Showing 1 - 10 of 20
'Bibi' Netanyahu's endless quest
News, By Gwynne Dyer, Published on 23/03/2021
» Israelis are to vote in their fourth election in two years today, but there is already talk of a fifth election later this year. They will just have to go on voting until they get it right.
Polar vortex shows US not ready for climate change
News, By Gwynne Dyer, Published on 23/02/2021
» It's not funny when people die of the cold, but there was some innocent amusement to be had from the indignation of Texans unable to boil their drinking water during the Big Freeze because the power was still out. Things like that are not supposed to happen in a modern, developed country like the United States of America. How dare they?
Thai-Aussie ties are on cloud nine
News, By Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 23/02/2021
» On Feb 15, a historic milestone was achieved when Their Majesties the King and Queen visited the Australian Embassy -- the first time in the annals of Thailand's external relations that a monarch had visited a foreign mission. Their Majesties were there to view a documentary prepared by the Australian Embassy commemorating the King's time in Australia. Indeed, Thai-Australian relations have come a long way.
Thailand: In the eye of the coming storm
News, By Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 26/01/2021
» Last week, in his 229-word congratulatory message to US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha minced no words in stating that as the US' first and oldest treaty partner in Asia, Thailand is very proud of its strategic ties with the United States, which have benefited both countries and their peoples as well as contributed to security, stability and prosperity in the region.
Brunei takes chair for year of recovery
News, By Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 19/01/2021
» On the inspiring theme of "We care, we prepare, we prosper", Asean's smallest member is taking on a humongous responsibility to see to it that the Asean Community will emerge from the current Covid-19 pandemic stronger and better than before. With a population of less than a half million, Brunei Darussalam hopes to rejuvenate the community of 655 million citizens during this tumultuous year.
Lucky Joe Biden is thrice-blessed
News, By Gwynne Dyer, Published on 19/01/2021
» Joe Biden is thrice-blessed. Not only did he win the Democratic nomination and then the presidential election, but as a result of the events of Jan 6 he takes office when the Republican opposition is in utter disarray and likely to stay that way for a long time. None of that was foreordained, or even very likely.
Pompeo's one landmine a day foreign policy
News, By Gwynne Dyer, Published on 17/01/2021
» When defeated armies are retreating, they always lay mines behind them if they have time. The mines slow pursuit, they may inflict casualties on the victors, and they give the losers something purposeful to do amid panic and despair. That's what Mike Pompeo has been doing just before time is called on his ideologically driven term as United States Secretary of State.
Lessons from the American insurrection
News, By Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 12/01/2021
» The carnage on Capitol Hill last Wednesday provides numerous valuable lessons for both mature and emerging democracies around the world. The US perceives itself to be a beacon of global democracy worthy of emulation. Now that a mob of pro-Trump loyalists have marched on and temporarily seized the Capitol, the American democracy that we all know can never be the same again. The country that wants to lead by example, as President-elect Joe Biden often says, has now become its own worst enemy by setting such a bad one.
Don't leave migrant workers behind
News, By Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 29/12/2020
» As 2020 comes to a close, the coronavirus outbreak at a seafood market in Samut Sakhon has been a blessing in disguise. It is a stark reminder that the health of migrant workers is pivotal for the country's fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Thai people are not safe until all migrant workers are safe. This is not the time to play the blame and shame game -- something politicians tend to do all too often.
Vetting China's diplomacy: A Thai view
News, By Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 15/12/2020
» Deciphering and understanding China's foreign policy postures and conduct is akin to walking into a maze. As the world's second-largest economy with rapidly growing political clout, Beijing's external relations are becoming more sophisticated, complex and, at times, extremely assertive. Under the Trump administration, the ongoing US-China rivalry reached boiling point with widespread repercussions. Indeed, their strategic competition has now been franchised to four corners of the world through the dichotomy of "We" versus "Them".