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.
Why Sheikh Hasina's Upcoming Visit to India Matters
By Sankalp Gurjar
The Bangladeshi PM's visit comes amid a push by India to increase its connectivity with eastern neighbors.
India Gets Serious About Mental Healthcare Provision
By Padmapriya Govindarajan
The Indian prime minister opens a new national conversation about mental health, drawing praise.
Why China Is Fuming Over the Dalai Lama's Visit to Tawang
By K.S. Venkatachalam
A border dispute with India plus Beijing's sensitivity toward the Dalai Lama's actions are a potent combination.
US-Pakistan Counterterrorism Needs a New Focus
By Ahmad Majidyar
Sunni-Shia sectarian violence in Pakistan could destabilize the entire South Asia region if left unchecked.
US Senators Urge Progress on US-India F-16, Guardian Drone Deals
By Ankit Panda
Two U.S. senators urge attention from the Trump administration to U.S-India defense ties.
Is SAARC Doomed?
By Sankalp Gurjar
Rather than deal with Pakistan, India seems to be abandoning SAARC in favor of BIMSTEC.
Why the Taliban Cannot Win the Afghan War
By Ghulam Farooq Mujaddidi
The group lacks one key asset: popular support from the Afghan people.
India’s Nuclear Debate Has Only Just Begun
By Harsh V. Pant
India needs to reassess its nuclear doctrine sooner or later, current debates notwithstanding.
Taliban Claims to Control 34 Districts in Afghanistan
By Catherine Putz
The insurgent group claims to contest 167 more, many in southern, western and northern Afghanistan.
India Gets Serious About Maternity Benefits, But It Must Go Further
By Padmapriya Govindarajan
A new bill in India is a step in the right direction, but more remains to be done.
The State of Indian Federalism After the BJP's Election Victories
By Tridivesh Singh Maini
The BJP won some stunning victories, but Modi will still have to engage with non-BJP state governments.
Zia-ul-Haq and the ‘Islamization’ of Pakistan’s Public Universities
By Umair Jamal
The government in Pakistan needs to ensure that educational institutes in the country remain a place of learning rather than intimidation and violence.