All Asia: South & Central
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.
In the Himalayas, local 鈥榓stro-ambassadors鈥� help protect India鈥檚 first dark-sky reserveIn one of the darkest corners of the world, a group of 鈥渁stro-ambassadors鈥� are making a living off the night sky 鈥� and creating a bridge between science and tradition.
Most Pakistanis can鈥檛 afford a PlayStation. How did they get so good at Tekken?A retro video game has become an unlikely source of national pride in Pakistan, where a thriving arcade culture encourages collaboration 鈥� and produces some of the strongest Tekken players in the world as a result.
Pakistan鈥檚 army chief consolidates power, advancing a cycle of military ruleAs the head of Pakistan鈥檚 military broadens his authority, the threat of dictatorship looms. Indeed, the country鈥檚 history has seen a string of army takeovers. Why is it so hard to break the cycle?
Trump tried to end the Cambodia-Thailand conflict. It may push Bangkok toward China.The Trump administration helped stem fighting between Thailand and Cambodia, in part by making trade negotiations contingent on peace. Now the ceasefire is falling apart 鈥� and possibly pushing Bangkok closer to China.
Pakistan helped create the Taliban. Now, their clash threatens regional security.Pakistan says the Taliban should stop a militant group that is attacking from Afghanistan. The tension erupted into conflict, now eased by a ceasefire.
Why India may be the winner from Trump鈥檚 H-1B price hikeWhen Donald Trump hiked the cost of H-1B visas, Indian professionals looked to be the hardest hit. But India may also be the beneficiary of the new pool of job seekers.
India, China look to be partners amid US tariff turmoilAs U.S. tariffs upend trade, India鈥檚 investment in ports could boost its international trade and help it keep thawing relations with rival China.
Seeking growth, Buddhist Bhutan experiments with 鈥榤indful capitalism鈥�Bhutan's pursuit of happiness instead of economic growth has drawn praise, but it is not creating enough jobs. Can mindfulness mix with capitalism?
The ExplainerNepal鈥檚 Gen Z brought down a government. Will a new one meet its expectations?When governments are brought down, like Nepal鈥檚 recently was after youth-led protests, a sense of renewal abounds. But the systems that led to the frustration in the first place are harder to dismantle and rebuild.
Pakistan is sold on solar. It鈥檚 not about going green.Conventionally generated electricity in Pakistan has become very expensive, but consumers don鈥檛 have to buy it. They are adopting solar panels.
Letter from Delhi: Indian care packages caught in crossfire of tariff changesAmerica鈥檚 Indian diaspora has never been larger 鈥撀爋r more dependent on mail from home. But the end of tax exemptions聽for small parcels entering the U.S. has post offices around the world suspending service.
Indians love Pakistani TV. Pakistanis love Indian films. Why can鈥檛 they watch them?Art can help build bridges between rivals 鈥� or, in the case of India and Pakistan, to remind audiences how much culture the two nations still share. But in times of fighting, it鈥檚 often one of the first things to go.
US-Pakistan relations are the best they鈥檝e been in decades. Pakistanis aren鈥檛 thrilled.The budding U.S.-Pakistan friendship marks a seismic diplomatic shift in South Asia. But lingering distrust toward the American security establishment will color their cooperation.聽
How India鈥檚 booming comedy scene became a free speech frontierIndian comics have faced police complaints and even death threats over sets that anger right-wing vigilante groups.
As Thailand and Cambodia enter ceasefire, nationalist fervor lingers on both sidesThe ceasefire reached between Thailand and Cambodia on Monday could help hundreds of thousands of displaced people return home 鈥� but it will not end the countries鈥� long-simmering border dispute, or address the troubling precedents set during the latest bout of fighting.
