Leadership attributes and competencies

SINGAPORE: At the South Carolina funeral of the racial segregationist and Republican senator Strom Thurmond in 2003, there was one name in the guest list that no one expected: Joseph R Biden Jr. Mr Biden, then the Democratic senator from the blue state of Delaware, had been handpicked by a dying Mr Thurmond to deliver an eulogy as the only Democrat in the grieving room. “I think this is his last laugh,” said Mr Biden at the church wake. “For what else would explain a Northeast liberal’s presence here as the only outsider speaking today?” Despite seemingly irreconcilable political views, the now president-elect of the United States and Thurmond were long-time friends whose Senate offices in Washington were once side by side. Thurmond was an icon of Southern white supremacy who advocated for discriminatory laws against African-Americans, while Mr Biden entered politics at age 29 because of the civil rights movement and ultimately served alongside America’s first black president … [Read more...] about The Big Read: A fractious America and a few urgent matters of global proportions await Joe Biden

ITHACA, New York: Within the space of the next month, as the autumn leaves here in the northeastern United States are swept away by the winds of approaching winter, the country will make a choice as consequential as any we have seen in recent history. The US election on Nov 3 will have global implications as dangerous as the looming climate crisis, or as promising as a major scientific breakthrough that enables shared prosperity. But this depends not on the wiles of nature or the mysteries of science. It depends on US voters. READ: Trump formally nominated by Republicans, warns of 'rigged election' The election will mark a turning point for the US and the world. The fact that President Donald Trump still has some chance of winning a second four-year term leaves me baffled. Why do Republican voters and leaders support him? When my wife and I moved from Delhi to small-town America in 1994, with two small children who would have to adjust to a new school and make new … [Read more...] about Commentary: If Trump wins again, the true values of the Republican Party will be abandoned

KOTA KINABALU: “We are here to build a nation, not a particular race or religion,” a slogan boldly emblazoned across billboards at many major traffic junctions in Kota Kinabalu declares. These bold words are seen next to Obamaesque portraits of Shafie Apdal, the caretaker Sabah chief minister leading his Warisan Plus coalition into another state election, barely two years after the historic 14th General Elections. And indeed, the outcome of the upcoming Sabah state polls will determine much, not only for the resource-rich and multicultural state – potentially reshaping the political landscape of the nation as a whole. The larger political game played out on the national stage has already made itself felt since the onset of this untimely election season in Sabah. READ: Parties play up ‘Sabah identity’, economic development to woo voters in state polls READ: Commentary: Malaysian politics is going through a midlife crisis A BIG SURPRISE – FOR MUSA After all, we … [Read more...] about Commentary: Sabah state election ignites fresh Game of Thrones jostling in Malaysian politics