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.

Follow Michael Kugelman:
On X
Articles by Michael Kugelman
Attendees of a United Nations General Assembly meeting stand in silence during a tribute to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Sept. 15.
Attendees of a United Nations General Assembly meeting stand in silence during a tribute to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Sept. 15.

At U.N. General Assembly, South Asia Focuses on the Climate Crisis

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
A woman gestures near a tent in Jaffarabad, Pakistan, on Sept. 3. Monsoon rains have unleashed powerful floods that have washed away crops and damaged or destroyed homes.
A woman gestures near a tent in Jaffarabad, Pakistan, on Sept. 3. Monsoon rains have unleashed powerful floods that have washed away crops and damaged or destroyed homes.

Pakistan’s Flood Crisis Could Become a Food Crisis

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
People take refuge in tents after heavy monsoon rains in Dera Allah Yar, Pakistan on Sept. 1.
People take refuge in tents after heavy monsoon rains in Dera Allah Yar, Pakistan on Sept. 1.

How Bad Governance Exacerbated Pakistan’s Flooding

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Men ride atop an armored vehicle during a celebration of the anniversary of the Taliban's return to power in Kabul on Aug. 15.
Men ride atop an armored vehicle during a celebration of the anniversary of the Taliban's return to power in Kabul on Aug. 15.

1 Year Later, the Taliban Are in Full Control

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Boats sit in waters near Dadeng Island, China, on Aug. 10.
Boats sit in waters near Dadeng Island, China, on Aug. 10.

How China-Taiwan Tensions Play Out in India

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
A view of the Sherpur area, where al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed by a drone strike, is seen in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 2.
A view of the Sherpur area, where al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed by a drone strike, is seen in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Aug. 2.

Zawahiri’s Killing Is a Blow to the Taliban

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
A Taliban border security guard stands as Uzbek security guards check a truck at the Afghanistan-Uzbekistan Friendship Bridge in Hairatan, Afghanistan, on Oct. 27, 2021.
A Taliban border security guard stands as Uzbek security guards check a truck at the Afghanistan-Uzbekistan Friendship Bridge in Hairatan, Afghanistan, on Oct. 27, 2021.

Central Asia Steps Up Its Regional Diplomacy

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Political activists shout slogans outside a polling station during the Punjab province by-election in Lahore, Pakistan, on July 17.
Political activists shout slogans outside a polling station during the Punjab province by-election in Lahore, Pakistan, on July 17.

Is Pakistan’s New Government on Shaky Ground?

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Biden and Lapid sit at a desk in front of large screens.
Biden and Lapid sit at a desk in front of large screens.

Another Quad Rises

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Young people look down at their phones.
Young people look down at their phones.

Why Twitter Is Taking India to Court

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pose during a BRICS meeting at the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa pose during a BRICS meeting at the G-20 summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019.

India Plays BRICS to Its Interests

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Demonstrators carry pictures of former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, during a protest in Karachi on Dec. 24, 2019.
Demonstrators carry pictures of former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, during a protest in Karachi on Dec. 24, 2019.

Does South Asia Have a New Guard?

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Supporters of Pakistan's Islamic and political Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) party shout anti-India slogans during a demonstration in Karachi, Pakistan, on June 6.
Supporters of Pakistan's Islamic and political Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) party shout anti-India slogans during a demonstration in Karachi, Pakistan, on June 6.

Will India’s Domestic Politics Dent Its Diplomacy?

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen at the U.S. State Department in Washington on April 4.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets Bangladeshi Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen at the U.S. State Department in Washington on April 4.

Is Biden Building a Broader South Asia Policy?

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a photo in Tokyo on May 24.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a photo in Tokyo on May 24.

The Quad Looks West

South Asia Brief
Michael Kugelman
Load more by Michael Kugelman Return to staff list

Latest

See All Stories

Trending

  1. 1
    Maduro Regime Change Collapse Trump Venezuela
  2. 2
    France Mali Al Qaeda Terrorism Sahel Macron Trump Nigeria
  3. 3
    Hezbollah Lebanon Iran Israel Finance Weapons Terrorism Disarm
  4. 4
    Cop30 Climate United Nations Conference Brazil Hunger Conflict
  5. 5
    The Desperate Search For Gaza Peacekeepers