In the Philippines, Christmas sees a fraught game, as the government and the communist New People's Army declare a wary and often disputed truce.
Last week, Australia declared its own Christmas truce, saying most of its warships would return to port for two months. Actually, this was not a truce. It was a way of improving sailors' work-life balance – not a phrase heard much during the first world war, or any conflict.
Not all Australian ships are heading for port. The Australian press reported that the HMAS Parramatta would continue patrolling the Persian Gulf and some boats would ward off illegal immigrants in Australia's northern waters. Docked ships would retain a skeleton staff. But everyone else could go on holiday.
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