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What APEC 2025 Reveals About Global Trade
[Zephyr Quinn] As global institutions falter and domestic populism surges, even the act of agreeing on principles—no matter how bland—becomes an act of defiance against fragmentation.
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Here’s How Plastic Is Becoming a Threat to Children’s Health
[Simi Garewal] The paradox of plastic in health care is real, but it is not insurmountable.
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U.S.-Vietnam Recent Deal Built on Compulsion
[Zephyr Quinn] Vietnam has asked the U.S. to recognize it as a market economy and to lift restrictions on high-tech exports, longstanding requests Washington continues to ignore.
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Trump’s Tariff Gamble is Backfiring
[Zephyr Quinn] Trump’s trade war is not making America great again. It’s making the U.S. more isolated, more expensive and more vulnerable.
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Tariffs, Turmoil and a Brewing Economic Crisis
[Zephyr Quinn] This is no repeat of 2008 or 2020. In those moments, the world acted as one. Today, it fragments. In those crises, the U.S. extended its hand. Now, it points fingers.
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Trump’s Ceasefire Diplomacy for Russia-Ukraine War, and the Global Fallout
[Nicholas Lovric] Trump’s efforts, while consistent with his “America First” rhetoric, may ultimately undermine both Ukraine’s sovereignty and the broader interests of the West.
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Trump’s Bold Move to Secure U.S. Leadership in Artificial Intelligence
[David Jonathan Miller] By ensuring Artificial Intelligence systems align with national interests, the administration is not only protecting American businesses and industries but also reinforcing the country’s capacity to lead in defense and cybersecurity.
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Is Trump’s Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence an Unchecked Ambition?
[Zephyr Quinn] If the U.S. is to maintain its leadership in Artificial Intelligence, it must find a way to balance its competitive ambitions with the ethical, legal and social challenges that come with these technologies.
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Is Pakistan the Next Syria?
[Khizra Anwaar] There is a pressing need to break free from the “Purana-Pakistan” (old Pakistan) mindset, which, like Middle Eastern autocratic regimes, limits progress and resists change.
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Here’s Why the U.S. Must Continue Its Commitment to Ukraine
[Nicholas Lovric] Disruptions in global energy supplies, mass displacement of populations and destabilization of trade routes are just a few of the potential consequences if Russia’s aggression is not contained.
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South Asia’s Struggle for Democracy and Digital Freedom: A 2024 Reflection
[Yead Mirza] In 2024, the internet became not just a medium for expression across South Asia, but a battlefield where narratives were fought, manipulated and weaponized.
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Is Australia Striking a Balance Between Economic Interests and Development Goals in Southeast Asia?
[Zephyr Quinn] How Australia positions its involvement in Southeast Asia’s energy transition will be critical in shaping its long-term relationships in the region.
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Assad’s Fall will Soon Ignite a New Battle for Syria’s Future
[Bahauddin Foizee] Regional and global players are positioning themselves to shape the outcome of Assad’s fall, with each having a stake in what comes next for Syria.
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Political Implications of Technology: Power, Control, and the Future of Society
[Zephyr Quinn] Governments must recognize that technology is not inherently good or evil; it is a tool. The key is to harness its potential while mitigating its risks.
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How Technology is Transforming the World, and Our Future
[Natalie Morales] There are growing concerns that many jobs may be replaced by machines, sparking debates about how societies should respond, including discussions around universal basic income and the future of education.
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Europe’s Path to Sovereignty, Security and Self-Reliance
[Lucas Dupont] As the continent faces a range of destabilizing factors, it’s clear that Europe’s future stability depends on its ability to act autonomously, without excessive reliance on the United States.
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BRICS Summit in Kazan amid Global Tensions
[Yead Mirza] Central to the summit’s discussions is the theme of reducing dependency on Western financial systems.
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Arctic Front: Sino-Russian Cooperation and U.S. Concerns
[Nicholas Lovric] The Arctic is not merely a remote expanse of ice; it is a frontier of opportunity and competition, demanding our attention now more than ever.
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Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle: The Key to a Fulfilling and Resilient Life
[Natalie Morales] The journey towards a healthier lifestyle is personal and ongoing, but the benefits—enhanced vitality, greater happiness, and improved quality of life—make it a worthwhile endeavor.
