Michael Kugelman @MichaelKugelman Twitter profile | Pikagi

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

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South Asia Institute Director @TheWilsonCenter . Writer of @ForeignPolicy 's weekly South Asia Brief. Tweeting in a personal capacity.

Washington DC

https://t.co/Rp6yVlh97C

Joined November 2011

Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

20 hours

Iran’s footprint in South Asia isn’t as deep as China’s or Russia’s, but that may be changing. And two recent geopolitical events could further bolster Tehran’s prospects in the region. This week’s South Asia Brief for ⁦ @ForeignPolicy ⁩:

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Iran Makes a Play in South Asia

President Ebrahim Raisi’s recent trip to the region was an opportunity for Iran to showcase its engagement amid instability in the Middle East.

foreignpolicy.com

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

Pakistan was put on FATF gray list in early 2018, when PMLN govt was in power. FATF’s evaluation of Pakistan’s efforts to complete its action plan for gray list removal mainly covered period when PTI was in power. So FATF decision today will be based on what was done in PTI era.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

Today, Imran Khan did what he does best-mobilize people, and in very big numbers. He will try to keep doing this in the coming weeks and months, in order to maintain pressure on a new government that won’t have it easy.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

Today I accepted an invitation to go on a far-right Indian TV channel. I wanted to push back against the absurd allegation that the "Western media" is "peddling fake news" about the New Delhi riots. I tried my best. But it was like speaking to a loud, huge, and angry wall. Sad.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 months

PMLN leader Nawaz Sharif has declared victory. But final results haven't been announced, and results so far show PTI independents still in the lead. The Army, with its intervention in the electoral process, and now its preferred party have conspired to subvert the public will.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 months

After today's remarkable electoral performance by PTI, will we finally see the end of those "PTI isn't really that popular, it's just hyped on social media" takes? It's PTI's mass popularity that enabled it to persevere and defy the electoral odds, and in such a big way.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

1 year

Today was a downright dreadful day for democracy in Pakistan.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

Greta Thunberg, the world's most famous climate activist, is the latest celeb to express solidarity w/India's protesting farmers. Ironically, those farmers are no exemplars of climate change mitigation, not by a long shot (stubble burning, heavy groundwater extraction, etc.).

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 months

The die is cast. If the final results show anything other than a PTI victory, PTI will reject it as a rigged result, and understandably so: Its early gains led to a long delay in announcing final results. The military, intent on denying power to PTI, intervened in the process.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 months

PTI leaders jailed. PTI electoral candidates' nomination papers denied. PTI online rallies/fundraisers blocked. Top PTI rival's legal woes melt away. SC justices perceived as siding w/PTI step down. PTI denied use of election symbol. This is brazen, not subtle, pre-polls rigging.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

What a dominant performance by Pakistan. What a triumph for Pakistani cricket, and for Pakistan itself. #INDvPAK

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

Unless I missed it, Prime Minister Modi has not said one word publicly about the 20 Indian soldiers that lost their lives in the Galwan Valley. No statement, no address to the nation, and not even a tweet about it. This is monumentally surprising.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 months

Tensions are building in Pakistan. After preliminary election results showed surprising gains by the PTI, the party the military is dead set against returning to power, election results have been delayed for hours. Vote tampering and rigging fears are rife, and for good reason.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

Stunning, horrific news about Arshad Sharif, a top Pakistani journalist, killed while in Kenya.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

1 year

Pakistani media have circulated video of a gunman being taken down by another man as the gunman tries to fire his weapon at Imran Khan’s container. As horrible as this attack was, it appears it could have been much, much worse if not for the bravery of the man who intervened.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

Every effort Pakistan’s government makes to weaken Imran Khan will only end up making him stronger. Its dysfunctional and repressive policies play to his strengths as a populist and enable him to channel public outrage to his advantage. The numbers in those huge crowds don’t lie.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

