Sholto Byrnes

Sholto Byrnes

Columnist


Keir Starmer’s Labour government says it will impose VAT on private school fees from the beginning of next year. Getty Images
Starmer's proposed tax on private school fees could backfire

A VAT on private schools could end up costing the state

September 05, 2024, 4:00 AM
Kamala Harris and Donald Trump hold similar as well as contrasting views on America's approach towards East and South-East Asia. AP
The fate of the Far East depends on who the US voters pick

While both candidates appear to have similar trade policies, they couldn't be further apart on how to deal with China

August 29, 2024, 7:00 AM
Vendors and buyers in a Bangkok market on Tuesday. Many young Thais are disproportionately suffering from unemployment and the country's low growth rate. EPA
Thai democracy needs to hear everyone's voice

Banning extremists is one thing but ending the cycle of dissolving popular parties would be good for the country

August 22, 2024, 4:00 AM
Government regulators have long feared the polarising effects of social media on national politics. EPA
Social media needs regulation – and it's coming not a day too soon

Across the world, politicians have realised that the big tech companies are either unwilling or unable to protect society, and that governments must now step in

August 14, 2024, 2:00 PM
The UK must address the deep divisions and rising Islamophobia that have been stoked by politicians on both the left and right in the country for years. Getty
Britain can learn from countries that overcame violent racism

Both multi-ethnic, multifaith former colonies endured devastating race riots

August 08, 2024, 7:00 AM
A man reads a newspaper reporting on Friday's death of Nguyen Phu Trong, the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The results of Mr Trong’s approach might just be the envy of every foreign ministry in the Asia Pacific. AFP
Vietnam is the better for Nguyen Phu Trong's 'bamboo diplomacy'

The long-term leader's foreign policy led to country being courted by some of the world’s greatest powers

July 25, 2024, 7:00 AM
The Ganlanba railway station in China's Yunnan Province, a station along the China-Laos railway and part of the Belt and Road Initiative. AP
Is South-East Asia on track to become a single market?

Projects like the Asean Express are examples of the benefits of countries connecting more, contrary to all the self-defeating talk about taking sides

July 18, 2024, 7:00 AM
Indian voters next to a cutout of Narendra Modi in Varanasi last month. Popular opinion was reflected to the degree that Modi lost his majority. AP
On democracy, the West isn't necessarily the best

The democracies in South and East Asia aren't perfect, but they have some lessons for those in Europe and North America

July 12, 2024, 4:00 AM
In all the discussions about Mr Biden, people should not not forget the value of age and experience. AFP
Biden's decline is the issue, not his age

In South-East and East Asia, some of the most towering figures in politics have continued well into their later years

July 03, 2024, 3:00 PM
An asylum seeker watches as police prepares to evacuate a migrant camp in the Parisian suburb of Pantin. AFP
Europe badly needs immigrants. Its leaders need to stop pretending otherwise

Demographic decline is a big problem. The population of the EU could decline by 6%, by 2100, which is one big reason why legal migrants should be welcome

June 27, 2024, 4:00 AM
G7 leaders watch a skydiving demo during their summit at Borgo Egnazia, Italy, this week. AP
The West should be a part of the emerging world order

The world lost a chance to unite after the disintegration of the Eastern Bloc. Let’s try not to lose another

June 20, 2024, 4:00 AM
Anyone who looks at X – to take one example – knows that there are a huge number of impassioned threads and conversations constantly going into great detail about what has been happening in Gaza. Getty
The online world isn't buying biased Gaza narratives

Only a few weeks after October 7, many were already arguing that Israel had lost the war for global opinion among the billions who are clicking and swiping

June 12, 2024, 2:15 PM
A US Marine helicopter takes off during a joint amphibious assault exercise with the Philippines off the waters of South China Sea. Getty Images
We need to replace the dying US-led rules-based order

But for new rules to be formulated, the starting point must be to acknowledge the wide range of perspectives beyond the western world

June 06, 2024, 4:00 AM