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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.
What Does Trump’s Withdrawal From the Iran Nuclear Deal Mean for Afghanistan?
By Sibghatullah Arsalai
Washington’s withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal is not good news for Afghanistan.
Understanding the Realpolitik Behind Pakistan's FATA-KP Provincial Merger
By Umair Jamal
Why did a long-proposed idea to unite FATA and KP finally come to fruition now, in 2018?
India and Indonesia Come Together in the Indo-Pacific
By Harsh V. Pant
What will it take for India's relationship with Indonesia to progress to the next level?
4 Years of the Modi Government: Taking Stock of Economic Performance
By Aman Thakker
On May 26, the BJP led by Prime Minister Modi completed 4 years in power. How have its economic policies fared since 2014?
Capricious Afghanistan-Pakistan Trade: Who Wins?
By Shoaib A. Rahim
Ultimately, Pakistan loses from its stifling policies as Afghanistan seeks out other partners.
Why Pakistan's Ruling Elite Are Losing the Narrative War Against Radical Islamists
By Umair Jamal
Pakistan's government has lost the brief momentum it had to fight radical Islamist groups.
Rights Groups Criticize Bangladesh Government for 'Silence' on Enforced Disappearances
By Faisal Mahmud
Bangladesh is accused of ignoring the issue in a report before its UN human rights review.
A Flight of Fancy: Is India Finally Taking Air Connectivity in the Northeast Seriously?
By Priyanka Borpujari
Could the BJP fly its way into a fantasy of a resource-rich Arunachal Pradesh?
Bangladesh First: Behind India’s Changing Stance on the Rohingya
By Joyeeta Bhattacharjee
India has finally taken a stand on the biggest issue dividing Myanmar and Bangladesh.
What's Behind India's Recent Outreach to North Korea?
By Harsh V. Pant
A stable and peaceful Korean peninsula is in India’s interest; New Delhi is seeking out opportunities.
White: The Deafening Silences of India's Rape Epidemic
By Avinash Giri
A new silent film by an Indian indie filmmaker highlights the unending horrors of the aftermath of rape.