<p>Everything that informs geopolitics can be found in South Asia: challenging demographics, geographic diversity, and contentious, ill-defined borders. The Himalayan Mountains form the northern border of South Asia, whose two main rivers, the Indus and the Ganges, support the region&rsquo;s great population centers. India is the region&rsquo;s dominant country, home to the world&rsquo;s fastest growing economy. But its rivalry with neighboring Pakistan, a fellow nuclear power and growing consumer market, has made South Asia one of the world&rsquo;s most dangerous nuclear flashpoints. The region is also a testament to how militancy and militarism can undermine the regional integration needed to unleash higher economic growth.</p>

Everything that informs geopolitics can be found in South Asia: challenging demographics, geographic diversity, and contentious, ill-defined borders. 

South Asia

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Bhutan

India

Maldives

Nepal

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

The India-Pakistan Rivalry

The Politics of Pipelines

Banking

Crossing Borders

Globalization

Social Issues

The Pulse of Political Islam

Instability in Central Asia

South Asian Militancy

India's Own Worst Enemy

Pakistan: A Military With a Country

Assessments

Angola

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Tanzania

Zambia

United States

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Marshall Islands

Palau

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U.S. President Joe Biden and President Joao Lourenco of Angola on Nov. 30, 2023, at the White House. Biden on Dec. 2-4 will visit Angola, where he will focus on the Lobito Corridor project that aims to refurbish and expand railways connecting critical mineral-rich regions in Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo with the Angolan port of Lobito.

Military & Security

Politics

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Biden Visits Angola, von der Leyen's Second Term

U.S.-China Relations

The Geopolitics of Water

Economics

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Depleted groundwater reserves threaten India's agriculture, energy and manufacturing sectors, potentially sparking unrest and inter-state disputes in the absence of a coordinated national policy.

The Geopolitics of Water: India's Groundwater Crisis

Iran

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump (R) and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (L) arrive for a joint press conference at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, on Feb. 25, 2020.

While U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will maintain many of the outgoing Biden administration's overarching policies toward South Asia, bilateral relationships will grow increasingly transactional.

What Trump's Second Term Means for South Asia

A session is held in Sri Lanka's Parliament in Colombo on Aug. 20, 2020. 

The ballot could bolster the new president's ability to enact his socialist agenda, though it may also yield a hung parliament that leads to more government instability.

Previewing Sri Lanka's Parliamentary Elections

Global Elections

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Japan

A ballot is cast in front of the Japanese flag. On Nov. 11, the country will select a prime minister and convene an extraordinary session of its bicameral Diet.

Israel-Hamas Conflict

The Weekly Rundown: Japan Selects a Prime Minister, Trump's Shadow Looms Over COP29

Indian soldiers walk along a road near the Zojila mountain pass that connects to Ladakh, bordering China, on Feb. 28, 2021. 

Cyber

While their recent efforts to ease bilateral tensions will probably reduce the risk of border clashes, deep-seated mistrust between the two strategic rivals will very likely limit the scope of any reconciliation. 

After a Tense Few Years, India and China Try To Turn Down the Heat

Pakistan's president administers the oath of office to Justice Yahya Afridi as Afridi is sworn in as chief justice in Islamabad on Oct. 26, 2024.

The reform will allow the government to appoint Supreme Court justices who support its agenda, weakening judicial independence while likely fueling political tensions and protests.

The Implications of Pakistan's Controversial Judicial Reform

Ethiopia

Kenya

South Africa

Brazil

Egypt

United Arab Emirates

Indonesia

Russia

Moldova

Vehicles pass by a banner thanking outgoing Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and congratulating President-elect Prabowo Subianto and Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka ahead of their Oct. 20 inauguration in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Oct. 17, 2024.

The Weekly Rundown: An Impeachment Case in Kenya, an Inauguration in Indonesia

Snapshots

Canada

Indian policemen stand guard outside the entrance of the High Commission of Canada in New Delhi on Oct. 15, 2024. 

The dispute over India's alleged covert activities on Canadian soil will raise the risk of restricted consular services and protests in both countries, but major economic disruptions are unlikely.

India and Canada's Diplomatic Rift Hits a New Low

Incoming Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Jan. 27, 2023, in the Indian city of Srinagar in Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir's new government will attempt to seek a restoration of full autonomy or at least statehood for the territory, but it will bump up against firm resistance from New Delhi, increasing the likelihood of violent unrest and Pakistani pressure.

Jammu and Kashmir's new government will attempt to seek a restoration of full autonomy or at least statehood for the territory, but it will bump up against firm resistance from New Delhi, increasing the likelihood of violent unrest and Pakistani pressure.

Frustration Will Build in Kashmir as India Ignores the Movement to Restore Autonomy

Pakistan's jailed former prime minister, Imran Khan, urged his supporters to rally on Dec. 13 in Peshawar, the capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, which is ruled by his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, Reuters reported Dec. 6.

Pakistan: Khan Calls for Protests in Peshawar, Threatens to Launch Civil Disobedience Movement

Nepal finalized a framework agreement with China under the Belt and Road Initiative, opening the door to collaboration on projects, Reuters reported on Dec. 4.

Nepal, China: Governments Sign Belt and Road Initiative Agreement

Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned India's envoy to condemn protesters' storming of Bangladesh's consulate in India on Dec. 2 over Bangladesh's Nov. 26 detention of Hindu leader Krishna Das Prabhu on charges of sedition, Hindustan Times reported on Dec. 3.

Bangladesh: Dhaka Summons Indian Envoy Amid Escalating Protests

Security forces arrested Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan in connection with seven new cases registered in various police stations accusing him of calling for recent protests that escalated into deadly clashes, Geo News reported on Dec. 2.

Pakistan: Opposition Leader Khan Arrested on New Charges of Inciting Deadly PTI Protests

Pakistani authorities overnight raided a square near major government buildings in the capital Islamabad where supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan were attempting a sit-in, arresting demonstrators and driving others to flee the city, while prompting Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party to subsequently suspend the protest temporarily, Deutsche Welle reported Nov. 27.

Pakistan: Khan's Party Suspends Capital Protest but Hints at Further Action

Thousands of supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party breached authorities' barriers in Islamabad on Nov. 26, gathering near key government buildings to demand Khan's release from prison, Dawn reported the same day.

Pakistan: Violence Erupts as Khan Supporters Storm Capital, Killing at Least Six 

The International Monetary Fund and Sri Lanka reached a staff-level agreement on the third review of the country's $2.9 billion bailout, Reuters reported on Nov. 23. 

Sri Lanka: New Government Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With IMF

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti coalition achieved a landslide victory in Maharashtra's state assembly elections, while the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led opposition coalition won in Jharkhand, NDTV reported on Nov. 23.

India: BJP and Allies Win Maharashtra, While Opposition Wins Jharkhand

South Asia

SITUATION REPORTS

Pakistan: Khan Calls for Protests in Peshawar, Threatens to Launch Civil Disobedience Movement

Nepal, China: Governments Sign Belt and Road Initiative Agreement

Bangladesh: Dhaka Summons Indian Envoy Amid Escalating Protests

Pakistan: Opposition Leader Khan Arrested on New Charges of Inciting Deadly PTI Protests

Pakistan: Khan's Party Suspends Capital Protest but Hints at Further Action

Pakistan: Violence Erupts as Khan Supporters Storm Capital, Killing at Least Six

Sri Lanka: New Government Reaches Staff-Level Agreement With IMF

India: BJP and Allies Win Maharashtra, While Opposition Wins Jharkhand

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