Advertisement
Advertisement
This Week in Asia /

Politics

Related Topics:
Asean
South China Sea
the Asian angle
People attend a memorial for the Nanking massacre victims in Nanjing, China’s Jiangsu province, last year. Photo: Xinhua
Japan

Japan museum under fire for ‘rewriting history’ with Nanking ‘incident’ label

Conservatives force the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum to drop the word massacre, a move critics say downplays Japan’s wartime aggression.

videocam
Japan

Japan prepares to drop its pacifist mask as the right rises

Quadrilateral Security Dialogue

Past failures haunt the Quad’s US$20 billion critical minerals push

videocam
10
North Korea

Why North Korea’s Kim is doubling down on nuclear might as Xi visit looms

Kim Jong-un has vowed to ‘exponentially’ strengthen North Korea’s nuclear arsenal during a recent visit to a production facility.

videocam
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre, right) inspects a nuclear materials production factory at an undisclosed location on Wednesday. Photo: EPA/KCNA
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (centre, right) inspects a nuclear materials production factory at an undisclosed location on Wednesday. Photo: EPA/KCNA
The Philippines

Philippines’ UN defeat: a result of domestic ‘political circus’, close ties with US?

Kyrgyzstan won a seat on the UN Security Council due to perceptions of its neutrality and Central Asia’s under-representation, analysts say.

10
Malaysia

How a pig farm dispute exposed fault lines in Malaysia’s multiracial politics

A pig farm ban in Selangor has turned the issue into a flashpoint involving royal influence, minority livelihoods and cultural sensitivity.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
India

Quad’s proposed port project in Fiji risks being ‘another empty promise’

Analysts warn that a lack of commitment by the four-member bloc on the project could open the door for China to expand its economic clout.

4
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, India’s Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pose before a Quad meeting in New Delhi on May 26. Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, India’s Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio pose before a Quad meeting in New Delhi on May 26. Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
Malaysia

Second snap state poll in Malaysia signals cracks in Anwar’s coalition

The state’s snap poll follows Johor’s dissolution, exposing local rivalries that could undermine the prime minister’s federal coalition.

videocam
India

Is US wielding new tariff threat to secure big bargain in India trade talks?

Additional 12.5 per cent levy over forced labour supply-chain concerns seen as leverage in negotiations, analysts say.

videocam
5
South Korea

South Korea’s Lee scores ‘flawed’ poll win, setback for his property tax plan

The defeat in the Seoul election came after the incumbent mayor promised to act as a counterbalance to Lee’s administration.

videocam
Election officials carry ballot boxes at a counting station in Seoul after voting in the national local elections closed on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Indonesia

Will Indonesia’s free meals scheme survive amid corruption arrests?

The deepening crisis in the billion-dollar initiative threatens its future and the president’s political standing.

videocam
Students have their meals during the launch of President Prabowo Subianto’s ambitious free meal scheme in Banten, Indonesia, on January 6. Photo: AP
Students have their meals during the launch of President Prabowo Subianto’s ambitious free meal scheme in Banten, Indonesia, on January 6. Photo: AP
Singapore

How Singapore opposition risks ‘becoming its own worst enemy’ amid Pritam rift

A special conference will test Singh’s Workers’ Party leadership, although analysts say he is likely to survive the cadre challenge.

The Philippines

Citizen group to press for ‘transparency’ in Philippine VP’s impeachment trial

The Bantay Senado network aims to fill gaps in information, accountability and engagement, and ensure senators conduct a fair trial.

videocam
Thailand

Thailand’s ex-PM Thaksin gets royal pardon after release on parole

The former leader served eight months of a one-year sentence for corruption before he was released on parole last month due to his age.

videocam
Ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra hugs his daughter and former prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra after being released from prison on parole at Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok last month. Photo: EPA
Britain

UK Sikhs defend right to carry sacred dagger after student murder backlash

Critics of the religious practice claim that a ‘two-tier’ policing framework protects British ethnic minorities at the expense of others.

4
People hold images of victim Henry Nowak as they take part in a protest in Southampton on Tuesday following the murder of Nowak by Vickrum Digwa. Photo: AFP
People hold images of victim Henry Nowak as they take part in a protest in Southampton on Tuesday following the murder of Nowak by Vickrum Digwa. Photo: AFP
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.

5
Japan

Japanese MP’s claim China eyes Antarctic ‘treasure trove’ dismissed

A polar law expert says the continent’s strict mining ban has no expiry date, despite concerns raised in Japan’s parliament.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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.

videocam
France’s President Emmanuel Macron and France’s first lady Brigitte Macron welcome Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto ahead of a state dinner as part of Prabowo’s visit to Paris on Thursday. Photo: AFP
France’s President Emmanuel Macron and France’s first lady Brigitte Macron welcome Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto ahead of a state dinner as part of Prabowo’s visit to Paris on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Umno banks on Johor state election to lure Malay votes in stronghold

The Umno-led BN coalition defends its decision not to partner with PH in Johor, saying the election is to win the voters’ mandate again.

videocam
The Philippines

Philippine Senate power struggle veers towards crisis after Estrada arrest

The arrest has left rival blocs short of the numbers needed to act ahead of the vice-president’s impeachment trial.

videocam
The Philippines

Philippines’ Marcos gets worst rating of his presidency so far. Here’s why

A net satisfaction rating of minus 15 marks the worst showing of Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s presidency so far.

5
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr at a press conference in Tokyo on Thursday. Photo: Kyodo
South Korea

US general’s ‘dagger’ remark tests South Korea’s China balancing act

A top commander’s blunt remark spotlights a fundamental disagreement over the true purpose of the 28,500 US troops based in South Korea.

11
General Xavier T. Brunson speaks at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, in 2024. Photo: AFP
General Xavier T. Brunson speaks at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, in 2024. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Why oil-hungry Asia ignores risks linked to Russia’s ‘dark fleet’

Asia prioritises fuel needs over security risks from Russian oil to survive the energy crisis, despite sanctions and diplomatic dilemmas.

videocam
7
Japan

Is UK a ‘reliable partner’? Fighter jet delays test Japan’s patience

Tokyo is concerned as its ageing fighters need to be replaced and the project lacks a clear development plan and schedule, analysts say.

17
Malaysia

Snap polls in Malaysia’s Johor set up clash between Anwar’s ruling allies

The state contest is set to pit federal partners PH and BN against each other despite their power-sharing pact in Putrajaya.

videocam
An Umno flag outside the party’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur in July 2021. Johor, Umno’s birthplace and a traditional Barisan Nasional stronghold, will hold a state election within 60 days after its legislature was dissolved on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW