Speaking Of Asia

What's with Asia's strongman urge?

When such leaders seem to thrive in the region, questions arise as to what it takes to keep democracy alive

ST ILLUSTRATION: MANNY FRANCISCO
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In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte, who revels in a macho, gun-toting style of leadership, has referred to journalists as "presstitutes".

Oddly enough, and perhaps not so surprisingly, similar invectives have fallen from a former Indian army chief who is in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 08, 2021, with the headline What's with Asia's strongman urge?. Subscribe