#!/usr/bin/perl
 
my $string = "
BEGIN <<date>>
  <<something>
    BEGIN
      <<something>>
    END <<comment>>
    BEGIN <<time>>
      <<more somethings>>
      BEGIN(cause we can)END
      BEGINEND
    END
  <<something else>>
END
";
$string =~
s/(?xs)
(?(DEFINE)
	(?<pattern1>BEGIN)
	(?<pattern2>END)
)
(?&pattern1)
(
   (?> (?# <-- "once only" search )
      (
         (?! (?&pattern1) | (?&pattern2)).
      )+
   )
   | (?R)
)*
(?&pattern2)
/!!!!/;
print "$string";

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