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Saturday, August 16, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

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https://nordictimes.com/analysis/from-stability-to-uncertainty-vietnams-political-upheaval-sparks-investor-concerns/

Analysis

Political shake-up rattles succession battle in Vietnam

Published 11 April 2024
– By Sukanya Saha
Left: Recently resigned president Võ Văn Thưởng. Right: Potential presidential successor Tô Lâm eating gold-leaf adorned steak presented to him by celebrity chef "Salt Bae".
3 minute read
Sukanya Saha
sukanya.saha@nordictimes.com

Imagine changing presidents twice in just one year. That’s what’s happening in Vietnam, and it’s not good news for anyone, especially investors. 

Vietnam, once a bastion of predictability, now finds itself adrift in turbulent waters as when President Võ Văn Thưởng resigned suddenly on March 20, 2024, after just a year in office, it set off alarm bells. He’s now the second president to leave in two years, all because of a big crackdown on corruption. 

The Vietnamese Communist Party decided to accept Thưởng’s resignation, saying he broke some rules. This isn’t a big surprise to people who watch Vietnam closely.

But why did Thưởng have to go? Well, the precise reasons behind Thưởng’s downfall remain shrouded in ambiguity. All they’re saying is that he didn’t follow the rules of the party and the country. Many think it’s all part of the Communist Party’s broader crackdown on corruption within its ranks.

The investigation was spearheaded by Tô Lâm, the 66-year-old Minister of Public Security, who has been at the forefront of Nguyễn Phú Trọng’s anti-corruption drive. Some analysts view Lâm as a potential successor to Thưởng. In fact, Lâm was considered a top contender for the presidency when the position was last vacant a year ago.

However, Lâm has not been without his share of controversy either. In 2021, he grabbed headlines when video footage surfaced showing Turkish celebrity chef Nusret Gökçe, famously known as Salt Bae, presenting him with a gold-leaf adorned steak at a restaurant in London.

This incident sparked outrage in Vietnam, with numerous people questioning the appropriateness of a senior official indulging in lavish dining experiences amid an anti-corruption campaign, especially during the peak of the pandemic.

Is Vietnam’s future uncertain?

This isn’t just about one person leaving his job. It’s about what this means for Vietnam’s future. The country has been doing really well economically, especially after the trade war between the United States and China. Investors preferred Vietnam because it had a stable government and good workers, and it wasn’t as strict as China.

But now, with all this political turmoil, investors might get nervous. They don’t like uncertainty, and Vietnam used to be a safe bet. Now, who knows?

Thưởng’s resignation “is not good for political stability”, said Nguyễn Khắc Giang, a visiting fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, according to a report by Financial Times. “This causes hesitancy for foreign companies who want to make big investments in Vietnam”, he added.

Even the US is worried. They’ve been trying to get closer to Vietnam to balance out China’s influence in the region. President Joe Biden visited Vietnam last year to show how important the relationship is. But the leadership vacuum comes at a precarious moment, with the economy grappling with declining exports and inflationary pressures. With the next National Congress not scheduled until 2026, the nation faces a period of uncertainty unless a clear path to succession is mapped out.

Investor uncertainty

And it is not just politics that is affected. The crackdown on corruption is causing problems for businesses too. It’s slowing down government approvals for projects, and nobody wants to invest if they’re worried about getting caught up in a corruption scandal.

So, what can Vietnam do to fix all this? Well, they need to be open and honest about what’s going on. People need to trust that the government is doing the right thing and that they’re not just getting rid of people they don’t like. And they need to make sure that businesses feel safe investing in Vietnam. That means making sure there are clear rules and that everyone follows them.

If Vietnam can do that, they might be able to get back on track. But if they can’t, they could lose their reputation as a good place to do business. And that would be a big loss for everyone involved.

As the world watches Vietnam’s political drama unfold, the stakes are high, and the path forward remains uncertain. Only time will tell how the nation will sail over these challenging times, and whether it emerges stronger or weaker on the other side.

