Commentary Topics

Replying to Iranian 'prudence and moderation'

by Mohammad Hassan Khani

It would be a fatal mistake for the United States to perceive Iran's adoption of "moderation and prudence" as a sign of Iranian weakness, fear, a concession.

The communication skills for vying in the world

by Sadaaki Numata

espite the introduction of curriculum changes in English-language teaching at Japanese junior and senior high school levels, little progress has been achieved to date.

Politicians hardly ever mention America's poor

by Cesar Chelala

American Republican and Democratic politicians have one thing in common: They hardly mention the poor.

Balancing freedom, security

by Hugh Cortazzi

The U.K. is not anywhere near George Orwell's "big brother society," but we all need to be alert to maintaining a fair balance between security and of freedom.

Will financial rumors spark crisis for developing states?

by Kevin Rafferty

Already, the so-called emerging markets have been badly hit by the rumors of the U.S. Fed tapering $85 billion a month in asset purchases.

Indonesian woes, ASEAN problems

by Simon Tay

Some fear Indonesia is heading for crisis as second-quarter growth dropped below 6 percent. But the recent appointments of top policymakers offer hope.

Challenges to India's indigenous naval buildup

by Harsh V. Pant

Last month India became the fifth nation with the capability to design and build its own aircraft carrier. Even so, India's indigenous naval achievements face challenges.

The good side of Singapore icon Lee Kuan Yew

by Tom Plate

Singapore icon Lee Kuan Yew, who just turned 90, is known to have despised Western journalists. One American, however, has never been denied an interview if Lee was available.

Commentary | COUNTERPOINT Sep 21, 2013

Rokkasho: nuclear white elephant or yen sucking black hole?

As one approaches Rokkasho, a small town of 11,000 on the remote, windswept coast of Aomori Prefecture at the very north of Japan’s main island, Honshu, one sees dozens of power-generating windmills spinning away. Aside from this ambitious renewable energy project, Rokkasho also is ...

Global-related Sep 21, 2013

How poverty harms people's mental resources

by Cass R. Sunstein

In a series of U.S. studies, it's been found that being poor, and having to manage serious financial problems, can be a lot like going through life with no sleep.

Global-related Sep 20, 2013

Silver linings for a golden age

by Kishore Mahbubani

Despite the massive challenges that countries like Syria, Somalia, Egypt, and Afghanistan currently face, and global challenges like food security and climate change, the world has reason to be hopeful about the future.

Global-related Sep 20, 2013

America's wars of choice raise issues for allies

The threatened U.S.-led military strikes on Syria raised once again the difficult question of how Washington's allies should deal with U.S. wars of choice.