FROM A BYSTANDER
Aung San Suu Kyi at ICJ / Nobel peace laureate will defend genocide
The Myanmar military and the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi are literally between a rock and a hard place. Two cases of violation of the Genocide Convention filed against Myanmar have shaken its leaders.
Hongkongers’ search for an identity
Protests and demonstrations are not new in Hong Kong. Even before returning to Chinese control in 1997, Hongkongers had demonstrated on different demands. When Chief Executive Carrie Lam wanted to push an extradition bill—that would allow both Hong Kong residents and visitors to be sent to China for trial—through the Legislative Council in March, it immediately triggered criticism and protests, particularly from the millennials of Hong Kong, demanding immediate withdrawal of the law. It is not surprising that the current protests that began in June continues with violent weekend street battles with the police.
Recounting the Brexit drama in five acts
It’s been more than three years that the Brexit drama is being enacted in Britain—dividing the country, its political parties and the parliament.
Will the US-Iran relations ever normalise?
It is amazing that the United States and Iran have maintained an extremely bellicose relation for the past four decades, much to the anxiety of nations of the Middle East. It all began when the Islamic Republic of Iran was proclaimed under Imam Ayatollah Ruhollah
G7 Summit: Semblance of unity
The two-day 45th G7 Summit concluded recently at the French resort in Biarritz. What was unusual this time was the fact that the summit ended without issuing a final communique, essentially because there was hardly any consensus on any of the major issues
Hong Kong Protest / Beijing’s Catch-22
It’s been just 22 years since Hong Kong reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997, after 156 years of British colonial rule. Recent events in Hong Kong suggest that the long British rule has left considerable English influence on the ethnic Chinese of the region. Though the older English-speaking generation is on the wane, the young English-speaking millennials seem to be spearheading a political movement for democracy and social justice.
Will the Rohingyas ever return to Myanmar?
Since the massive exodus of Rohingyas from Rakhine to Bangladesh in 2017, a lot has been written and said about the plight of these unfortunate people. After nearly two years, it appears that the outraged world community has forgotten about this persecuted ethnic minority.
Dawn of the second phase of Arab Spring
The second phase of Arab Spring has dawned on the Arab world. It is not a surprise that people in Algeria and Sudan have risen to demand changes in the leadership in their countries, while Libya is also locked in serious conflict over who should rule the country.
The unsolved mystery
There has been a bizarre case of murder at the busy Kuala Lumpur Airport on February 13, 2017. Kim Jong-nam (46), estranged half-
Trump has muddled the peace process
It was a comical press conference between maverick Donald Trump and hard-nosed Benjamin Netanyahu on February 15, 2017 at the White House.
A test case for Modi?
It is ballot time for five Indian States to elect Legislative Assemblies. Elections are being held in Punjab, Goa, Uttarakhand, Uttar
The changing world order
Isn't this refugee migration the creation of the West? Hasn't the West-imposed wars on the Middle East and North Africa that have totally destroyed the socio-religious fabric of Muslim civilisation in these parts of the world? The result - millions are now at the doors of the West as refugees.
Who will be second?
Donald Trump in his inaugural speech thundered that from now on it will be “America first”.
The two-state solution is the only way to go
The long awaited solution to the Palestinian conflict appears to have been abandoned by Israel. With the collapse of US-sponsored negotiations in April 2014, there has been no direct contact between the Palestinians and Israelis.
Russian shadow over Donald Trump
As we approach January 20, 2017, all eyes are fixed on the inauguration of one of the most talked about President-elects of America – Donald Trump. What is appalling is that the shadow of Russia looms large over Trump's presidency.
Rigging the Presidential election in America
Shocking details about election fraud in America were reported recently. As one of the oldest democracies, America prides itself in having perfected its election process, which is free and fair.
A bizarre shift in South Korean politics
South Korean President Park Geun-hye has been impeached on December 9, 2016, following a bizarre scandal.
Keep the pressure on Myanmar
Hatred against Muslims, particularly Rohingyas, has been smouldering in Myanmar since it obtained its independence from Britain in 1948. Besides fighting 15 insurgent groups along its borders, Myanmar has never been at peace with itself.