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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.
No Phone Calls, No Groceries: Kashmir on Edge Under Lockdown
By Aijaz Hussain and Sheikh Saaliq
Stores are closed and streets are deserted amid a security crackdown, the harshest in recent memory.
Long Overdue: Why Ladakh’s New Status in India Should Be Welcomed
By Akhilesh Pillalamarri
Given its history and cultural and geographic distinctiveness, Ladakh’s new status is a welcome development.
Did Trump’s Kashmir Gaffe Push India’s Article 370 Timeline?
By Umair Jamal
The role of the United States in the ongoing Kashmir crisis isn’t well understood.
India’s Former Foreign Minister, Sushma Swaraj, Dies at 67
By Associated Press
Her five-year tenure at the External Affairs Ministry was the capstone of a lengthy political career.
The Problem With Sri Lanka’s New ‘False News’ Law
By Rehab Mahamoor
Sri Lanka doesn’t need more laws. It needs to use the laws currently on its books responsibly.
The End of Article 370: How Pakistan Surrendered Kashmir
By Kunwar Khuldune Shahid
Pakistan’s long-time approach to the dispute leaves little room for objecting to the Modi government’s power play.
Khalilzad Hails 'Excellent Progress' in Talks With the Taliban
By Catherine Putz
Meanwhile, the UN mission in Afghanistan says civilian casualties spiked in July as violence continues.
The Modi Government Scraps Kashmir's Special Status: What Now?
By Harsh V. Pant
Modi alters the Kashmir dynamic.
US Push for New Military Agreement Runs Into Fierce Opposition in Sri Lanka
By Ana Pararajasingham
Negotiations over a renewed Status of Forces Agreement sparked local concerns about a possible U.S. base.
Women Are Critical to Building a Lasting Peace in Afghanistan
By Ian J. Lynch
Women are critical to the everyday peacebuilding activities necessary to put any peace agreement into effective practice.
Is Universal Health Coverage Finally Gaining a Foothold in Pakistan?
By Hannan R. Hussain
Is the provision of healthcare services improving?
No, India Isn’t a ‘Major Non-NATO Ally’ of the United States
By Krzysztof Iwanek
It’s important to get the terminology right in the U.S.-India defense relationship.