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Implications of Ukrainians Using Indian Weapons against Russians
[Nicholas Lovric] Indian ammunition, initially sold to Italy and the Czech Republic, is now in the hands of Ukrainian forces. […] If verified, this could signal not only a shift in the battlefield but also a strain in a historically strong relationship with Moscow.
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Here’s How Geopolitical Tensions are Reshaping Global Supply Chains
[Zephyr Quinn] Businesses are increasingly focusing on reshoring production, finding alternative suppliers, and investing in technology to enhance supply chain visibility and flexibility so that they can mitigate the risks associated with geopolitical uncertainties.
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Iran’s Missiles to Russia Have Significant Implications for the U.S.
[Nicholas Lovric] Both Iran and Russia share a common adversary in the West, and their deepening cooperation serves as a challenge to the U.S. influence in the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
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Why British Youth are Unhappier Than Their European Peers?
[Natalie Morales] The constant exposure to curated, idealized images online has a detrimental effect on self-esteem, particularly among girls. The comparison culture fostered by social media intensifies feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction, further undermining youth happiness.
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Human Cost of Conflict in Southern Parts of Lebanon
[Bahauddin Foizee] The suffering in southern parts of Lebanon is not just a regional issue; it is a global humanitarian crisis that demands attention and intervention.
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Breaking the Silence: Navigating the Complex Challenges of Mental Health Care
[Natalie Morales] Improving mental health care requires a multi-faceted approach that includes reducing stigma, enhancing access to services, providing education, tailoring treatment, and integrating technology thoughtfully.
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Germany’s Balancing Act with China in a Shifting Global Landscape
[Bahauddin Foizee] Approximately 60% of German businesses operating in China are taking steps to enhance supply chain reliability, with many looking to Southeast Asia as a new frontier.
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Addressing the Plight of African Refugees in Europe’s Crisis
[Bahauddin Foizee] By embracing the aspirations of African refugees—safety, stability, family, education, and citizenship—we enrich not only their lives but also the fabric of European economy.
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U.S. Approach to Syria: From Cold War to Joe Biden
[Ahmed Khalid Al-Fahad] While the U.S. has expressed support for democratic principles in Syria, its actual influence has been constrained by the internal dynamics of the conflict, the resilience of the Assad regime and the involvement of foreign powers that back opposing sides in the war.
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Ukraine’s Shortage of Munitions
[John Bruton] [EU] member governments need simultaneously to ramp up arms production for Ukraine, pour money into the Green deal, provide for the healthcare for an ageing population, and manage the debt inherited from the Covid epidemic, while still respecting the Maastricht budgetary criteria.
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Will Middle East Replace the USA with China?
[Bahauddin Foizee] The U.S.’s military and political clout, coupled with its established relationships, provide it with a level of influence that China has yet to match.
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Here’s Why Loneliness is a Public Health Crisis
[Natalie Morales] We must fundamentally reframe loneliness not as a personal failing or emotional inconvenience, but as a public health crisis deserving the same urgency and resources as other widespread conditions.
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World is a Dangerous Place Now. Think Things Through Carefully
[John Bruton] Ambiguity is often the enemy of peace. The First World War arose from ambiguity in the pledges the powers had given to one another in the event of attack. If the pledges had been clearer, the risks might not have been taken.
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Ireland’s Coming Gas Shortage !
[John Bruton] The potential crisis of natural gas supply is simply accelerating a wider underlying electricity supply problem in Ireland.
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Bangladesh: Why a Bridge could Profoundly Impact Ruling Party’s Popularity?
[Bahauddin Foizee] Ruling party’s campaign to repeatedly publicize country’s recent developments, including Padma Bridge project, could now pay off in the next general election.
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EU Must React to UK’s Intent to Ditch Provisions of Northern Ireland Protocol
[John Bruton] The best approach for the EU will be to gradually turn up the heat on the UK so as to give them time to learn that actions have consequences, and the price could be very high.
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India, the New Champion of Islamophobia !
[Yead Mirza] India has crossed all the limits in terms of hatred towards ‘Muslim as a community’ and ‘Islam as a religion’.
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What’s Happening in Ukraine is Opposite to What Putin Wanted
[Nicholas Lovric] Russia’s aggressive actions and threatening rhetoric driving many nations in Europe to opt for NATO membership.
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Foreign Interference Behind Imran Khan’s Ouster in Pakistan?
