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The Tragic Loop of Bangladesh Politics: Did the People Vote for Change or Replacement?

Bangladesh’s political future depends on whether the BNP can discipline its own networks before citizens conclude that elections only rotate predators. It must act against extortion, land grabbing, political violence, campus capture, and intimidation, not as public relations damage, but as regime-defining threats.

When Fish was on the Ballot: Elections 2026 Saw Spicy Debate Over Bengal's Plate, Pride and Palate

In the run-up to the Bengal elections, 2026, the fish debate did exactly that. Banerjee stitched fish to language, secularism and regional pride, painting the BJP as a Hindi-heartland force that would impose vegetarian norms. The BJP countered by showcasing its own non-vegetarian leaders from Assam and elsewhere, eating “macher jhol” on camera, and promising “Bengal’s way of life will not change.”

Lessons from a Downed Aircraft: What Iran Did to America's AWACS Fleet at Saudi Air Base

Iran did not defeat U.S. airpower in this conflict. It demonstrated, with one strike against one aircraft, what happens when force architecture built around high-value irreplaceable platforms meets an adversary that has spent years studying exactly which targets to hit. The E-3 destroyed at Prince Sultan is not primarily a story about one aircraft. 

Sri Lanka-Pakistan Ties in a New Era: Focus on Security Coordination, Military Education

The newest symbol of Pakistan-Sri Lanka defence cooperation is Exercise Shake Hands-II, launched on April 27, 2026, in Tarbela, Pakistan. The two-week exercise brings together Pakistan Army’s elite Special Services Group (SSG) and Sri Lankan Special Forces. The purpose of the drill is to enhance interoperability, exchange operational experience and improve professional capabilities in counter-terrorism scenarios. 

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Augury of a 'failed' Afghanistan: Global sympathy should be with the Afghan people

So, what the future looks like for Afghanistan? In one word: hopeless, writes Anondeeta Chakraborty for South Asia Monitor

India must shed its diffidence on a full-fledged FTA with UK

If India seeks greater market access, it must also allow the UK to sell more of its goods and services, writes N. Chandra Mohan for South Asia Monitor

With Europe caught in divisive politics, Afghan refugee women face a bleak future

The existing Afghan population in Europe is already facing a compassion deficit in Europe due to the rise in anti-immigrant parties threatening to fracture the bloc further,  write Dr. Manasi Sinha, Pratyush Bibhakar and Vishal Rajput for South Asia Monitor

Nutrition literacy, greater market infrastructure investments must for ensuring healthy, sustainable diets in South Asia

To design sustainable food systems for healthy diets within the South Asian region, one needs to take local realities and contexts into account and develop a strong collaboration among all stakeholders at the grassroots, national, regional and global level, write George Cheriyan and Simi T.B. for South Asian Monitor

Deja Vu in Kabul: 25 years on Taliban-India dynamics see a familiar re-enactment

Knowledgeable observers, including diplomats who have served there, feet that no Afghan government could ignore India in the long run, because Islamabad could never give what Kabul received from India, something built on the foundation of strong historical, cultural, and people-to-people bonds, writes Tarun Basu for South Asia Monitor 

Bangladesh and Nepal should tap both bilateral and multilateral routes to maximize gains from ties

India, Nepal and Bangladesh should have a holistic diplomatic approach to bolster their connectivity project, writes MD. Pathik Hasan for South Asia Monitor

Power of advocacy: How women’s groups, leaders led international efforts to pressurize Taliban to let people leave Afghanistan

Given the Taliban's growing need to be recognized, and to receive international aid, this time around the US and the international community, backed by the World Bamk, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the United Nations are in a much better position to together pin down the Taliban on its assurances and also hold it accountable, writes Nisha Sahai Achuthan for South Asia Monitor

End of the road for economic liberalism in Sri Lanka?

Neither SLPP nor SJB has a major reform agenda to breakout from Sri Lanka’s endemic economic problems, which are deeply rooted in the country’s inability to earn enough foreign inflow to sustain itself and to bring in sound fiscal policies, writes Indika Hettiarachchi for South Asia Monitor

Lessons from Afghanistan disaster: US not to 'remake other countries'

The question will be what kind of “consequences” the US can impose on those it considers veering off from the democratic path Biden and his supporters set, writes Arul Louis for South Asia Monitor 

India should team up with friendly countries to stay relevant in Afghanistan

India’s approach towards Afghanistan should be dictated by its economic and strategic interests and it needs to judge the Taliban by its actions while being flexible enough to leave room for numerous divergences, writes Tridivesh Singh Maini for South Asia Monitor

Of Afghan Snow, Kabul street dancers and fabled Kabuliwalas once upon a time!

For India and Indians, one of the most enduring Afghan connections that developed, rather accidentally, was in the form of “Afghan Snow”, the first beauty crème, writes Mahendra Ved for South Asia Monitor 

India should keep open communication channels with Taliban to protect its Afghanistan interests

After all, how can a major political and military force like India stay on the sidelines when the US, the Chinese, of course, the Pakistanis, and even the Russians begin talks, open business and prepare for collaborations with the Taliban? writes Jagdish Rattanani for South Asia Monitor

Can sports be the harbinger of a new dawn in India-Pakistan relations?

Amid the thorny political and diplomatic issues, sports can act as the much-needed balm to remove distrust and promote understanding between India and Pakistan, writes Sirshendu Panth for South Asia Monitor

US ends a 20-year-war in Afghanistan in confused retreat: Is Taliban now an enemy turned partner?

A Taliban-run Afghanistan that eschews support for international terrorism and global Islam and follows a Sharia regime like that of US ally Riyadh – in effect an oil-less Saudi Arabia – and, as it happened this week, both cooperating to fight common enemies may be Biden's dream scenario, writes Arul Louis for South Asia Monitor

Afghan refugees crisis: Collective international action need of the hour

The Afghan conflict has already turned shelterless a massive number of people, and it will not end until a morally inclined humanitarian intervention takes place, write Azeemah Saleem and MD. Imtiyaz for South Asia Monitor