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.
December 06, 2021
Bangladesh’s Identity Crisis: To Be or Not to Be Secular
By Shafi Md Mostofa
Fifty years after it gained its independence, Bangladesh’s commitment to secularism remains shaky.
December 03, 2021
Pakistan Police: Mob Kills Sri Lankan Over Alleged Blasphemy
By Babar Dogar
Mob attacks on people accused of blasphemy are common in Pakistan.
December 03, 2021
Mamata Banerjee Shakes up the Status Quo
By Kavita Chowdhury
The West Bengal Chief Minister aims to lead the opposition in the fight against India’s ruling BJP.
December 03, 2021
Sino-Indian Competition in South Asia: Another Round
By Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
In the ongoing contest between China and India for influence, New Delhi has made some gains in the Maldives and Sri Lanka.
December 02, 2021
How India’s Opposition Parties Are Strengthening the BJP
By Niranjan Marjani
Since 2014, India's opposition parties have had one goal: Unseat the BJP. But all their actions to date have been counterproductive.
December 02, 2021
India Confirms Omicron Variant Cases, Says Get the Shot Now
By Associated Press
Travelers from countries classified as "at risk" are being tested on arrival in India.
December 02, 2021
Pakistan’s Surging Religious Extremism
By Umair Jamal
Its political class has neither the will nor the intent to tackle religious extremism as all have benefited from it.
December 02, 2021
Bangladesh’s Nuclear Power Plant: Economic Blackhole or Energy Backbone?
By Hussain Shazzad
Bangladesh's Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has sparked intense debate, but it's hard to see a better option for the country.
December 01, 2021
Tajrobawai Girls School in Herat Shows the Way
By Lee Keath
Teachers' union officials met with local Taliban officials and Herat's governor to press their demands.
December 01, 2021
A Snapshot of India’s Population
By Sudha Ramachandran
NFHS-5, the latest survey of India’s people, shows that population growth has stabilized but misogyny remains strong.
December 01, 2021
Why Is Beijing Going Nuts for Afghan Pine Nuts?
By Ajmal Waziri and Raffaello Pantucci
The trade offers concrete and immediate benefits to both the Chinese government and the Taliban.
November 30, 2021
Taliban’s Reign of Terror Belies Promise of Amnesty
By Lee Keath
Despite the promised amnesty, Taliban commanders are executing and forcibly "disappearing" soldiers, policemen, and intelligence officials of the previous regime, says Human Rights Watch.
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