Commentary: Trump’s Russian diesel U-turn comes at bad time for Ukraine
Trump’s waiver for Russian diesel and unverified energy ceasefire weaken Ukraine, pressuring Kyiv while Moscow keeps striking, leaving Ukraine more vulnerable.
Commentary
Commentary: Southeast Asian economies are growing amid the Iran war but inflation pains the poor
Southeast Asian economies grow amid Iran war due to AI boom, but Strait of Hormuz energy shock fuels inflation, hurting poor and straining fiscal resources.
Commentary: Who’s paying whom? The circular money machine behind the AI boom
AI boom relies on circular financing: chipmakers like Nvidia invest in customers who buy their chips, inflating growth and concentrating risk. Real end-user demand remains unclear.
Commentary: The other aspect of property wealth tax that Singapore should be discussing
Singapore should debate taxing property gains created collectively by public investment, not just inherited wealth, to balance meritocracy, competitiveness, and fairness.
Commentary: Is there a case for reversing Brexit?
Growing political, economic and strategic momentum favors reversing Brexit, though rejoining the EU faces formidable obstacles and requires both sides to see a common interest.
Commentary: How far will Pakistan go in defending Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks?
Pakistan's Mecca defense pact with Saudi Arabia and Türkiye may lead to only limited defensive support, not direct war against Houthis or Iran, to avoid wider conflict and protect its interests.
Commentary: America is risking its biggest asset
Countries weaponize choke points—the dollar, supply chains, geography—for leverage. Overuse spurs diversification, eroding power. Best as deterrents; America should avoid self-harm.
Commentary: Liquidity fix for small and mid-caps on SGX requires more to be done
SGX small and mid-caps suffer weak liquidity. The bourse can do more: cut trading fees, encourage market making, require earnings guidance, and avoid default privatisation.
Commentary: What’s in the melting Russian permafrost may be scarier than plague
While a suspected Siberian plague death alarms, the bigger threat is thawing permafrost releasing ancient pathogens. Russia’s secrecy and climate change complicate assessing and containing outbreaks.
Commentary: Rules preventing public servants’ misuse of confidential information must be stricter – for their own good
Stricter rules against public servants misusing confidential information benefit them, argues Han Fook Kwang, as Singapore probes eight officers over property buys near planned MRT stations.
Commentary: China-Laos military facility is a clear win for Beijing
China opened a joint military facility with Laos at Ban Keun, expanding PLA influence. It concerns Vietnam and the US, sidelines Russia, and risks deepening Laos’s dependence on Beijing.
Commentary: As the planet warms, cities like Bangkok could be inundated by more deadly floods
Climate change intensifies extreme rainfall, while Bangkok’s sinking, low-lying terrain and urbanization worsen floods. Cities must upgrade drainage, green infrastructure, and early warnings.