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
Security personnel examine the site of a bomb blast in Bajaur district, Pakistan.
Security personnel examine the site of a bomb blast in Bajaur district, Pakistan.

Attack Raises Specter of Election Violence in Pakistan

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
A villager sits next to his house, which was damaged in flash floods, in Afghanistan.
A villager sits next to his house, which was damaged in flash floods, in Afghanistan.

The Taliban Aren’t Equipped for Climate Adaptation

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Uniformed Indian Army and police officers walk along a curved road in a foggy green valley. Some of the officers carry rifles, and most wear helmets.
Uniformed Indian Army and police officers walk along a curved road in a foggy green valley. Some of the officers carry rifles, and most wear helmets.

India Steps Up Diplomacy With Myanmar

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
A signboard mentions a Foxconn India production unit on the outskirts of Chennai, India, on Dec. 28, 2021.
A signboard mentions a Foxconn India production unit on the outskirts of Chennai, India, on Dec. 28, 2021.

Why Did Foxconn Pull Out of Its India Deal?

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
A street vendor looks for customers in a market in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
A street vendor looks for customers in a market in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.

Pakistan Aims for IMF Deal at Last

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
U.S. President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrive for their meeting during the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue leaders' summit in Tokyo on May 24, 2022.
U.S. President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida arrive for their meeting during the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue leaders' summit in Tokyo on May 24, 2022.

Modi’s State Visit Aims to Cement U.S.-India Partnership

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (right) and Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari hold a joint press conference in Moscow. The Russian flag and the Pakistani flag flank each man in the background.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (right) and Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari hold a joint press conference in Moscow. The Russian flag and the Pakistani flag flank each man in the background.

Russian Oil Shipment Arrives in Pakistan

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Railway workers help to restore service at the site of a three-train collision near Balasore, India, on June 4.
Railway workers help to restore service at the site of a three-train collision near Balasore, India, on June 4.

India’s Deadly Train Crash Raises Safety Concerns

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party take part in a rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 10, 2022.
Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party take part in a rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 10, 2022.

The U.S. Ups the Ante in Bangladesh

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers opening remarks during the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers opening remarks during the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation summit in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Modi Visits Papua New Guinea as Biden Skips

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
People holding banners and Pakistani flags march down a street during a rally to show solidarity with the Pakistan Army in Peshawar, Pakistan.
People holding banners and Pakistani flags march down a street during a rally to show solidarity with the Pakistan Army in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Military Goes Full Throttle Against Imran Khan

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prior to a meeting in New Delhi on Feb. 20, 2019.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman prior to a meeting in New Delhi on Feb. 20, 2019.

India and the Gulf Are Getting Cozy—to Counter China

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari delivers a speech during a conference in Geneva on Jan. 9.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari delivers a speech during a conference in Geneva on Jan. 9.

Why Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Is Visiting India

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
People attend an award ceremony in Navi Mumbai, India, on April 16.
People attend an award ceremony in Navi Mumbai, India, on April 16.

Heatstroke Is India’s Latest Climate Calamity

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha walks during the inauguration of the tulip garden in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, on March 19.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha walks during the inauguration of the tulip garden in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, on March 19.

India Projects Image of Normalcy From Kashmir

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
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