Showing 61 - 70 of 270
Govt has very short memory
News, Editorial, Published on 23/03/2021
» The clash on Saturday night between police and a group of pro-democracy demonstrators which left more than a dozen injured again raises questions about the proportionate use of force by police officers.
Can US, China cooperate on Myanmar?
News, Published on 16/03/2021
» Can the US transform the "extreme competition" to "extreme cooperation" with China for the sake of Myanmar's people and stability in the region? It is the only question being asked among the regional leaders. The meeting in Anchorage, Alaska this weekend between the leaders of the US and China could kick off a new impetus recalibrating their relations and beyond. The two superpowers can make a difference amid the unpredictable security landscape by continuing constructive dialogues.
Myanmar takes lead in autocratic race
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 12/03/2021
» In the aftermath of the military coup on Feb 1, Myanmar's armed forces have evidently taken the lead in Southeast Asia's authoritarian race to the bottom. For its speed and depth of reversal from a fragile democracy to a hard dictatorship within six weeks, Myanmar currently ranks top among developing states worldwide. At stake now is not just Myanmar's political future and the well-being of its people but the fate of developing democracies elsewhere.
Thailand's three Myanmar strategies
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 09/03/2021
» With the unexpected coup in Myanmar on Feb 1 and the ensuing violent clashes between protesters and security forces over the past six weeks, Thailand is stuck between a rock and hard place. Thailand's foreign and security policy-makers have adopted three strategies in handling one of the most "difficult political incidents" in a neighbouring country.
Asean's declining common denominator
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 05/03/2021
» Asean is stuck deeper than ever between a rock and a hard place in view of its political impotence in dealing with the Myanmar armed forces' power grab on Feb 1. In an informal meeting online among its foreign ministers earlier this week, Asean not only failed to come up with common ground to broker a way forward away from the mounting bloodshed in Myanmar but displayed fundamental differences that have lowered the organisation's common denominator to new depths. The implications from Asean's sagging stance is that the pushback against Myanmar's military takeover must be carried out mainly by domestic political forces in the absence of regional effectiveness and with the limitations of global sanctions.
Thailand's dilemma in Myanmar crisis
News, Published on 02/03/2021
» Several subjects were on the table last Wednesday when Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai. They discussed the commemoration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations as well as the preparations for the scheduled Asean Informal Ministerial Meeting and, of course, the situation in Myanmar.
Closed borders need not mean closed minds
Oped, Published on 26/02/2021
» Amid border entry restrictions and mandatory quarantines, international higher education students from across the Indo-Pacific region, including Southeast Asia, seeking higher education abroad are facing difficult times. Yet, closed borders need not mean minds closed to the benefits of international education.
In our politics, time really can stand still
Oped, Chairith Yonpiam, Published on 13/02/2021
» A number of political developments, ie the waning pro-reform movement and the major loss of the Move Forward Party in local elections, may have given the Prayut Chan-o-cha government and the Palang Pracharath Party such a false sense of confidence that they feel they can now move to delay the process of rewriting the constitution.
Beijing frets over political upheaval in Nay Pyi Taw
Oped, Published on 05/02/2021
» China's response to the military coup in Myanmar has been considered as moderate by the western media. This is based on Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Wang Wenbin's statement, saying he hoped all sides in Myanmar can appropriately handle their differences under the constitution and legal framework and safeguard political and social stability.
China seeks to shore up its influence in Myanmar
Oped, Larry Jagan, Published on 09/01/2021
» China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi is scheduled to arrive in Myanmar on Monday on a critical two-day visit. It is intended to further strengthen Chinese influence in the country, in light of the changing international dynamics in the region, amid fears that China's sway is beginning to wane.