Asia-Pacific

Image: Mansudae Grand Monument in Pyongyang (mundosemfim/Shutterstock)

Kim Dynasty: Firmly in Control

Viewpoint by Herbert Wulf

This article was issued by the Toda Peace Institute and is being republished with their permission.

BONN (IDN) — When Kim Jong-un took power in North Korea in December 2011, many observers speculated that the young 28-year-old, politically inexperienced son of the late Kim Jong-il and grandson of the first president, Kim Il-sung, would hardly remain in power for long. The communist Kim dynasty was likely to end soon. Today, after ten years, the dictator is firmly in control. What is his economic and security record after ten years?

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 26 January 2022

Photo: Dr Luo Dapeng, WHO Representative in Afghanistan. ©WHO

Health System in Afghanistan Is on The Brink of Collapse

By Jaya Ramachandran

GENEVA (IDN) — The World Health Organization (WHO) a specialized agency of the United Nations, has warned that fundamental and life-saving primary health care services in Afghanistan are under severe threat. It is, therefore, making an urgent appeal to international donors to rapidly finance the Sehatmandi programme, as they have done for almost two decades.

The programme is the backbone of Afghanistan’s health system, providing care for millions of people through 2 331 health facilities.

: Jaya Ramachandran; SUSTAINABILITY; Health & Well Being; 24 January 2022

Photo: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at Hyderabad House, in New Delhi, Saturday, February 8, 2021. Credit: PTI

Sri Lanka: Calling For Indian Intervention Will Not Help Tamil Aspirations

Viewpoint by Sugeeswara Senadhira

The writer is a senior Sri Lankan journalist and political commentator.

COLOMBO (IDN) — “Solicitation of foreign interference in an election represents a betrayal of public trust because it threatens to undermine the people’s right of self-determination—a foundational norm of our Constitutional order,” said Dean of Cornell Law school, Jens David Ohlin in his book ‘Election Interference’ published by Cambridge Press.

: Kalinga Seneviratne; OPINION; 23 January 2022

The Geo-Political Battle in Asia About Democracy

Analysis by Kalinga Seneviratne

SYDNEY (IDN) — With the geo-political battle between China and the United States gathering momentum in Asia, whoever can define democracy better and demonstrate that it works for the betterment of the people, could win the battle in coming years.

One may argue that there is no such battle for democracy because it is a battle between democracy and authoritarianism with China clearly in the latter box. But, while the Covid pandemic has been devastating the world, China has moved aggressively to redefine democracy as a development right accusing the West, and the US, of weaponizing human rights and democracy.

: Kalinga Seneviratne; THE WORLD; Asia-Pacific; 15 January 2022

Photo: Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin sign the statements on elevating bilateral ties to the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era and on strengthening contemporary global strategic stability, after their talks in Moscow, Russia, June 5, 2019. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

21st-Century Chinese-Russian Partnership Unaffected by Historical Differences

Viewpoint by John P. Ruehl

This article was produced by Globetrotter. John P. Ruehl is an Australian-American journalist living in Washington, D.C. He is a contributing editor to Strategic Policy and a contributor to several other foreign affairs publications. He is currently finishing a book on Russia to be published in 2022. Source: Globetrotter.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (IDN) — The 21st century has seen the forging of “cooperative” relations between China and Russia, with the benefits of this new partnership outweighing the historical differences between these two countries that share a mutual goal to diminish the dominance of the United States in world affairs.

: Opinion Editor; OPINION; 12 January 2022

Photo: Nivard Cabraal, governor of the Central Bank.

Colombo’s Cry for Help

By Neville de Silva

Neville de Silva is a veteran Sri Lankan journalist who held senior roles in Hong Kong at The Standard and worked in London for Gemini News Service. He has been a correspondent for foreign media including the New York Times and Le Monde. He was also deputy chief-of mission in Bangkok and deputy permanent representative to ESCAP and later Sri Lanka’s deputy high commissioner in London.

LONDON (IDN) — Facing a political and economic cataclysm, Sri Lanka’s besieged government has turned from China to India in search of support.

: Asia Editor; THE WORLD; Asia-Pacific; 04 January 2022

Image: Map of the South Pacific Island region with the participating countries circled. Source: Sabera Turkmani | ResearchGate

'Secret plots', sovereignty and Climate Change Challenges face Pacific in the New Year

Analysis by David Robie

Dr David Robie is a retired professor of journalism and founding director of AUT University’s Pacific Media Centre.

AUCKLAND (IDN) — In the South Pacific, the year 2021 has closed with mounting tensions over sovereignty and self-determination issues and growing stress over the ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic in a region that was largely virus-free in 2020. Pacific leaders are also raising their voices globally on the devastation brought about by climate change on their islands.

: Kalinga Seneviratne; THE WORLD; Asia-Pacific; 03 January 2022

Image: The Solomon Islands are a group of islands located in the South Pacific Ocean. The Solomon Islands are east of Papua New Guinea and northeast of Australia. Source: geology.com

Geo-Political Battle in The South Pacific Hots Up as China Prepares to Send Police Officers to Solomon Islands

By Kalinga Seneviratne

SYDNEY (IDN) — China will be sending a number of police officers along with riot-control gear such as shields and helmets for the Solomon Islands police, to help train the local police to stem any more violence against Chinese interests and their citizens in the South Pacific nation.

The announcement on Christmas Eve by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare's besieged government that it would accept Beijing's offer of assistance to strengthen its anti-riot policing capabilities has created shockwaves in Canberra.

: Kalinga Seneviratne; THE WORLD; Asia-Pacific; 03 January 2022

Photo: Australian PM Scott Morrison making the national cabinet statement on December 30, 2021. Credit: Prime Minister of Australia Website.

Omicron Surge Forces Australia to Redefine COVID-19 Response

By Kalinga Seneviratne

SYDNEY (IDN) — In July 2021 Prime Minister Scott Morrison told Australians to go out and get vaccinated as the Delta variant of COVID-19 spread across the world. They were assured that once double-vaccinated the lockdowns will be lifted. He said at the time “by Christmas Australia will be a different place” if fellow Australians follow his advice.

: Kalinga Seneviratne; SUSTAINABILITY; Health & Well Being; 31 December 2021

Photo: Embassy of Switzerland in Sri Lanka © FDFA

Weaponizing Human Rights—Swiss on The Frontlines

By Sugeeswara Senadhira

COLOMBO (IDN) — Many Sri Lankans seeking visas to Switzerland end up filling forms listing out all their personnel information including details about Police records, if any. A vast majority of Sinhalese end up with a curt denial of visas despite their clean records.