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This Week in Asia /
Politics
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Asean
South China Sea
the Asian angle
Cambodia
Battered Cambodia seeks economic reset after Thailand border war
Shuttered borders have choked trade and sent migrant workers home, forcing Phnom Penh to seek new partners and markets.
17 Feb 2026 - 3:23PM
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Japan
Okinawa voters shift away from concerns over US military presence
17 Feb 2026 - 11:05AM
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North Korea
‘Heroic era’: why North Korea’s Kim is lauding Ukraine war sacrifices
17 Feb 2026 - 8:00AM
The Philippines
ICC naming of Duterte’s allies sharpens Philippines’ political fault lines
Senators Ronald dela Rosa and Christopher Go named as alleged ‘co-perpetrators’ in the former president’s crimes against humanity case.
16 Feb 2026 - 9:22PM
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Philippines’ Rodrigo Duterte (left) listening to Ronald Dela Rosa, then director general of the Philippine National Police, during a press conference at the Malacanang palace in Manila in 2017. Photo: AFP
Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s outreach to India ‘a good beginning’ for easing strained ties
Dhaka’s invitation to attend the swearing-in and Modi’s message of support show both sides are ready to turn the page, analysts say.
16 Feb 2026 - 6:00PM
Malaysia
Probe into anti-corruption chief revives doubts about Malaysia’s reform drive
The government has ordered an investigation as critics question whether oversight mechanisms are strong enough.
16 Feb 2026 - 4:50PM
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Indonesia
Crude business for Indonesia amid West’s squeeze on Russian oil
Analysts say Indonesia’s energy demand could draw scrutiny as Moscow seeks new buyers, potentially complicating US trade talks.
16 Feb 2026 - 2:58PM
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A Pertamina worker climbs on a gauge at a crude oil well on Bunyu island in Indonesia’s East Kalimantan province. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia
Why Indonesia’s US$1.67 billion China-backed dam is in limbo
Even energy regulators were kept in the dark about the abrupt crackdown that has spooked renewables investors.
16 Feb 2026 - 8:00AM
Indonesia
Indonesians weigh peril and promise of Jakarta – the world’s most populous city
Extreme heat, floods, pollution, congested traffic and a tough job market are some of the major challenges faced by the city’s residents.
15 Feb 2026 - 2:00PM
New Zealand
New Zealand catches flak for ‘secret’ US critical minerals talks
Opposition parties accuse the ruling coalition of keeping voters in the dark, fearing a fast track to environmental damage.
15 Feb 2026 - 11:00AM
South Korea
Why do South Korea’s Hallyu heroes find taxes so … taxing?
As K-culture conquers the world, its wealthy stars keep falling foul of a tax system ‘that has not yet fully caught up’.
15 Feb 2026 - 8:00AM
South Korean actor Kim Seon-ho stars in the Netflix series “Can This Love Be Translated?”. Photo: No Ju-han/Netflix
Japan
Japan explores German silent cargo gliders to resupply remote islands
The HADIS system can deliver cargo of up to 500kg over a range of 120km and safeguard transport aircraft during resupply operations.
14 Feb 2026 - 2:39PM
Bangladesh
Bangladesh’s BNP set to balance ties with powers to avoid crossing ‘red line’
The party will focus on economic growth after the election while fostering cordial ties with India, Pakistan, China and the US, analysts say.
13 Feb 2026 - 7:08PM
Indonesia
They called Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ neocolonialism. Now they’re thinking twice
Several Muslim groups have previously opposed Prabowo’s decision to join the board, fearing it would serve US and Israeli interests.
13 Feb 2026 - 6:12PM
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North Korea
Why Takaichi’s landslide victory in Japan has North Korea on edge
North Korea has accused Japan of resurrecting its wartime ambitions by expanding its defence and pursuing security alliances.
13 Feb 2026 - 5:53PM
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Military personnel hold national flags of Japan and the US during a Japan Ground Self-Defence Force training at Camp Narashino, near Tokyo, on January 11. Photo: EPA
China-Philippines relations
Amid Chinese embassy row, Philippines eyes boosting Spratlys population
Filipino leaders from Kalayaan and Chinese embassy officials in Manila have clashed over entry bans for personnel on either side.
12 Feb 2026 - 8:00PM
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US-Iran tensions
The US dropped proposal of Iran regime change. Could a nuclear deal be next?
Both sides appear amenable to a deal limiting some of Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities after last week’s diplomatic re-establishment.
12 Feb 2026 - 5:16PM
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Japan
A doomed experiment? Japan’s opposition struggles to regroup amid crushing loss
A 124-seat collapse has left the Centrist Reform Alliance in tatters, with observers calling the defeat a ‘debacle of epic proportions’.
12 Feb 2026 - 5:25PM
Yoshihiko Noda (left) and Tetsuo Saito announce their resignation as co-leaders of the opposition Centrist Reform Alliance at a press conference in Tokyo on Monday. Photo: Xinhua
The Philippines
Leaked letter spotlights Philippines’ South China Sea tug of war
The letter by Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro warns against public exchanges that could narrow the country’s ‘diplomatic space’.
11 Feb 2026 - 9:55PM
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Malaysia
Malaysia courts US to climb critical minerals value chain, keeps raw export ban
Analysts say Kuala Lumpur wants US capital and technology without being drawn into the US-China minerals rivalry.
11 Feb 2026 - 9:33PM
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Thailand
Vote recount calls grow in Thailand amid claims of election irregularities
The People’s Party, among others, cites ‘clear evidence of irregularities during the tallying process’, including vote-buying and tampering.
11 Feb 2026 - 5:30PM
Malaysia
In Malaysia, civil war erupts between key opposition leaders ahead of poll
Bersatu, a party in the PN alliance, is riven by a succession fight between its two top leaders ahead of the next general election.
11 Feb 2026 - 5:43PM
A woman casts her ballot during Malaysia’s 2022 general election in Bera, Pahang. Photo: Reuters
Japan
Japan’s wage squeeze undermines Takaichi’s ‘trickle down’ plans
Fresh labour ministry figures show the cost of living crisis is deepening, as inflation continues to outpace salary increases for workers.
11 Feb 2026 - 7:25PM
South Korea
What Takaichi’s landslide victory could mean for Japan-South Korea ties
Japan’s conservative tilt has revived South Korean concerns of more nationalist policies that could reopen historical and security wounds.
11 Feb 2026 - 5:59PM
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Cambodia
What US lifting of arms embargo on Cambodia means for defence ties
Analysts say Cambodia is likely to make only modest US arms purchases given its limited budget, and rely on Chinese weaponry for now.
10 Feb 2026 - 7:07PM
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