This Week in Asia /
Politics
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Asean
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the Asian angle
The Philippines
Philippines to get up to US$3.5 billion defence aid to counter ‘serious threats’
A US senator says the support for Manila and other allies reflects the threats posed by China and its partners in the ‘axis of aggressors’.
4 hours ago
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Japan
Steppe in the right direction? ‘Japan is back’ in Central Asia with new summit
18 Dec 2025 - 5:41PM
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Bangladesh
Bangladeshi politician’s threat targeting India’s northeast deepens row
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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Soldiers from the Armour Division operate the Cobra system during a demonstration in Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac on Thursday. Photo: Philippine Army
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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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
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks at an investment conference in Kuala Lumpur in October. His new cabinet will be sworn in on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
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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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
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (left) and army chief Syed Asim Munir (right) meet US President Donald Trump in Washington in September. Photo: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Office/AFP
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
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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Mothers wait for their babies to receive a malaria vaccine in Malawi in 2019. Japan has slashed funding to a global health agency fighting infectious diseases. Photo: AFP
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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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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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to the media in Tokyo on Monday. Photo: Kyodo/Reuters
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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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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(Left to right) US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and UK Defence Secretary John Healey speaking to the media following their meeting to discuss Aukus in Washington on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
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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Thailand
Thai PM says he will return ‘power to the people’, setting stage for election
Thailand’s military said the coming election would not affect its operations against Cambodia amid a renewed border conflict.
12 Dec 2025 - 5:44PM
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India
Are India and Bangladesh sidestepping Hasina’s exile to improve frayed ties?
A national security bilateral meeting and Narendra Modi’s message of support for Khaleda Zia signal that ties are on the mend.
12 Dec 2025 - 6:03PM
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