[Bahauddin Foizee] It is crucial for anyone seeking to grasp the broader implications of Khan’s removal and the future trajectory of Pakistani politics to first find out whether foreign interference played a role in Imran Khan’s ouster.
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China’s Double-Edged Sword for Africa: Investment and Compromised Sovereignty
[Ellington Ngandu] China’s commitments to Africa during recent FOCAC summit come with expectations for African nations to align with China’s political positions, raising concerns about Africa’s sovereignty and long-term dependency.
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What Lessons are to be Learned from U.S.’s Afghanistan Exit?
[John Bruton] The experience in Afghanistan and similar experiences elsewhere suggest that there is a strong temptation on USA’s part to turn inwards and reduce commitments to the defence of other countries, including the European ones.
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What Lessons are to be Learned from Article 16 Row?
[John Bruton] The more disharmony there is between the UK and the EU, the greater will be the political problems for both parts of Ireland.
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UK’s Sovereignty over Northern Ireland Partially Sacrificed under EU-UK Deal
[John Bruton] The latest EU-UK agreement gives the UK more sovereignty over the island of Britain, but loosens a considerable measure of its sovereignty over Northern Ireland.
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Fleeing from Persecution, Fleeing for Safety
[Bahauddin Foizee] Although Rohingyas found safety in Bangladesh, their lives have never been the same, courtesy to the experiences they had to go through in Myanmar and the challenges they continue to face in Bangladesh,
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Iran’s Execution of Political Prisoners Continued in 2020 despite International Outcry
[Beenish Ashraf] Iranian establishment uses the charges associated with national security grounds to silence the opposing and protesting voices.
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What does the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement Mean?
[John Bruton] The new agreement between the EU and the UK would eventually shape up a system for ensuring fair trading and uninterrupted mutually beneficial business between the two in a post-Brexit Europe.
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Bangladesh Competes with India on Economic and Social Indicators
[Yead Mirza] Witnessing [the] progress, experts from both sides of the border have recently opined that life in Bangladesh is far more attractive than in India.
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U.S. Presidential Election: Biden Ahead
[John Bruton] Joe Biden is doing better among women and the young than Hillary Clinton did, but losing ground among Catholic voters. It appears that policies matter more than the candidates’ own identity.
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‘No-Deal Brexit’ Still Possible
[John Bruton] Deal or No-Deal, the EU and the UK will gradually draw further apart, as will Ireland and Britain. Irish people will need to pay much more attention to politics in Paris, Berlin and Warsaw, and a little less to the English speaking world.
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Brexit Issue in the EU Summit
[John Bruton] Nobody wants a disruptive “No Deal”. But a poorly drafted, last minute, Agreement that, within a year, breaks down in a multitude of legal disputes would be no use.
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European Commission’s Independence must be Preserved
[John Bruton] The weakening of the institutional independence of the Commission is very damaging to European integration and to the interests of smaller EU states. This should be of concern to the European Parliament.
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Why did the Governments Fail to Stop COVID-19?
[Bahauddin Foizee] It would have taken a month at-tops to contain the virus and bring life back to normal in the cities across the world if three widely recommended steps were sharply implemented.
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COVID-19: The Case for ‘Prolonged’ Lockdown
[Bahauddin Foizee] The governments across the world should prioritize human health (and lives) over economic health even from an economic standpoint alone.
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German Court Sets a Wrong Precedent for Other EU Member States
[John Bruton] By undermining the European Court of Justice, the German Court is providing a precedent that could be used by semi authoritarian governments in some EU states, who do not like some EU decisions on matters like the rule of law, academic freedom, or media pluralism.
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BREXIT Heading for the Cliff Edge
[John Bruton] The Conservative Party, which is driven by a narrative around re-establishing British identity and is quite insensitive to economic or trade arguments, wants Brexit done quickly because it fears the British people might change their minds. That is why there is such a mad rush. It is not rational. It is imperative!
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European Union: Economy, Politics, Democracy, COVID-19
[John Bruton] If the EU is to survive as a political project, it needs to create a European democratic constituency that complements the democratic constituencies to which national leaders appeal. The EU needs a political heart to sustain its economic body.
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How will the EU Tackle COVID-19’s Economic Slump?
[John Bruton] Article 122 of the EU Treaty already makes provision for the EU to give aid to help states suffering from “natural disasters and exceptional occurrences” beyond the control of a member state or states. COVID-19 meets this criterion.
