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
Afghan security stands guard at a fenced corridor of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan.
Afghan security stands guard at a fenced corridor of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan.
Workers sit on the floor of a warehouse that is covered with straw and massive piles of hundreds of oranges. Each worker has a basket and sorts oranges into it as they work.
Workers sit on the floor of a warehouse that is covered with straw and massive piles of hundreds of oranges. Each worker has a basket and sorts oranges into it as they work.
About two dozen Indian Navy sailors stand in a row on a concrete or stone floor, dressed in camouflage uniforms and white hats and holding rifles. The soldiers at the ends and center of the line stand up straight while the ones between them kneel to the ground as they rehearse a demonstration, creating the appearance of a wave or ripple down the line.
About two dozen Indian Navy sailors stand in a row on a concrete or stone floor, dressed in camouflage uniforms and white hats and holding rifles. The soldiers at the ends and center of the line stand up straight while the ones between them kneel to the ground as they rehearse a demonstration, creating the appearance of a wave or ripple down the line.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks as she is sworn in for a fifth term in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Jan. 11.
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks as she is sworn in for a fifth term in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Jan. 11.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party supporters block a highway with a protest in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Feb. 11.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party supporters block a highway with a protest in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Feb. 11.
People walk past market stalls under banners depicting candidates from different political parties ahead of the elections in Lahore, Pakistan, on Feb. 7.
People walk past market stalls under banners depicting candidates from different political parties ahead of the elections in Lahore, Pakistan, on Feb. 7.
Stranded trucks are seen near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Torkham, Pakistan, on Jan. 16.
Stranded trucks are seen near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Torkham, Pakistan, on Jan. 16.
A billboard is seen ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in Jaipur, India, on Jan. 24.
A billboard is seen ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India in Jaipur, India, on Jan. 24.
Workers are seen at the construction site of the Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya, India.
Workers are seen at the construction site of the Ram Mandir temple in Ayodhya, India.
About a dozen people stand in a line outside of a polling station in Thimphu, Bhutan. The woman at the front of the line stands beside a tree and looks ahead with a serious expression while a worker in a bright orange uniform shirt and hat leans closer to speak to her.
About a dozen people stand in a line outside of a polling station in Thimphu, Bhutan. The woman at the front of the line stands beside a tree and looks ahead with a serious expression while a worker in a bright orange uniform shirt and hat leans closer to speak to her.
People walk past election posters in a market in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
People walk past election posters in a market in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Posters for election candidates hang over a street in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 26.
Posters for election candidates hang over a street in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 26.
People wave Indian flags as they celebrate the successful lunar landing of Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the south pole of the moon in New Delhi on Aug. 23.
People wave Indian flags as they celebrate the successful lunar landing of Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the south pole of the moon in New Delhi on Aug. 23.
Commuters ride past a truck painted with a portrait of Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Aug. 16.
Commuters ride past a truck painted with a portrait of Pakistani Army chief Asim Munir in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Aug. 16.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the crowd as he stands in a float during a campaign event. Modi wears a black vest with a scarf and hat in the orange-and-green colors of the Indian flag. The float is also decorated with orange flowers and photos of Modi, and he is flanked by security officers and other members of his party.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the crowd as he stands in a float during a campaign event. Modi wears a black vest with a scarf and hat in the orange-and-green colors of the Indian flag. The float is also decorated with orange flowers and photos of Modi, and he is flanked by security officers and other members of his party.