In Pakistan, the new government has pursued charges against journalists, raided opposition leader homes, and banned a planned opposition protest. These are dangerous politics at the worst possible time, as the economy teeters on collapse. The gov’t may be digging its own grave.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

Today I was asked on an Indian TV show if the Pegasus controversy is a global media conspiracy hatched against India because of Modi's close ties to Trump. 🤯

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

Yes, India’s relationship with the US has taken off while its relationship with Russia has slowed. But Delhi still describes its ties w/Russia as “time tested.” Doesn’t say that about ties w/US. Events of recent days bear that assessment out. Russia is helping India, US is not.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

5 years

By announcing that the captured Indian pilot will soon be released, Imran Khan has paved the way for deescalation. It’s a bold & brave move.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

I was on an Indian TV show & one of the panelists suggested that “Pakistan lobbies” may have been a reason for the delayed US response to India’s COVID crisis. I responded that this would be rather curious, given that Pakistan itself offered to help India well before the US did.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 months

The State Department condemns violence & restrictions on freedoms in Pakistan's election. Expresses concern "about allegations of interference." Calls for investigation. Relatively mild statement, considering the great scale of the rigging that went down.

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Elections in Pakistan - United States Department of State

Millions of Pakistanis made their voices heard by voting in Pakistan’s elections on February 8, with record numbers of Pakistani women, members of religious and ethnic minority groups, and youth...

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

I confess, I've got that cricket fever now...

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

Perhaps the magnitude of the 2017 Champions Trophy final victory was greater, but to defeat India for the first time in WC play, and so convincingly at that, and also just a few weeks after the NZ/England mess—this delivers a mighty big message of strength and defiance. #INDvPAK

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

Some very disturbing images are coming out of #India today. The government appears to have badly underestimated the citizenship law’s impacts-unless, that is, it simply doesn’t care. But let’s be clear: These images are not the India that its government wants the world to see.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

I just received my 2nd vaccine dose. I feel relieved but sad. I was at a mass vaccination center that was nearly empty. Plenty of vaccines for all. The contrast w/India couldn’t be sharper. Forget about strategic considerations-the US has a moral imperative to share its supplies.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

1 year

Pakistan’s government has arrested Fawad Chaudhry, a senior opposition leader. If Islamabad fought inflation and debt with as much rigor as it is fighting the opposition, it would have vanquished the economic crisis many moons ago.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

India has arrested Disha Ravi, a 21-year-old climate activist, for her role in sharing (and possibly editing) a toolkit that explains how people abroad can express solidarity with Indian farmer protestors. Let that sink in. (And yes, I’ve read through the toolkit document.)

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 months

Imran Khan's PTI party seems to have broken the military’s stranglehold on political control, giving cause for some optimism about the future of Pakistan’s democracy. My reflections on last week's election for @ForeignPolicy :

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How Imran Khan’s Party Stunned Pakistan

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party won’t take power, but it capitalized on public discontent to deliver a rebuke to the establishment.

foreignpolicy.com

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

Narendra Modi has never held a true press conference over his nearly 6 years as PM. If there was ever a good time to hold one, amid a crippling global pandemic and a resulting lockdown at home that has sparked concerns and confusion about the welfare of millions, it would be now.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

9 months

.⁦ @theintercept ⁩ claims the cypher was leaked to it by an anonymous member of Pakistan’s military-and it has published the cypher here. The doc merely proves what’s already been reported: The US said ties w/Pakistan would improve if Khan lost power.

