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.

Articles by Michael Kugelman
Workers drill a hole to extract salt in the Khewra mine in Jhelum, Pakistan, on Dec. 12, 2023.
Workers drill a hole to extract salt in the Khewra mine in Jhelum, Pakistan, on Dec. 12, 2023.
Workers sew clothing at their stations in a garment factory in Savar, Bangladesh, on April 9.
Workers sew clothing at their stations in a garment factory in Savar, Bangladesh, on April 9.
Modi and Trump stand beside each other at podiums on a small stage in front of an ornate gold curtain and chandelier. Modi has one finger raised as he speaks into the microphone; Trump is turned to watch him and smiling.
Modi and Trump stand beside each other at podiums on a small stage in front of an ornate gold curtain and chandelier. Modi has one finger raised as he speaks into the microphone; Trump is turned to watch him and smiling.
Beneath a blue sky, two men and two boys ride on the roof of a vehicle with another man visible in the passenger seat as he smiles out of the window. Another man in a black turban and black vest walks alongside the vehicle as it moves, with one hand reaching inside of it. The men on top of the car and other marchers around them wave the black-and-white flag of the Taliban.
Beneath a blue sky, two men and two boys ride on the roof of a vehicle with another man visible in the passenger seat as he smiles out of the window. Another man in a black turban and black vest walks alongside the vehicle as it moves, with one hand reaching inside of it. The men on top of the car and other marchers around them wave the black-and-white flag of the Taliban.
Indian Prime Narendra Modi waits for the arrival of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in New Delhi on Feb. 18.
Indian Prime Narendra Modi waits for the arrival of Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in New Delhi on Feb. 18.
A paramilitary soldier stands guard at a railway station in the Sibi, Pakistan, on March 12.
A paramilitary soldier stands guard at a railway station in the Sibi, Pakistan, on March 12.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend a document signing after their talks in Kyiv on Aug. 23, 2024.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend a document signing after their talks in Kyiv on Aug. 23, 2024.
Two men are sitting down, with one holding a white flag and another one holding a yellow bag. Next to them is another man standing up with his fist raised and holding a gun.
Two men are sitting down, with one holding a white flag and another one holding a yellow bag. Next to them is another man standing up with his fist raised and holding a gun.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to supporters as he arrives at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters to celebrate the party’s win in the Delhi legislative assembly election in New Delhi on Feb. 8.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to supporters as he arrives at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) headquarters to celebrate the party’s win in the Delhi legislative assembly election in New Delhi on Feb. 8.
Protesters hold a photo of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's first president, as they protest at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka.
Protesters hold a photo of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh's first president, as they protest at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Jan. 25.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Jan. 25.
An artist paints a large image of U.S. President Donald Trump while standing on a chair. To the right are other painted portraits of the other U.S. presidents.
An artist paints a large image of U.S. President Donald Trump while standing on a chair. To the right are other painted portraits of the other U.S. presidents.
Shehbaz Sharif and Muhammad Yunus sit side by side in ornate chairs with carved gold details and cream brocade upholstery. Sharif's mouth is open as he speaks. Both men are older, dressed formally, and have their own hands clasped on their laps.
Shehbaz Sharif and Muhammad Yunus sit side by side in ornate chairs with carved gold details and cream brocade upholstery. Sharif's mouth is open as he speaks. Both men are older, dressed formally, and have their own hands clasped on their laps.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Jan. 6.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Jan. 6.
Security personnel patrol near the site of a gunfight between suspected militants and Indian security forces at Ishber Nishat in Srinagar, Kashmir, on Nov. 10, 2024.
Security personnel patrol near the site of a gunfight between suspected militants and Indian security forces at Ishber Nishat in Srinagar, Kashmir, on Nov. 10, 2024.