World
US Recruits ISIS Terrorists To Fight In Ukraine, Russian Intel Says
MOSCOW, Russia--The US has been “actively recruiting” terrorists to fight in Ukraine, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claimed on Tuesday, saying that it illustrates Washington’s readiness “to use any means to achieve its geopolitical goals.”
Asean
Is There A Malaysian Deep State?
BANGKOK, Thailand--There has been much discussion about the existence of a deep state within Malaysia. This essay looks at its components. The deep state is not a unified and coordinated mechanism. It is heterogeneous and diverse. It is probably only bound together by a common narrative, sometimes interpreted differently. At different points of time, different aspects of this deep state exercise more power over the others. Other times, there is even conflict between the various elements.
Opinion
Biden’s Promise To End Endless War Hits A Snag In Somalia
WASHINGTON, U.S.--In yet another indication that the Biden administration has no intention to bring an end to endless war, the New York Times reported on Monday that the U.S. Africa Command will be redeploying troops to Somalia, and that the White House has approved the Pentagon’s request for discretionary authority to conduct drone strikes in the country.
Defense
Selling Attack Helicopters To Nigeria Won’t Increase Its Security
WASHINGTON, U.S.--On April 14, the Pentagon announced that the State Department had approved the sale of 12 AH-1Z Attack Helicopters and associated systems, data, and weapons to Nigeria.
Latest post
Is There A Malaysian Deep State?
BANGKOK, Thailand--There has been much discussion about the existence of a deep state within Malaysia. This essay looks at its components. The deep state is not a unified and coordinated mechanism. It is heterogeneous and diverse. It is probably only bound together by a common narrative, sometimes interpreted differently. At different points of time, different aspects of this deep state exercise more power over the others. Other times, there is even conflict between the various elements.
China's Relentless Effort To Expand Influence In Southeast Asia
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia--The recent elections in the Philippines is another opportunity for China to further strengthen its position in Southeast Asia.
Biden’s Promise To End Endless War Hits A Snag In Somalia
WASHINGTON, U.S.--In yet another indication that the Biden administration has no intention to bring an end to endless war, the New York Times reported on Monday that the U.S. Africa Command will be redeploying troops to Somalia, and that the White House has approved the Pentagon’s request for discretionary authority to conduct drone strikes in the country.
US Recruits ISIS Terrorists To Fight In Ukraine, Russian Intel Says
MOSCOW, Russia--The US has been “actively recruiting” terrorists to fight in Ukraine, Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) claimed on Tuesday, saying that it illustrates Washington’s readiness “to use any means to achieve its geopolitical goals.”
West Downplayed Importance Of Traditional Energy For Internal Political Reasons
MOSCOW, Russia--Western politicians speculated on people's natural concern about climate issues, downplaying the importance of traditional energy and overestimating the role of alternative energy, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting on the development of the oil industry on Tuesday.
Poland “Disappointed” By EU Willingness To Pay For Russian Gas In Roubles
WARSAW, Poland--Poland’s prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, has expressed “disappointment” that some EU member states are willing to pay for Russian gas in roubles, amid reports that the European Commission has proposed ways to allow them to do so without breaking sanctions.
‘We Cannot Rest’ Until Child Labour Is Eliminated, ILO Chief Tells UN Conference
NEW YORK, U.S.--Countries taking part in the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour this week in South Africa, are being urged to do more to end child labour by 2025.
ASEAN’s New Math: Washington Should Think Addition, Not Subtraction
WASHINGTON, U.S.--Is the U.S. strategy of reducing Russian and (especially) Chinese influence in Southeast Asia working? If the recent summit with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) leaders in Washington is any indication, the answer has to be a no.
Pinda Perlembagaan Bukan Bermaksud Tak Hormat
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia--Tun Dr. Mahathir mendakwa bahawa UMNO tidak hormat perlembagaan sendiri dengan memindanya bagi menangguhkan pemilihan parti.
Should Protesters Be Allowed To Shout In Front Of Justices' Homes?
NEW YORK, U.S.--Pro-abortion protestors have assembled in front of Justice Samuel Alito's family home in an obvious effort to intimidate or punish him. It will not change his draft opinion regarding the overruling of Roe v. Wade, but the question arises: are such protests legal and/or desirable?
China ‘Outraged’ By Karachi Blast, Urges Pakistan To Take Action
NEW YORK, U.S.--China was “shocked and outraged” by the suicide bombing attack in Karachi that killed three Chinese nationals and a Pakistani national, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told his Pakistani counterpart on May 16.
Time To Expand The APEC List Of Environmental Goods
SINGAPORE CITY, Singapore--In 2012, APEC Leaders endorsed a groundbreaking initiative for green trade policy cooperation — a commitment to reduce applied tariff rates on a list of 54 environmental goods to 5 percent or less by the end of 2015.
It’s A Trail Of Devastation In Southeast Asia, Where Democracy Has Taken A Whack And Lies Wear Prada
In Myanmar it’s the coup that brought back military dictatorship; in Malaysia it’s clever power play plus manipulation that unseated Pakatan Harapan; in Cambodia it’s the rule with impunity; in Thailand it’s the never-ending military coups. And in the Philippines it’s the return of the Marcos family to the Malacañang Palace.
WHO Studies Whether COVID-19 Has Role In Child Hepatitis Mystery
WASHINGTON, U.S.--The WHO said Tuesday that 348 probable cases of hepatitis of unknown origin had been identified, as studies into the potential role of adenovirus and COVID-19 infection gather pace.
U.S. Cruiser Transits Taiwan Strait Days After Chinese Naval, Air Exercises
MARYLAND, U.S.--Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG-73) transitioned the Taiwan Strait Tuesday, the Navy announced in a release.
Global-Scale Corruption
MANILA, Philippines--AT the time of writing, it is 9 a.m. on Monday, May 9. So, by the time you are reading it sometime Tuesday morning, there may have been some significant developments in the world. By Tuesday, we may know, at least unofficially, who the next president of the Philippines will be.
Indonesia's Palm Oil Ban: Reap A Bountiful Harvest While Opportunity Presents Itself
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia--Both upstream oil palm growers and downstream oil producers in Malaysia should join hands to reap the benefit of the void following neighbouring Indonesia’s decision to halt its palm oil exports.
More Than 2 Million Adults In UK Cannot Afford To Eat Every Day, Survey Finds
LONDON, UK--More than 2 million adults in the UK have gone without food for a whole day over the past month because they cannot afford to eat, according to a survey revealing the “catastrophic” impact of the cost of living crisis.
Foreign Firms Refute ‘Investor Flight’ Hype; Temporary Disruptions Do Not Represent Long-Term Outlook
BEIJING, China--Stringent anti-epidemic measures adopted in some key Chinese cities including Shanghai and Beijing, in hopes of curbing the rapid spread Omicron variant and bringing back sound bounce after a temporary economic shock, may inevitably hurt some foreign firms' performance, yet some Western media outlets are exaggerating the situation, hyping the "investor flight" theory, warning that such measures will result in a large-scale retreat of foreign firms and undermine China's attractiveness in the long run, which Chinese experts and industry players have dismissed.
Kenaikan Harga Baja Peringkat Global, Kerajaan Perlu Peruntukan Subsidi Tunai Kepada Golongan Petani
PULAI, Malaysia--Kenaikan harga baja adalah fenomena global yang akan menyebabkan berlakunya inflasi pertanian, yang kemudiannya memberikan kesan kepada kos operasi dan proses kitaran pengeluaran.