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War and conflict

War and conflict
The latest news, analysis and opinion on War and conflict. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Children watch as new prefabricated Jewish homes are secured into placed along a road that leads toward the Palestinian village of Umm al-Khair on May 20. Photo: AFP
Israel-Gaza war

Israeli troops kill 7-month-old Palestinian baby in West Bank car shooting

The infant was critically wounded after being struck in the jaw by the same bullet that injured his mother.

Ukraine war

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

US, Israel war on Iran

US strikes Iranian radar sites after drone shootdown in Strait of Hormuz

Ukraine war

Putin says no reason to meet Ukraine’s Zelensky, calls his letter ‘rude’

In his message, Zelensky said Russians had grown tired of Ukraine missile and drone attacks and economic hardship and were ready for peace.

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A participant watches a broadcast of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s speech on a screen during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum on Friday. Photo: AP
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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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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Thailand

Thailand to join UN maritime arbitration with Cambodia

Cambodia launched a compulsory conciliation process under Unclos after Bangkok ended a framework pact for talks on a disputed maritime belt.

Despite ‌joining the mediation, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said Bangkok would not hold any other two-way talks, including those to manage and resolve land border ‌issues. Photo: AFP
Myanmar

Deformed fish in river, pollution from rare earth mines in Myanmar fuel fears

Russian and Chinese firms are also competing to be the first to reach a tungsten mine in a conflict zone, sparking concerns of NGOs.

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.

China-Latin America relations

Opinion | China’s economic inroads in Latin America are hitting political walls

China’s economic gains in the Americas are real, but Donald Trump’s return to the White House shows that political success is another story.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Middle East

Hezbollah rejects Israel and Lebanon’s ceasefire plan

Hezbollah leader insists that a ceasefire must include southern Lebanon, where Israel ‌has ‌seized a self-declared security zone.

Smoke billows from southern Lebanon following Israeli strikes on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
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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Ukraine war

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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European Union

Ukraine, Hungary agree on minority rights, paving way for EU accession talks

The long-running dispute had strained ties between Budapest and Kyiv and complicated Hungary’s support for Ukraine’s EU ambitions.

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Hungary’s Prime Minister Peter Magyar attends a press conference in Paris, France, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
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
United States

Trump says Vance-Rubio team-up for 2028 run would be unbeatable

Trump ‌has continued to fuel the succession talk even as both Vance and Rubio downplay ‌their ‌2028 ambitions.

Diplomacy

Opinion | What Seoul must do to achieve peaceful coexistence with North Korea

South Korea needs to restore communication channels, end the policy see-saw and ensure official rhetoric is consistent with policy objectives.

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Russia

Ukraine drones target St Petersburg as ‘Russia’s Davos’ opens

Black smoke rises over major fuel terminal as city hosts Vladimir Putin’s global economic summit.

Black smoke over St Petersburg after a Ukrainian drone attack. Photo: AP
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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US, Israel war on Iran

Kuwait International Airport hit as US and Iran exchange attacks

Strikes damage terminal and halt commercial flights, sparking a fierce blame game between Washington and Tehran.

US, Israel war on Iran

‘You’re crazy!’: Trump-Netanyahu relationship under growing strain over Iran

A reported profane phone tirade exposes deep fissures between two allies facing immense domestic strain.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in December 2025. Photo: Reuters
China-Latin America relations

US’ Cuba-China fears, Panama pressure: Latin America relations reads

From Argentina’s shrinking China lifeline to the US’ Cuba worries, here are highlights from the SCMP’s foreign correspondents in May 2026.

Students from military schools take part in an “anti-imperialist” protest against the American incursion in Venezuela, in front of the US Embassy in Havana in January. Photo: AFP via Getty Images/TNS
Cambodia

Cambodia starts UN-backed process for maritime dispute with Thailand

The dispute relates to sea space in the Gulf of ‌Thailand that holds trillions of cubic feet of natural gas and large quantities of oil.

Ukraine war

Major Russian air attack on Ukrainian cities kills at least 23, wounds dozens

Ukraine says Russia ⁠launched more than 650 drones and 70 missiles overnight, mainly targeting Kyiv.

United States

Court blocks US military removing transgender troops for now

Appeals court shields current service members from discharge while leaving wider enlisting restrictions in place.

The Pentagon, headquarters of the US military, in Washington. File photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran diplomacy mired in uncertainty as Trump claims Lebanon de-escalation

Israeli leader vows to continue operations in southern Lebanon despite the US president claiming ‘no Troops going to Beirut’.

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An Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Tyre in southern Lebanon on Monday. Photo: AFP
Myanmar

Rescuers dig for bodies after Myanmar explosives blast kills at least 38

The incident has cast a spotlight on Myanmar’s largely unregulated mineral industry and Chinese investment in the country’s extractive industries.

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Middle East

Netanyahu orders strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs, clouding Iran mediation

Order came a day after Israeli ground forces seized a historic castle, reaching their deepest point in Lebanon in 26 years.

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