Showing 1 - 10 of 30
Global rate-cut debate unfolding
News, Daniel Moss, Published on 19/01/2024
» From villains to heroes. If there's one theme that has dominated markets in the opening days of the year, it's been breathless speculation about which central bank will cut interest rates first and by how much: It's no longer if but when. There's little doubt that borrowing costs will be lower in many key economies well before the end of 2024. Even the notoriously hawkish Bundesbank is on board.
Cambodia and Laos in the regional mix
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 30/09/2022
» As geopolitical tensions from Russian aggression in Ukraine and the ongoing United States-China rivalry intensify, Southeast Asia will be hard-pressed to maintain peace and security. Despite their relatively small size, Cambodia and Laos are two countries whose political trajectories will shape regional outcomes. While Cambodia has consolidated domestic political power with dynamic economic expansion, Laos is looking like a regional laggard facing a deep debt crisis. As Cambodia moves forward, Laos is at risk of being left behind.
Ending the war of attrition in Ukraine
Oped, Published on 12/05/2022
» Wars often erupt and persist because of the two sides' miscalculations regarding their relative power. In the case of Ukraine, Russia blundered badly by underestimating the resolve of Ukrainians to fight and the effectiveness of Nato-supplied weaponry. Yet Ukraine and Nato are also overestimating their capacity to defeat Russia on the battlefield. The result is a war of attrition that each side believes it will win, but that both sides will lose.
Real 'strategic resources' for security
Oped, Published on 28/04/2022
» The war between Russia and Ukraine has lasted over two months since it began on Feb 24. For a long time, Russia has enjoyed the image and influence of a great power, which is mainly reflected in its military strength, and in its 2,000 nuclear weapons, as well as its powerful conventional armed forces and combat effectiveness. However, judging from the actual progress of this war, although the Russian army is still on the proactive side of the war as a whole, its combat performance is quite different from what the world imagined it to be. To some extent, the Russian army was even "trapped" by the resistance of the Ukrainian army.
The 'defence' follies of 'little boys' at play
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 26/03/2021
» In the early decades of the Cold War, this was the season when North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) defence chiefs would announce their spending plans for the next year, and they would almost always "discover" some new threat from the Soviet Union to justify the money. In the United States, for example, the intelligence services traditionally found a Soviet armoured brigade hiding in Cuba every February or March.
Firms line up for slice of solar pie
Oped, Published on 04/03/2021
» An army plan to open its land for massive solar farm development, up to 30,000 megawatts, has attracted a large number of energy firms. On Feb 22, representatives of more than 30 firms lined up to meet Lieutenant-General Rangsi Kitiyanasap, President of Royal Thai Army Radio and Television Channel 5, to seek clarity on rules and criteria on how to win a slice of the massive solar farm pie.
Army stuck protecting and serving itself
Oped, Wasant Techawongtham, Published on 27/06/2020
» In news photos, Thanet Anantawong was dwarfed by soldiers who surrounded him. The diminutive man was 25 years old when the arms of the military snatched him for saying bad things about them.
Warming up to draft's end
News, Editorial, Published on 23/09/2019
» Once a fierce opponent of ideas to abolish military conscription, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha recently signalled a possible change of heart -- or at least, a more open heart.
Army budget out of control
News, Editorial, Published on 06/07/2019
» With Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha's return to power as prime minister and him being tipped to also become the defence minister, the downsizing of the military and defence budget and repealing the military conscription rule -- which were electoral campaign pledges of key opposition parties -- are unlikely to take place.
Forest land justice needed
News, Editorial, Published on 04/07/2019
» More villagers in the Northeast are being thrown into jail as state versus people forest conflicts escalate.