Asia
Food for thought: Sulawesi’s “healing kitchens”
When international and local media started to feature stories about the heroes of Palu after the Central Sulawesi city was hit by 7.5 magnitude earthquake and…
Will geopolitics trump trade?
Geopolitics may be rapidly moving to the forefront in deciding how the US-China trade war will play out. If so, the odds of a rapprochement are dwindling fast.
The trade conflict…
Pence on China: reviving a neoconservative dream
Ever wondered who is now the culprit for many of the woes of the United States? Then look no further than a major speech delivered by US Vice President Mike Pence last week.
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Japan’s advice to Australia to co-exist with China
Japan’s Shinzo Abe now ranks as one of the region’s most experienced prime ministers, and will likely meet with Australia’s newest leader, Scott Morrison, in November.
China’s…
Out of balance: Pakistan’s economic crisis
National debt in Pakistan has soared past US$92 billion and its servicing costs are projected to reach 30% of the federal budget.
The current economic crisis in Pakistan poses…
“Chinese rice bowl!” Backing state-run enterprise
In a somewhat surreal PR move countering the Trump administration’s trade war against his country, Chinese President Xi Jinping travelled over 1,000km out of the capital last week…
India’s airlines take off and hit turbulence
Some years ago, I took a domestic flight in India on one of the many new airlines that had cropped up over the preceding decade. The flight was on time and smooth, the food was…
Fawning and flummery winning over love-sick Donald
In the last six months, US President Donald Trump has “fallen in love” with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. He has also been persuaded that Kim respects him, likely because he…
Hun Sen at the UN: a strategic appearance
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen last week spoke at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. His presence at this year was highly strategic following the country’s …
Post-war justice in Sri Lanka inches forward
Sri Lanka’s government – a coalition based on an awkward power-sharing arrangement between political parties that have historically been rivals, the United National Party and the…