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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.
Trouble in Paradise: Democracy Retreats in the Maldives
By Ankit Panda
Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has been sentenced to 13 years in prison on terrorism charges.
India's 'Common Men' Face an Existential Crisis
By Sanjay Kumar
India's Aam Aadmi Party faces a political crisis at its highest levels.
Bamiyan Women’s Café: A Room of One’s Own for Afghan Women
By Sanjay Kumar
The Diplomat's Sanjay Kumar reports on a secluded women's cafe in Bamiyan, Afghanistan.
Sri Lanka to Set Up War Crimes Inquiry
By Ankit Panda
Sri Lanka's president has vowed to set up a war crimes inquiry, sensitive to the "opinions" of UN officials.
China and Pakistan’s All-Weather Friendship
By Huma Sattar
The two countries enjoy remarkably enduring relations.
Narendra Modi's Grand Plan for Kashmir
By Jhinuk Chowdhury
Contrary to former BJP Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's approach, Modi has his own plans for Kashmir.
Why Saudi Arabia Needs Pakistan
By Akhilesh Pillalamarri
Pakistan may be Saudi Arabia's best bet for a strong long-term security guarantee.
How Much Does India Really Need Iran?
By Jack Detsch
India has ceded to U.S. demands to reduce oil ties with Iran until an agreement is reached. Can they afford to do it?
Preserving History: Lessons From Afghanistan and Iraq
By Jack Detsch
ISIS’s destruction of sacred historical monuments deserves condemnation. But it is part of a broader and older problem.
Afghanistan: Five Tasks for Ghani’s Crucial U.S. Visit
By Tamim Asey
With his country at a critical juncture, the Afghan president needs to make the most of his Washington visit.
India's ‘Airpocalypse’
By Asit K. Biswas & Julian Kirchherr
India has been pursuing a non-sustainable development path that repeats many of China’s mistakes.
India’s Middle East Policy Gathers Momentum
By Kabir Taneja
New Delhi’s active diplomacy with the region is now being bolstered by growing recognition of threats such as ISIS.