Himal Briefs

Bangladesh’s BNP fights to make a political comeback
With massive anti-government rallies by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and their repression by the ruling Awami League-led government, battle lines are being drawn for the next general election
Anupam Debashis Roy | Feb 02, 2023

Pakistan needs to go beyond the 18th amendment to end the military’s role in politics
Reviving the 2010 reform process can be key to resolving Pakistan’s continued crises, but the reforms need to also target the military's massive business empire
Salman Rafi Sheikh | Jan 30, 2023

What’s really behind Jammu and Kashmir’s new Family ID?
Kashmiris fear the scheme is another tool for surveillance and collective punishment by the Indian state.
Maknoon Wani | Jan 23, 2023

Sri Lanka’s Easter bombing verdict is reshaping politics and power
Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has ordered former president Maithripala Sirisena and top security officials to compensate victims of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. But Ranil Wickremesinghe, the prime minister at the time, has escaped scrutiny.
Rathindra Kuruwita | Jan 20, 2023

A plot twist makes Pushpa Kamal Dahal prime minister of Nepal
Dahal, aka ‘Prachanda’, turned his back on an earlier alliance with the Nepali Congress to side with the CPN-UML. Now he must lead a coalition government with former foes and emergent new parties.
Amish Raj Mulmi | Dec 28, 2022

Politics and Pakistan’s new army chief
The appointment of General Asim Munir as the COAS is of greater political than institutional significance.
Salman Rafi Sheikh | Dec 13, 2022

Taliban regime under siege, within and without
One year later, the Taliban is under attack from rival groups.
Salman Rafi Sheikh | Nov 11, 2022

A tool for oppression
On the Digital Security Act curbing political dissent in Bangladesh.
Anupam Debashis Roy | Oct 25, 2022

Every vote counts in Kashmir
Revised voting rights would mean further disempowerment for locals.
Maknoon Wani | Oct 11, 2022

Talking to Tehreek-i-Taliban
Pakistan’s negotiations with the banned group may lead to more violence and instability.
Salman Rafi Sheikh | Sep 13, 2022