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India’s Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Requires Concerted Effort among Littoral Countries
[Dr. Pankaj Jha] India’s Indo-pacific Oceans Initiative is a work in progress and requires concerted effort among littoral countries of the Indo-Pacific region.
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COVID-19: Why was Italy the First Badly Affected Western Country despite being Half the World Away from China?
[Bahauddin Foizee] Chinese tourists and business persons, elderly population, not maintaining social distancing, and the delay in imposing full lockdown — all these factors made Italy the first Western country to be badly affected by the COVID-19.
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Lockdown: Only Option Available against COVID-19
[Bahauddin Foizee] The best option available against COVID-19 is the full, strict and early lockdown, together with testing the suspects, and treating and isolating the confirmed patients.
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What should G20 do to Fight COVID-19?
[John Bruton] Now that lives, and not just livelihoods, are at stake, an even more vigorous program of action from the G20 is needed.
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UK Backing Away from Commitments Made to EU
[John Bruton] A fraught negotiation between the EU and the UK is looming, as Boris Johnson seems to be backing away from legally and politically binding commitments he gave to the EU last October.
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Why did Sirisena Fail to Achieve a Balanced Policy for Sri Lanka?
[Bahauddin Foizee] Despite his attempts to reduce Chinese influence during the initial stage of his tenure, Sirisena had later realized that China has already established so deep influence in his country that he had little power to change this reality.
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Ireland Needs Experienced People (not Amateurs) in Office to Deal with 2020 BREXIT Negotiations
[John Bruton] Republic of Ireland needs experienced people in office to navigate the challenges of 2020, which could be the most consequential year for the century. It wouldn’t be in Ireland’s interest to entrust the 2020-Brexit-negotiations to well intentioned, but inexperienced, amateurs.
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Why People are Increasingly Relying on Life Coaches?
[Natalie Morales] Life Coaches are not miracle workers, but they do have large tool kit to help people deal with their problems and convert people’s Big Ideas into Realities.
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Ireland must Work with EU Partners to Protect Itself
[John Bruton] Ireland can and must learn from the work of other EU members and, on a case by case basis, take part in joint initiatives in areas like cyber security, threat intelligence, maritime surveillance, drone surveillance, etc.
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Iranian Regime Lost its Charm in Middle East
[Syafruddin Arsyad] Iranian regime has now become detached from the young Iranians as well as from its support bases in Lebanon and Iraq.
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Asia-Pacific’s Coastal Communities Becoming more Vulnerable by the Day
[Bahauddin Foizee] While coastal areas of countries like Bangladesh, India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka would disappear gradually, other small island nations like Micronesia and the Maldives would be submerged under water almost completely, turning millions of inhabitants living in these countries into climate refugees.
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A Life-Coach might Solve Your Life’s Problems
[Natalie Morales] Life Coaches are not miracle workers, but they do have large tool kit to help convert Big Ideas into Realities.
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Brexit is Far from Done. It is Entering its Dramatic Second Act
[John Bruton] Can a chaotic “Crash Out” Brexit in December 2020 be avoided?
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Brexit: The Era of Easy Decisions is Over
[John Bruton] The EU’s strategic weight in the world will be reduced by the absence of the UK, as the EU is losing a relatively young, diverse and creative member state.
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Does Poor People Lack Concern about the Environment?
[Simi Garewal] Poor people are perhaps more concerned about the adverse affects of climate change, but what’s lacking is their participation to save our planet from such adverse affects.
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Problems with Boris Johnson’s New Proposals on Irish Backstop
[John Bruton] A ‘Northern Ireland only’ backstop would not protect Republic of Ireland’s trade with Britain which is more valuable than trade across the border with Northern Ireland.
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The Coming Peace in Afghanistan
[Yead Mirza] USA’s growing desperation to end the Afghan war – driven by the understanding of ‘costs versus benefits’ of the longdrawn conflict – would bring about a positive result for achieving peace in not-so-distant future.
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Bay of Bengal Countries Losing Coastal Areas to Rising Sea Level
[Bahauddin Foizee] If the environment of the Bay of Bengal region continues to deteriorate due to climate change, millions of inhabitants living in coastal areas would become climate refugees.
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Alternatives to Open Space Workplaces
[Fotini Mastroianni] Employees face many problems in the modern-day open space workplaces. There are several alternatives (and solutions) that might help.
OpEd Column Syndication 