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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.
American University of Afghanistan Faculty Kidnapped at Gunpoint in Kabul
By Catherine Putz
No group has claimed the kidnapping of an American and an Australian, both faculty members at AUAF.
Why Sri Lanka Doesn't Trust the UN
By Thamil Venthan Ananthavinayagan
Popular opinion in Sri Lanka views the UN's human rights efforts as a form of neocolonialism.
Is Turkey Following Pakistan’s Descent Into Islamization?
By Abha Shankar
Erdogan’s power grab recalls Pakistan's military dictator, Zia ul-Haq.
What Quetta Bombing Reveals About Islamic State and Pakistani Taliban
By Kunwar Khuldune Shahid
A vicious attack on a hospital underscores a continued preference for soft targets by jihadists.
Speaking Out: Modi Condemns Cow Vigilantism in India
By Ankit Panda
The Indian prime minister offered his most explicit condemnation of extremist cow protection brigades in India.
Taliban Loot Afghanistan's Mineral Riches
By Yigal Chazan
Illegal mining fuels the Taliban insurgency, threatening to turn the country’s vast mineral wealth into a "resource curse."
The Evolution of the Media in Afghanistan
By Rustam Ali Seerat
The country’s media has experienced some profound changes.
Indian Activist Irom Sharmila Ends 16-Year-Long Hunger Strike
By Padmapriya Govindarajan
Irom Sharmila's remarkable 16-year hunger strike comes to an end as she looks to enter politics instead.
Indian Parliament Passes Highly Anticipated Goods and Services Tax Bill
By Ankit Panda
The long-awaited bill finally passes after a political compromise is reached.
TUTAP Power Project Reopens Old Wounds in Afghanistan
By Safiullah Taye
The Hazara minority accuses the government of discrimination in changing the planned route.
India's 'Fat Tax' Debate
By Ibu Sanjeeb Garg
Kerala unveils India's first "fat tax," sparking controversy as the country seeks ways to fight obesity.
India's Hindu Right Is Correct About One Thing: India's Muslim Rulers Did Destroy Hindu Temples
By Akhilesh Pillalamarri
India's Hindu right loves to exaggerate some things, but history leaves some things clear.