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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.
US Strike Shows Afghanistan Still Terror Base
By Aamer Madhani, Zeke Miller, Nomaan Merchant, and Lolita C. Baldor
That al-Qaida chief al-Zawahiri was living in Kabul and not in rural Afghanistan shows the extent of protection he enjoyed from the Taliban regime.
China Thumbs Its Nose at India in Sri Lanka
By Sudha Ramachandran
Despite New Delhi’s objections, Colombo has permitted a Chinese "research and survey" ship to dock at Hambantota Port soon.
US Strikes Down al-Qaida Leader in Heart of Kabul
By Catherine Putz
It’s difficult to believe that the Taliban were unaware of al-Zawahiri living in a safe house in the middle of Kabul.
Al-Zawahri Killed in US Drone Strike in Afghanistan
By Lee Keath
The al-Qaida chief’s elimination is likely to cause greater disarray within the group than did Osama bin Laden's death since it is far less clear who his successor will be.
Reform is No Longer the Biggest Drag on India’s Economic Ambitions
By Mohamed Zeeshan
Frequent communal clashes will deter global businesses from committing long-term investments in India.
Climate Change Takes Toll on Fruit Farming in South Waziristan
By Mansoor Ali
In the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas, a lack of rain is decimating crops – and the local economy.
‘Honor Killings’ Continue Unabated in Pakistan
By Mariyam Suleman Anees
While most victims of crimes committed in the name of protecting family honor are women, men too fall prey to this horrific practice.
Sri Lanka’s State-Owned Enterprises Are a Big Part of Its Economic Problems
By Talal Rafi
These loss-making entities are a huge drain on government coffers. It's time to think about privatization in some cases.
School Social Science Textbook Revisions in India Kick Up Controversy
By Kavita Chowdhury
The deletions from history and political science textbooks seem aimed at rewriting history.
Despite Disaster, 35 Deaths, Hindu Religious Pilgrimage in Kashmir Continues
By Tarushi Aswani
Assiduously promoting the Amarnath yatra as religious tourism, the government has recklessly raised the number of pilgrims stomping through this fragile environment.
New Research Raises Doubts Over Indian Government’s Clean Ganga Mission
By Rajeev Bhattacharyya
The study reveals that despite the implementation of several schemes for cleaning the Ganga River, its lower reaches remain the most polluted.
Rocky Road Ahead for Ranil Wickremesinghe
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The recently elected Sri Lankan president has started badly, by using troops to forcibly vacate protest sites in Colombo.