Many observers believed that the United States’ efforts to reorient its strategic focus to the Indo-Pacific region amid China’s resurgence had hit a snag when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. But for now, Washington may actually be accelerating its long-sought rebalance, recalibrating the center of gravity of U.S. foreign policy.
Over recent months, tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets of Dhaka, Bangladesh, to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and an end to the legal targeting of opposition figures. But with Hasina unlikely to concede ahead of scheduled elections, the coming year looks set to be a contentious one.
Voters in Nepal turned out in force this year to elect lawmakers across the local, provincial and federal levels of government. That signaled that the country’s federated system, instituted in 2015, is gradually gaining legitimacy. As Nepal consolidates its political configuration, however, the next hurdle may be higher.
