SYDNEY, 23 JANUARY 2020 (THE INTERPRETER) — In September, the Solomon Islands government led by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare severed its 36-year diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) and switched to the People’s Republic of China (China). In the months since, dissenting voices have kept bubbling up. Most prominently, on 26 November, the […]
Category: Opinion
Posted inOpinion
Comparing China’s and Taiwan’s aid to the Pacific
SYDNEY, 20 JANUARY 2020 (DEVPOLICY BLOG) — In September 2019, after 36 years, Solomon Islands severed its diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (hereafter Taiwan) and established formal relations with the People’s Republic of China (hereafter China). A Solomon Islands parliamentary bipartisan task force had reviewed relations with China and Taiwan and recommended the […]
Posted inOpinion
State governments, are they really necessary?
Are the 16 Palau State governments still relevant or necessary? That is a question that is often voiced by many Palauans and even by many observers of our government. It is a question that is asked every time a state election takes place but not a single effort by any brave soul have been made […]
Posted inOpinion
Are young crusaders and heroes fair game for critics?
NEW YORK — The point where childhood ends and adulthood begins isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Add the limelight and things can get complicated for young people who either voluntarily or through circumstances live very public lives. Those public lives often come with heaping helpings of adult-size sniping. But are children and adolescents who […]
Posted inOpinion
Male infertility got no boost from zinc, folic acid in study
A rigorous U.S. government-led study found that zinc and folic acid supplements don’t boost men’s fertility, despite promotional claims that they do. The mineral and the vitamin are important for sperm production and are found in many common foods. Previous studies on whether over-the-counter supplements might boost sperm health have had conflicting results. “There were […]
Posted inOpinion
Analysis: Trump changes terms of 2020 race with Iran turmoil
NEW YORK — The election was always going to be about Donald Trump. But over the span of a few days, the years long focus on the Republican president’s performance on the economy, health care and immigration has been overtaken by an urgent debate over foreign policy and war. And as the sprint to Iowa’s […]