspiracy Theory: A Close Examination
By Krzysztof Iwanek
Khan has not provided any evidence that Americans toppled his government; meanwhile, the Pakistan opposition has been agitating for a no-confidence vote for months.
Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Offers to Meet With Protesters
By Krishan Francis
But protestors are unimpressed. They want the ruling Rajapaksa clan to go.
Sri Lankans Gear Up to Remove the Rajapaksas
By Sudha Ramachandran
That will not be easy as the president enjoys enormous powers and cannot be impeached easily.
Is the Taliban’s Halt of Poppy Production Too Good To Be True?
By James Durso
The U.S. spent over $8 billion in a failed effort to stop the Afghan drug trade. Will the Taliban’s DIY effort carry the day?
Sri Lanka Halts Debt Repayment Pending IMF Bailout Plan
By Krishan Francis
Sri Lankans for the past months have been enduring shortages of fuel, food, and other essentials and daily power outages.
Where Do Pakistan-US Relations Go From Here?
By Sheharyar Ali
Following Imran Khan’s ouster amid public accusations of a U.S. conspiracy, how will the new government approach the relationship?