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Kishore Mahbubani
For Kishore Mahbubani's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 21, 2022
The hard-won benefits of Indonesia's soft diplomacy
The rest of the world would benefit by learning a lesson or two from Indonesian President Joko Widodo's success at the recent G20 summit in Bali.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 26, 2020
East Asia's new edge
A deep determination to battle against great odds may explain why East Asia has so far responded much better to the COVID-19 pandemic than most Western countries.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 27, 2019
Trump, Macron and the poverty of liberalism
If liberals want to defeat populists, there is only one route: Regain the trust of the voters that form much of their base.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
May 17, 2018
America's needless collision course with China
The world's most important bilateral relationship is also one of its most inscrutable.
Japan Times
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 13, 2016
Understanding the geopolitics of populism
What unites supporters of Donald Trump and the U.K.'s 'leave' campaign is not anger at being excluded from the benefits of globalization, but rather a shared sense of unease that they no longer control their own destinies.
COMMENTARY / World
Dec 26, 2014
Unlocking ASEAN's true economic potential
Some critics insist that ASEAN members vary too widely in terms of economic development to create a smoothly functioning manufacturing entity. But ASEAN, unlike the European Union, is not trying to form a monetary union.
COMMENTARY / World
Aug 19, 2014
Asia's budding reform trinity
Three of Asia's most populous countries — China, India and Indonesia — are poised to enter a historical sweet spot, as their respective leaders build a reputation as one of his country's greatest modern reformists.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 20, 2013
Silver linings for a golden age
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.
COMMENTARY / World
Jun 3, 2013
Going gracefully into the No. 2 spot is not what Americans had in mind
If the era of American dominance in international affairs is indeed coming to an end, then the main question is how well the U.S. is prepared for the No. 2 spot.
COMMENTARY / World
Jan 7, 2013
The dynasty-loving Asians
To the extent that culture matters in politics, the recent spate of leadership changes in Northeast Asia suggests that Asian societies are more tolerant — if not supportive — of dynastic succession.
COMMENTARY / World
Jul 31, 2012
China appears to be losing its diplomatic grip
In 2016, China's share of the global economy will be larger than America's in purchasing-price-parity terms. This is an earth-shaking development; in 1980, when the United States accounted for 25 percent of world output, China's share of the global economy was only 2.2 percent. And yet, after 30 years of geopolitical competence, the Chinese seem to be on the verge of losing it just when they need it most.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 22, 2011
Egyptians share a demand with Californians
SINGAPORE — While Egypt has had too little democracy and is moving toward more, California has had too much democracy and is moving toward less. The common mean point they should arrive at is democracy that delivers good government — not mushy "governance."
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 20, 2010
The paradox of blinking
SINGAPORE — The world has recently witnessed two major diplomatic blinks. Japan, facing mounting pressure from China, unconditionally released a Chinese trawler captain whose ship had rammed a Japanese Coast Guard patrol boat. And U.S. President Barack Obama did nothing when Israel refused to extend its freeze on new building construction in the West Bank, causing Israeli West Bank settlers to rejoice.
COMMENTARY / World
Mar 4, 2010
Pragmatic Asia can bolster global stability
DAVOS, Switzerland — Is there an "Asian way" for resolving global challenges? The conventional answer is no. But elements of an Asian way are gradually emerging. Given Asia's growing influence, the world should pay attention — and may have much to gain.
COMMENTARY / World
May 10, 2009
The audacity of optimism in the Middle East
SINGAPORE — The world will be enveloped in a heavy cloud of gloom and doom this year. Economies will sputter, governments will fall and companies will fail. But the biggest danger of all is a sense of hopelessness. Preventing this requires resolving some large and apparently intractable problem. Closing the Doha Round of world trade talks provides one such opportunity. But an even better opportunity is provided by the Israel-Palestine conflict.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 22, 2008
Indonesia's miraculous 'free' democracy
JAKARTA — Modern miracles do happen. Ten years ago, as the Asian financial crisis savaged Indonesia's economy, many experts predicted that the country would become unstable, if not splinter. Instead, Indonesia, the world's most populous Islamic country, has emerged as a beacon of freedom and democracy for the Muslim world. What happened? And why hasn't the world taken note?
COMMENTARY / World
Oct 10, 2007
Disparate tale of two Asian dictatorships
PRAGUE — Myanmar and Pakistan are both Asian countries whose military rulers are in trouble. But they are heading in opposite directions, because, whereas Pakistan understands why Asia is rising, Myanmar does not.

Longform

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