Showing 1 - 10 of 124
China prepares itself for the next US president
Oped, Published on 27/09/2024
» While the rest of the world weighs the impact of a Donald Trump or a Kamala Harris victory in November's US presidential election, both candidates present serious challenges for China. To be sure, neither seems to want open conflict between the two powers, which could precipitate a nightmarish descent into global chaos. But Chinese decision-makers expect bitter disputes over trade, technology, and Taiwan regardless of who wins.
Thai foreign policy needs new rudder
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 27/09/2024
» Thailand's foreign policy posture and projection under Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and the new government of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is off to a good start under severe structural constraints. Given the widespread consensus both at home and abroad that Thailand has fallen behind its peers over the past two decades, the imperative of regaining its international standing is undisputed. But doing so under what the foreign minister has outlined as a "neutral stance" under "non-alignment" among the great powers is moot and misguided. What Thai foreign policy needs is multi-alignments and omni-directionality under a new rudder.
Welcome ethics move
Oped, Editorial, Published on 26/09/2024
» In a compromise, the ruling Pheu Thai Party has pledged to refrain from amending the charter governing ethical standards for political officeholders. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on Tuesday the party wants to listen to its coalition partners. Among them, the Bhumjaithai Party openly disagreed with Pheu Thai on the issue.
Former Merkel rival aims to become chancellor
News, Published on 24/09/2024
» Squeezed out of top-level politics by his arch-party rival Angela Merkel more than two decades ago, Friedrich Merz is on course to land his first-ever government job as Germany's next chancellor. The conservative Christian Democrat Party (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, which together are topping nationwide polls, last Tuesday agreed to nominate Mr Merz, 68, as candidate for chancellor in next year's federal election.
Thailand's Election Commission must improve local poll practices
Editorial, Published on 22/09/2024
» Thailand is set for major provincial elections early next year, after the four-year terms of their administrative leaders and councillors end in December.
Candidates vying to lead economy out of crisis
News, Published on 21/09/2024
» Sri Lanka's upcoming presidential election has become a referendum on a US$3 billion (99.1 billion baht) International Monetary Fund loan programme that has helped to pull the island nation out of its worst economic crisis since independence. The contest pits the incumbent president, who negotiated the bailout, against the country's main opposition leader -- both members of the Sri Lankan political elite -- and a Marxist politician waging a populist campaign. The three have put contrasting views before voters over how to steer the South Asian nation past the crisis.
Surviving a climate disaster isn't a vote-changer
News, Published on 20/09/2024
» This year, elections and extreme weather events have collided: In India, the spring general election was snarled by a heat wave that killed dozens of people, including poll workers. In Germany, severe flooding prompted evacuations just days before elections for the European Parliament. And in the US, people attending campaign rallies have fallen ill from record-breaking heat.
Top cop pick looms large
Oped, Editorial, Published on 18/09/2024
» As national police chief Torsak Sukvimol retires at the end of this month, the media spotlight will focus on the Royal Thai Police (RTP) as the National Police Committee will begin the selection process for the top job by Oct 3.
Countries that are in step must trade together
Oped, Published on 14/09/2024
» Donald Trump and Kamala Harris agree on little except a disdain for free trade. Ahead of the 2024 US presidential election, Mr Trump has threatened a 10% across-the-board tariff on imports, while Ms Harris, whose policy positions remain murky, has indicated that she would follow in President Joe Biden's footsteps with "targeted and strategic tariffs". American politicians' free-trade enthusiasm of the 1980s and 1990s has vanished, and this scares other countries, which know that the United States -- despite its wobbles and foibles -- remains the world's most attractive trading partner.
'Bulldozer justice' reigns in an unchanging India
Oped, Published on 11/09/2024
» Politically motivated bulldozing has returned with a vengeance in India. Earlier this month in the state of Madhya Pradesh, a local Muslim leader and member of the opposition Congress party watched his home, supposedly "illegally built", reduced to rubble. A district official then gloated on social media that justice had been served for recent attacks on the police. Meanwhile, in the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh, bulldozers flattened an "illegal" shopping complex owned by a Muslim functionary of an opposition party who had recently been arrested on charges of gang-raping a minor girl.