This Week in Asia /
Politics
Related Topics:
Asean
South China Sea
the Asian angle
2025 Cambodia-Thailand conflict
Russia denies citizens are fighting for Cambodia in border war with Thailand
The Russian embassy in Cambodia says the false assertions could jeopardise Moscow-Bangkok ties and its citizens’ safety in Thailand.
4 hours ago
videocam
The Philippines
Is Philippines being unfairly named in Australia’s Bondi Beach shooting?
2 hours ago
videocam
Myanmar
Are Myanmar hospital air strikes a bid to ‘intimidate’ voters ahead of poll?
2 hours ago
videocam
South Korea
South Korea’s top court seeks to restore trust after martial law controversy
The changes target high-stakes national security cases amid mounting criticism over delays and alleged bias.
4 hours ago
videocam
South Korea’s Constitutional Court justices attend a hearing in Seoul on Thursday to deliver a verdict on the impeachment of former police chief Cho Ji-ho over his role in former president Yoon Suk-yeol’s failed martial law bid. Photo: EPA
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’.
18 Dec 2025 - 10:12PM
24
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
videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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
Hasnat Abdullah (centre), a leader of the National Citizen Party, speaking at a rally in Dhaka on Saturday. Photo: EPA
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
videocam
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
videocam
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
videocam
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
videocam
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
videocam
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
videocam
7
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
videocam
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
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
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
videocam
Yoon Suk-yeol speaks in Seoul on March 10, 2022, shortly after winning that month’s presidential election. Photo: Xinhua
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
videocam
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
videocam
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
19
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
videocam
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
videocam
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
10
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
videocam
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
