Garment workers riot for three days, leading to violent clashes with the security forces that leave two dead. The government vows to implement the CHT Peace Accord twelve years after its signing as another member of the CHT indigenous communities is killed by the army. Special Branch arrests more members of the extremist JMB militants, and more in this week's Bangladesh update.

Cross-border firing killed an Indian soldier on the Line of Control in Kashmir on Sunday. A coup in Honduras toppled President Zelaya. Protests in Iran recommenced this weekend, with the authorities detaining workers at the British embassy. The Iraqi government is readying itself for the withdrawal of American troops on Tuesday. And much more in today's update.

This week in Bangladesh, India remains adamant that its controversial hydro-electric project bordering Bangladesh’s northeast will go ahead. Alleged war criminals are finally charged as the War Trials process gets underway. The BNP is thrown into chaos as moves to reorganise its grassroots base backfire.

Dozens killed in US drone strike as Pakistan and Taliban prepare for war in South Waziristan. US snubs Israel after Netanyahu remains committed to settlement expansion. China charges leading dissident with subversion. And much more in today's update.

An illegal Islamic militant group is rebuilding its forces in Bangladesh's Chapainawabganj region. A community of indigenous people is attackedby land grabbers. And more in this week's Bangladesh update.

The new, stable government in New Delhi has monumental hurdles awaiting it in tackling the education and national security sectors

A strong, stable Congress government may be good for business, but can it contend with the real, looming threat of environmental catastrophe?

The urbanisation of Pakistan’s internal war is intended to turn the country’s population centres into places of permanent insecurity, says Razi Ahmed.

Pakistan won’t collapse. But it is in trouble, and needs strategic leadership.  Pervez Hoodbhoy offers a long-term view of the country’s predicament.

This week in Bangladesh: MI5 is implicated in the torture of a British national by Bangladeshi security forces; a devastating cyclone strikes Bangladesh's exposed southern coast, while Sheikh Hasina takes the offensive against environmental degradation; and one of the most influential figures in Bangladesh's military and political scene retires

The Pakistani army and state are seeking to find space for their own strategic interests in the region amid increasing pressure from the United States, says Shaun Gregory.

North Korea successfully tests its second nuclear bomb. Sudanese army and Darfur rebels clash, leaving sixty-plus dead. Sikh leader's assassination in Vienna provokes violent rioting in Punjab. Sri Lankan war crimes investigation splits UN. Swat campaign threatens "humanitarian catastrophe". Palestine looks to Obama for settlements clampdown. France opens first military base in the Gulf. And much more in today's update.

This week in Bangladesh: the Foreign Ministry calls for Pakistan to formally apologise for the gross human rights violations committed by its armed forces during the 1971 Liberation War. Human Rights Watch, in an excoriating report, urges the government to disband its two elite intelligence and security organisations. And much more, in this week's digest.

The Congress party returns to power with a clear mandate, a privilege it should not squander

The Sri Lankan government has claimed to have killed top members of the Tamil Tigers, including the rebel group's leader. Sudan labels Chad air strike an "act of war". Islamist groups in Somalia win another town, but remain riven by in-fighting. US drone attacks continue in Afghanistan and Pakistan. And much more in today's update.

The verdict of the month-long parliamentary election is due tomorrow. India's big parties scramble for allies as the horse-trading kicks off

This week in Bangladesh: the Prime Minister is in mourning after the death of her husband, the RAB clashes with suspected Islamic militants and gangsters, the trauma of the 1971 liberation war gets entangled in the thicket of contemporary politics, and more in today’s digest.

The multiple realities of poverty in India are a key arena where the arguments about global civil society are being tested, say the editors of the new edition of the Global Civil Society Yearbook.  

Pakistan's bid to open its agricultural sector to foreign corporations may accentuate rural poverty and inequity

As the US reshapes its policy to the "AfPak" region, India must strengthen its support for democratisation in Afghanistan and also be less touchy about Kashmir

An elusive project to transform Bangladesh needs an infusion of resources, leadership and village-centred development if it is to be made meaningful, says Delwar Hussain.

(This article was first published on 30 April 2009)

A suspicion of the United States in Pakistan outweighs opposition to the Taliban. Understand this and much else becomes clear, says Anatol Lieven.

(This article was first published on 6 May 2009)

As a key constitutional decision by the Supreme Court looms, the Bangladeshi Law Minister confirms that "Bismillah" will remain in the constitution. The Gorai river is on the verge of becoming an ecological disaster. The government moves to stop extra-judicial killings. And more in this week's Bangladesh digest.

The capital of the Tibetan exile community is a crucible where national and political identity is being remade. The process also makes apparent the flaws in China's official policy and thinking towards Tibet, says Temtsel Hao.

(This article was first published on 29 April 2009)

Air raids in Pakistan and Afghanistan provoke controversy and civilian suffering. Israeli army and Palestinian militants exchange fire. US tries to reassure its Arab allies of unwavering commitment despite possible detente with Iran. Georgia deadlock strains Russia-US relations. US criticises Israeli nuclear non-compliance with the NPT. Sri Lankan government launches media offensive. And much more in today's update.

In today's update: a Pakistani militant turns himself over to security forces in Kashmir, commentators bemoan the lack of ideas in Indian politics, and voters stay at home in Mumbai.

Sri Lanka continues its campaign against the Tamil Tigers, despite concerns over the loss of civilian life. Pro-Syrian generals are controversially released in Lebanon. Britain ends its combat operations in Iraq. The most senior US commander responsible for the middle east and south Asia has raised concerns over the future of the Pakistani state. And much more in today's security update.

Momentum builds for an investigation into suspicious custodial deaths of suspected BDR militants. A replacement is finally found to lead Bangladesh's efforts against corruption. It is confirmed that a Bangladeshi national has died of the swine flu in Mexico. And much more in this week's news digest.

Despite hopes that recent events like November's Mumbai attacks would energise voters, turnout is depressingly low in the third phase of the general elections. And much more in this week's round-up of the big stories in India.

The distorting glare of the mainstream media obscures a more complex reality in restive Pakistan