This Week in Asia /
Politics
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Asean
South China Sea
the Asian angle
Myanmar
Are Myanmar hospital air strikes a bid to ‘intimidate’ voters ahead of poll?
The junta has been emboldened to strike as China, Russia and the US are looking the other way to serve their own interests, analysts say.
5 minutes ago
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South Korea
South Korea’s top court seeks to restore trust after martial law controversy
5 hours ago
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The Philippines
Philippines to get up to US$3.5 billion defence aid to counter ‘serious threats’
18 Dec 2025 - 10:12PM
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Japan
Steppe in the right direction? ‘Japan is back’ in Central Asia with new summit
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the leaders of five Central Asian nations are expected to establish a new framework for cooperation in AI.
18 Dec 2025 - 5:41PM
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Vendors sell traditional Uzbek clothing and jewellery inside a madrasah in Registan Square in Samarkand, Uzbekistan In September. Photo: EPA
Bangladesh
Bangladeshi politician’s threat targeting India’s northeast deepens row
His claim of Delhi’s election interference comes days after a leader of the 2024 uprising in Bangladesh was shot in Dhaka.
18 Dec 2025 - 5:52PM
The Philippines
Why the Philippine Army is turning to locally built remote weapons systems
The roll-out of the new Cobra weapon system is part of Manila’s push to build a self-reliant defence industry.
17 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM
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South Korea
South Korean court rules Yoon’s ‘self-coup’ illegal as walls close in
Judges are fast-tracking verdicts to beat statutory time limits, dashing the ex-president’s faint hopes of walking free early next year.
17 Dec 2025 - 3:02PM
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A television screen shows a file image of Yoon Suk-yeol in court at a railway station in Seoul on Monday. Photo: AP
The Philippines
Can UN anti-corruption pact bring Zaldy Co back to Philippines?
The former lawmaker, who is facing charges linked to the Philippines’ flood control scandal, is suspected to have fled to Portugal.
16 Dec 2025 - 9:04PM
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Malaysia
Malaysia’s Anwar reshuffles cabinet to focus on ‘stronger growth’
The changes come after months of pressure on his government, sparked by several key resignations and rising inflation.
16 Dec 2025 - 7:39PM
India
Kick-off in Kolkata: how Lionel Messi was dragged into an Indian election battle
The BJP has latched on to the crowd chaos during Messi’s visit to West Bengal to demand the resignation of the state’s chief minister.
16 Dec 2025 - 6:02PM
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Thailand
Will holiday high season survive Thai-Cambodian border conflict?
Curfews, increased airport screening and the bombing of the province housing Angkor Wat have rattled foreign travellers.
18 Dec 2025 - 4:40PM
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Displaced residents prepare a shelter at a temporary camp set up outside a pagoda in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province on December 12. Photo: AFP
Japan
Japan and South Korea clash over islets as old grievances resurface
Analysts warn the squabble is a ‘step backwards’ that offers Beijing a chance to drive a wedge between the two US allies.
16 Dec 2025 - 1:39PM
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Pakistan
India wary as US backs Pakistan with F-16 upgrades and mineral projects
Analysts say New Delhi faces an ‘uncomfortable truth’ as Washington and Beijing find rare common ground on stability in Pakistan.
16 Dec 2025 - 3:16PM
North Korea
What North Korea’s war dead tribute reveals about Kim’s endgame
In Kim Jong-un’s public grief for fallen mine-clearers, observers see a strategic play to lock in a role in Russia’s post-war rebuilding.
16 Dec 2025 - 8:00AM
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The Philippines
Anti-dynasty bill in Philippines slammed as ‘ridiculous’ and weak
A proposal co-filed by one of President Marcos Jnr’s sons could allow 10 family members to hold office at once, critics warn.
15 Dec 2025 - 5:38PM
President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr having a casual chat with his son and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos in a video. Photo: YouTube/Bongbong Marcos
South Korea
Martial law plot was Yoon’s plan all along, South Korean prosecutors say
Announcing the results of a massive 180-day inquiry on Monday, special prosecutors said Yoon Suk-yeol aimed to form a military junta.
16 Dec 2025 - 3:36PM
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Japan
Japan’s retreat from global health funding hands China diplomatic opening
Tokyo’s over 52 per cent funding cut to a global body fighting Aids and malaria risks damaging its hard-won reputation as a ‘peace nation’.
15 Dec 2025 - 3:08PM
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The Philippines
Could a plunder probe weaken Philippine VP Sara Duterte’s 2028 prospects?
An insider said the filing is less about getting a conviction than opening the door to financial scrutiny that could damage her politically.
14 Dec 2025 - 5:36PM
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Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte listens to questions from journalists during an event marking the 90th anniversary of the Office of the Vice President in Makati City, Metro Manila, on November 14. Duterte is facing a plunder complaint linked to her use of confidential funds. Photo: EPA-EFE
US-Asean relations
Southeast Asia barely features in America’s new security strategy
The region appears just twice in the new 32-page US National Security Strategy, raising fears it is being relegated to a ‘bargaining chip’.
14 Dec 2025 - 12:00PM
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Japan
Security or freedom? Japan’s proposed anti-spy laws raise human rights concerns
Prime Minister Takaichi’s plans to tighten spying and secrecy rules could be used to stifle free speech and media freedom, analysts say.
14 Dec 2025 - 10:01AM
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Donald Trump
Syria’s year of ‘epic’ transformation earns it Trump’s protection
Washington is lifting sanctions and has rebuked Israel for its attacks, as the US throws its weight behind Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration.
13 Dec 2025 - 4:00PM
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The Philippines
Will Philippines favour Eurofighter Typhoon for its military upgrade?
The Eurofighter, which is estimated to cost US$117 million each, has drawn buying interest from Bangladesh and other countries.
13 Dec 2025 - 1:00PM
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A German Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jet performs at an airshow in Qawra, Malta, in September. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia
Indonesia weighs costs of closer Russia engagement after Prabowo’s Moscow visit
Analysts said Putin’s offers may align with Jakarta’s ambitions but would carry diplomatic costs and the risk of sanctions from Washington.
12 Dec 2025 - 6:37PM
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Australia
Why US review of Aukus submarine deal for Australia is kept secret
One reason is to maintain public support for the alliance by preventing any shortfalls of the deal from being made known, analysts say.
12 Dec 2025 - 6:17PM
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Malaysia
Malaysian religious leaders urged to provide evidence of South Korean ‘cult’
Perlis state’s senior Islamic scholar alleged Muslim political elites were linked to the ‘deviant’ cult movement.
12 Dec 2025 - 2:40PM
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