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Secret Pakistan Cable Documents U.S. Pressure to Remove Imran Khan

“All will be forgiven,” said a U.S. diplomat, if the no-confidence vote against Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan succeeds.

theintercept.com

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

Indian police have filed a complaint against Greta Thunberg. For tweeting about the farmers protests. And for sharing a link that outlines plans on...how to stage peaceful protests around the world in solidarity with the farmers. My word.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

5 years

How sad that nearly 24 hours after India made a monumental decision about Kashmir, the voices of those most affected by that decision-Kashmiris-haven't been heard, because so many of them are under a communication blackout imposed by the ongoing security lockdown. #Article370

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

Who’s been a real busy diplomat since the Gaza crisis broke out? Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Pakistan’s FM has spoken w/his Palestinian, Egyptian, Saudi, Afghan, Chinese, and US counterparts. He also made a strong statement to OIC. Now enroute to Turkey and on to US for UN meetings.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

I think Imran Khan achieved his goal. Today's rally was meant to showcase strength & public support, less in advance of the no confidence vote & more in anticipation of the next election, whenever it is. His speech was a campaign pitch, and it will resonate with his support base.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

Imran Khan's address to the nation today shows how he continues to play the long game. He gave the speech not with an eye to April 3, but to the many months that will follow, onward to the next election. It was a stump speech. He's positioning himself for his next electoral run.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 months

I'm quoted here by CNN: "PTI voters came out in droves to telegraph a message of defiance, that they weren’t going to let the military dictate the outcome of an election that it badly wanted them to lose.”

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

5 years

Thanks for the offer :) But I've already seen plenty of credible reports on the ground (and there is also satellite imagery) that make quite clear that Indian claims of killing hundreds of terrorists-or even of destroying terrorist facilities-are spurious if not outright false.

@HamidMirPAK

Hamid Mir حامد میر

5 years

It’s better that @MichaelKugelman should visit the bombing site and adjacent areas himself in Jabba I am ready to accompany him

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Michael Kugelman

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1 year

Horrible news: Imran Khan has been shot. Fortunately he is safe. There had been warnings of an assassination threat against him earlier this year.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 months

Pakistan has suspended mobile phone services nationwide, citing security concerns. This is an ominous start to election day. The move violates multiple high court rulings since 2018. Security concerns were greater in 2018 and 2013, and I don't recall a move like this back then.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 months

In the end, Pakistan's establishment got exactly what it wanted: A coalition led by the military's preferred parties, and susceptible to the military's influence. Still, PTI's strong electoral showing is a game changer for Pakistani politics. It's no longer business as usual.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

There is no government more sensitive to criticism from abroad than India’s. With one exception. China’s.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

Pompeo, speaking in Doha, thanks Pakistan for helping facilitate negotiations in Afghanistan and calls on Pakistan to uphold its commitments to help make Afghanistan a peaceful and prosperous place.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

Anti-Muslim comments by two Indian ruling party leaders have caused a major backlash in the Gulf-a top source of Indian oil and gas imports and home to one of the largest Indian diasporas, w/large remittance flows. New Delhi will need to carry out some urgent damage control.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 months

The EU has issued a statement that criticizes, albeit relatively mildly, Pakistan’s election. Expresses “regret” about its non-level playing field and “allegations of severe interference,” among other things. Calls for an investigation.

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Pakistan: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the general...

The European Union issued a statement on the general elections in Pakistan, which took place on 8 February 2024.

www.consilium.europa.eu

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

5 years

Today, for the first time, I was part of an Indian TV debate on the India-Pak crisis that also featured a Pakistani guest. My earmuffs were at the ready. Interestingly, there was more shouting among the Indian participants than between the Indian & Pakistani guests. Go figure.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

Big victory for Imran Khan’s opposition PTI, as it appears to have resoundingly won the by-elections in Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province and biggest electoral prize. The poll was a referendum on both the new gov’t’s performance and on Khan’s narrative about his ouster.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

5 years

Trump and Modi walking out together, hand in hand, smiling broadly and waving to the crowd: Those are some serious optics right there. Powerful stuff. The two leaders could even be election running mates. The chemistry between these two men is clearly strong. #HowdyModi

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

Pakistan’s Edhi Foundation, founded by the late great Abdul Sattar Edhi, has done what most of the world’s richest governments have declined to do: Extend an offer of assistance to an Indian nation deeply in need. This is the example that must be set, and that the world must see.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

Are we headed toward a Pakistan vs England showdown in the final?

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

First the Pakistani state tried to sideline Imran Khan. Now it’s tried to shame him by having the country’s two most powerful institutions go before the cameras to shatter his narrative. But Khan will likely double down. A long, ugly political crisis may soon reach a crescendo.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

5 months

Cutting off access in Pakistan to the opposition PTI party's online rally will backfire-because many months of crackdowns on the party have done nothing to dent its popularity, and also because PTI has such a large support base outside Pakistan. Predictable but wrongheaded move.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

Four wins in a row for Pakistan. One more win and it'll be partying like it's 1999, two more wins and it'll be partying like it's 1992. An exciting run, up to now. #PAKvsNAM

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

1 month

The stunning letter written by six Pakistani high court justices illustrates not only the extent of interference in the legal process, at the highest levels, but also the willingness of public servants to go public about it-despite the risks that doing so may pose for them.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

India’s health minister said today that India’s COVID-19 fatality rate is the world’s lowest. And yet, independent health experts believe the actual number of fatalities may be up to five times higher than the official figures.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

The arrest of Shireen Mazari, a former Pakistani HR minister and top leader of the PTI party, is shameful. And it will further weaken an already beleaguered new government by giving Imran Khan and his party another rallying cry, ahead of their planned march on Islamabad.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

The US has now had more coup attempts than Pakistan has over the last 21 years.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

An Indian statement claims a missile launch into Pakistan was a mistake and expresses regret. The language is conciliatory but the implications are scary. Mistakes, in the form of a supersonic missile sent dozens of miles across your nuclear rival's territory, can start wars.

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Michael Kugelman

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2 years

When you sideline a populist who enjoys mass popularity, you ultimately end up strengthening them. It’s as simple as that.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

A year ago, India ended the autonomy of its only Muslim-majority state. Delhi is marking that anniversary by inaugurating the construction of a Hindu temple on the grounds of a mosque destroyed by Hindu extremists. Two big wins for the BJP. Two big losses for pluralistic India.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

Many Pakistanis faulting the umpires for their team’s loss. It truly is the season of blaming the neutrals. #INDvPAK

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

I’ve been seeing insafians all over my timeline praising “Nawaz” to high heaven and wondering what planet I’d just landed on. And then I understood :) #INDvPAK

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

Yikes. Trump will be welcomed and accompanied by one of the most extremist and incendiary figures in the BJP. If the US wants to emphasize the “shared values” thing on the trip, this isn’t the way to do it. Not a good look!

@ANINewsUP

ANI UP/Uttarakhand

4 years

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will welcome US President Donald Trump in Agra on February 24. He will accompany the US President to the Taj Mahal. (File pics)

Tweet media one

Tweet media two

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Michael Kugelman

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3 months

PTI has earned a public mandate to govern. But it's all but assured Pakistan's next ruling coalition will look a lot like the previous one-a PDM redux led by PMLN and PPP and some smaller parties. PTI defied the odds in recent days, but it appears headed for the opposition.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

Despite all the uncertainty about Pakistan's political crisis, safe to predict the PM won't resign before the no confidence vote, despite some speculation he may. That's not his personality or politics. Say what you will about him, but he's a fighter.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

5 years

" #India may be the world’s biggest democracy, but the way Article 370 is being repealed is inherently autocratic—dictated from a distant center with no input from the people most affected." ICYMI, my piece @ForeignPolicy

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India’s Sudden Kashmir Move Could Backfire Badly

New Delhi’s crackdown could send the region spinning into instability.

foreignpolicy.com

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 months

Maulana Fazlur Rehman led Pakistan's previous coalition, an Army-backed gov't embroiled in a bitter confrontation w/Imran Khan & his PTI party. Today he endorsed Khan's position that Khan was ousted by the army, and he hosted a PTI delegation. He is ever the political chameleon.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

