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Defence

Defence
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Defence. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer (left) and Defence Secretary John Healey pose in front of a fighter jet in Turkey last year. Photo: AFP
Britain

UK defence chief resigns over military spending as Starmer’s woes worsen

Healey accused the prime minister of failing to commit the resources needed to protect the country from rising threats.

India

India’s military revamp to counter China and Pakistan gathers pace

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US, Israel war on Iran

US strikes Iran as Tehran targets bases in Bahrain and Jordan

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US-China tech war

Pentagon blacklist raises spectre of investment curbs for Chinese tech firms

Chinese tech giants including Alibaba and Baidu strongly reject the Pentagon’s characterisation of them as “Chinese military companies”.

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Chinese tech companies fear the Pentagon's blacklist will increase reputational risks and raise the possibility of further tougher sanctions. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Pentagon blacklists China tech giants as US competition expands

Alibaba, Baidu, BYD and Unitree were among Chinese companies added to a US military blacklist as competition between the nations expands further into technology.

Diplomacy

Opinion | As the Quad loses its anchor, China has a chance to act

As the relevance of anti-China groupings such as the Quad and Aukus fades, Beijing and its neighbours have more room for dialogue.

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South Korea

‘Attacker would need to say sorry’: South Korea’s Lee rejects Japan defence ties

President Lee Jae Myung says Tokyo must offer a genuine apology before a military logistics pact can move forward.

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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung looks on as Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks during a joint press conference in Andong, South Korea, on May 19. Photo: Kyodo
US-China relations

US adds Alibaba, BYD, other Chinese tech champions to military company blacklist

Trump administration has designated top China firms as ‘Chinese military companies’ operating in the United States.

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Japan

Japan prepares to drop its pacifist mask as the right rises

A right-wing parliamentary supermajority is paving the way for Tokyo to amend its post-war pacifist constitution.

Ukraine war

European powers back Zelensky’s call for summit with Putin

UK, France and Germany endorse face-to-face ceasefire talks, but the Kremlin has so far ruled out a meeting.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Photo: Reuters
China's military weapons

China’s nuclear stockpile growing as disarmament era ends: SIPRI

Swedish think-tank says Beijing now has 620 nuclear warheads and may be increasing deployment as New Start’s expiry ends arms control era.

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DF-61 intercontinental ballistic missiles take part in a Beijing military parade last September to mark the 80th anniversary of Japan’s World War II surrender. Photo: AP
India

Opinion | As Asia’s strategic landscape evolves, what is the Quad’s purpose?

Countries like India can’t afford to let ties with China be defined by a grouping focused on reacting to one power and lacking a broader positive vision.

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Donald Trump

US considers ‘buying’ Chagos Islands from Mauritius

Reported proposal outlines direct deal with Mauritius after the US criticised the UK’s plan to cede sovereignty.

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European Union

In D-Day speech, Hegseth urges Europe to counter ‘invasion’ of migrants

The US defence chief also calls on European countries to do more to contribute to their defence, during a ceremony commemorating D-Day in France.

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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (centre) attends a ceremony to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings, in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy, France, on Saturday. Photo: AP
Ukraine war

Ukrainian drones target St Petersburg after Putin rejects Zelensky’s offer

St Petersburg residents told to remain at home as the attack underscores Kyiv’s growing ability to hit deep inside Russia.

Police officers stand in front of a banner and flags with the logo of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum as heavy smoke billows in the background after Ukrainian drones hit infrastructure on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Opinion | What does a ‘strong, quiet, clear’ US mean for China and Asia?

The US defence secretary’s speech at an annual defence forum had fewer China attacks, no mention of Taiwan and a nebulous vow to be ‘strong, quiet, clear’.

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US-China relations

Opinion | Energy now a focus of US-China contest of the century

As China and the US race towards energy dominance, attention to climate resilience and resource security can ensure positive outcomes for all.

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Taiwan

KMT leader says Taiwan can preserve peace by avoiding ‘de jure independence’

Cheng Li-wun tells Harvard audience peace needs deterrence and dialogue as she criticises DPP defence spending plans.

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Taiwan opposition leader Cheng Li-wun (left) meets Graham Allison, founding dean of Harvard Kennedy School, during a visit to the United States. Photo: KMT
Russia

UK’s Keir Starmer says Russia could attack Nato within 4 years

His comments echo similar time frames expressed by other European leaders and Nato chief Mark Rutte.

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Ukraine war

Putin says Trump ideas could bring peace in Ukraine, urges Kyiv to compromise

Zelensky, meanwhile, proposed face-to-face negotiations in a public letter addressed directly to the Russian leader.

Taiwan

Are Japan-Philippines talks a maritime red line for China’s blue-water ambitions?

Analysts warn the Tokyo-Manila boundary negotiations will be seen in Beijing as an attempt to challenge its position on Taiwan.

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Beijing responded to the announcement of the maritime boundary talks by sending its coastguard into new waters east of Taiwan on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
Japan

Japan’s PM Takaichi eyes India trip for talks with leader Modi

The leaders plan to discuss strengthening supply chains of critical goods given concerns about China.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at a budget committee session at the National Diet in Tokyo on Thursday. Her trip to India later this year would be part of the two nations’ practice of reciprocal visits by their leaders. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

US House votes to stop Iran war in rebuke to Trump

Measure will not end US military attacks on Iran, but it underscores the backlash against Trump over the war.

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War and conflict

Opinion | Asia has to learn the lessons of war while it still can

The time to learn is before the fire reaches the house. Every war forces us to ask: if this logic came to our region, what would we do?

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Ukraine war

Ukraine drone strikes causing ‘panic’ for Kremlin, EU’s Kallas says

Russia is increasing attacks on civilians because it doesn’t know how to respond to attacks deep in its territory, the top EU diplomat says.

Smoke billows following hits by Ukrainian drones at an oil terminal in St Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday. Photo: Social media via Reuters
New Zealand

Is New Zealand a ‘freeloader’? Wellington rebuffs Hegseth’s Shangri-La remark

Analysts say the US defence secretary’s taunts ring hollow given Washington’s own record of undermining alliance obligations.

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Delegates watch US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s speech on a screen at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore on Saturday. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Editorial | Shangri-La Dialogue has outlived its usefulness for China

While Washington and Beijing softened their rhetoric this year, the US-dominated forum is exhausting its function as a space for engagement.

Indonesia

Prabowo’s overseas visits spark debate in Indonesia over benefits for citizens

Several deals signed in Paris have led to discussions on their merit and the frequency of Prabowo’s official trips around the world.

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