Showing 1 - 10 of 11
Tiny Vanuatu steps up to protect the climate
Oped, Antara Haldar, Published on 28/08/2025
» Although the International Court of Justice (ICJ) turned 80 this year, there is a sense in which it has never felt younger. In a David-versus-Goliath moment, the tiny Pacific Island state of Vanuatu recently changed international law forever by bringing the world's most important issue before its highest court. The result is an ICJ advisory opinion on "the legal obligations of states in respect of climate change", as requested -- at Vanuatu's urging -- by the UN General Assembly (with 132 states co-sponsoring the resolution).
Malaysia's Asean chair with a twist
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 24/12/2024
» Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has displayed his political astuteness by appointing former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to his advisory team. The decision reflects his understanding of regional traits and dynamics, where former leaders and influential figures can hold sway over multifaceted regional outlooks.
Ukraine War: South Korea to the rescue?
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 20/11/2024
» The consensus assumption is still that Donald Trump will force Ukraine to yield to Russia as soon as he takes office on Jan 20. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky himself said on Friday that once Mr Trump becomes president the war with Russia will "end sooner" than it would otherwise have done.
This Is how tourism must shift to actually address climate change
Lebawit Lily Girma, Bloomberg News, Published on 14/11/2022
» If you’re concerned about climate change and wondering whether you should travel to far-flung places as often as you used to before the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s a valid question. You’re not going to like the answer.
Time to upgrade Asean-EU relationship
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 03/11/2020
» Today, Americans will go to the polls to elect their 46th president. It doesn't matter who the next president will be, the incumbent Donald Trump or his challenger, Joe Biden. Why? As far as Indo-Pacific region is concerned, the die has been cast due to the strategic competition between the two superpowers, the US and China. Therefore, the presidential outcome and impact on the global stage remain unchanged. New rhetoric and approaches might be generated but that would be it.
Criticism goes with the job
News, Editorial, Published on 30/12/2019
» Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha should not feel bad about the unfavourable reaction he recently received from some members of the public and the press about his performance. Instead, he should use it as motivation for his government to do better next year.
Murky mobile auctions
News, Postbag, Published on 03/11/2019
» The mobile telecom sector is an unfair business area because of the way it is regulated by the authorities.
Why the West should not give up on Cambodia
News, George Yeo, Published on 02/11/2019
» The US and EU are considering withdrawing economic privileges from Cambodia for the way elections were held last year. The ruling party won all parliamentary seats because the opposition had been crippled. Opposition leaders were disqualified and their party dissolved. By western standards, Cambodia's election fell far short of democratic norms and the result was unfair at best, illegitimate at worst. Strangely, however, there was no widespread protest. Instead, there was a palpable sense of relief among ordinary Cambodians when the elections were over.
Take your trash somewhere else
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 03/06/2019
» Malaysia made a clear statement last week that it is ready to take aggressive moves against countries that dump plastic waste in the country, which this year became the world's main destination for the substances.
Thai street eats? No, it's 7-11, 24/7
News, Sirinya Wattanasukchai, Published on 08/11/2018
» Last week, in a bid to show a strong commitment to nurturing its version of street food business, Singapore launched a months-long "Our SG Hawker Culture" exhibition at its bustling Tiong Bahru Market.