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
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.
Anti-government protesters display Bangladesh's national flag atop the prime minister's palace.
Anti-government protesters display Bangladesh's national flag atop the prime minister's palace.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (left) speaks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right).
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake (left) speaks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right).
U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi leave a rally in Motera, India, on Feb. 24, 2020.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi leave a rally in Motera, India, on Feb. 24, 2020.
Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli waves before departing from Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Nepali Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli waves before departing from Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal.
A view from the ground and pointed up to the sky shows an Indian flag fluttering atop a flagpole, backlit by the sun. Above and behind it are the blades of a wind turbine. The sky above is a slightly hazy blue, with a few fluffy white clouds inching in from the corner.
A view from the ground and pointed up to the sky shows an Indian flag fluttering atop a flagpole, backlit by the sun. Above and behind it are the blades of a wind turbine. The sky above is a slightly hazy blue, with a few fluffy white clouds inching in from the corner.
A commuter on a motorbike covers his face with cloth amid thick smog on a street in Lahore, Pakistan, on Nov. 20.
A commuter on a motorbike covers his face with cloth amid thick smog on a street in Lahore, Pakistan, on Nov. 20.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi walk together outdoors.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi walk together outdoors.