Michael Kugelman

Michael Kugelman is the writer of Foreign Policy’s weekly South Asia Brief. He has been an analyst of the region for nearly two decades.

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Articles by Michael Kugelman
Indian Army soldiers stand next to a gun positioned near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in India's Arunachal Pradesh state on Oct. 20, 2021.
Indian Army soldiers stand next to a gun positioned near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in India's Arunachal Pradesh state on Oct. 20, 2021.

India and China’s Border Conundrum

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
An Afghan boy walks by fences guarded by Pakistani paramilitary personnel.
An Afghan boy walks by fences guarded by Pakistani paramilitary personnel.

The Taliban Pick Fight Over Border With Pakistan

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
A Taliban fighter inspects the documents of people lining up to enter the passport office in Kabul on Dec. 18.
A Taliban fighter inspects the documents of people lining up to enter the passport office in Kabul on Dec. 18.

What to Watch in South Asia Next Year

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Burning pyres in India
Burning pyres in India

How South Asia Shocked the World in 2021

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
People wave national flags as they gather for Victory Day, which marks the end of a bitter nine-month war of independence from Pakistan, in Savar, Bangladesh, on Dec. 16.
People wave national flags as they gather for Victory Day, which marks the end of a bitter nine-month war of independence from Pakistan, in Savar, Bangladesh, on Dec. 16.

Why Did the United States Just Sanction Bangladesh?

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Sept. 24.
U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House on Sept. 24.

What Is South Asia’s Role at Biden’s Democracy Summit?

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
A general view shows the Dhaka River Port on the banks of the Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on June 23, 2019.
A general view shows the Dhaka River Port on the banks of the Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on June 23, 2019.

America Should Bet on Bangladesh

Argument
Anu Anwar, Michael Kugelman
Afghan foreign students shout slogans.
Afghan foreign students shout slogans.

India Has Lost Its Leverage in Afghanistan

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during on day three of the U.N. Climate Summit (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 2.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during on day three of the U.N. Climate Summit (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 2.

Can South Asia Get Serious About Climate Change?

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
A policeman takes notes next to burnt vehicles in Bangalore, India, on Aug. 12, 2020.
A policeman takes notes next to burnt vehicles in Bangalore, India, on Aug. 12, 2020.

Facebook Has a Blind Spot in South Asia

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in New Delhi on Feb. 11, 2016.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan in New Delhi on Feb. 11, 2016.

Why India Is Joining Another Quad

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Activists shout slogans from a bus after being detained by police during a protest near the residence of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Oct. 9.
Activists shout slogans from a bus after being detained by police during a protest near the residence of Indian Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Oct. 9.

India’s Democratic Backsliding Hasn’t Stopped

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman speaks on the situation in Afghanistan at the State Department in Washington on Aug. 18.
U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman speaks on the situation in Afghanistan at the State Department in Washington on Aug. 18.

Washington’s Divergent Diplomacy in South Asia

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Abdul Ghani Baradar, the deputy prime minister of the Taliban interim government, meets with foreign diplomatic representatives in Kabul on Sept. 30.
Abdul Ghani Baradar, the deputy prime minister of the Taliban interim government, meets with foreign diplomatic representatives in Kabul on Sept. 30.

Pakistan Pitches the Taliban Regime to the World

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tour the Eisenhower Executive Office Building during a meeting in Washington on Sept. 23.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tour the Eisenhower Executive Office Building during a meeting in Washington on Sept. 23.

Quad Looks to Cement Its Resurgence in Washington

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
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