FSI Score: 93.7

Two years ago, Nepal's congress, the first since the country ended a brutal civil war, was given just one task: to draft a new national charter setting out steps to rebuild. Two years later, it hasn't succeeded, and many Nepalese, such as the protesters seen here on May 26 this year, are growing tired of the political deadlock. Ruling-party figures and former Maoist rebels, incorporated into the government in a peace deal, have yet to find a way to work together.

Unfortunately, that political delay is having material consequences. Nepal is the poorest country in South Asia, according to the United Nations, and that's unlikely to change until the peace process is implemented and security restored. There are signs that the Maoists may be losing patience -- and thinking about going back to the trenches to fight for more.

Work Cite:

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2011/06/20/postcards_from_hell_2011?page=0,27