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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.
Can OlaCabs Corner India’s Ride-Sharing Market?
By Jack Detsch
With Uber still trying to resuscitate its image after an alleged rape, can OlaCabs go for the jugular?
With China's Help, the Iran-Pakistan Pipeline Might Finally Happen
By Ankit Panda
The long and complicated story of the pipeline that was ... and then wasn't ... and now might be.
Move Over, CCP: India's BJP Now the World's Largest Political Party
By Akhilesh Pillalamarri
India’s Bharatiya Janata Party claims to have overtaken China's Chinese Communist Party in membership.
Can India and China Be Friends?
By Mohamed Zeeshan
Perhaps, if they begin to focus on the economics rather than the geopolitics.
At End of Year One, Modi Fights to Maintain His Image
By Sanjay Kumar
As he celebrates the end of his first year in office, Narendra Modi fights aversion to the economic reforms he championed on the campaign trail.
India-Japan ‘Soft Power’ Cooperation in Myanmar
By Purnendra Jain and Tridivesh Singh Maini
There is scope for these two increasingly friendly countries to work together in Myanmar.
How an Iran Nuclear Deal Would Benefit India
By Rohan Joshi
There's little doubt that New Delhi will be one of the big winners of a nuclear deal between Iran and the P5+1.
Silencing the Lone Voice on Balochistan’s Missing Persons
By Kunwar Khuldune Shahid
Pakistani officials present Baloch activist Mama Qadeer from leaving the country.
1.5 Billion Muslims May Live in Asia in 2050
By Akhilesh Pillalamarri
How will Asia's religious landscape evolve over the 21st century? A new study offers insight into this question.
Bangladesh’s Existential Fight Against Islamic Extremism
By Sanjay Kumar
Bloggers, under increasing threat from Islamists, are the last line of defense for secularism in Bangladesh.
India’s Central Asia Policy Makes Comeback in Kyrgyzstan
By Micha’el Tanchum
After years of floundering, India’s Connect Central Asia policy is finally making progress.
Afghanistan’s ‘Separate but Equal’ Education System
By Saagar Enjeti
Despite Ashraf Ghani's pledges in the United States, Afghanistan still has a long way to go on women's rights.