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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.
Why Is India’s Right Wing Defaming the Women Protesters of Shaheen Bagh?
By Avishek Jha
Pro-government media and politicians have cast the protesters as paid anti-India agents, but that’s far from the reality driving the demonstrations.
A Lukewarm Commitment: India and Gender Equality in Security Affairs
By Akanksha Khullar
India can do much more to support the women, peace, and security agenda.
Ending the War Won’t Solve Afghanistan’s Governance Problem
By Gul Maqsood Sabit
Afghanistan has made progress, but without a well-functioning government at the helm all those gains risk being lost.
Battle for India’s New Citizenship Law Moves to Top Court
By Associated Press
The Indian Supreme Court will hear arguments for and against the controversial citizenship law, which opponents say discriminates against Muslims.
India’s Citizenship Moves May Impact Relations With Its Neighbors
By Amit Ranjan
The CAA and NRC will echo across India’s borders, particularly in Bangladesh and Nepal.
Bhutan’s Lawmakers Urged to Decriminalize Homosexuality
By StoriesAsia
Bhutan’s upper house of parliament is set to deliberate a bill that could decriminalize homosexuality in the country.
How India Ended Up in Turmoil Over the Issue of Citizenship
By Associated Press
Protests began recently, but tensions over who gets to be Indian have persisted for decades.
India and France in 2020: The Indo-Pacific Beckons
By Rupakjyoti Borah
New Delhi and Paris have much to do in the year ahead.
Why Does Nepal Still Have So Few Women Lawyers?
By Dikshya Koirala and Harsh Mahaseth
Over 50 years after Nepal’s first woman lawyer, entrenched gender norms continue to hold women back from the legal profession.
Protests Continue Unabated Against Citizenship Law in India
By Associated Press
Protests against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act continue in India.
Pakistani Court Hands Down 55-year Sentences to 86 Islamists
By Associated Press
The 86 were charged with damaging public property, beating people up and staging sit-ins against the acquittal of Aasia Bibi in 2018.
The Missing Links in the Afghan Peace Process
By Mushtaq Rahim
The U.S., Afghan government, and Taliban will all need to readjust their positions if there is to be any hope of peace.