8 months

The Canadians didn’t go about this quietly. Trudeau made the direct accusation while speaking before the House of Commons, and his government publicly identified an Indian diplomat it expelled as the head of Indian intel in Canada. A reflection of a highly fraught relationship.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

New Delhi is losing the global battle of narratives on the farmers protest issue. To this point, not many abroad are buying its claims of a global conspiracy. This is significant, given that India has so often won these battles in the past-and it has expected to win them, too.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

Today, Modi said there are no detention centers in India. There are. His own government, and many Indian media reports, have made this abundantly clear. Why say something so blatantly untrue? Because “alternate facts” are perfectly acceptable these days. What a world we live in.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

5 years

Huge cheers-perhaps the loudest so far-after Modi declares that “we’ve said goodbye to Article 370.” #HowdyModi

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

To recapitulate: Today an Indian fighter pilot received a prestigious military award for shooting down a Pakistani F-16 jet that US officials would later claim was not actually shot down. 🤷‍♂️

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

Today was a disturbing, and perhaps ominous, day for India-not just because of what happened, but because of Modi’s response to it all. What he said wasn’t at all conciliatory-rather, it was downright communal. A far cry from a call for calm and unity.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

Narendra Modi has weighed in on today's attempted insurrection in the US. I think this means he has locus standi to comment on America's internal matters.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 months

It's going to be a long night.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

5 years

A Pakistani retaliatory strike has been followed by a conciliatory speech from PM Khan calling for deescalation. India now in a tough spot.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 months

Another PTI online event, another Internet blockage. Hard to build a Digital Pakistan when you constantly crack down on it (it's happened for years). Bangladesh and India do this too, but their economies are stronger & more resilient. Hurts Pakistan's economic prospects the most.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

7 years

There's something poetic about #Pakistan 's win. The country is often counted out but still manages to persevere. Impressive! #CT2017Final

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

Trump will be giving a solo press conference, sans Modi. This suggests journos can ask him about Kashmir, the citizenship law, the deadly protests etc. and his responses will go uncontested b/c he’ll be there himself. Doesn’t sound ideal for New Delhi. But that’s how it’ll be.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

5 years

“We were making rotis in our shop when the security forces said, ‘Are you going to feed Kashmiris bread? You should feed them poison.’ Then they shot into our shop and left us.” This is a very disturbing dispatch from Srinagar, written by @svaradarajan

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Ground Report | Pellet Blindings Back as Protestors Challenge Centre's Kashmir Move

Nearly two dozen victims of pellet guns have been treated for injuries at the Sri Maharaja Hari Singh hospital in Srinagar over the past few days, belying officials claims of

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

What Swamy says in this brief clip doesn't just reflect Islamophobia-it represents pure, unadulterated hate. There's really no other way to describe it. Will the BJP try to distance itself from these comments? I wouldn't count on it.

@VICENews

VICE News

4 years

India has been engulfed in riots after suddenly stripping nearly 2M people of their citizenship. @IsobelYeung travels to India to see how a newly-enacted law has signaled to India's 200M Muslims that they are the true target. Watch #VICEonSHO Sunday at 8 PM ET on @Showtime .

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

Many are asserting Pakistan was gray listed in June 2018, when an interim government was in place before the elections. In fact, while Pakistan was formally put on the gray list in June 2018, the initial decision to gray list it was made at the FATF plenary back in February 2018.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

In an address to the nation today, #Pakistan PM Khan laid out his govt's latest plans to combat coronavirus. It is taking a notably different approach from other countries in the region (and some beyond), opting not to do a nationwide lockdown but scaling up major relief efforts.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

So, thanks to the NYT’s brilliant reportage, we now know that the US’s last act in Afghanistan was to drop a missile on an aid worker with a US NGO, killing him and 10-yes, 10-children. A sickening tragedy, and the worst possible coda to a US war that should have ended long ago.

