Showing 1 - 10 of 13
What would happen if Khamenei falls?
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 05/01/2026
» The demonstrations began again in Iran last week, only two years after the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement convulsed the country for months. However, the current protests are potentially much broader than that episode because they are driven by the collapse in Iran's currency, the rial (now 1,420,000 to the US dollar), and the explosive rise in the cost of living.
Gaza is being offered a big historic chance
Oped, John J. Metzler, Published on 27/11/2025
» The UN Security Council has approved a landmark American-sponsored resolution which just may give long suffering Gaza its final chance for peace and reconstruction. The US resolution enshrines Washington's 20-point plan for Gaza; the current ceasefire, the establishment of a Board of Peace and backs the creation and deployment of an international stabilisation force for the war-ravished territory. There were 13 votes for, none against, and two abstentions, Russia and China.
Can Trump achieve eternal peace in Gaza?
Oped, Joschka Fischer, Published on 30/10/2025
» Past wars in the Middle East have not only brought immense human suffering but also created new paths toward peace. The same holds for the war in and around Gaza. Israel and the United States have significantly, and perhaps decisively, weakened the so-called Axis of Resistance -- led, financed, and armed by Iran -- and Iran's nuclear programme. The leaders of Hezbollah (in Lebanon) and Hamas (in Gaza) have been eliminated, and the Assad regime in Syria has been overthrown. The Middle East is now a different place, and Iran and its Axis of Resistance are among the biggest losers.
Authentic intelligence rises with AI
Oped, Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Published on 16/05/2025
» As the cognitive power and proliferation of artificial intelligence take the world by storm, the case for authenticity and originality paradoxically becomes more compelling and carries higher premiums. It is now a widely accepted reality that AI is on its way to master human thought processes and proceed beyond them. This means that it will be more difficult for humans to differentiate between what comes from AI and what does not. As such, the time has come after nearly 40 years of being published -- including more than 25 of them with this newspaper -- that this column goes subjective.
Feb 28 was the day diplomacy died
News, Philip Cunningham, Published on 03/03/2025
» What do we make of the Oval Office meltdown that led to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky being politically ambushed and then rushed out of the White House? How do we best interpret Donald Trump's rude, bullying behaviour, reinforced by his trusty sidekick Vice President JD Vance?
Ceasefire in Gaza will endanger peace, stability
Oped, Orna Sagiv, Published on 16/12/2023
» In times of peace, assessing moral considerations is a simpler task compared to the complexities that arise during armed conflicts. Yet, the need for moral clarity becomes paramount when the fog of war obscures our judgement.
Karabakh offensive brings wins to Erdogan, Putin
News, Peter Apps, Published on 26/09/2023
» As Armenia called on Russian peacekeepers in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region to step in to stop an offensive by Azerbaijan this week, pro-Kremlin pundits in Moscow took to social media to mock Armenia's leaders for their recent efforts to build relations with the West.
India at 75, and what might have been
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 20/08/2022
» Last Tuesday, on the 75th anniversary of Indian independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to turn India into a developed country within the next 25 years. If all goes well, that could actually come to pass, but it would have to go very well indeed.
Paradox belies Thailand-Malaysia ties
News, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 22/10/2019
» This week marks one full year since Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad's much publicised visit to Thailand. During the landmark trip, he said that Malaysia under his leadership would do "whatever was possible" to achieve peace in southern Thailand. His comment gave a strong sense of deja vu to the government of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha that permanent peace and stability at the southern tip was close at hand.
Pyongyang steps out
News, Editorial, Published on 25/09/2018
» Last week's summit between the leaders of South Korea and North Korea piles more hope on the chances for peace and a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. There are plenty of hurdles left, however, and Pyongyang must work hard to leave behind its lamentable record of resorting to bait-and-switch tactics. But what is known and sensed from the talks between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un provides optimism. North Korea may finally be ready to accept the invitation to emerge as part of the responsible world community.