Asean and the Rohingya
After fighters attacked security targets in Myanmar’s northern Rakhine state on August 25, 2017, the Myanmar military responded by killing and maiming thousands of Rohingya civilians, raping hundreds of women…
China deploys ‘charm diplomacy’ at ASEAN summit
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has been on a charm offensive at the annual leaders' summit at the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Brunei, seizing on the absence of…
The Asean dream
For quick confirmation of the rise of Asia, do what I just did: spend some time at Bangkok international airport, revelling in the buzz and excitement generated by a region…
Lessons from Asean bloc
Travel across Southeast Asia and you know it’s true: Asia is ‘rising’, literally as well as figuratively. Shiny steel and glass high-rises tower over the urban landscape as countries compete…
Why SAARC still matters
The leaders of South Asia must recognize that the true potential for real and meaningful progress lies not in abandoning SAARC but in revitalizing it. Any consideration for establishing a…
How to tell Pakistan’s story
Pakistan reached a high-water mark in communication during the May 6–10 India-Pakistan war and in the aftermath. It ascended to a new reputational altitude not only because of its decisive…
CPEC for growth
As war clouds begin to lift, the ceasefire with India has enabled Pakistan to assess the evolving geopolitical scenario with a different perspective and a sense of cautious optimism. We…
To keep climate ambition alive
The year 2025 was meant to be a year of renewed climate ambition. The world had a roadmap with the third round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) due and COP30…
The ‘disorder doctrine’
Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office in January with immense popular support, promising world peace and a return to America’s glorious past. Yet, just over 100 days later, his…
US-China trade war
The Liberation Day “reciprocal” tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump were stayed for 90 days on 9 April for all countries except China. Trump announced that “I am hereby…
