OPINION: Why Trump's election could hasten end of US dollar dominance

SEOUL, December 12 (AJP) - Donald Trump's victory in November's U.S. presidential election saw the U.S. dollar strengthen. It surged to a one-year high within two weeks, and has since retained its strength against its major peers. His election has also again brought the prospect of U.S. tariffs on imports, and attention has focused on the disruption to global trade that these may bring. As part of this, Trump made a not-so-veiled threat of steep levies on the Brics group of

December 12, 2024

OPINION: The west is already at war with Russia. And large-scale conflict may not be far off

SEOUL, December 11 (AJP) - Russia is already at war with the west. It has been so since its occupation of Crimea in 2014, when Russia sought to secure its access to Sevastopol as a base for its Black Sea Fleet and as a potential lever of influence over Kyiv's political direction. Even in 2014 – at the annual Valdai security conference – Vladimir Putin was referencing an escalation towards conflict with the west. He later described the west as having "crossed a l

December 11, 2024

OPINION: The struggle for truth in the digital age

SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - The current era presents not only novel opportunities but also significant challenges for humanity. In an era characterised by the rapid generation and circulation of information, the communications ecosystem is undergoing a profound transformation. However, this transformation process encompasses moral, cultural, and humanitarian challenges alongside positive advancements. Artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms, as they are integral to daily life in

December 10, 2024

OPINION: Abu Mohammed al-Golani may become face of post-Assad Syria

SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - The fall of President Bashar al-Assad has left a critical question: After a half-century of brutal dynastic rule has come to an end, who speaks for Syrians now? One group staking a major claim for that role is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which, under the leadership of Abu Mohammad al-Golani, spearheaded the opposition advance that toppled Assad. But what does the group stand for? And who is al-Golani? The Conversation turned to Sara Harmouch, an expert on Isl

December 10, 2024

OPINION: Long-standing American principle of birthright citizenship under attack from Trump allies

SEOUL, December 9 (AJP) - As President-elect Donald J. Trump prepares to implement sweeping policy changes affecting American immigration and immigrants, one of the issues under scrutiny by his allies appears to be birthright citizenship – the declaration in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution that anyone born on U.S. soil is a U.S. citizen, regardless of their parents' nationalities or immigration status. Some prospective members of Trump's team, including anti-imm

December 9, 2024

OPINION: What is self-coup? South Korean president's attempt ended in failure

SEOUL, December 6 (AJP) - Something unexpected – but hardly unprecedented – happened in South Korea on Dec. 3, 2024. With little warning, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law, citing the threat from "pro-North Korean anti-state forces." The move, which appeared more about curtailing efforts by the main opposition – the center-left Democratic Party – to frustrate Yoon's policy agenda through their control of parliament, left man

December 6, 2024

OPINION: North Korea Provocations Underscore South Korea's Success

KENOSHA, December 05 (AJP) - North Korea’s contribution of combat troops to aid Russia in Ukraine has drawn global attention and headlines, but is only one component of ongoing ominous moves. At the start of this year, Pyongyang fired artillery barrages near a maritime buffer zone. On the west coast, Pyongyang wants to move the maritime border south. Roads and railroads linking North and South have been shut down. The North is jamming GPS signals in the South. South Kor

December 5, 2024

OPINION: South Korea had martial law for 6 hours. Why did this happen and what can we expect now?

SEOUL, December 5 (AJP) - On Tuesday night, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol sent shockwaves through the world by declaring martial law in the country. Yoon's opponents in the National Assembly immediately sought to mass at the legislature to block the decree. This led to a dramatic confrontation with soldiers over control of the building. However, in the early hours of Wednesday, sufficient numbers of South Korean legislators gained entry to the chamber. Of the 300 membe

December 5, 2024

OPINION: Global markets are likely to withstand Trump-led US withdrawal from Paris Agreement

SEOUL, December 4 (AJP) - As the climate crisis deepens, the need for global action becomes greater than ever. Central to this effort is the goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, to meet the Paris Agreement to limit global warming. So far 145 countries, collectively responsible for 90 percent of emissions, have committed to net zero targets or are actively considering them. But what if countries withdraw from their commitments, as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump appears in

December 4, 2024

OPINION: Hunter Biden case renews ethical debate over use and limits of peculiar presidential power

SEOUL, December 3 (AJP) - The decision by President Joe Biden to pardon his son, Hunter, despite previously suggesting he would not do so, has reopened debate over the use of the presidential pardon. Hunter Biden will be spared potential jail time not simply over his convictions for gun and tax offenses, but any "offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period Jan. 1, 2014 through Dec. 1, 2024." During h

December 3, 2024