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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.
Protests Erupt in India’s Parliament Over Spying Scandal
By Sheikh Saaliq and Krutika Pathi
A recent global investigation found spyware called Pegasus had been used to target opposition figures and journalists in more than 50 countries, including India.
India Should Talk to China About Afghanistan
By Mohamed Zeeshan
Like India, China is concerned that Taliban-ruled Afghanistan could be a safe haven for Islamic militants.
US Peace Envoy Visits Islamabad as Pakistan-Afghan Ties Sour
By Kathy Gannon
Zalmay Khalilzad's visit came just hours after Afghanistan withdrew its ambassador from Pakistan.
Bangladesh Lifts Lockdown to Celebrate, Despite Warnings From Health Experts
By Julhas Alam
Tens of millions of Bangladeshis are shopping and traveling during an eight-day pause in the country’s strict coronavirus lockdown for the Islamic festival Eid al-Adha.
Terrorists Target Chinese Nationals Working on a CPEC Project
By Niha Dagia
Initially, Pakistan’s foreign ministry wrote it off as an accident, but China has described it a terror attack.
In Afghanistan, Deja Vu All Over Again
By Aidai Masylkanova
Just as in 2014, there is a sense of anxiety bordering on panic about the impending U.S. withdrawal.
Is Pakistan Serious About Peace Talks in Balochistan?
By Samand Muhammad Shahi and Mujeeb Baloch
Past initiatives have given Balochs plenty of reason for skepticism.
China-India Foreign Ministers Meet in Dushanbe
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
If the Indian press statements are a signal to China, the message is clear: India is angry.
India’s Broken Justice System Claims Another Life
By Asim Ali
Successive Indian governments have used the country's anti-terror law to quell dissent.
A Missing Link in the Quad: India’s Support for Taiwan
By Sana Hashmi
While most like-minded countries have voiced their support for Taiwan, India has steered clear of issuing any statement.
Nepal’s Democracy Enters Another Challenging Phase
By Arun Budhathoki
The recent Supreme Court order reinstating parliament has put the constitution back on track.
Narayanganj Fire: Same Problems, No Solutions to Industrial Accidents in Bangladesh
By Asif Muztaba Hassan and Yashab Osama
Data from early 2019 shows that at least 468 fire incidents took place in Old Dhaka, home to over 500 illegal chemical warehouses and factories.