Sukanya Saha
sukanya.saha@nordictimes.com
Sukanya Saha is a contributing editor at The Nordic Times. Based in New Delhi, she is an accomplished journalist who has previously worked with several major Indian media outlets such as NDTV, India Today, IANS, and Jagran English. Currently, she is associated with Hindustan Times. In 2022, she topped the BRICS International Journalism Programme from India. Committed to understanding the complex dynamics that shape our world, Sukanya's passions range from world politics to science and space exploration.

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https://nordictimes.com/analysis/when-did-dissenting-views-become-a-threat-to-the-nation/

Analysis

When did dissenting views become a threat to the nation?

The threat to freedom of speech

Jenny Piper

When a British nationalist is detained for over 24 hours and deported – without criminal charges – it says more about Sweden than about him. We like to talk about freedom of speech - but those who don't share the establishment's values are not welcome in Sweden.

Published 5 August 2025
– By Jenny Piper
To visit Ulf Kristersson's Sweden, it's not enough to have the right papers and documents - you must also have the "right" opinions.
2 minute read

I read in the media that British nationalist Mark Collett, labeled as a neo-Nazi by mass media and the Swedish anti-extremist organization Expo, was reportedly stopped at Stockholm’s Arlanda Airport on Friday and denied entry to the country, despite there being no criminal suspicion.

Collett, who leads the British nationalist organization “Patriotic Alternative”, is described in media as a leading figure within far-right circles in Britain and was invited as a speaker to “Det fria Sveriges” (Free Sweden’s) summer festival in Töreboda, a town in central Sweden. However, Swedish police denied Collett entry to Sweden, and on his Telegram channel, Collett writes that he was told he posed a threat to public order, society’s structure, and the values on which Sweden and Europe are built.

According to his own account, he was detained at the airport for over 25 hours without access to either his luggage or passport, and without criminal suspicion or trial.

I had no idea who this person was, but after this macabre action by Swedish border police, I watched a British documentary about him and can only conclude that Sweden, as usual, overreacts and uses double standards when making decisions.

Collett and his party are nationalists who want their own people to be prioritized in society over immigrants, a development that has grown and escalated in pace with irresponsible migration policy, which in the long run affects their own citizens, who must pay the bill and step aside. Much like the development in Sweden, as well as other parts of Europe, where conservative/right-nationalist parties are growing as a consequence of mass migration to the EU and the accompanying increased crime and worsened conditions for their own people.

One doesn’t have to agree with this, but Mark Collett has the right to hold this opinion and run a political party with these values. This is not grounds for denying him entry to Sweden. And it also rhymes very poorly with the fact that we don’t stop either “returning” ISIS terrorists at the border or, for that matter, so-called Islamist hate preachers who regularly travel in and out of the country, to give some examples.

Moreover, we in Sweden are very good at beating our chests when it comes to freedom of speech and pointing fingers at other countries that engage in opinion suppression/opinion persecution, but apparently we are no better ourselves.

This is so absurd that words fail me. That a person who has committed no wrong should be denied entry to the country based on his values not being sufficiently politically correct.

Shameful, Sweden!

 

Jenny Piper

All Jenny Piper's articles can be found on her blog.

https://nordictimes.com/analysis/mandatory-work-for-asylum-seekers-should-be-introduced-across-the-eu/

Analysis

Mandatory work for asylum seekers should be introduced across the EU

Jenny Piper

In Burgenland, Austria, asylum seekers are required to work – a system that Sweden and the rest of the EU should adopt. Unfortunately, Swedish politicians have demonstrated for decades that the wellbeing of the population and the country rarely tops their agenda.

Published 3 July 2025
– By Jenny Piper
In Sweden, asylum policy has long been characterized by boundless permissiveness and generosity in its approach to immigration.
3 minute read

An interesting model has been introduced in the state of Burgenland, Austria. This week, a system known as the “Burgenland Model” was implemented, requiring asylum seekers to work for their host municipalities. The system aims to place people where extra help is needed most. Those who repeatedly refuse to work without valid reason risk having their social benefits reduced to an absolute minimum.

