Politics

The finest and worst of Pakistani politics
30Nov By Joanne SerriehNo Comments

The finest and worst of Pakistani politics

Tens of thousands of protesters belonging to the party of Pakistan’s ousted prime minister Imran Khan, jailed for the last one year, invaded the tree-lined streets of the federal capital of Islamabad. It was no easy feat for them to get there. They used raw power and powerful vehicles to remove massive shipping containers piled three deep. They pushed past police and military barricades. Many were from Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Khan’s party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Party, the PTI or Justice Party still rules. The army and police were also in the capital by the thousands. Even though the protesters had vowed to stay until Khan was released they dispersed in a rush when security personnel opened fire. The jury is still out on whether force or reason wins the d
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Security Issues Drive U.S. Politics in the Swatting Surge
30Nov By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Security Issues Drive U.S. Politics in the Swatting Surge

The Biden administration is collaborating with the FBI to respond to a surge in 'swatting' and bomb threats targeting lawmakers and Trump cabinet nominees. Despite the threats, no explosive devices were found. Biden and Trump continue to communicate during the transition period. U.S. President Joe Biden announced Friday his administration's partnership with the FBI to tackle a recent wave of 'swatting' and bomb threats, which this week targeted lawmakers and incoming Trump's cabinet picks. Among those threatened were Rep. Seth Magaziner from Rhode Island and six Connecticut Democratic lawmakers, who reported bomb threats to their homes over Thanksgiving. Fortunately, no explosives were discovered. Nominees Pete Hegseth and Lee Zeldin also faced 'swatting' incidents, a growing tre...
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America’s paranoid political approach ought to serve as a warning to Europe.
29Nov By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

America’s paranoid political approach ought to serve as a warning to Europe.

“American politics has often been an arena for angry minds,” wrote historian Richard Hofstadter in Harper’s Magazine in November 1964, referring to Barry Goldwater’s 1964 presidential campaign. His essay, “The Paranoid Style in American Politics,” explored a recurring phenomenon: the tendency to construct paranoid visions, identifying a nefarious enemy plotting to undermine the American ideal. Hofstadter described this as a psychological posture – an exaggerated suspicion and conspiratorial fantasy – not a psychiatric madness, but a way of thinking embraced by otherwise healthy individuals. This critique of the paranoid style is recurrently cited when American political life, as in the (new) Trump era, is marked by deep-seated fears and extremist rhetoric. Hofstadter’s insights r
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The UK parliament denies China’s Taiwan-related U.N. claims.
29Nov By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

The UK parliament denies China’s Taiwan-related U.N. claims.

London, Nov 28 (CNA) The British Parliament adopted a motion on Taiwan's international status on Thursday, making it the latest body to reject China's interpretation of United Nations Resolution 2758, which it has used to make territorial claims over Taiwan. The motion, which was adopted by the U.K. House of Commons after a debate on "the international status of Taiwan," stipulated that the U.N. resolution does not address Taiwan's political status nor establish the People's Republic of China (PRC) sovereignty over Taiwan. The U.K. Parliament thus followed Canada, the European Parliament, the Netherlands and Australia in following an initiative by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) to reject efforts by China to "distort" the meaning of the U.N. resolution in its favor....
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Japan’s PM promises to stay in power despite the humiliating defeat.
28Nov By Joanne SerriehNo Comments

Japan’s PM promises to stay in power despite the humiliating defeat.

Japan's prime minister Shigeru Ishiba has vowed to continue ruling the country despite a bruising loss suffered by his party at the general election. The country now faces an uncertain political future as the coalition led by the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has lost its majority in parliament, its worst result in over a decade. Ishiba was sworn in as prime minister just this month after winning the leadership of his party. He had called a snap election to seal his mandate. But in a speech on Monday, he admitted the LDP received "severe judgement" from voters, and added his party would "humbly accept" this. "The Japanese people expressed their strong desire for the LDP to do some reflection and become a party that acts in line with the people's will," Ishiba told...
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Due to political demonstrations, Sri Lanka A will depart the Pakistan tour in the middle.
27Nov By Joanne SerriehNo Comments

Due to political demonstrations, Sri Lanka A will depart the Pakistan tour in the middle.

