Showing 1 - 10 of 145
Better Canada-China ties boost Asean
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 20/01/2026
» Canada's decision to reset relations with China is extraordinary, coming at a critical time for both countries. It reflects changes in the Western Hemisphere that have led Canada to realise that boosting ties with China is a necessity. Furthermore, it will have far-reaching implications for their future bilateral relations and beyond. It is interesting to note that it took US President Donald Trump's intimidation -- both on trade and annexation -- to push straightforward Canada towards the East.
Graft body faces test
Oped, Editorial, Published on 14/01/2026
» Two statements issued by National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) officials, urging a commissioner to resign over bribery allegations involving gold bars, suggest moral hazard at the country's graft-busting office.
Who is next for the United States?
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 12/01/2026
» The Crazy Gang are high on the "brilliant success" of their Venezuela caper and looking for new targets. Like Alexander the Great, US President Donald Trump weeps because there are no more worlds to conquer. But wait! Actually, there are still lots of places to conquer.
A bright spot in global landscape
Oped, John J. Metzler, Published on 02/01/2026
» It's time to consult the crystal snow globe and try to peer ahead to what may be on the horizon for the new year. Without question 2025 has been tumultuous but the year ahead holds cautious promise to finally solve some political crises mixed with some epic events on tap.
America will pay for pushing India away
Oped, Brahma Chellaney, Published on 11/12/2025
» At a time when US policy towards India has become distinctly punitive, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's warm reception for Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi last week could not have been more pointed. Mr Modi's message was clear: India is a sovereign power that will not be dragooned into choosing sides in a widening rift between "the West and the rest".
Early education transforms lives
Oped, Justin van Fleet & Pia Rebello Britto, Published on 09/12/2025
» The leaders' declaration adopted at the end of the recent G20 summit in South Africa reaffirmed the group's commitment to tackling some of the world's most pressing challenges, from inequality and long-running conflicts to AI and climate change. It also marked a historic milestone: for the first time, the G20 identified education as one of its top global priorities.
Rethinking finance beyond aid
Oped, Justin Yifu Lin & Yan Wang, Published on 06/11/2025
» Traditional donors have sharply scaled back their aid commitments to developing countries over the past year. Some, like the United States, have virtually eliminated their aid programmes. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), official development assistance (ODA) from member countries declined by 7.1% in 2024, its first annual drop in six years.
Banned bets
Oped, Postbag, Published on 24/10/2025
» Re: "Anutin bans poker, sports gambling nationwide", (BP, Oct 23). So, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has banned gambling again. The prohibition specifically aims at poker and other similar sports-themed card games. The Ministry of Tourism and Sport earlier classified poker only as a sport? Well, it's not, is it -- it's a card game that is invariably played for money, unlike many others, such as bridge, which are not.
The future Asean Economic Community
Oped, Satvinder Singh, Published on 01/10/2025
» This year, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) has launched the bloc's new goal -- New Asean 2045: Our Shared Future and its Strategic Plans. Under this, it is worth reflecting on the words of Vincent Van Gogh: Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.
Floods 'a recurring nightmare'
Oped, George G van der Meulen & Chamniern Vorratnchaiphan, Published on 16/09/2025
» Thailand has faced floods for more than a century. Some years are worse than others, but the pattern is consistent. The catastrophic 2011 floods remain the most painful reminder: according to the World Bank, they caused US$46.5 billion (1.5 trillion baht) in economic losses, displaced 13 million people, and claimed approximately 800 lives. Much of the country's industrial heartland was submerged for months, severely impacting global supply chains.