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Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

2 years

Over his first few weeks in office, PM Sharif has made 5 foreign trips (1 private, 11 days abroad in total). Over his first few weeks in office, PM Khan made 0 foreign trips (his 11th day abroad came 3 months after he took office). Both of them spent time in KSA and UAE.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

My goodness, what a horrifying image.

Tweet card media

A gunman shoots at New Delhi protesters

The protests outside New Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia University on Thursday started out small and relatively low-key - another show of anger by students who oppose a citizenship law they say...

www.reuters.com

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

Eyewitnesses told the BBC that "significant numbers" of the dead in Kabul airport attack were shot by US forces. There are also reports that there were civilian casualties, including the deaths of children, in the US airstrike on ISIS in Kabul today. This must be investigated.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

1 year

In Pakistan right now, public fury is being directed at the Army on levels that haven't been seen in a very long time. The images today of people storming and burning military property would have been unthinkable a few years ago. Such dramatic changes over so little time.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

Earlier today, India's health minister said "we are in a much stronger position against Corona than in 2020." He said this on a day when India tallied more than 300,000 new cases for the 6th consecutive day. And he said this 1 day after 117 people died from the virus every hour.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

Can’t remember the last time an Indian flag burned in Afghanistan. There’ve also been protests against India in Bangladesh. These are expressions of public sentiment in nations that are two key Indian partners in South Asia. Those “internal matters” have int’l implications.

@OmarAtal_

Omar Atal

4 years

Anti #Indian protests in Kabul, Herat and Kapisa provinces, they burn the flag of India and chant “Death to Muslims Killers” #AFG

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

This photo comes from a Tumblr page posted six years ago. Not to mention, why would terrorists fleeing carnage leave out their weaponry neatly positioned like this, as if it were being advertised in an LL Bean catalogue? We all need to be extra vigilant about fake news.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

1 year

Today it appears the Pakistan army has reached an “enough is enough” moment re Khan. After several false starts/unsuccessful arrest attempts by the police, this time the mil took matters into its own hands. What a mess.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

5 years

Dozens of innocents have been gunned down in a place of worship. This is terrorism. Pure, unadulterated terrorism. #Christchurch

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

Actually, the CIA chief went there first…

@sayedsalahuddin

sayed salahuddin

@sayedsalahuddin

3 years

ISI chief, Faiz Hameed, became first known foreign leader visiting Kabul under Taliban. Courtesy Siamak Herawi

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

8 months

A soft landing on the south side of the moon. India has achieved what no other country has done before. And on a relatively modest budget, too.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

5 years

#Pakistan ’s campaign to rally int’l support on #Kashmir is now taking shape. It’s one of Islamabad’s only options. It’ll be a hard sell. 1/2

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 years

In India, hospitals are low on oxygen, Covid patients are having to share beds, new daily cases are at an all-time high, and the PM is boasting about large crowd sizes at state election rallies (reminds me of a certain someone). Something is very, very wrong with this picture.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

3 months

It’s clear, based on the steps they took as soon as the polls opened, that the powers that be remain concerned about the PTI’s possible electoral impact. Especially its turnout potential. The party has been badly weakened and hollowed out, and yet it still has them worried.

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

4 years

I recently spoke to a friend from the Kashmir Valley about the idea of India one day winning the trust of Kashmiris. My friend, who is quite mild-mannered and soft-spoken, had this response: “We’d have to have no brains or eyes for that to work.”

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

5 years

First came fresh troop deployments and sudden, dramatic evacuation orders. Now it's house arrests for some local leaders, Internet cutoffs, and curfews likely to follow. And it's still unclear what might be coming next and when. What an unsettling and ominous moment for #Kashmir .

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@MichaelKugelman

Michael Kugelman

@MichaelKugelman

1 year

The Supreme Court orders Khan’s immediate release. What a blow for the Army.

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