Minding our diplomatic language

Rising tensions: This handout photo from the Taiwan Coast Guard taken last month shows its patrol vessel (right) sailing near a China Coast Guard ship in the East Asia region. As the US weighs in with more bases in the Philippines and China ups the number of Coast Guard and research ships it deploys, tensions are rising close to Malaysia. — AFP

WITH the geopolitical tension and economic shifts taking place, it is an understatement to say we live in chaotic times.

This includes the war waged by US President Donald Trump and Israel on Iran since February, Israeli attacks on its neighbours including Lebanon, the closure of the vital Hormuz Strait, the prolonged war in Ukraine and the protracted Gaza war and humanitarian crisis.