All Asia: South & Central
As India weighs new approach to religious law, Muslim women see opportunityIn India, a group that advocates for Muslim women finds itself caught in the crossfire of the broader debate over a Uniform Civil Code, a sweeping reform that could redefine India鈥檚 approach to religious liberty.聽
From the MagazineIn India, being part of the middle class isn鈥檛 what it used to beAffordability is a something people around the world are struggling with. In India, the story often starts with housing.聽
In the world鈥檚 largest democracy, a voter-roll purge is sparking controversyHow does a government balance its responsibility to guarantee fair and secure elections with the need to protect citizens鈥� fundamental right to vote? A voter-roll clean-up in India is sparking allegations of suppression.
In Bangladesh, an ancient art form weaves new opportunitiesDhaka is the beating heart of Bangladesh鈥檚 textile industry. But beyond the capital, women are meeting a demand for traditional, handwoven rugs.
On a question of morality, the US and Canada are oceans apart. Why?Researchers asked people from different countries to rank the morality and ethics of their fellow citizens. The results聽could offer insights into how communities can rebuild trust.
In Pakistan, can the US and Iran chart a new path to peace?Delegates from the U.S. and Iran are preparing to meet in Pakistan, where the world hopes they can turn a fragile ceasefire into lasting peace.
Why Pakistan has emerged as key mediator in US-Iran warPakistan is leading the charge to bring the United States and Iran to the negotiating table, leaning on a budding friendship with Washington and deep ties to Tehran. But its role as mediator faces headwinds.
From diplomatic credibility to oil prices, the war in Iran is costing IndiaThe Iran war is simultaneously undercutting India's energy security, remittances, and geopolitical influence 鈥� making Delhi one of the biggest losers in a war it isn鈥檛 even fighting.
54 million cases, and counting. Why India's court backlog keeps growing.Indians have the right聽to a speedy trial, yet it can take decades for cases to make it through the country鈥檚 overworked聽and understaffed courts.
Ex-rapper Balendra Shah is the face of Nepal鈥檚 new guard. But can he lead a country?Once dismissed as a political novice, the former Kathmandu mayor is now on track to become Nepal鈥檚 next prime minister.聽
Nepalis head to polls in first election since 鈥楪en Z uprising鈥�Every year, hundreds of thousands of young people leave Nepal in search of work. These elections 鈥� the country鈥檚 first since youth-led protests overthrew the government 鈥� are giving some a reason to stay.
Cricket is getting political 鈥� and it鈥檚 hurting Pakistan鈥檚 gameAt one time, cricket was a bridge between India and Pakistan. But in recent years, Delhi has increasingly used the sport as an extension of its foreign policy, overshadowed players from Pakistan, and, some argue, changed the spirit of the game.
How Afghanistan-Pakistan relations deteriorated into 鈥榦pen war鈥�Tensions between former allies Pakistan and Afghanistan have yet again come to a head, with Pakistan鈥檚 defense minister saying the neighbors are now in 鈥渙pen war.鈥�
India has the potential to be an AI powerhouse. Can it make the leap from IT?Artificial intelligence is transforming economies around the world. India wants to shape the AI era, not just service it.
Women were on the front lines of Bangladesh鈥檚 uprising. Why aren鈥檛 they on the ballot?Women were central to the 2024 uprising that put Bangladesh back on a path to democracy. Now, with Islamist parties on the rise and women notably absent from this week鈥檚 ballots, some worry about their role in the country鈥檚 future.聽
Bangladesh ousted an autocrat in 2024. Can it pull off a democratic reset now?After mass protests in Bangladesh overthrew former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, some of the interim government鈥檚 lofty goals have fallen short. But upcoming elections are a chance to chart a new path.
As global trade splinters, India finds leverageAt a time when U.S. trade policy has alienated traditional allies and drawn middle powers closer together, what do India鈥檚 recent trade deals tell us about its position in the emerging global order?
Why Myanmar鈥檚 鈥榮moke screen鈥� elections could still matterMyanmar鈥檚 junta-backed party has secured an overwhelming victory in the country鈥檚 first elections since the military seized power in 2021.聽While the exercise was widely denounced as a sham, some in Myanmar hope it will inch the war-torn country closer toward democratic norms.
For Pakistanis united on Gaza, joining Trump鈥檚 Board of Peace feels like betrayalIn Pakistan, U.S.-Pakistan rapprochement has always been viewed as a double-edged sword. But now that Islamabad is joining Trump鈥檚 鈥淏oard of Peace,鈥� many worry the government is putting relations with Washington above national values.
How the race for rare earths could shape Myanmar鈥檚 civil warEfforts to diversify rare earth supply chains are bringing new attention to war-ravaged Myanmar, where massive rare earth deposits create opportunity 鈥撀燼nd risk 鈥撀爁or the fractured rebellion.
