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
Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan participate in a rally in Lahore, Pakistan, on March 25.
Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan participate in a rally in Lahore, Pakistan, on March 25.

With Supreme Court Ruling, Pakistan’s Political Crisis Flares Again

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet speaks at a joint press conference with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Feb. 15.
U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet speaks at a joint press conference with Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Feb. 15.

Bangladesh Tilts Toward the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
A member of the Taliban forces stands guard at the gate of the provincial intelligence compound in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, on Dec. 12, 2021.
A member of the Taliban forces stands guard at the gate of the provincial intelligence compound in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, on Dec. 12, 2021.

How Dangerous Is the Islamic State-Khorasan?

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Iranians work on a section of a pipeline linking Iran and Pakistan after the project was launched during a ceremony in the Iranian city of Chah Bahar on March 11, 2013.
Iranians work on a section of a pipeline linking Iran and Pakistan after the project was launched during a ceremony in the Iranian city of Chah Bahar on March 11, 2013.

What the China-Brokered Saudi-Iran Deal Means for South Asia

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
People look for their belongings after a fire in the Balukhali refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, on March 5.
People look for their belongings after a fire in the Balukhali refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, on March 5.

Bangladesh Refugee Camp Fire Compounds Rohingya’s Hardships

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to his supporters in New Delhi on Jan. 16.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to his supporters in New Delhi on Jan. 16.

Democratic Backsliding Hasn’t Stopped India’s Rise

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
An aerial view shows the Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka, India, on Oct. 11, 2021.
An aerial view shows the Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka, India, on Oct. 11, 2021.

Lithium Reserves Will Give India a Boost—Eventually

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Laborers work at the Karot Hydropower project in eastern Punjab province, Pakistan, on Nov. 19, 2021.
Laborers work at the Karot Hydropower project in eastern Punjab province, Pakistan, on Nov. 19, 2021.

Have China and Pakistan Hit a Roadblock?

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland speaks at a press conference in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Jan. 30.
U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland speaks at a press conference in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Jan. 30.

Why the United States Is Courting Nepal

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Jan. 25.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Jan. 25.

On Republic Day, India Looks to Deepen Middle East Ties

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
New Indian Armed Forces recruits undergo weapons training in Secunderabad, India, on Jan. 10.
New Indian Armed Forces recruits undergo weapons training in Secunderabad, India, on Jan. 10.

China Has Become India’s Greatest Threat

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
A health worker collects a swab from a passenger arriving at Prayagraj Junction in Allahabad, India, on Dec. 23, 2022.
A health worker collects a swab from a passenger arriving at Prayagraj Junction in Allahabad, India, on Dec. 23, 2022.

How China’s COVID-19 Surge Shapes Trade With India

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Bangladesh Nationalist Party supporters take part in a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 10, 2022.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party supporters take part in a protest in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 10, 2022.

Bangladesh Becomes U.S.-Russia Battleground

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the supporters as he arrives for a public rally in Agartala, India, on Dec. 18.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves to the supporters as he arrives for a public rally in Agartala, India, on Dec. 18.

Trends to Watch in South Asia Next Year

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders' summit in Samarkand on September 16, 2022. (Photo by Alexandr Demyanchuk / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by ALEXANDR DEMYANCHUK/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) leaders' summit in Samarkand on September 16, 2022. (Photo by Alexandr Demyanchuk / SPUTNIK / AFP) (Photo by ALEXANDR DEMYANCHUK/SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

South Asia’s Year of Change

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
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