https://www.scmp.com/rss/323046/feed Keep up to date with the latest developments in Asian politics, with news and analysis of the meaning behind the policies en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji Former Bangladeshi prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s plan to return from exile in India could fuel renewed unrest and test Dhaka’s ability to maintain stability and pursue national reconciliation, analysts have warned. The prospect of her return has raised questions about how Prime Minister Tarique Rahman would handle a potential confrontation between supporters of Hasina’s Awami League and those who backed the student-led uprising that toppled her government in 2024. Tensions have intensified... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3374108/sheikh-hasinas-plan-return-bangladesh-fuels-fears-renewed-unrest https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3374108/sheikh-hasinas-plan-return-bangladesh-fuels-fears-renewed-unrest Wed, 11 Nov 2026 12:39:44 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju In the space of just two months, India’s navy has held joint exercises off the coasts of Britain, France, South Africa, Oman, the Philippines, South Korea, Japan and Russia’s far east. Such a run of exercises signals a bid for a larger maritime role on the world stage, analysts say. Yet it also raises questions about whether a navy currently short on submarines and struggling to expand can support such global ambitions while also guarding India’s home waters. Since mid-September, over a span of... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3374035/11-drills-60-days-indias-navy-stretched-too-thin https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3374035/11-drills-60-days-indias-navy-stretched-too-thin Wed, 11 Nov 2026 08:00:40 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof Malaysia is seeking to reassure Taiwanese investors that it remains a reliable destination for hi-tech manufacturing after Taipei suspended bilateral investment talks over Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks on China, raising concerns over the future of semiconductor investments in the Southeast Asian nation. Taiwan confirmed on Tuesday that it had paused negotiations scheduled for late October. The move came after Anwar told Al Jazeera in an August interview that he saw the self-governed... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3374042/taiwan-pauses-malaysia-investment-talks-after-anwar-remarks-spark-fury-taipei https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3374042/taiwan-pauses-malaysia-investment-talks-after-anwar-remarks-spark-fury-taipei Wed, 11 Nov 2026 07:13:56 +0000 Johannes Nugroho Johannes Nugroho Indonesia’s Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has resigned, three political sources told Reuters on Wednesday, setting the stage for a potential political shake-up as President Prabowo Subianto faces the prospect of choosing a successor amid competing interests within his governing coalition. The departure of Gibran, 39, the eldest son of former president Joko Widodo, comes amid mounting pressure over the authenticity of his academic qualifications and a widening rift between Prabowo and his... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3374034/indonesian-vp-resignation-drama-raises-stakes-prabowo-alliances-strain https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3374034/indonesian-vp-resignation-drama-raises-stakes-prabowo-alliances-strain Wed, 11 Nov 2026 06:19:51 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran The Philippine foreign affairs department’s rare rebuke of officials and agencies over anti-China rhetoric could signal Manila’s bid to rein in tensions ahead of the Asean summit next week – but also internal disagreements over strategy, according to analysts. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday said public criticism of China could undermine diplomatic efforts. “In high-stakes diplomacy, a disciplined and coherent national voice remains essential to advancing our national... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3374030/why-philippines-muzzling-anti-china-rhetoric-ahead-crucial-asean-talks https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3374030/why-philippines-muzzling-anti-china-rhetoric-ahead-crucial-asean-talks Wed, 11 Nov 2026 06:11:44 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji Thousands of Indian soldiers who would otherwise have left the military after four years will now be kept on, in a major rethink of the controversial Agnipath recruitment model, as analysts say New Delhi is grappling with persistent manpower shortages and security concerns along its borders with China and Pakistan. Under revisions approved by the federal cabinet on November 4, the 75 per cent of Agnipath (“Path of Fire”) recruits previously set to leave after four years will receive a two-year... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373965/india-moves-retain-military-recruits-amid-border-risks-and-troop-gaps https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373965/india-moves-retain-military-recruits-amid-border-risks-and-troop-gaps Wed, 11 Nov 2026 02:30:29 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall China’s growing naval presence in the waters between Japan and South Korea could give the two neighbours a new incentive to overcome long-standing historical tensions and strengthen security cooperation, according to analysts. A reported sharp increase in Chinese warships and coastguard vessels passing through the strait that separates the two countries, some operating alongside Russian forces, has raised concerns about Beijing’s expanding maritime reach. The strait, which links the East China... