During the pandemic, wealthy countries led the way in rapidly developing and producing COVID-19 vaccines. The same countries then bought up and administered those vaccines to their own populations, and have even ordered boosters for already-vaccinated people. Meanwhile, many developing countries have not been able to deliver even one dose to most of their populations. Africa, in particular, is struggling with limited access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Celebrating its 54th anniversary this month, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has striven to be a relevant organization for its member states and external parties.

As recently as three months ago, the global economy seemed to be on track for a relatively robust recovery. The supply of COVID-19 vaccines had expanded in the developed countries, raising hopes that it would spill over to developing countries in the second half of 2021 and into 2022.

In the second quarter of 2021, China’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 7.9 percent year on year. That was a relatively strong performance, especially given the enduring effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy. But, for China, it represents a disappointment: a Caixin survey of economists showed the median estimate for the second quarter was 8.2 percent growth. Chinese economists broadly agree that China’s potential growth rate is six percent.

Uber's success as a breaker of the rigidity of conventional modes of transportation is the beginning of the disruption era in the world.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and its partner countries in the Asia-Pacific are increasingly concerned about the challenges that an assertive China could pose to global security. Based on the report ‘NATO 2030: United for a New Era’ dated November 2020, these challenges are multi-domain. A political strategy is there but so are the hurdles.

With the spread of the Delta variant, new COVID-19 infections are rising around the world, and much more so in regions and countries with low vaccination rates. Japan is no exception.

Over the past two decades, the Asia-Pacific region has made remarkable progress in managing disaster risk. But countries can never let down their guard. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its epicentre now in Asia, and all its tragic consequences, has exposed the frailties of human societies in the face of powerful natural forces.As of mid-August 2021, Asian and Pacific countries had reported 65 million confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 1 million deaths.

On 9 February, 1967, hours after the United States (US) Air Force pounded Haiphong Harbor and several Vietnamese airfields, NBC television screened a politically momentous episode of Star Trek.

Now that so many sad truths about Afghanistan are being spoken aloud, even in the major media - let me add one more: The war, from start to finish, was about politics, not in Afghanistan but in the United States (US).Afghanistan was always a sideshow. According to the official report, the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks were launched from US soil, by people who trained in Florida.Most of the named perpetrators were Saudis.