Council of Councils
Think Global Health
Online Store
Asia
Sri Lanka
-
A Big Year for Asian Elections, but Not Necessarily for DemocracyThe year 2024 likely saw the highest number of people voting in recorded history. But in Asia, where most people voted, elections did not mean progress for democracy, which has been on a decade-plus-long regression.
-
Women This Week: Deadlock at COP29 to Update UN Action Plan on Gender and ClimateWelcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers November 16 to November 22.
-
South Asia Warily Eyes the Second Trump AdministrationAlthough India has developed a strong relationship with President-elect Trump, other South Asian countries may struggle to gain a hearing in his second term.
-
Women This Week: Gisèle Pelicot is France’s New Feminist HeroWelcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers September 21 to September 27.
-
Zelenskyy’s Diplomatic Drive, Japan’s New Leader, U.S. and Canadian Tariffs on China’s EVs, and MoreUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy intensifies efforts to galvanize greater political and financial support; Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will elect a new leader to become the next prime minister; the United States and Canada each impose a 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs); and Sri Lanka’s new president, Marxist Anura Kumara Dissanayake, calls for national elections.
-
Sri Lanka’s Bond Deal Should Not Set a PrecedentRather than reducing the risk of future debt trouble, Sri Lanka’s macro-linked bonds set up the risk that Sri Lanka will fall back into debt trouble in 2029 or 2030.
-
What Sri Lanka Wants in the Indo-PacificAs the United States advances its Indo-Pacific strategy, its collaboration with Sri Lanka will be critical to the larger task of building partnerships, resilience, security, and prosperity in the region.
-
Getting Debt Restructuring Terms RightState contingent instruments can play a role in debt restructuring agreements, but they shouldn’t be a give-away to investors. There is a compelling case for their use in Zambia—but not in Sri Lanka.
-
Family Ties Led to Sri Lanka's Collapse. What Does This Mean for South Asia?Sri Lanka’s collapse should be a wake-up call for other South Asian countries that suffer from the same trend of “familycracy.”
-
Debt Distress: Can Emerging Markets Withstand Rising Costs?Struggling to make ends meet as inflation and interest rates climb, many emerging markets will have to pursue difficult debt restructuring with international creditors.
-
Sri Lanka’s Crisis Likely Won’t Be Resolved SoonSri Lanka’s new president should be able to finish negotiations with the IMF, but protesters will likely demand more.
-
Political Chaos in Sri Lanka, ‘Operational Pause’ in Ukraine, Farnborough Airshow, and MoreProtesters in Sri Lanka storm government buildings as the president flees; Russia declares an “operational pause” in its invasion of Ukraine; the Farnborough Airshow spotlights the future of flight; and the James Webb Space Telescope inspires galactic wonder.
-
China and the Belt and Road Initiative in South Asia
![]()
To support its allies and partners in South Asia, the United States should assist South Asian countries in assessing Belt and Road Initiative risks and benefits. -
Cyber Week in Review: February 12, 2021Hacktivists deface Sri Lankan web domains, highlight social issues; Hacker attempts to poison water supply in Florida city; Clubhouse blocked in China; Forced sale of TikTok to Oracle and Walmart put on hold; and Federal election agency updates voting security guidelines.
-
Coronavirus in South Asia, April 30, 2020: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh Begin Easing RestrictionsAlthough coronavirus cases in India, Pakistan, and across the region have not increased as quickly as some feared (so far), South Asia's economies are struggling deeply. Sri Lanka and the Maldives experienced a surge in cases.