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373971/will-chinas-maritime-moves-push-japan-and-south-korea-closer-together https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373971/will-chinas-maritime-moves-push-japan-and-south-korea-closer-together Wed, 11 Nov 2026 00:00:16 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr’s administration has been accused of trying to conceal Manila’s urban poverty by clearing street vendors and homeless people along key routes ahead of next week’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit. Antonio Tinio, deputy minority floor leader of the House of Representatives representing the ACT Teachers Party List, claimed on Monday that authorities had launched operations to displace poor communities across the capital to present a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373978/philippines-marcos-accused-hiding-manilas-poor-behind-art-asean-summit https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373978/philippines-marcos-accused-hiding-manilas-poor-behind-art-asean-summit Tue, 10 Nov 2026 12:19:53 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran US President Donald Trump has conceded that his mass deportation drive may have been “too tough” after his Republican Party’s heavy losses in the midterm elections, but analysts doubt the remark signals a change of policy. Asian-Americans, who were among the communities heavily targeted in the immigration crackdown, swung sharply towards the Democrats on November 3. Trump made the comment in an interview with CBS’ 60 Minutes programme, recorded after the vote. Democrats won control of both... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373906/asian-americans-rejected-trumps-ice-raids-will-anything-change https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373906/asian-americans-rejected-trumps-ice-raids-will-anything-change Tue, 10 Nov 2026 11:00:06 +0000 Park Chan-kyong Park Chan-kyong South Korea is facing growing concerns over the fallout from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang’s alleged affair with a woman suspected of being a Chinese spy, amid fears that the scandal could disrupt global AI supply chains and trigger tighter US export controls on Seoul’s semiconductor champions. The highly publicised “bromance” between Huang and South Korea’s top technology leaders – notably Samsung Electronics executive chairman Lee Jae-yong and SK Group chairman Chey Tae-won – has played a crucial... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373911/nvidias-jensen-huang-scandal-casts-shadow-over-south-koreas-chip-bromance https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373911/nvidias-jensen-huang-scandal-casts-shadow-over-south-koreas-chip-bromance Tue, 10 Nov 2026 09:00:17 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow Vietnam’s To Lam is expected to use his visit to Japan this week to expand trade and investment options with Tokyo, especially in technology, amid continued uncertainty surrounding America’s future policy direction. After talks with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Monday, the two leaders pledged to speed up public-private cooperation on critical minerals, with a joint statement calling economic security a top priority in bilateral relations and promising deeper cooperation on... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373880/why-vietnams-lam-japan-ai-chips-and-nuclear-power https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373880/why-vietnams-lam-japan-ai-chips-and-nuclear-power Tue, 10 Nov 2026 04:12:23 +0000 Kolette Lim Kolette Lim A little-known Singapore-registered company is embroiled in a mounting love scandal surrounding Nvidia chief Jensen Huang and US allegations of Chinese espionage. Huang’s admission of an extramarital affair has renewed scrutiny of Megaspeed, after media reports identified a former executive of the Singapore firm as the woman involved in the relationship, which US officials suspect was linked to Chinese espionage. Megaspeed, a major Nvidia customer, is believed to have been founded and led by... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373840/singapore-firm-megaspeed-back-spotlight-over-nvidia-scandal-china-chip-allegations https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373840/singapore-firm-megaspeed-back-spotlight-over-nvidia-scandal-china-chip-allegations Mon, 09 Nov 2026 14:22:23 +0000 SCMP SCMP We have put together stories from our coverage last weekend to help you stay informed about news across Asia and beyond. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Chinese engineers reduce cargo ship fuel use by 5% with high-speed torpedo tech 2. India questions US ‘double standards’ as Pakistan secures F-16 upgrade deal 3. Will China’s slow and steady moon landing plan be a safer bet than the US’? 4. Defects at Hong Kong MTR station ‘unimaginable’,... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3373731/chinas-torpedo-tech-defects-hong-kong-mtr-station-5-weekend-reads-you-missed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3373731/chinas-torpedo-tech-defects-hong-kong-mtr-station-5-weekend-reads-you-missed Mon, 09 Nov 2026 04:29:44 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran The Philippines wants to buy more of India’s BrahMos missiles and have them adapted to its terrain, in a move analysts say signals Manila’s search for alternative arms suppliers as the US remains entangled in its Middle East conflict. Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr told a security summit in New Delhi last week that his country hoped to expand on its 2022 purchase of the supersonic cruise missile arsenal to strengthen its external deterrence. Indian sources later told Reuters... