Opinion
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OPINION: Palestinians want to choose their own leaders – war has distanced them further from this democratic goal
SEOUL, October 7 (AJP) - Over the summer as Israel continued to bombard Gaza, representatives from 14 Palestinian factions, including the two main parties – Hamas and Fatah – met in China. Following the most inclusive talks in years, all the parties agreed to a future unity government and to hold national elections. Such talk of "day after" governance may seem fanciful as the current war marks its first anniversary. The idea of holding Palestinian elections see
October 7, 2024 -
OPINION: How Middle East conflict could influence US election – and why Arab Americans in swing states might vote for Trump
SEOUL, October 4 (AJP) - As we near the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 attack on Israel, the conflict in the Middle East has escalated significantly. Iran just launched nearly 200 missiles on Israel, and Israel has continued its fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Hamas in Gaza. In addition to the assassination of top Hezbollah commanders, including its leader Hassan Nasrallah, Israel has struck hundreds of targets in southern Lebanon, the Bekaa and the suburbs of Beirut in the
October 4, 2024 -
OPINION: Iran's strikes on Israel are latest sign that conflict in Middle East is spiraling, presenting rising global security threats
SEOUL, October 2 (AJP) - Iran fired at least 180 ballistic missiles at Israel on Oct. 1, 2024, amplifying tensions in the Middle East that are increasingly marked by "escalation after escalation," as United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres put it. Iran's attacks – which Israel largely deterred with its Iron Dome missile defense system, along with help from nearby U.S. naval destroyers – followed Israel's killing of Hassan Nasrallah, the longti
October 2, 2024 -
OPINION: Shigeru Ishiba will be Japan's next prime minister. What should we expect?
SEOUL, September 30 (AJP) - In a vote to replace Fumio Kishia as head of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), party members have elected Shigeru Ishiba as their new leader. Given the LDP's majority in parliament, the party leader will become prime minister by default. Ishiba, aged 67, joined the parliament in 1986 and held key cabinet posts throughout his career, including director of then Defense Agency (now Ministry of Defense). Amid growing public opposition
September 30, 2024 -
OPINION: Does Hezbollah represent Lebanon? And what impact will death of longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah have?
SEOUL, September 29 (AJP) - Israel has killed the leader of the militant group Hezbollah in a airstrike in Beirut, marking a further escalation of hostilities in the region. The death of Hassan Nasrallah, confirmed by Hezbollah on Sept. 28, 2024, forms part of a major Israeli push against the Iran-backed group in recent days that has resulted in the death of several top leaders – but also killed hundreds of civilians and left many more fleeing Lebanon's south in fear of a gro
September 29, 2024 -
OPINION: African countries face hurdles, dangers in getting permanent seats at UN security council
SEOUL, September 27 (AJP) - There is growing global consensus among the members of the United Nations that the UN security council, responsible for maintaining international peace and security, requires reform or restructuring to reflect the current balance of forces, and to improve its working methods and ability to do its work. There is also growing consensus among members of the African Union that Africa deserves a permanent presence at the council. The debate took a new turn
September 27, 2024 -
OPINION: European Union is becoming too obsessed with defense
SEOUL, September 26 (AJP) - A new team of 26 leaders has been appointed to the European Commission, reflecting a carefully crafted balance of political ideologies and member states. Each will take on a different portfolio, from democracy to agriculture to innovation. And for the first time, the EU will have a dedicated defense commissioner in the form of Lithuania's Andrius Kubilius. Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has made it clear that in her second term, the prim
September 26, 2024 -
Opinion: The financial markets and reality
KENOSHA, September 25 (AJP) - There is continuing economic growth and related positive news. Above all, inflation is declining toward the established Federal Reserve target of two percent. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and colleagues at the Federal Reserve Board of the United States have therefore cut interest rates by fully one-half percent. Interest rates are going down, reflecting the new concern with unemployment. Stock declines have been concentrated in volatile technology sect
September 25, 2024 -
OPINION: AI is fueling deepfake porn crisis in Korea. What's behind it – and how can it be fixed?
SEOUL, September 25 (AJP) - It's difficult to talk about artificial intelligence without talking about deepfake porn – a harmful AI byproduct that has been used to target everyone from Taylor Swift to Australian school girls. But a recent report from startup Security Heroes found that out of 95,820 deepfake porn videos analyzed from different sources, 53 percent featured Korean singers and actresses – suggesting this group is disproportionately targeted. So, what&
September 25, 2024 -
OPINION: A weakened Hezbollah is being goaded into all-out conflict with Israel – the consequences would be devastating for all
SEOUL, September 24 (AJP) - For almost a year, Israel and Hezbollah have engaged in increasingly provocative cross-border skirmishes as onlookers warn that this escalating war of attrition could land the region in all-out conflict. The past few days have made that devastating scenario closer to a reality. First came Israel's pager and walkie-talkie attack, an unprecedented assault on Hezbollah's communications that injured thousands of the organization's operatives. It w
September 24, 2024
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South Korea mulls sending inspectors to Ukraine to monitor North Korean troops in Russia
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U.S. stealth fighter completes maiden landing on Japanese vessel
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5.8 magnitude earthquake strikes Indonesia's Molucca Sea region
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North Korea dismisses allegations of troop deployment to Russia as 'groundless'
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Pulmuone showcases flagship plant-based food products at Paris show
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Viet Nam appoints military general Luong Cuong as new president
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Blinken begins 11th visit to Middle East for peace in Gaza and Lebanon
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IAEA confirms Japan's 10th Fukushima water release meets safety standards
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Poland expected to purchase Korean arms without financing support from Seoul
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Northern Gaza faces growing crisis amid Israel's military offensive