Aung San Suu Kyi's visit to northern Rakhine state is long overdue. The Nobel Prize winner has been castigated for failing to speak out earlier over the military's  'disproportionate' response to attacks on police outposts by Rohingya insurgents. Myanmar's real problem is the military's grip on political power, with 40% of the seats in parliament reserved for military officers with no need to stand for election. The country is in dire need of constitutional reform. For more, please see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

Former Colombian rebel chief Rodrigo Londoño, better known by his wartime alias 'Timochenko,' is throwing his hat into the ring for next year's elections. Candidates for president should meet the highest standards, but there should be no limit on nationality — and in this case, no limits due to personal history. Elections should be free for all candidates, and the president should serve a single 5-year term. For more, see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

The only remedy for corruption is democracy and its tools of separation of powers and checks and balances. The heads of the executive, legislative, judicial and procuratorial branches should be elected in alternating years and 1/4 of all lawmakers should face election each year. In addition, committee chairs should be the pool for backup cabinet ministers. For details see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.

The UN should provide Syria the basic outline for a constitution that will facilitate lasting peace and development. The constitution should include the universal values of freedom, democracy, human rights and rule of law, and  organization and elements such as the four branches (legislative, executive, judicial and procuratorial). The document should allow Syria to prosper under conditions of lasting peace. For more, see the Charter for Permanent Peace and Development.