FROM the Strait of Hormuz to the Strait of Malacca – I am quite sure many of us, including politicians and government advisors, are checking where the Strait of Hormuz is located or finding out the length, width and depth of the world's busiest strait, which runs along Peninsular Malaysia.

The regional grouping needs to make its stance on the Middle Eastern conflict clear.

As Malaysians prepare for Hari Raya Aidilfitri amid subsidised fuel and cancelled open houses, a far‑reaching conflict in the Middle East is already reshaping global prices and security risks – with repercussions that will soon hit home.

Having a strategy to boost the country's diplomatic work is all good, but attention is also needed for the Foreign Ministry's staff welfare.

While the US president continues wreaking havoc on the world order, Malaysia needs to stick to the independent and pragmatic foreign policy that has served us well for decades.

Following Cyclone Senyar, more than 300,000 people in Aceh remain in limbo – even as Indonesia refuses foreign aid.

Economic and infrastructure talks between Malaysia and Singapore often end in cordial 'win-win' announcements. But the silence is loud when it comes to negotiations over decades-long issues like water supply and maritime boundaries.

Malaysia's move to crown durian the national fruit has sparked a surprising regional squabble.

So many questions remain to be answered about Myanmar, so much effort still waiting to be implemented while millions of people are still suffering.

The move to admit the 11th Asean member is not a strategic error but must be seen as part of a natural integration on the road towards Asean Vision 2045.

IS it a peace deal or a ceasefire deal?

Malaysia's Asean chairmanship comes to a close soon, a year recording remarkable achievements and scoring many firsts.