Into the World:
The Random Thoughts in My Mind

It was bound to happen sooner or later. That seems to be the unanimous verdict among Asia-watchers as another bout of Sino-Japanese conflict flared up recently. The statement from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, unequivocally calling Japanese military to aid Taiwan in case of a mainland invasion, unsurprisingly triggered a negative reaction from the Chinese government. In the face of criticism even among the more moderate members of her own party, notably her predecessor Shigeru Ishiba, Takaichi has refused to back down, showing no indication that a retraction or apology is forthcoming.

Read some posts on online forums about Malta, and chances are that one would soon come across complaints that the prices do not match incomes. The ever-increasing costs of newly constructed condominiums and hotels aside, the biggest peeve among posters seems to be the country's restaurants. Despite the island being home to more than half a million residents, the eateries seem to cater exclusively to the influx of tourists with deep pockets, putting together posh dishes at posher prices, while giving those on a budget slim pickings beyond fried chicken and kebab shops. 

I still remember all the praises that veteran development professionals showered on Paul Kagame. It was 2015, and I was landing in Tanzania for my work at the One Acre Fund, an American microfinance NGO. The Rwandan president was the darling of Western donors, creating a country of political stability, clean streets, and a transparent welcome for foreign investors in a neighborhood often characterized by opaque shakedown, hidden costs of doing business, and unpredictable, sudden changes in policymaking that risk leaving people, assets, and money stranded.