Showing 41 - 50 of 475
Time to put brakes on immigration
News, Published on 04/01/2024
» No politician can be expected to tell us all of the truth. If they did so, they would lose an election even for town dogcatcher. Nonetheless it doesn't seem too much to suggest, in this season of hope, that 2024 might go significantly better than 2023 if more of our leaders around the world acknowledged realities about some of the troubles that beset us.
Asian elections, democracy in 2024
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 29/12/2023
» Billed as the biggest election year ever as more than half of the global population goes to the polls, 2024 will be critical to the debate about democratisation and autocratisation. Asia will lead the way with elections in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Indonesia, while the most recent polls in Myanmar and Thailand offer long-term lessons about democracy and dictatorship. The salient themes next year will be about the self-perpetuating tendencies of incumbent regimes and the resilience of democratic rule when authoritarianism seemed to have the upper hand.
Red Sea crisis presents US, allies with tough choices
News, Peter Apps, Published on 25/12/2023
» As the Pentagon asked allies to provide warships for an international task force to protect Red Sea commercial shipping from mounting drone attacks from Yemen last week, one of the United States' closest partners appeared to be holding back.
Asian century's geopolitics mapped
Oped, Published on 13/12/2023
» What is the relationship between maps and peace among nations? Maps depicting state territories, often attached to a peace treaty, were historically inked on paper. Two things call for attention here: first, a treaty by definition must have at least two parties and, consequently, a harmonious interpretation of treaty and its annexed maps is an exercise in treaty interpretation. International law, not power, must dictate map readings in international law.
Folk knowledge can help heal planet
Oped, Published on 08/12/2023
» The Global Stocktake highlights the urgent need for climate action. By tapping into the traditional ecological knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities, we can unlock valuable insights that could transform our approach to tackling the climate crisis.
The dark underworld of online fraud
News, Published on 07/12/2023
» The Chinese film No More Bets, which sheds light on the intricacies of overseas online fraud, has emerged as a blockbuster success, dominating the big screen and box office earnings.
Cities can drive climate solutions
Oped, Published on 06/12/2023
» Nation-states, presidents, and prime ministers are the players who garner the biggest headlines and the most media attention at each year's UN Climate Change Conference. Yet for the past decade, and with far less fanfare, cities, states, and regional governments (known as "subnationals") have been implementing the Paris climate agreement's guidance, even when their national governments have not. This has meant investing in clean-energy systems and other urban innovations to reduce emissions locally and sharing what works through networks like C40 and the Global Covenant of Mayors to accelerate progress on a larger scale.
Poor English is holding Thais back
Editorial, Published on 03/12/2023
» The month of December is usually one of reflection and planning, and this is exactly what is on the menu after the annual EF English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) released its rankings late last month. In case you're wondering, EF EPI ranks countries (where English is not the primary language) on English proficiency, based on results of Education First Standardised English tests.
China challenges US amid Gaza, Ukraine conflicts
News, Peter Apps, Published on 06/11/2023
» As US and European warships gathered in the eastern Mediterranean amid rising tensions around Israel last weekend, the carrier USS Ronald Reagan dropped anchor off Manila to quietly project the message that Washington would stand behind the Philippines in any conflict in the South China Sea.
Asean, GCC meet amid Mideast crisis
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 24/10/2023
» The summit between the leaders of Asean and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in Saudi Arabia last Friday was the first time the two regional organisations collaborated in what is developing into a divided and fast-changing global environment.