Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas is a place that many people describe as one of the most beautiful areas in South Asia: Kashmir. It has also been the site of a struggle between two major powers: India and Pakistan.

The Indian military said Wednesday that it had launched strikes against Pakistan in retaliation for last month’s militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left at least 26 dead. These latest strikes killed at least 31 civilians, according to Pakistani officials. The escalation marks a turn in a decades-long conflict.

Today, co-host Elahe Izadi talks to South Asia correspondent Karishma Mehrotra about how the region got to this point and whether South Asia could be on the brink of war.

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy and mixed by Sean Carter. It was edited by Maggie Penman and Ariel Plotnick. Thanks to Jesse Messner-Hage and Elana Gordon. 

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