Showing 1 - 10 of 1,876
Andrew crisis haunts monarchy
News, Pavin Chachavalpongpun, Published on 21/02/2026
» For centuries, the British monarchy has survived by carefully weaving a narrative of moral leadership and national service. That meticulously constructed image has been deeply undermined by the persistent shadow of the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Ignored security concerns fuel Ukraine conflict
News, Evgeny Tomikhin, Published on 21/02/2026
» Difficult negotiations on how to settle the conflict in and around Ukraine are continuing in Geneva, Switzerland, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. While the conditions of a long-term settlement are under discussion, it is timely to revisit a question that remains central for the international community: why, despite repeated declarations of commitment to peace, has the conflict yet to be resolved?
Klatham left out
Oped, Postbag, Published on 20/02/2026
» Re: "BJT gains Klatham backing", (BP, Feb 17). The headline was somewhat at variance with Pai Lik, its secretary-general's words that his party had no bargaining power to join the coalition, but it implied a dislike of being in the opposition for the next four years.
The gist of Thai politics over 20 years
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 20/02/2026
» Thailand's democratic institutions have been repressed and kept weak to the point that confusion still prevails almost two weeks after the Feb 8 election, which purportedly showed a clear victory for the ruling Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. On the one hand, Mr Anutin and BJT stalwarts are busy forming a coalition government with other parties. On the other hand, fraud allegations from civil society groups and the opposition People's Party have reached a critical mass with the plausibility that the recent vote might be nullified to pave the way for a new poll.
Why communities pay for mining
Oped, Christopher Rutledge, Published on 19/02/2026
» Last week, policymakers and industry executives of mining companies gathered in Cape Town for the annual African Mining Indaba. They followed a familiar script: governments would court investors, companies would promise jobs and growth, and champagne would flow as speakers tout Africa as indispensable to the global energy transition.
Japan's Takaichi wins strong new mandate
Oped, John J. Metzler, Published on 19/02/2026
» A political Tsunami swept across Japan as recent national elections delivered a resounding victory for the incumbent party and its maverick leader, Sanae Takaichi. Though the outcome was assumed, her stunning triumph in the Feb 8 election was unexpected.
Region must not abandon Myanmar
News, Sally Tyler, Published on 16/02/2026
» A particular confluence of events pertaining to Myanmar -- the fifth anniversary of its latest junta, elections early this month widely seen as illegitimate, and the beginning of a case on charges of genocide brought by Gambia at the International Court of Justice -- should have brought increased international scrutiny to the beleaguered nation.
Implications of conservative triumph
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 13/02/2026
» The incumbent and conservative Bhumjaithai (BJT) Party has surprisingly swept Thailand's Feb 8 election with a commanding win. With the previously poll-leading and progressive People's Party (PP) coming in a distant second, Thailand appears headed for a conservative coalition government revolving around BJT and like-minded junior partners. Known for its conservative stance and being pro-status quo, it would not be surprising if the BJT-led coalition government, led by Prime Minister-elect Anutin Charnvirakul, were not challenged by the Constitutional Court, the Election Commission, and other supervisory agencies, which have derailed and dissolved reform-minded winning parties in the past.
From conflict to shared prosperity
News, David Jay Green, Published on 10/02/2026
» The news from the front line, the border between Cambodia and Thailand, has a depressing familiarity. Another ceasefire is agreed upon, but it is accompanied by hostile statements from officials of both governments, and, in the past, such statements have led to aggressive action by one or both military forces. This opens the door to armed combat. People are killed or injured, property and infrastructure damaged, and people's livelihoods disrupted. We need to break this cycle; we need real peace.
50-party race comes down to just this
Oped, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 09/02/2026
» By the time this opinion piece goes into print, the unofficial outcome of Sunday's election will already have been announced by the Election Commission. Which of the two front-running parties, Bhumjaithai and the People's Party, has emerged the winner and earned the right to form the new government will also be known.