It’s only words? Growing concerns voiced as East Asian security debated at UN

It’s only words? Growing concerns voiced as East Asian security debated at UN

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, October 6, 2023 A wide swath of Asian security issues was discussed and deliberated upon during the recent UN General debate. Predictably, China and Korea dominated concerns though other concerns such as the South China Sea were largely overlooked. Speaking at the start of the 78th Assembly, President […]

After Afghanistan: Global conflicts widen, endure and spread

After Afghanistan: Global conflicts widen, endure and spread

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, September 8, 2023 It’s been two years since the fall of Afghanistan. The tragic collapse of Kabul to the Islamic fundamentalist Taliban signaled the last sordid chapter in the Biden Administration’s appalling and shambolic “withdrawal” from America’s longest military commitment. But beyond the perceived American weakness and strategic […]

UN report: Singapore dealers helped China, Russia arm Burma’s military regime

UN report: Singapore dealers helped China, Russia arm Burma’s military regime

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler, May 29, 2023 It’s hardly a surprise, but an affirmation of the obvious.  Burma’s military regime is being backed, supported and protected by both Russia and China. What’s new is that the specifics of this assistance have come to light in a landmark UN report uncovering the extent […]

Beijing-backed Burma military junta has devastated the nation, but still stands

Beijing-backed Burma military junta has devastated the nation, but still stands

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler The military junta which seized power in Burma, aka Myanmar, two years ago remains in power but is increasingly challenged by both its own citizens and targeted economic sanctions.  Now a wave of international political pressures is steadily growing to force the junta from power and presumably create […]

Burma on the brink: China-backed junta backed into corner

Burma on the brink: China-backed junta backed into corner

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler As events in Burma, aka Myanmar, continue to spiral into a dangerous descent of bloody civil conflict this strategic Southeast Asian nation has nearly reached a tipping point. Diplomacy is needed to defuse the crisis before it spins out of control with unpredictable consequences. Amid this sense of […]

Verbal angst at the UN but no action on Burma in China’s backyard

Verbal angst at the UN but no action on Burma in China’s backyard

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler More than a month after the military overthrew Burma’s elected government, the situation in the South East Asian country aka Myanmar remains “fragile and fluid,” according to the UN’s  Special Envoy Christine Schraner Burgener. Addressing a General Assembly session on the percolating political and humanitarian situation in Myanmar, […]

Was Beijing’s hand behind Burma’s military coup?

Was Beijing’s hand behind Burma’s military coup?

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler Burma’s military coup d’etat overthrowing the democratically elected government has provided the stage for a new morality play in Southeast Asia. We already know the players. On the one side we see the seemingly virtuous young democracy led by a Nobel Peace Prize laureate being pushed aside by […]

Burma-China ties flourish as World Court issues ruling

Burma-China ties flourish as World Court issues ruling

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Amid deepening political and economic ties between Burma and China, the Southeast Asian state is being fully integrated into Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, emerging as a transportation hub and military asset.  Yet at the same time, while Beijing’s leader Xi Jinping made a high […]

‘Risk of renewed genocide’ for the 600,000 Rohingya remaining in Burma

‘Risk of renewed genocide’ for the 600,000 Rohingya remaining in Burma

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — In a stunningly gloomy presentation, UN human rights experts reviewed the situation in Myanmar/aka Burma, the Southeast Asian country where the government  continues to persecute, harass and eliminate members of minority religious groups, especially the Muslim Rohingya. An already bad human rights situation deteriorated two […]

‘Crimes against humanity’ under Buddhist Burma’s generals and peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi

‘Crimes against humanity’ under Buddhist Burma’s generals and peace prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi

Special to WorldTribune.com By John J. Metzler UNITED NATIONS — Burma’s human rights situation is deteriorating despite consistent pressures by the United States and the wider international community to stem the humanitarian crisis. In a rare address before the Security Council, Marzuki Darusman, human rights Rapporteur for Burma, aka Myanmar, presented a report which details […]