The World Views

(Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN)  While addressing the World Economic Forum in Cambodia in May, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte as the ASEAN chair said that ASEAN countries needed to work together to ensure a drug-free and a terror-free region. It seems that the Philippines keeps human security as the key priority for this regional grouping as it turns 50 this year. The recent clashes between Philippine government forces and Islamic State-inspired militant group “Maute” in Marawi City, followed by Jakarta’s suicide bombing that killed five people, drew more attention that indicates the region is in urgent need for a more effective joint mechanisms to cope with new security challenges especially the rise of terrorism and extremism, that currently posed a major threat to ASEAN community and its unity. Among the militants that were killed in Marawi city were Malaysian and Indonesian citizens, an indication that extremists operations was actually engaged and coordinated betwee

During US presidential debates last year, Afghanistan was only mentioned once by the  nominees, and it seems the new administration has no clear policy and strategy to address the decade-long conflict still raging there.  There is major concern by Afghans that the administration of President Donald Trump will completely withdraw from Afghanistan and end its unconditional support for the Kabul government. His “America First” rhetoric generally creates more doubts about US retreat from major conflicts worldwide.  In a recent open letter, written by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, he urged Mr. Trump to leave Afghanistan. The letter, according to Al Jazeera , accuses the US of having achieved nothing in 15 years of war in Afghanistan, warning that peace can only be achieved when all  foreign forces have  completely pulled out. Mujahid stated that "the responsibility to bring to an end this war also rests on your [Trump's] shoulders.” Twelve years after for