Topic: South Asia

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Indian artist jailed for anticorruption cartoons

Aseem Trivedi was arrested on charges of sedition and insulting national honor, raising concerns in India that the government is increasingly intolerant of dissent.
In Pakistan, girl freed but blasphemy debate still stuck

Activists seeking to reform Pakistan's stringent blasphemy laws had hoped this case would spur change.
Terrorism & Security US drone attack kills 18 in restive North Waziristan, despite Pakistan protests

US missiles killed 18 suspected militants near the Afghan border, just a day after the Pakistan government summoned a US diplomat to protest the use of drone attacks.
Dearie

Julia Child's great success was built on both a willingness to innovate and an utter devotion to her craft.
Latin America Monitor What is the real threat of Islamic terrorism in Latin America?

Islamic militants do not seem to have an active presence in Latin America, but the possibility that they could develop links with drug traffickers poses a threat, argues InSight Crime.
Motive sought for mass shooting at Wis. Sikh temple

Terrified congregants ran for cover Sunday morning when the shooting began at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin. The gunfire finally ended in a shootout between the gunman and police outside.
At least six killed in shooting at Wisconsin Sikh temple

A gunman opened fire on a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin where several dozen people were worshiping, killing at least six. The suspected shooter died in an exchange with police.
The Monitor's View India blackout flips a switch

A two-day blackout for half of India was caused in large part by a massive theft of electricity. Many countries have yet to break the link between wholesale corruption and the stealing of power. Such widespread dishonesty can slow a country's growth.
Global News Blog India's new president: focus is on prosperity, not terrorism

Pranab Mukherjee's acceptance speech highlights how India sees its sharpest threat as slower-than-expected economic growth, not Pakistan and its Islamic militant proxies.
Opinion America's way out of dependence on Pakistan: Iran

America’s dependence on Pakistan is a key source of regional instability. The only way out is to find an efficient alternative supply route for NATO supplies into Afghanistan. The Chabahar Road through Iran provides that alternative – if Washington will consider its benefits.
Pakistan to reopen key supply route to Afghanistan, after US apology (+video)

'We are sorry,' Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said about a December attack near the Afghanistan border that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. That sticking point resolved, a key supply route will reopen, but US-Pakistan ties are weaker now.
Global News Blog Pakistan's Texas-sized problems

Despite the some cultural overlaps, the American and Pakistani paths are parting ways.
Opinion 4 ways US and Iran can make nuclear talks work

The Moscow talks on Iran’s nuclear program ended in stalemate June 19, as both cynics and optimists anticipated. While low-level experts will meet in July, the next set of sanctions against Iran are scheduled to kick in within weeks, arguably restarting the whole negotiating process. The next time around, the parties should consider broadening their approach in these four ways.
Backchannels Syria war drumbeat builds, but where is it leading?

Pundits from John Bolton to Nick Kristof are issuing calls to arms. But there's little regard for national interest, or the law of unintended consequences, in the urgings to act now.
India eyes increased role in Afghanistan

India is among regional powers eyeing a larger role in Afghanistan as the US prepares to pull back. Some Afghans worry about becoming a proxy battleground for India and Pakistan.
Why China is likely to get more involved in Afghanistan

For the past decade, China has not played a significant role in Afghanistan. But with NATO starting to pull out, Afghanistan's security will affect neighboring China.
Global News Blog Pakistan jails doctor who helped find bin Laden: why the US may not intervene

The doctor who helped the CIA find Osama bin Laden has been sentenced to 33 years in jail. But perhaps US-Pakistan relations have fallen so low that the US doesn't care anymore.
Terrorism & Security Both sides violating Syria cease-fire. Still worth supporting? (+video)

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon called on all parties in Syria to stand by the cease-fire, which has been repeatedly violated by both the government and the opposition.
A Rodney King moment, as US tries to restart talks with the Afghan Taliban

Marc Grossman, US special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, met with senior Afghan and Pakistani officials this week. 'The shared goal is to open the door for Afghans to sit down with other Afghans to talk about the future of their country,' Mr. Grossman said.
Opinion How a glacier could thaw dangerous India and Pakistan freeze

Following a deadly avalanche in the disputed Siachen Glacier area, India and Pakistan have signaled openness to talks. A priority must be to demilitarize 'the world's highest battle ground' at Siachen, which incurs substantial economic and human costs for these two nuclear rivals.
Afghanistan attacks: Were signs of improved US-Pakistan ties just a mirage?

Despite optimism relations were rebounding, the attacks bore the signature of a Pakistan-based group, a reminder, as the US plans to exit Afghanistan, that Pakistan is at best a fickle partner.
Defending Afghanistan: are Afghan forces ready?

An extended occupation and ever-shifting objectives could leave Afghanistan shakier in 2014 than when US-led forces arrived.
Chapter & Verse Greg Mortenson must pay $1 million to charity

A Montana Attorney General’s office investigation found significant mismanagement of funds by 'Three Cups of Tea' author Greg Mortenson.
Expert Q&A: Who is Hafiz Saeed and why the $10 million bounty?

For a clearer picture of who Mr. Saeed is, the Monitor talked with a noted scholar and author on the region.
Backchannels A faulty argument for staying on in Afghanistan

Marc Thiessen of the Washington Post's op-ed page is promising doom when US troops pull out of Afghanistan. There is no reason to believe he's close to correct.