Politics

Stay informed on the latest political developments in Southasia with in-depth analysis, news, and stories from across the region at Himal Southasian

The return of the Taliban puritans?

The stoning of a woman and the attack at a weekend vacation spot have woken up Afghanistan's young but a pro-peace protest movement is only at its very beginnings.

By Thomas Ruttig

/ 21 Aug 2012

Not just another border

A closer look at an Indo-Pak border crossing that defies the stereotypes.

By Tridivesh Singh Maini

/ 15 Aug 2012

Violence in Kokrajhar

Uncontrolled immigration in Assam has not only angered locals, but also provided them an excuse to mistreat all immigrants: illegal, Muslims, Bangladeshis or otherwise.

By Walter Fernandes

/ 7 Aug 2012

Three terrible exclusions

The World Bank’s report on the progress of poverty-reduction in Bangladesh ignores issues of disability, labour safety and violence against women.

By Aruna Kashyap

/ 2 Aug 2012

The man who would not die

Humayun Ahmed's storytelling power could draw astounding emotions out of otherwise worn-out middle-class Bangladeshis.

By Iffat Nawaz

/ 1 Aug 2012

Coffee with Bakuree

A Maldivian opposition activist speaks of hope, humour, and the non-violent path back to democracy.

By Daniel Bosley

/ 27 Jul 2012

A coup by other means?

Behind the new methods and names, could Pakistan’s judicial soap opera be a re-run of the same old thing?

By Mehreen Zahra-Malik

/ 24 Jul 2012

Death by drone

Despite stubborn US efforts to defend armed drone strikes, in the targeted areas they are rightly seen as a travesty and a tragedy.

By Mehreen Kasana

/ 17 Jul 2012

The stagnation hypothesis

Unpacking claims of a ‘crisis’ in the Indian economy.

By Deepankar Basu

/ 13 Jul 2012

A victor’s peace

The total defeat of the LTTE has allowed the Sri Lankan government to ignore the political rights of the country’s ethnic minorities.

By Jayadeva Uyangoda

/ 6 Jul 2012

Lady liberty and the ethnic cauldron

Aung San Suu Kyi will have to tackle the challenge of defining a viable nation-state while responding to the multiple assertions of identity and autonomy within Burma.

By Kanak Mani Dixit

/ 29 Jun 2012

A tool for the atolls

While Islamisation of the Maldives is currently making news, the nation's history shows that Islam has often been used as a means to gain political power.

By Yameen Rasheed

/ 20 Jun 2012