State Council Member Daniela Winkler, from the Social Democratic Party (SPÖ), explained in a speech last week that migration must be both economically and socially sustainable:

– The measures are intended to reflect fairness towards the population. When asylum seekers become engaged contributors to society, prejudices disappear and integration becomes a tangible experience. The structured daily routine provides asylum seekers with stability and purpose during a period of uncertainty. This isn’t about symbolic employment, but rather about real, everyday tasks.

According to a statement on the SPÖ’s website, the work includes landscape and winter maintenance, cleaning, delivery services, and basic tasks in nursing homes and libraries. Work in care services is limited to 20 hours per week, while other community services can extend to 30 hours. Compensation is set at 1.60 euros per hour.

Asylum seekers who refuse to participate without valid reason will have their financial benefits cut. However, access to basic accommodation, food, and healthcare remains guaranteed.

For example, those who refuse to perform mandatory tasks may lose their right to state-provided housing and instead be offered only a “sleeping place”.

The state of Carinthia is also reportedly working to introduce a similar system where participation in community service work will become mandatory for asylum seekers.

This could serve as a model for the entire EU – and particularly relevant for a country like Sweden, where generosity has long characterized migration policy without clear requirements for reciprocity. The problem is that it’s likely at least ten years too late. In Sweden, it would probably take several years of investigations before similar legislation could even be proposed – if it were politically possible at all. It’s still nearly taboo to speak about fairness towards the native population when it comes to migration and integration policy.

An interesting reflection in this context is that migration flows are practically never directed towards Asia – despite low birth rates – because many countries in the region, such as Japan and South Korea, simply don’t admit asylum seekers. They don’t have extensive systems for benefits and allowances similar to those that EU countries (with the exception of Hungary) have offered for decades.

Have you, by the way, noticed how the Swedish parliamentary parties have changed their rhetoric as the election approaches? The Swedish Prime Minister emphasizes in speech after speech the government’s successes and stresses how Sweden “is on the right path”. It’s difficult to understand how he manages to keep a straight face – but the salary for telling people the exact opposite of the truth is certainly good. Unfortunately, it often resonates with people who have too short a memory.

Next summer, all eight parliamentary parties in Sweden will be at the starting blocks for the election campaign. I suspect that the majority of voters – again – will cast their votes for these parties, despite history repeatedly showing that they don’t prioritize their own population. The illusion that they will this time focus on Swedish citizens’ best interests unfortunately seems to run deep.

All Jenny Piper's articles can be found on her blog.

https://nordictimes.com/analysis/a-war-without-end-financed-by-you/

Analysis

A war without end – financed by you

Jenny Piper

Peace is not a goal – it's a threat to business. European taxpayers are forced to feed the military-industrial complex, while war profiteers convert blood into money.

Published 27 June 2025
– By Jenny Piper
Through decisions made by those in power, Swedish taxpayers will continue to finance the war in Ukraine.
2 minute read

The Washington Post reported yesterday, citing a high-ranking source within the Ukrainian presidential office, that Ukraine’s economy is teetering on the brink of collapse – despite Western support.

A positive economic impact, previously predicted for mid-2025 based on a ceasefire, is no longer being considered. Instead, efforts are focused on keeping the country afloat.

The fact that the Ukrainian economy hasn’t completely collapsed yet is solely due to extensive Western support. According to anonymous officials and analysts interviewed by the newspaper, there is a possibility that such support will not be sufficient for further development.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, together with the leaders of Denmark, Finland, and Norway, has promised continued support for their top priority – Ukraine. With the help of our tax money, they can likely keep the country afloat through the end of the year, allowing the corrupt regime in Kiev to drain the last of our resources.

Everything is being done to prevent the war from ending, and with substantial help from both mass media and military officials, they ensure the population stays on board. A recent example is Swedish Supreme Commander Michael Claesson’s statement to Dagens Industri (a Swedish business newspaper), where he sees risks and doesn’t rule out that Russia might choose to test NATO’s Article 5 on Swedish territory – now that they feel threatened by NATO’s military buildup.

When Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov spoke to reporters yesterday, he said that the fabricated Russian threat is being used to pressure Western taxpayers for money.

– European taxpayers will spend their money to defuse some threat that they say comes from our country, but it is nothing but an ephemeral threat. This is the technique used to continue pumping out money and supplying Ukraine with weapons.

It was likely no coincidence that the Swedish Armed Forces yesterday showcased their new anti-drone system – with equipment from Swedish defense companies Saab and Bofors, among others – specifically on Gotland, Sweden’s largest island, during the Almedalen Week political forum where many representatives of the military-industrial complex are present.

All Jenny Piper's articles can be found on her blog.

https://nordictimes.com/analysis/trumps-ambition-to-end-forever-wars-appears-at-a-standstill/

Analysis

Trump’s ambition to end forever wars appears at a standstill

The escalation in the Middle East

Jenny Piper

The US "anti-war" president, recently recommended for the Nobel Peace Prize, can forget that thought after last night's war of aggression.

Published 22 June 2025
– By Jenny Piper
Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have long been close - a friendship that looks to have cost him the "America First" election promise.
3 minute read

It is ironic that yesterday the Pakistani government formally recommended US President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, citing his mediation efforts to end the latest military conflict between Islamabad and New Delhi. Considering that Trump ordered attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan just a few hours later, he can definitely forget about receiving that award. That said, Obama did receive the Peace Prize despite the increase in US military interventions around the world during his time in the White House, so anything is possible.

Trump thus did the dirty work for Israel, which started the problem, and the US will take the blame for the consequences. Smart.

After the attacks, Trump warned Iran that if they do not make peace, more and harsher attacks will follow. Iran, for its part, has already announced that it will not bow down.

Trump has been criticized for his decision to actively enter the war by other US congressmen, some of whom say that the attacks on Iran are grounds for impeaching Trump.

Iran has accused the US of violating international law and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) with its nighttime attacks on important nuclear facilities, while assuring the public that no radioactive contamination has been detected at the sites attacked.

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has condemned the US air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities as a serious violation of international law and writes on X that Tehran reserves all options to respond in accordance with its right to self-defense.

“The events this morning are outrageous and will have everlasting consequences. Each and every member of the UN must be alarmed over this extremely dangerous, lawless and criminal behavior. The United States, a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, has committed a grave violation of the UN Charter, international law and the NPT by attacking Iran’s peaceful nuclear installations. In accordance with the UN Charter and its provisions allowing a legitimate response in self-defense, Iran reserves all options to defend its sovereignty, interest, and people”.

Iran is now demanding that the UN Security Council hold an emergency meeting, but everyone already knows that this is just a show, as both the US and Israel have carte blanche in this toothless organization.

At the same time, other forces may wake up when third parties allied with Iran want to get involved. Although major powers such as Russia, North Korea, and China, together with neighboring countries in the Middle East, have so far taken a wait-and-see position because Iran has not wanted support, a spokesman for Yemen’s Houthis has already warned that if the US gets involved, the group will attack their warships in the Red Sea.

Another unpleasant thought is the many dormant “cells” around the world that may now be activated, with consequences for ordinary people as well. So all those who are now praising Trump’s “bravery” may find themselves eating their words if they start thinking more long term.

Glenn Diesen, professor at the University of Southeast Norway, sums it up well in a post on X, where he stated that US President Donald Trump has once again dragged the country into a conflict in the Middle East.

“Bush ran on a peace platform against nation-building, Obama promised ‘change’, Biden would ‘bring the adults back’, and Trump would get the US out of the forever wars in the Middle East. They all started wars… It does not matter who you vote for, when they do not work for you”.

But there is at least one winner here: the arms industry, whose shares will once again rise when the stock market opens.

 

Jenny Piper

All Jenny Piper's articles can be found on her blog.

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