All Asia: South & Central
- Pakistani Taliban enter fray around strategic NATO routes
Fighting between rival militant groups near the Khyber Pass has reportedly claimed more than 70 lives over the past week.
- FocusBeyond rape trial, a bigger question about women's status in India
Court proceedings began today for five of the men accused in the deadly gang rape of a young woman in Delhi that led to her recent death.
- Pakistan protest march ends: Who won?
Islamabad has brokered an end to a protest challenging its rule. Though demonstrators declared victory, the agreement did not meet their public demands.
- Pakistan's political crisis: Is democracy endangered?
The Supreme Court ordered the arrest of Prime Minister Ashraf, sparking heated debate about the future of Pakistan's democracy.
- Pakistani stock exchange on edge after court orders prime minister's arrest
As the news broke of the order to arrest Pakistan's Prime Minister, the Karachi Stock Exchange fell by several hundred points. By the end of trading hours, it had fallen by 525 points.
- Pakistan's court order to arrest the prime minister unsettles nation
The Supreme Court ordered the arrest of Prime Minister Ashraf, sparking rumors of a conspiracy against the country's democracy. But analysts are calling for calm.
- What is Pakistan's 'million-march'?
Though only about 40,000 Pakistanis descended on Islamabad at the behest of a little known Sufi cleric from Canada, analysts see the march as a sign that the military is once again getting involved in politics.
- Back in Afghanistan, Karzai shifts tone on US troop immunity
Failure to agree on an immunity deal in Iraq ensured that US forces pulled out completely by the end of 2011, further diminishing America's influence there.
- Protests spread in Pakistan over Shiite killings
Minority leaders and even mainstream politicians are growing more bold in calling on the country's military to crack down on anti-Shiite militants.
- Afghanistan: The challenge of 'good' vs 'bad' militias
Gunmen in northern Afghanistan want the Karzai government to make their local unit an official part of the security force that will take over after US withdraws.
- Can India and Pakistan ease tensions after recent flareup?
Analysts worry that recent violence along the line that divides disputed Kashmir could develop into the worst crisis in relations since the Mumbai attacks of 2008.
- Afghanistan: Taliban may be 'weak,' but fear remains
As President Karzai discusses his country's future with President Obama in Washington, many Afghans continue day-to-day fight against extremist intimidation on the ground.
- Karzai meets Obama: How will they shape a post-2014 Afghanistan?
Few appear to believe the Taliban can regain power after 2014, when the US withdraws most of its troops. What's key, some say, is developing a US-Afghan partnership that will survive.
- Border raids give India-Pakistan peace process a reality check
Border skirmishes between India and Pakistan have grown unexpectedly hot in the past few days, prompting US comment.
- India gang rape: Why was everyone so slow to help?
India has no ‘Good Samaritan Law’ to give legal protection to people who step in, and Indians tend to avoid getting tangled with police.
- How well do you know India? Take the quiz.
India is the world's largest democracy, the birthplace of four world religions, and the crossroads of South Asia. The region was home to some of the world's earliest civilizations and its history includes ancient kingdoms, vast empires, European colonialism, and modern reinvention. How much do you know about India?