Sweden鈥檚 elections need in-depth reporting abroad, ICC investigations should affect all countries equally, North Korea reaps benefits of American diplomacy, China sees a steppingstone to Afghanistan through Pakistan, Naomi Osaka shines despite controversy
The Local / Stockholm
Sweden鈥檚 elections need more in-depth reporting abroad
鈥淭he rise of the Sweden Democrats 鈥� and the obvious parallels to Trump, Le Pen and Brexit 鈥� means the attention focused on Sweden is out of all proportion to the country鈥檚 size...,鈥� writes James Savage. 鈥淸F]ew media companies employ journalists who know anything about Sweden.... [T]he result is dire: simplistic, sensationalist journalism that is frequently just plain wrong.... [S]ome pieces ... are very perceptive.... Yet ... readers are rarely told that Swedes are equally exercised by humdrum issues such as healthcare and schooling.... There鈥檚 no doubt that this is an extraordinary election in Sweden.... But foreign media ... are presenting a picture of Sweden that ... misrepresents the facts 鈥� and this does their readers a disservice.鈥�
This Is Africa / Nairobi, Kenya
International Criminal Court investigations should affect all countries equally
鈥淭he International Criminal Court (ICC) was established in 2002, in terms of the Rome Statute,鈥� writes Socrates Mbamalu. 鈥淭he Rome Statute defined four international crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.... [T]he ICC has been condemned for its one-sided prosecution of Third World leaders accused of such crimes.... While attempts by African countries ... to withdraw from the ICC [were] heavily condemned, it is noteworthy that the ICC has often come under criticism from African leaders.... Given America鈥檚 [recent] flagrant dismissal of the ICC, African leaders seem justified in their distrust of the court.... If the court can鈥檛 deal with the powerful, how can its existence be justified?鈥�
The Irish Times / Dublin, Ireland
North Korea continues to reap benefits of American diplomatic overture
鈥淭hree months after their landmark summit in Singapore, Kim Jong-un continues to play Donald Trump like a violin,鈥� states an editorial. 鈥淭hat meeting was a coup for the dictator in Pyongyang, giving him global credibility.... North Korea is still reaping the dividend.... Chinese president Xi Jinping [recently] sent a senior official to Pyongyang.... It鈥檚 better that Trump and Kim are exchanging pleasantries than threats, of course. But there is no evidence that Pyongyang has taken any meaningful steps towards eliminating its nuclear arsenal.... [A]ll [Trump] has signed up for is a vague aspiration for a nuclear-free region 鈥� one that would include the removal of the US nuclear umbrella over South Korea.鈥�
Dawn / Karachi, Pakistan
China sees a steppingstone to Afghanistan in diplomacy with Pakistan
鈥淸Pakistani Foreign Minister] Shah Mehmood Qureshi [has been] busy...,鈥� writes Huma Yusuf. 鈥淭he trip by the US secretary of state was followed by a visit by the Chinese foreign minister. One theme ran through both meetings: Afghanistan.... But there is a related dynamic ... and that鈥檚 the evolving China-Afghanistan relationship. A reminder of this came last week with news that China would train Afghan troops.... These developments should remind Pakistan that China only does what it does to serve its own interests.... But as Washington will tell Beijing, there is a point at which Pakistan will not budge from prioritising its security and strategic objectives, no matter how high or sweet the friendship.鈥�
The Japan Times / Tokyo
Naomi Osaka shines despite Women鈥檚 Open controversy
鈥淛apanese and women鈥檚 tennis fans around the world have a new hero: Naomi Osaka, winner of this year鈥檚 U.S. Women鈥檚 Open tennis championship...,鈥� states an editorial. 鈥淸H]er stunning victory has been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the treatment of Serena Williams.... [I]n this case, [Williams] was wronged.... There is no disputing the double standard that exists in the sport.... This controversy has ... deprived Osaka of credit she rightly deserves.... [I]f this match is to be plumbed for its social significance, Japan should ponder the meaning of this exceptional athlete.... Japan needs to better appreciate its diversity.... We hope that Osaka gives us many more opportunities to think about this issue as she continues her outstanding career.鈥�
