Blog
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.
Afghanistan: A Game of Thrones
By Ahmad Mohibi
Vice President Dostum’s return to Afghanistan underlines the complexity of the battle for political influence.
Baad: A Cruel Tradition in Balochistan
By Hizbullah Khan
Balochistan's women suffer at the hand of an old tribal cultural practice.
India's Telecom Commission Adopts Strict Net Neutrality Regulations
By Aman Thakker
The decision now heads to the Cabinet for approval.
Why Has Russia Invited the Taliban to Moscow?
By Samuel Ramani
The proposed “Moscow-format” talks advance Russia’s interests in Afghanistan.
Ghani Goes After Afghanistan’s Warlords
By Mushtaq Rahim
In order to succeed, Ghani’s crackdown on warlords must proceed transparently and cut a wide path across Afghanistan.
Could Crusading Populist Imran Khan Bring About Reform in Pakistan?
By Shairee Malhotra
Khan has managed to effectively rally against the established political order, but could he deliver on his promises?
India Makes Moves at Indonesia's Strategic Sabang Port
By Ankit Panda
The Indian Navy's "Act East" initiative begins at Sabang.
Slow and Steady: India’s Tentative Steps Into the AI Race
By Trisha Ray
A little late to the game, India certainly has the talent and expertise to be an AI power.
A Copper Plant Crisis Shows India Puts Profit Over People
By Amit Sengupta
A simmering local dispute in Tamil Nadu emphasizes human security challenges in India.
After Numerous Delays, India Should Announce Its New Industrial Policy
By Aman Thakker
The government has insisted that a new policy is coming soon. However, after missing several self-imposed deadlines, why has the policy not yet been released?
In Rajasthan, When Narendra Modi’s 'Vikaas' Needed Desperate Support
By Priyanka Borpujari
The Indian prime minister's touting of new schemes needed a little help in Rajasthan.
Toward an India-South Korea Axis
By Siddharth Singh
When India’s ‘Act East Policy’ meets South Korea’s ‘New Southern Policy’ in the Indo-Pacific.