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This Week in Asia /

Politics

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Asean
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A Syrian rebel fighter stands at an inspection checkpoint for incoming vehicles before a Russian flag and Russian soldiers behind manning the entrance of the Russian-leased Syrian military base of Hmeimim in Latakia province in Syria in 2024. Photo: TNS
Saudi Arabia

Russia’s role in Middle East politics endures, shifts to being ‘secondary power’

Two Russian military bases will remain in Syria as the region continues to recalibrate its relations with major powers amid the Iran war.

Malaysia

How Southeast Asia’s monarchies stay relevant in a volatile region

Indonesia

Why Prabowo’s change in tone might not signal a change in Indonesia’s course

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The Philippines

Philippines’ Marcos sees progress on China oil deal despite maritime row

The president also confirms for the first time a ‘provisional understanding’ with China over the resupply of WWII warship Sierra Madre.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr speaks at a Foreign Correspondents’ Association of the Philippines forum on Friday. Photo: AFP
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr speaks at a Foreign Correspondents’ Association of the Philippines forum on Friday. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Will disbarment of Singapore’s Pritam Singh further dent his political standing?

Singaporeans have largely moved on from the long-running saga involving the WP chief due to ‘political fatigue’, analysts say.

Myanmar

UN atrocity report adds friction to Myanmar junta’s push for legitimacy

The report says abuses escalated around the time Myanmar was conducting junta-led elections that saw Min Aung Hlaing elected as president.

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South Korea

South Korea’s moon landing, quantum chips: Seoul bets big on post-AI economy

The country has identified seven next-generation industries, including nuclear fusion and small modular reactors, to stem sluggish growth potential.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung views a container vessel model equipped with a small modular reactor at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: EPA/Yonhap
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung views a container vessel model equipped with a small modular reactor at the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Wednesday. Photo: EPA/Yonhap
Malaysia

PAS’ latest sharia law push signals its Malaysian federal power ambition

The move aims to signal to Malay voters that PAS is committed to Islamic values ahead of the next general election, analysts say.

Vietnam

Vietnam’s warship project signals modernisation, bamboo diplomacy balance

As Hanoi seeks to build its defence manufacturing capabilities with the frigate, it is likely to remain dependent on foreign know-how.

Thailand

Why Thailand is eyeing BrahMos missiles to boost maritime defence

Analysts say BrahMos could boost Thailand’s deterrence at sea and give it more options as tensions with Cambodia persist.

Indian-Russian BrahMos cruise missiles are on display at the International Maritime Defence Show Fleet-2026 in Kronstadt, outside St. Petersburg, Russia, in June. Photo: EPA
India

Why India is eyeing France’s fighter jet project for future air warfare

The move could boost strategic cooperation with France and ensure India has a credible sixth-generation fighter jet option, analysts say.

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Visitors watch the unveiling ceremony of the full-scale jet fighter model of the Systeme de Combat Aerien Futur, the French-German-Spanish next-generation Future Combat Air System (FCAS) at an air show near Paris in June 2019. Photo: AFP
Visitors watch the unveiling ceremony of the full-scale jet fighter model of the Systeme de Combat Aerien Futur, the French-German-Spanish next-generation Future Combat Air System (FCAS) at an air show near Paris in June 2019. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Will Philippines win race to secure Pax Silica hub before neighbours do?

Top diplomat warns Manila risks losing out on the opportunity if it ‘drops the ball’, even as environmental and sovereignty concerns grow.

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Malaysia

Veteran Malaysian MP quits Anwar’s party over ‘toxic politics’

Wong Chen, a three-term MP who had spent nearly 20 years in PKR, says he is joining Rafizi Ramli’s Bersama to ‘defend democracy’.

North Korea

North Korea missile launch hints at upgraded weapons exports to Russia

North Korea usually reports launches but its silence in the recent tests raises the possibility they involved a top-secret new missile.

People in Seoul watch a news broadcast about a North Korean missile launch on Wednesday. Photo: EPA
Indonesia

Showdown in Solo: the new front in Indonesia’s Jokowi-Megawati feud

Analysts say the 2029 parliamentary bid will test whether Widodo can convert his personal popularity into lasting family influence.

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Indonesian President Joko Widodo (right) and Megawati Sukarnoputri in April 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (right) and Megawati Sukarnoputri in April 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE
Vietnam

Vietnam’s To Lam eyes trade, defence boost during trip to Australia, New Zealand

China’s actions in the South China Sea will be discussed but unlikely to be explicitly condemned, observers say.

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India

‘Islamic Nato’? Why Pakistan’s new defence pact has India on edge

Analysts say the pact could evolve into a broader ideological military bloc that could extend its influence to the Indian Ocean region.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar slams ‘political drama’ over Tabung Haji debate walkout

Opposition lawmakers had asked for the special session on the pilgrimage savings fund to be postponed until the prime minister’s return.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends a plenary session of the Russia-Asean Summit on June 18. Photo: EPA
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends a plenary session of the Russia-Asean Summit on June 18. Photo: EPA
India

Can India and China rally Brics to ease Strait of Hormuz tensions?

Analysts say a unified Brics could support Oman-led talks for a resolution and provide an alternative to US diplomacy.

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South Korea

South Korea aims to criminalise fictional AI porn after man’s acquittal

Lawmakers move to close a legal loophole by proposing a bill criminalising virtual porn of fictional characters.

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Asean

US swaps ideology for ‘flexible realism’ and deterrence in Southeast Asia

Pentagon’s Colby urges allies to invest more in defence as Washington prioritises pragmatic Indo-Pacific partnerships over moral values.

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Troops from New Zealand, Philippines, the US and Australia pose with their national flags after taking part in live-fire exercises in the Philippines. Photo: Reuters
South Korea

South Korea faces quandary over Ukraine’s air defence system request

If South Korea were to agree to Zelensky’s request, it could further strain ties with Russia and impair its own defence, analysts say.

The KM-SAM Cheongung missile system on display during the Seoul International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition in Seongnam last year. Photo: AFP
The KM-SAM Cheongung missile system on display during the Seoul International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition in Seongnam last year. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

As US marks 75 years of defence pact with Philippines, can it stay the course?

Despite increased drills between the two allies, there are concerns that Washington’s aversion to conflict could weaken its commitment.

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Saudi Arabia

How Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan pact acts as ‘insurance’ over US disengagement

The Mecca deal may emerge as a third geopolitical ‘centre of gravity’ in the Middle East, with more members joining, analysts say.

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India-Pakistan tensions

Maldives’ plea to restart South Asian bloc hits India-Pakistan brick wall

Calls for reviving Saarc are likely to fall on deaf ears as long as the two neighbours are at loggerheads, analysts say.

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Pakistani hardline organisation Jamaat-ud-Dawa supporters burn a poster of then Indian home minister Rajnath Singh as he arrives in Lahore for a Saarc summit in Lahore on August 3, 2016. Photo: AFP
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