Showing 1 - 10 of 14
Lawless state capitalism no answer to China's rise
Oped, Curtis J Milhaupt & Angela Huyue Zhang, Published on 19/09/2025
» It is tempting to frame the Sino-American economic rivalry as a clash between engineering doers and lawyerly naysayers, as the Chinese-Canadian analyst Dan Wang does in his new book Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future. But this is a false dichotomy, because law is a crucial feature of US capitalism.
Trump's govt makes peace in Kyiv a priority
Oped, John J Metzler, Published on 21/08/2025
» The landmark political summit between President Donald Trump and Russian leader Vladimir Putin, set in the geographical majesty of Alaska, offered the opening scenes to what could be the long-sought path to peace in Ukraine. Yet few genuine diplomatic observers presumed a political deal could be "done in a day" to bridge the yawning trust gap between the ongoing Russian aggression and beleaguered Ukraine.
The essence of Thailand in one phrase
Oped, Philip J Cunningham, Published on 05/06/2025
» The glossy brochures tell you it's "The Land of Smiles" or maybe it's just "amazing". Slightly more sophisticated takes suggest the essence of Thailand can be found in its unique expressions of showing consideration to others in the context of a hierarchy.
Time to curb spending
News, Editorial, Published on 12/05/2025
» Thailand is facing an avalanche of environmental, economic and political crises, without light at the end of the tunnel. Without stronger leadership and more effective governance, the situation is likely to worsen, driven by years of state inefficiency and neglect.
Trump smashes trade systems in record time
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 08/04/2025
» In ten whirlwind weeks, Donald Trump had already smashed the international system of rules and alliances that more or less kept the peace for the past eighty years, but his bizarre "tariffs on everybody" policy has given us a glimpse of what may take its place. It's the United States against the whole world, and America's only possible great-power ally is Russia.
Thailand's tense dance of diplomacy
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 04/03/2025
» Last Thursday evening, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai showed his true colours when he addressed the repatriation of 40 Uyghurs to China. Cool as a cucumber, he spoke with authority yet with an apologetic tone. That day's press conference was his perfect coda; other cabinet ministers were mere decorative artefacts.
Ukraine's fate is now hanging in the balance
Oped, John J Metzler, Published on 20/02/2025
» Three years into Russia's war against Ukraine, there seems to be a chance for peace. But this political intermezzo may be as fleeting as the approaching spring weather to soon sweep the steppes, yet at the same time, it remains a worthwhile window of opportunity for all parties to reach a ceasefire and then begin the long and perilous quest for peace.
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.
Blinken's diplomatic dance in China
Oped, John J Metzler, Published on 01/05/2024
» US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited China for whirlwind discussions with the People's Republic political grandees in Shanghai and Beijing with the hope of "stabilising the relationship" between both countries. So into the Beijing/Washington political turbulence, Mr Blinken flew to smooth the Sino-American political rivalry, especially over China's military assertiveness towards the South China Sea, Taiwan, the Ukraine war, and naturally two-way trade.
The who and why of Gaza hospital blast
Oped, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 21/10/2023
» The blame game has gone into high gear. It started with the massacre perpetrated in Israel two weeks ago by the Islamist Palestinian group Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip for the past 17 years. US President Joe Biden called it "sheer evil", and a chorus of other voices said the same.