The Manila Times Opinion

08/10/2026

ISTANBUL, Turkey — On Feb. 28, the United States and Israel shocked the world by launching strikes across Iran and assassinating the country’s then-supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Civilian casualties quickly mounted, including 150 civilians — mostly children — killed when American missiles struck an elementary school. Iran duly retaliated by targeting Israel and US bases across the region and throttling maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

ISTANBUL, Turkey — On Feb. 28, the United States and Israel shocked the world by launching strikes across Iran and assassinating the country’s then-supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Civilian casualties quickly mounted, including 150 civilians — mostly children — killed when American mi...

08/10/2026

NEW YORK — On Sept. 30, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) marked the 65th anniversary of its founding. Like many other aging international organizations, it has developed a taste for mission creep, as we witnessed firsthand as former delegates there. That is why some US policymakers want to reduce or eliminate funding for the organization. But walking away from the OECD would mean abandoning capabilities that are becoming ever more important in America’s economic competition with China.

NEW YORK — On Sept. 30, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) marked the 65th anniversary of its founding. Like many other aging international organizations, it has developed a taste for mission creep, as we witnessed firsthand as former delegates there. That is why some...

08/10/2026

Last of two parts

08/10/2026

SUGAR was the “ new gold” in the late 19th century and the insatiable need for sugar was what led the United States, then a rising military power, to conquer five sugar producing areas: the Philippines, Hawaii, Cuba, Guam and Puerto Rico. Aware that it cannot take so many territories of “brown and colored people,” the final decision of the new imperial power was to annex Hawaii and make it the 50th state, then grant commonwealth status to Guam and Puerto Rico, including citizenship to its residents, although with limited voting rights. And then allow the independence of Cuba and the Philippines after a transition period.

SUGAR was the “ new gold” in the late 19th century and the insatiable need for sugar was what led the United States, then a rising military power, to conquer five sugar producing areas: the Philippines, Hawaii, Cuba, Guam and Puerto Rico. Aware that it cannot take so many territories of “brown...

08/10/2026

Second of four parts

08/10/2026

FRANKFURT — In Bruges, one can spend an afternoon admiring medieval façades, watching tourist boats glide quietly along the canals, and wondering whether time has somehow been suspended. In Brussels, a short train ride away, the scenery changes: European Union flags, multilingual conversations and government buildings remind one that this small country sits at the center of some of Europe’s most consequential institutions.

FRANKFURT — In Bruges, one can spend an afternoon admiring medieval façades, watching tourist boats glide quietly along the canals, and wondering whether time has somehow been suspended. In Brussels, a short train ride away, the scenery changes: European Union flags, multilingual conversations an...

08/10/2026

MOTORISTS, transport workers and commuters are in a panic once more as fuel prices increase due to the conflict in the Middle East. And as we enter the “ber” months, we can only expect traffic congestion to worsen.

08/10/2026

Transactions are not balances!

08/10/2026

THREE years ago today, on Oct. 7, 2023, the State of Israel fell victim to a massive, coordinated terrorist attack launched from the Gaza portion of Palestine and led by the Palestinian group Hamas. More than 800 Israeli civilians were killed in the onslaught, along with more than 360 Israeli military and police personnel, and approximately 250 Israelis, civilians and servicemen alike, were carried off to Gaza as hostages. Many of them did not survive.

THREE years ago today, on Oct. 7, 2023, the State of Israel fell victim to a massive, coordinated terrorist attack launched from the Gaza portion of Palestine and led by the Palestinian group Hamas. More than 800 Israeli civilians were killed in the onslaught, along with more than 360 Israeli milita...

08/10/2026

UNAPPETIZING REVELATION