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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.
EU-India Summit 2021: Pushing Ahead With the 4 Cs
By Shairee Malhotra
COVID-19, commerce, connectivity, and climate dominated the May 8 summit.
Nepal’s Oli Loses Trust Vote Amid Raging Second COVID-19 Wave
By Sudha Ramachandran
The trust vote was a long time in the making. What follows, however, remains uncertain.
Death Toll soars to 50 in School Bombing in Afghan Capital
By Rahim Faiez
Three explosions outside a school entrance struck as students were leaving on Saturday, killing at least 50 and injuring more than 100.
Why Did Japan Award Bhutan’s Dago Tshering with the Order of the Rising Sun?
By TP Mishra
An international award for a man many view as responsible for a generation of ethnic cleansing pain.
Nepal Restructures Its Army
By Arun Budhathoki
As China-India rivalry in the Himalaya heats up, Nepal’s armed forces must be ready for contingencies.
What to Expect From the Virtual EU-India Leaders’ Meeting
By Stefania Benaglia
There are high expectations for the meeting on May 8, in the context of the EU's Indo-Pacific turn, and New Delhi's increasing outreach to Brussels.
Maldives’ Parliament Speaker Nasheed in Critical Condition After Blast
By Mohamed Sharuhaan
Police said that they were investigating the explosion as an act of terrorism targeting the former president.
US Sends More Warplanes to Protect Pullout from Afghanistan
By Robert Burns and Lolita C. Baldor
Military commanders have said that additional forces will flow in temporarily to help with security and logistics for the drawdown.
What’s Behind Pakistan Outreach to Saudi Arabia?
By Umair Jamal
Amid a serious regional churn, Islamabad may not be ready to jettison its long-time ally just yet.
China in Sri Lanka: The Colombo Port Conundrum
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
Sri Lanka’s Parliament postponed discussion of a bill regarding Colombo Port City, but it is expected to pass.
Afghanistan’s Wildcard Warlords
By Waleed Mir
Warlords are a volatile group and with uncertainty looming in Afghanistan, these strongmen may look to protect their own interests first.
Internet and Social Media Blackouts Are Hurting Businesses in Pakistan
By Shahid Afzal Khan
The internet offers Pakistan a path for sustainable economic growth. Government “security” policies must not get in its way.