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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.
Afghanistan-Pakistan: A Temporary Entente
By Vinay Kaura
Ashraf Ghani’s overtures to Pakistan are foundering on the latter’s strategic compulsions.
A Bleak Outlook for Democracy in the Maldives
By Ankit Panda
Months after Mohamed Nasheed's show trial, democracy and the rule of law show no signs of recovery in the Maldives.
India’s Lagging Human Capital
By Asit K. Biswas and Kris Hartley
A new report shows India falling behind on human capital. Smarter government intervention is needed.
A Boost to Sub-Regionalism in South Asia
By Sridhar Ramaswamy
A landmark agreement is expected to pave the way for regional integration.
International Yoga Day: A New Politics of Knowledge?
By Rajni Bakshi
The global popularity of yoga is not just about India's cultural resurgence.
International Yoga Day Sparks Controversy in India
By Sanjay Kumar
The Indian government's push to spread yoga has invited controversy.
450 Years Ago, This Battle Changed the Course of Indian History
By Akhilesh Pillalamarri
The Battle of Talikota is one of the most important battles in South Asia’s long history.
Balochistan Grapples With Sectarian Violence
By Muhammad Akbar Notezai
A bus attack in late May targeted Pashtun, potentially opening up a new chapter in local lawlessness.
Was Double Government in Afghanistan a Folly?
By Catherine Putz
During and after the First Anglo-Afghan War, the British embarked on a hybrid form of colonialism, it didn't work.
Why the Taliban Wants ISIS Out of Afghanistan
By Ankit Panda
The Taliban want to make it clear for ISIS: Afghanistan's only big enough for one of them. And it's not ISIS.
Indian Foreign Policy: Bangladesh and Beyond
By Neelam Deo and Karan Pradhan
Perceptions of New Delhi are on the rise in its neighborhood.
Chest-Thumping: India's New Political Culture?
By Sanjay Kumar
The Indian government and media have reacted poorly to the recent cross-border covert operation against insurgents in Myanmar.