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
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
Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party shout slogans during a rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 10.
Supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party shout slogans during a rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Dec. 10.

What’s Behind Bangladesh’s Protests?

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves during a Bharatiya Janata Party rally in Ahmedabad, India, on Dec. 1.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves during a Bharatiya Janata Party rally in Ahmedabad, India, on Dec. 1.

Can India’s BJP Sustain Its Popularity?

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
A voter prepares to stamp her ballot at a polling station in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on Nov. 20.
A voter prepares to stamp her ballot at a polling station in Bhaktapur, Nepal, on Nov. 20.

Nepal’s Ruling Coalition Has the Edge in Elections

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is greeted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 15.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is greeted by Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 15.

India Takes Over G-20 Presidency

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
People use boats to cross a flooded area in Dadu, Pakistan, on Oct. 27.
People use boats to cross a flooded area in Dadu, Pakistan, on Oct. 27.

South Asia Unites Around ‘Loss and Damage’ at COP27

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan take part in a protest in Lahore, Pakistan, on Nov. 3.
Supporters of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan take part in a protest in Lahore, Pakistan, on Nov. 3.

Imran Khan Wounded in Attack at Rally

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Activists from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party protest against the decision to disqualify former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan from politics in Karachi, Pakistan, on Oct. 21
Activists from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party protest against the decision to disqualify former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan from politics in Karachi, Pakistan, on Oct. 21

Pakistan’s Political Crisis Deepens

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Mallikarjun Kharge, the newly appointed president of the Indian National Congress party, gestures after addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Oct. 19.
Mallikarjun Kharge, the newly appointed president of the Indian National Congress party, gestures after addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Oct. 19.

India’s Opposition Faces an Uphill Battle

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
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