Sri Lanka’s A team will return home midway from their ongoing series against Pakistan Shaheens due to intense political protests in Islamabad. The PCB confirmed on Tuesday that following consultation with the Sri Lankan board, it has postponed the last two 50-over matches between Pakistan Shaheens and Sri Lanka A. The postponed matches were scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi on Wednesday and Friday after Pakistan Shaheens beat the visitor by 108 runs in the first game in Islamabad on Monday. The PCB said the two boards will work together to finalise new dates to complete the series. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf party of the former Pakistan captain and prime minister Imran Khan started a protest march towards main Islamabad since Sunday. There have been incidents o
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Is China Entering the Middle East Political Arena?
26Nov By Grace TsoiNo Comments

Is China Entering the Middle East Political Arena?

China’s deepening engagement in the Middle East, particularly its potential to rival the influence of the United States, has become a focal point of international discourse. In recent years, China has transitioned its primary focus from securing energy resources to emerging as a leading provider of infrastructure and technology across the region. This shift, coupled with Beijing’s role in facilitating the 2023 rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia, has intensified speculations about China’s ambitions to play a more prominent and enduring role in the Middle East. However, China’s response to Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attacks in Israel and the Gaza War—characterized by assertive anti-American and anti-Israel rhetoric but limited tangible action—has prompt
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Meeting with Lee Hsien Loong, Xi advocates for further collaboration between China and Singapore.
26Nov By Joanne SerriehNo Comments

Meeting with Lee Hsien Loong, Xi advocates for further collaboration between China and Singapore.

BEIJING, Nov. 26 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Senior Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong here on Tuesday, calling for further synergizing development strategies and boosting bilateral cooperation. Commending the remarkable achievements Singapore made during Lee's tenure as prime minister, Xi spoke highly of Lee's long-time support for China-Singapore cooperation. The two sides established an all-round high-quality future-oriented partnership last year, setting a strategic course for the development of bilateral ties, Xi said. Noting that next year will mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Singapore, Xi called on the two countries to strengthen high-level exchanges, further synergize development strategies, and deepen ...
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According to a leak, a former Taiwanese leader was scheduled to spend two days in the UK in October.
25Nov By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

According to a leak, a former Taiwanese leader was scheduled to spend two days in the UK in October.

Taiwan’s former president Tsai Ing-wen had been due to visit the UK between 16 and 18 October before the Foreign Office intervened, the Guardian can disclose. Tsai was scheduled to visit London for two days as part of her first international tour since leaving office and was in discussions about addressing the UK parliament, according to a leaked letter. But the trip, which had been due to coincide with David Lammy’s visit to China, was pulled and Tsai was hosted by the French parliament on those dates instead. The leaked letter, sent to the Commons and Lords speakers in August, said Tsai “will visit London between 16th and 18th October” and that the UK Taiwanese office wanted to explore the possibility of her being hosted by parliament. The letter said Tsai wou
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An end to Sri Lanka’s previous political system
22Nov By Joanne SerriehNo Comments

An end to Sri Lanka’s previous political system

The NPP’s success, built on Mr. Dissanayake’s win in September 2024 (the presidential election), was made possible by an astute reading of the ground sentiment, patient planning and execution of a smart election strategy. There is another side to this story: Sri Lanka is Asia’s oldest electoral democracy, with universal suffrage going back to 1931, and its citizenry, in an awesome political swing, have not only given the new government an overwhelming mandate but also clearly rejected the political status quo. The elections have, more or less, cleansed the 225-member Parliament, purging the country’s arrogant old guard. While the NPP gained 159 seats (61.6% votes), the main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) was reduced to 40 seats (17.7% votes). The parties of former Presidents R
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