India’s Independent Path: Balancing Ties with Russia amid Growing Western Pressure

[Raghav Kumar] For India, Putin's visit was a chance to reaffirm that its energy decisions, including the sourcing of oil from Russia, will not be dictated by external powers.

APEC’s Gyeongju Moment: Turning Promises into Progress

[Bahauddin Foizee] 2025 APEC Summit framed its agenda around three priorities—namely, Connect, Innovate, Prosper—a structure that mirrors the region’s core dilemmas.

What APEC 2025 Reveals About Global Trade

[Zephyr Quinn] As global institutions falter and domestic populism surges, even the act of agreeing on principles—no matter how bland—becomes an act of defiance against fragmentation.

Digital Democracy: Gen Z Protests Shake the Himalayas

[Beenish Ashraf] Nepal’s protests showed that democracy is not confined to ballot boxes or parliamentary halls—it thrives wherever people, armed with conviction and connection, refuse to be ignored.

U.S.-Vietnam Recent Deal Built on Compulsion

[Zephyr Quinn] Vietnam has asked the U.S. to recognize it as a market economy and to lift restrictions on high-tech exports, longstanding requests Washington continues to ignore.

Drones are Rewriting the Rules of War in South Asia, and the World Should Pay Attention

[Bahauddin Foizee] Much like chemical weapons and landmines before them, drones must be subject to arms control conversations, export limitations and ethical usage guidelines.

How War Temporarily Redeemed Pakistan’s Military

[Bahauddin Foizee] Since the military cannot remain in an unending war with India, the future strength of Pakistan’s armed forces may depend less on military might and more on public trust; the trust that should be earned, not enforced.

Salal’s Lithium Discovery: Cautionary Tale of Overhyped Potential, Unresolved Challenges

[Zephyr Quinn] Indian government’s rush to capitalize on the lithium discovery without sufficient due diligence raises concerns about the government's ability to manage such resources responsibly.

Delhi must Act beyond Superficial Fixes to Tackle Air Pollution Crisis

[Simi Garewal] Delhi's residents have grown weary of seeing the same cyclical measures rolled out every year, only to face worsening air quality.

Is Pakistan the Next Syria?

[Khizra Anwaar] There is a pressing need to break free from the “Purana-Pakistan” (old Pakistan) mindset, which, like Middle Eastern autocratic regimes, limits progress and resists change.

Street Food’s Vital Role in Southeast Asia’s Identity and Economy

[Natalie Morales] Local governments and communities should recognize the value of street food as a vital cultural practice that supports economic growth, social inclusion and sustainable food systems.

South Asia’s Struggle for Democracy and Digital Freedom: A 2024 Reflection

[Yead Mirza] In 2024, the internet became not just a medium for expression across South Asia, but a battlefield where narratives were fought, manipulated and weaponized.