Showing 1 - 10 of 48
America's new age of empire dawns
Oped, Joseph E Stiglitz, Published on 13/01/2026
» US President Donald Trump has drawn a wave of criticism for his actions in Venezuela, violations of international law, disdain for longstanding norms, and threats against other countries -- not least allies like Denmark and Canada. Around the world, there is a palpable sense of uncertainty and foreboding. But it should already be obvious that things will not end well, neither for the United States nor the rest of the world.
The end of China's one-child policy, 10 years later
Oped, Yi Fuxian, Published on 09/01/2026
» Jan 1 marked a decade since China repealed its one-child policy. Just ten days earlier, Peng Peiyun, who long oversaw the often-brutal enforcement of China's family-planning rules, died at the age of 96, having never been held accountable for her actions. Some obituaries praised Peng for being "reform-minded", even though, in practice, she only perpetuated an utterly inhumane policy, whose consequences have barely begun to materialise.
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.
Guns and guests
Oped, Postbag, Published on 12/09/2025
» Re: "Beijing 'centre' of new world order", (World, Sept 5). The display of China's latest weapons and what its mammoth military parade means on the world stage could be misconstrued as a cruel celebration of the cast of invited autocrats and despots (sans the belligerent and offended Trump).
Time to act on information warfare
Oped, Pawat Satayanurug, Published on 01/08/2025
» As tensions escalate along the Thai-Cambodian border, the unfolding conflict has become not only a confrontation of arms but also a war of narratives. For many in Thailand, this is the first time war has felt real. Not distant, not historical, but tangible: fighter jets in the sky, news of casualties, fear seeping into the national consciousness.
ABOUT POLITICS: A sound bit of advice
Oped, Published on 10/05/2025
» A message has been conveyed by a former finance minister to an aspiring one -- don't be too agreeable with the government when it comes to money matters.
Why China's marriage crisis really matters
Oped, Yi Fuxian, Published on 04/04/2025
» New marriages in China reportedly plummeted by one-fifth last year, implying that the official number of births will likely fall from 9.54 million in 2024 to 7.3- 7.8 million in 2025. Thus, while China represents 17.2% of the global population, it will account for less than 6% of births -- comparable to Nigeria.
Can new bonds mitigate disaster losses?
Oped, Rapeepat Ingkasit, Published on 05/02/2025
» Last year turned out to be one of the most expensive on record in terms of insurance payments resulting from natural disasters.
Could Trump's tariffs help democratise China?
Oped, Yi Fuxian, Published on 18/01/2025
» Assessments of US President-elect Donald Trump's plans to impose high tariffs on Chinese imports tend to focus on their likely economic consequences. But the tariffs' impact on China's politics might prove to be far more profound.
Freedom from fear
Oped, Postbag, Published on 05/11/2024
» Re: "Trafficking horror", (PostBag, Nov 2) & "Smugglers nabbed after bodies found", (BP, Oct 19).