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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.
The Fallout From the Aasia Bibi Blasphemy Verdict
By Daud Khattak
Can this be Pakistan’s watershed moment for standing up to religious extremists?
Journalism in India: A Dangerous Pursuit?
By Bansari Kamdar
India ranks 14th among states where journalists are murdered and their killers go free, reports Committee to Protect Journalists.
Asian Rivalries and the Sri Lankan Constitutional Crisis
By Akhilesh Pillalamarri
India must not err too far on the side of caution as events play out in Sri Lanka.
Why Does Pakistan’s Release of a Key Taliban Leader Matter?
By Adrian Hänni
What does the release of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund tell us about the prospects for peace talks in Afghanistan?
What Explains Saudi Arabia's Latest Round of Financial Assistance to Pakistan?
By Umair Jamal
Why would the Saudis agree to help Pakistan out this time?
Sri Lanka‘s Spiral Into Constitutional Crisis Shows No Sign of a Reversal
By Ankit Panda
The situation in Sri Lanka is likely to get worse as the president and two claimants to the prime minister's office stand their ground.
One More Tryst for Modi and Abe: What to Expect During the Latest India-Japan Summit
By Harsh V. Pant
India and Japan continue their strategic convergence.
India’s Forgotten Links to the Korean War
By Nabarun Roy
A proposed Korean War memorial in Delhi will recall India’s role, which ranged from high politics to individual stories.
Can Arab Countries Make Up for India’s Loss of Iranian Oil?
By Shafeeq Rahman
If New Delhi drops its oil imports from Tehran to zero, it will need to import more from other partners.
Why Pakistan Isn’t Changing Its Taliban Policy
By Samuel Ramani
Prime Minister Imran Khan isn’t likely to radically change Pakistan’s complicated relationship with the Taliban.
Hinduism and Political Mobilization in India: From Allahabad to Prayagraj?
By Akhilesh Pillalamarri
The debate over renaming Allahabad exposes religious faultlines in India.
Despite Security Threats, Afghans Went to the Polls
By Ahmad Shah Katawazai
Afghanistan successfully held its parliamentary elections last weekend amid security threats .