<p>Everything that informs geopolitics can be found in South Asia: challenging demographics, geographic diversity, and contentious, ill-defined borders. The Himalayan Mountains form the northern border of South Asia, whose two main rivers, the Indus and the Ganges, support the region&rsquo;s great population centers. India is the region&rsquo;s dominant country, home to the world&rsquo;s fastest growing economy. But its rivalry with neighboring Pakistan, a fellow nuclear power and growing consumer market, has made South Asia one of the world&rsquo;s most dangerous nuclear flashpoints. The region is also a testament to how militancy and militarism can undermine the regional integration needed to unleash higher economic growth.</p>

Everything that informs geopolitics can be found in South Asia: challenging demographics, geographic diversity, and contentious, ill-defined borders. 

South Asia

Afghanistan

Bangladesh

Bhutan

India

Maldives

Nepal

Pakistan

Sri Lanka

The India-Pakistan Rivalry

The Politics of Pipelines

Banking

Crossing Borders

Globalization

Social Issues

The Pulse of Political Islam

Instability in Central Asia

South Asian Militancy

India's Own Worst Enemy

Pakistan: A Military With a Country

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Democratic Republic of the Congo

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United States

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Damage on Feb. 13 in the Jabaliya refugee camp in northern Gaza.

Economics

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Military & Security

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Russia-Ukraine Conflict

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended RANE articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: Mideast Ceasefires and Arab Gaza Proposals, the AU Summit

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a luncheon at the U.S. State Department on June 23, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Discussions between the two leaders will likely focus on addressing India's trade surplus with the U.S., exploring ways to mitigate potential tariffs, and deepening defense cooperation.

What To Expect From Modi's Meeting With Trump

Ecuador

Jordan

Europe

Jordan's King Abdullah II speaks to the press in the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12, 2024.

The Weekly Rundown: Trump Meets With India and Jordan's Leaders, Ecuador Holds Elections

Sub-Saharan Africa

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Americas

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Haiti

Nicaragua

Venezuela

Iraq

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Indonesia

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Bosnia and Herzegovina

Serbia

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Kosovo

The lobby of the headquarters for the U.S. Agency for International Development is seen on Feb. 3, 2025, in Washington, D.C. 

Cuts to U.S.-funded humanitarian and development programs could worsen global health outcomes, destabilize security environments, accelerate democratic backsliding, and create opportunities for rival powers to expand their influence.

The Global Implications of Trump's Foreign Aid Cuts

Bangladeshi soldiers stand guard in Dhaka on July 27, 2024.

Since assuming power in August, Bangladesh's interim government has pursued closer ties with Pakistan and China, deepening India's concerns about regional stability and its declining influence over Dhaka.

Bangladesh's More Assertive Foreign Policy Puts India on Edge

The Geopolitics of Water

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

South Asia's rising demand for water resources will exacerbate disputes over key waterways, particularly the Brahmaputra and Indus rivers.

The Geopolitics of Water: Regional Rivals Compete for South Asia's Rivers

Saudi Arabia

United Arab Emirates

The entrance to the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C.

Ahead of the first review of its newest IMF program, Pakistan seeks creditor assurances and a broader tax base.

Pakistan's Path to Meeting IMF Demands

Germany

France

The West Front of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 17 in Washington. Donald Trump will be inaugurated as U.S. president on Jan. 20.

The Weekly Rundown: The Gaza Ceasefire, Trump's Inauguration

Columns

On Geopolitics

Asia-Pacific

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U.S. President Joe Biden gestures to reporters after landing on the South Lawn of the White House on Sept. 22, 2024, in Washington, D.C. 

Trump's more aggressive and transactional approach could deliver quick wins for the U.S.'s position in the region, though it could also strain ties with key partners. 

Trump's Asia-Pacific Approach Will Test Biden's Gains

U.S.-China Relations

Taliban security personnel inspect a car damaged by Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province on Dec. 26, 2024. 

While the TTP may not completely follow through on its recent threats, its attacks in Pakistan are set to escalate.

Afghanistan and Pakistan's Deadlock Portends Worsened TTP Attacks

Qatar

Following Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani's Feb. 17-18 visit to India, the two countries released a joint statement in which Qatar pledged to invest $10 billion across a range of Indian sectors, including infrastructure, technology and manufacturing, Reuters reported on Feb. 18.

India, Qatar: Qatar Pledges to Invest $10B in India

Around six Afghan Taliban officials (purportedly deputy ministers from Afghanistan's ministries of foreign affairs, education, economy and health) arrived in Japan on Feb. 16 for a weeklong visit, The Asahi Shimbun reported on Feb. 18.

Afghanistan, Japan: Afghan Taliban Make First Visit to Japan Since 2021 Takeover

Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is also the country's finance minister, announced a budget that appears broadly aligned with International Monetary Fund bailout conditions but also includes populist economic measures, Bloomberg reported on Feb. 17.

Sri Lanka: Budget Attempts To Balance Populist Appeals With IMF Bailout Conditions

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to negotiate further on a deal to resolve alleged trade disparities, which Trump hinted would involve increased U.S. energy exports to India and which Modi said would see bilateral trade double to $500 billion by 2030, AP reported on Feb. 14.

India, U.S.: Modi's Visit to Washington Garners Pledges To Bolster Bilateral Trade, Defense Ties

The Election Commission of India announced on Feb. 8 that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party regained power in Delhi after 27 years by winning the most seats in the Feb. 5 state legislature election, The Hindu reported on Feb. 9. 

India: BJP Wins Delhi Assembly Elections

China pledged to partner with Islamabad to make additional investments in Pakistan, including in Pakistani railways and the strategic, China-operated Gwadar port, Reuters reported on Feb. 6.

Pakistan, China: Beijing To Bolster Investment Projects in Pakistan Despite Uptick in Militant Attacks

Delhi, home to India's federal capital, voted to elect its next government in a high-stakes battle for 70 state assembly seats, The Times of India reported on Feb. 5.

India: Delhi Holds Highly Contested State Assembly Elections

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the United States on Feb. 12 for a two-day trip, during which he is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on Feb. 13, The Hindu reported on Feb. 4.

India: Modi To Speak With Trump During Two-Day U.S. Visit

South Asia

SITUATION REPORTS

India, Qatar: Qatar Pledges to Invest $10B in India

Afghanistan, Japan: Afghan Taliban Make First Visit to Japan Since 2021 Takeover

Sri Lanka: Budget Attempts To Balance Populist Appeals With IMF Bailout Conditions

India, U.S.: Modi's Visit to Washington Garners Pledges To Bolster Bilateral Trade, Defense Ties

India: BJP Wins Delhi Assembly Elections

Pakistan, China: Beijing To Bolster Investment Projects in Pakistan Despite Uptick in Militant Attacks

India: Delhi Holds Highly Contested State Assembly Elections

India: Modi To Speak With Trump During Two-Day U.S. Visit

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