AT first, it seemed simple enough, but it was just the opposite: a foreign man is accosted with a lethal face rub by two foreign women at KL International Airport 2.

Another round of peace talks between Thailand and rebel groups hosted by Malaysia will be starting soon, but any new chances of success are still in question.

Western media coverage of Trump’s minor policies, including trivia, only obscures the more important US policies of greater global significance that remain under-reported and poorly understood.

Even as the US and China need to work more closely to resolve transnational problems, the space they have given themselves to do so is rapidly closing.

However genocide is to be defined, the Myanmar of today has clearly positioned itself in the centre of it – complete with official denials.

Scandals are not new in US presidential elections, but selective labels used on candidates are even more revealing about policies to come.

The world’s most publicised election offers entertainment value, but without much recommendation of the selection process.

Security in the region continues to be a serious concern for all, not least because of the antics of major powers beyond the control of Asean countries.

The fuss over measures to prevent illegal migration seems as out of touch with popular sentiments as it is with political platforms championing these measures.

Today’s S. Korea is caught between several rocks and hard places, but the hazy ideal of Korean reunification remains undiminished regardless of the mounting challenges.

As China reprises its role in history as the world’s trade leader, some kinks in its foreign relations still need to be ironed out.

Even as Western sanctions are often said to work on Russia, Russian sanctions on Europe are proving to be even more effective.