Showing 1 - 10 of 40
Artists resist repression in Thailand, US
Oped, Sally Tyler, Published on 08/12/2025
» In late August, two seemingly unrelated events occurred in Thailand and the US. The Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC) altered a major exhibit it had recently opened and, a few weeks later, the comedian Jimmy Kimmel was temporarily taken off the air by the ABC television network. These events are linked as forms of artistic repression and perhaps more concerning, as examples of the growing use of intermediary censorship by authoritarian regimes.
The postwar era's first democratic authoritarian
Oped, Antara Haldar, Published on 08/09/2025
» The 78th anniversary of India's independence last month offers an opportunity to recall one of the most insidious moments in the country's post-independence history: prime minister Indira Gandhi's 1975 decision to declare an emergency and suspend civil liberties. A new book by political scientist Srinath Raghavan, Indira Gandhi and the Years That Transformed India, not only revisits that fateful move, but also traces its lasting impact half a century later.
Time for Thaksin to face the music
Oped, Veera Prateepchaikul, Published on 02/06/2025
» After lying low and staying out of sight -- presumably to lick the wounds inflicted by the Medical Council of Thailand (MCT)'s ground-shaking ruling on May 8 regarding his controversial stay at the 14th floor of the Police General Hospital -- former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra re-entered the public foray on May 27 with a vengeance.
Timor-Leste's membership divides Asean
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 13/05/2025
» Timor-Leste's long-awaited bid to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is in jeopardy. It has encountered unexpected headwinds -- this time from the Philippines. The sudden diplomatic friction stems from Dili's refusal to extradite Arnolfo "Arnie" Teves Jr, a former Filipino congressman accused of terrorism and multiple murders, back to Manila.
Peace plan needs rejig
Oped, Editorial, Published on 25/02/2025
» During a recent visit to the South, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra vowed to bring an end to the violence which has rocked the restive region for almost two decades.
Testing the Trump-Modi bromance
Oped, Brahma Chellaney, Published on 15/02/2025
» Last time Donald Trump was president, ties between the United States and India flourished. But the bilateral relationship began to fray during Joe Biden's presidency, owing not least to divisions over the Ukraine war. Will Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's latest meeting with Mr Trump at the White House mark the first step toward restoring this critical relationship?
My New Year's resolution: Give up on elections
Oped, Joe Mathews, Published on 04/01/2025
» For the new year, you might have resolved to give up booze or bonbons. Maybe you should join me in giving up elections instead. Or, at the very least, in giving up the habit of investing money, time, and hope that elections might improve our communities and our world.
Time to end this
Oped, Postbag, Published on 31/12/2024
» Re: "By any other name", (PostBag, Dec 29).
Perfect storm confronts UN assembly meet
Oped, John J Metzler, Published on 28/09/2024
» Powerful thunderclaps from the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan rumbled as a dire greeting to the opening UN General Assembly session in New York. Winds from ongoing but unresolved humanitarian crises the world over from Sudan to Syria and Somalia swirled. And a nervous atmosphere of widening conflicts, some still yet to happen, settled over assembled delegates.
Competence needed
Oped, Postbag, Published on 06/09/2024
» Re: "New-look cabinet to set policy agenda", (BP, Sept 5).