MONDAY

1. CURRENT ISSUES

2. STATISTICS

3. ANALYTICAL COMMENTARY

WEDNESDAY

OSCE

5. ANALYTICS

A Kazakh Appointment Highlights the OSCE’s Many Challenges

VOCABULARY & GRAMMAR

KEY TERMS
encompassto include comprehensively
extensive policya comprehensive, relevant, wide in scope and content course of action
spanthe full extent, stretch, or reach of smth; distance; duration
bridge differencesto reduce it or get rid of dissimilarities;  finding ways to create positive dialogue and understanding across race, religion, political ideology
accountabilitythe state of being responsible for, liable to, or answerable to
dispatchto transact or dispose of (a matter) promptly
expertise special skill, knowledge, or judgment
defamationfalse or unjustified injury of the good reputation of another, as by slander or libel; calumny
unilaterally undertaken or done by or on behalf of one side, party, or group only;not mutual
conciliation a method of helping the parties in a dispute to reach agreement
FOCUS WORDS
dimensionаспект, сфера, элемент, измерение
violationнарушение
mediate быть посредником, содействовать соглашению 
diluteослабленный, слабый
stalemate тупик, безвыходное положение
plausible правдоподобный, вероятный
consentсогласие, разрешение, соглашаться
urge убеждать, побуждать, настаивать
inclination предрасположение, предрасположенность, склонность
purviewкомпетенция, сфера, область, границы, нормы закона
PREPOSITIONS
  1. commitment to 
  2. at the height of
  3. record on 
  4. live up to 
  5. in charge of
  6. on the grounds
  7. respond to
  8. coincide with 
  9. confront
  10. solution to
  11. plausible for
  12. from the perspective of
  13. consent to 
  14. in practice
  15. under the purview
WORDS FOR REPORT
a clear age gap on the issue
compared with a smaller share
more likely to favor
the survey explored the public’s views about 
Overall,
In regard to the negative consequences, 
substantial majorities
no statistically significant difference by age 
GRAMMAR PATTERNS

At a time when large powers and global trends are reshaping the regional environment, the only way for ASEAN countries to advance their interests effectively is by working together.

ASEAN has undergone an impressive turnaround in the past five decades.

The benefits of free and open trade are being questioned, international institutions are being challenged, new geopolitical powers are rising.

ASEAN members will feel the effects of the Fourth Industrial Revolution acutely.

The working-age population in the bloc is increasing by 11,000 people daily and will continue to grow at this rate for the next 15 years.

The demographic expansion is happening just as many existing jobs will be substituted by intelligent automation and AI.

Faced with these disruptive shifts, ASEAN must strengthen its community. 

Indeed, the bloc has long been praised for its “open regionalism,” whereby it pursues economic integration among member states without discriminating against non-ASEAN economies. 

With the architecture of global governance being challenged, ASEAN members must make their voices heard if they want a world that supports their interests.

Individually, Southeast Asia’s countries carry little weight; collectively, however, they represent almost a tenth of the world’s population and nearly 5% of its GDP.

Historically, ASEAN has played a pivotal role in facilitating regional relationships, giving rise to the notion of “ASEAN centrality” in Asia.

In 1993, the bloc established the ASEAN Regional Forum – now with 27 members – to foster dialogue on political and security concerns. 

It established the East Asia Summit, currently with 18 member states, in 2005.

Today, however, the geopolitical context is evolving

Unless ASEAN remains united as a bloc, it will lose its ability to convene regional actors, mediate disputes, and shape principles of international behavior and interaction.

But a reassessment is needed if ASEAN is to speak with a strong voice on regional matters, rather than allowing dissenting voices within the group to prevent the adoption of collective positions.

Given that existing global institutions are being challenged, and given the rise of Asia in global affairs, ASEAN must reinforce its ability to influence the debate.

TEST