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373650/philippines-seeks-bespoke-brahmos-missiles-india-island-defence https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373650/philippines-seeks-bespoke-brahmos-missiles-india-island-defence Mon, 09 Nov 2026 01:13:51 +0000 Aisyah Llewellyn Aisyah Llewellyn Indonesia has not executed anyone for over a decade, with its new Criminal Code designed to make capital punishment a “last resort” – yet the number of prisoners on death row continues to climb. A new report on the persistent use of capital punishment by the country’s courts has raised questions about such rulings, handed down despite an unofficial moratorium on executions. There were 639 people on death row as of April this year, an increase from 596 as of August 2025, according to a report by... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373601/why-indonesias-death-penalty-lives-even-executions-dwindle https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373601/why-indonesias-death-penalty-lives-even-executions-dwindle Mon, 09 Nov 2026 00:00:38 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji Washington’s decision to upgrade Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets has drawn accusations of double standards from critics in India, who question why the United States is strengthening a nuclear-armed ally while waging war against Iran over its nuclear programme. Although the US$686 million military modernisation package does not include nuclear weapons, analysts say that improvements to the fighter jets’ navigation, communications and survivability could boost Pakistan’s existing nuclear strike... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373584/india-questions-us-double-standards-pakistan-secures-f-16-upgrade-deal https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373584/india-questions-us-double-standards-pakistan-secures-f-16-upgrade-deal Sun, 08 Nov 2026 08:00:36 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow Myanmar’s military-backed government may find its reluctance to address the international community’s concerns a greater obstacle to economic recovery than the threat of tougher international financial restrictions, according to analysts. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global money-laundering and terrorist-financing watchdog, warned on October 30 that it could consider further measures against Myanmar if it failed to remedy shortcomings in its financial safeguards by... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373586/myanmars-will-fight-money-laundering-questioned-tougher-curbs-loom https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373586/myanmars-will-fight-money-laundering-questioned-tougher-curbs-loom Sat, 07 Nov 2026 02:00:27 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall Russia’s seizure of the assets of a Japanese company could prove to be Tokyo’s red line after a series of bitter exchanges between both nations and ties that continue to spiral. The Japanese government on Friday lodged a formal complaint with Russia and demanded that Moscow immediately reverse a decree announced the previous day that transferred the assets of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) to Russian control. Analysts say the decree, signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is likely a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373624/russias-seizure-japan-tobacco-assets-last-straw-tokyo-amid-frosty-ties https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373624/russias-seizure-japan-tobacco-assets-last-straw-tokyo-amid-frosty-ties Sat, 07 Nov 2026 01:00:16 +0000 Aidan Jones,Biman Mukherji,Junaid Kathju,Sam Beltran,Iman Muttaqin Yusof Aidan Jones,Biman Mukherji,Junaid Kathju,Sam Beltran,Iman Muttaqin Yusof All across Asia, anti-establishment protests have been flaring up, led by a generation that came of age in the digital era. Memes are mobilising a young, permanently online cohort against specific government policies, insults and injustices – its many members determined to seize their own destinies before the future they fear takes root. Asia is home to 60 per cent of the world’s adolescents and young people, or some 1 billion in total, according to UN estimates. Gen Z, roughly defined as those... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373473/all-memes-why-asias-gen-z-are-revolting https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373473/all-memes-why-asias-gen-z-are-revolting Sat, 07 Nov 2026 00:00:14 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran A massive data breach that affected several airlines across Asia has underscored the need for industries in the region to revisit their reliance on third-party suppliers, analysts have said, warning that more critical infrastructure may soon be affected. Last week, a wave of airlines reported that customer information was accessed in a data security breach involving Spanish software provider Amadeus. Several of these breaches involved information found in booking details, including flight data,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373605/whats-next-after-airlines-asia-data-breach-raises-wider-cyber-fears https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373605/whats-next-after-airlines-asia-data-breach-raises-wider-cyber-fears Fri, 06 Nov 2026 14:30:38 +0000 Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar A growing push among Indonesian lawmakers to investigate Vice-President Gibran Rakabuming Raka’s academic credentials is raising questions about the influence of his father, former leader Joko Widodo, as signs of a rift within the country’s ruling elite grow. The challenge comes from within President Prabowo Subianto’s own coalition, underscoring how the political alliance that helped propel him to power in 2024 may be unravelling, analysts have said. It also follows the arrest of a prominent... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373579/signs-prabowo-widodo-rift-grow-indonesian-lawmakers-target-vp-gibrans-credentials https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373579/signs-prabowo-widodo-rift-grow-indonesian-lawmakers-target-vp-gibrans-credentials Fri, 06 Nov 2026 11:25:36 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran The Democratic Party’s sweep of both houses of the US Congress could stabilise Washington’s commitment to the Philippines, bringing relief to allies rattled by President Donald Trump’s Iran war and his shifting foreign policy. Analysts expect bipartisan support for Manila to endure, with Democratic oversight set to rein in Trump’s unpredictability. But they warn that Washington could still turn inward to deal with domestic challenges, diverting attention from the Indo-Pacific. The rebuke of... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373523/why-democratic-congress-may-enhance-us-philippines-alliance-pivot-asia https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373523/why-democratic-congress-may-enhance-us-philippines-alliance-pivot-asia Fri, 06 Nov 2026 07:12:47 +0000 Jim Au Yeung Jim Au Yeung An EU funding crunch is threatening to stifle the bloc’s ambitions to expand its influence in Southeast Asia, as Brussels grapples with a budget deadlock that could slow infrastructure investments across the fast-growing region. The funding squeeze could hinder the green transition and regional connectivity goals of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, even as Brussels seeks greater strategic autonomy amid competition with Beijing’s economic clout. Analysts expect the European Union to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373510/eus-southeast-asia-push-hits-funding-crunch-china-widens-lead https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373510/eus-southeast-asia-push-hits-funding-crunch-china-widens-lead Fri, 06 Nov 2026 06:30:22 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof Malaysia’s disgraced former prime minister Najib Razak moved closer to house arrest after Umno on Friday paid a 50 million ringgit (US$12.3 million) fine required under the terms of his royal pardon. The clemency granted by King Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar in September allows Najib to serve the remainder of his sentence under house arrest until August 2028, after more than four years behind bars for corruption linked to the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund. Despite the payment, Najib has not been... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373504/malaysias-najib-closer-house-arrest-umno-pays-us123-million-fine https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373504/malaysias-najib-closer-house-arrest-umno-pays-us123-million-fine Fri, 06 Nov 2026 05:25:59 +0000 Tom Hussain Tom Hussain The close defence relationship between the United States and Israel is set to be restructured over the coming two years, with billions of dollars in direct annual military aid being phased out in favour of joint weapons technology programmes. US President Donald Trump shocked Israelis and Americans alike on Tuesday by suddenly announcing that the roughly US$4 billion a year in direct military funding Israel received from Washington would be cut off by the end of the year. Speaking to Fox News on... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373487/trumps-israel-aid-cut-reveals-push-trade-grants-tech-cooperation https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373487/trumps-israel-aid-cut-reveals-push-trade-grants-tech-cooperation Fri, 06 Nov 2026 05:00:29 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof Malaysia’s Sarawak will hold a state election on December 12 as the incumbent government seeks a fresh mandate to press demands over autonomy and control of the territory’s natural resources. The filing of nominations will begin on November 28 and early voting will be on December 8, Election Commission chairman Ramlan Harun told reporters on Friday. The 14-day election campaign involving more than 2.05 million eligible voters choosing 82 members will end on December 11, the commission said in a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373494/malaysias-sarawak-locks-election-date-amid-autonomy-resource-control-push https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373494/malaysias-sarawak-locks-election-date-amid-autonomy-resource-control-push Fri, 06 Nov 2026 04:41:08 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall Japan’s growing strategic partnership with Vietnam is putting Tokyo’s commitment to a rules-based regional order under scrutiny, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi faces calls to press Hanoi over its failure to honour labour rights commitments. The issue is expected to surface during Vietnamese President To Lam’s four-day visit to Tokyo from Sunday, raising questions about how far Japan is prepared to defend the principles underpinning a major Pacific trade agreement when its economic and security... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373470/growing-vietnam-ties-test-japans-commitment-rules-based-regional-order https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373470/growing-vietnam-ties-test-japans-commitment-rules-based-regional-order Fri, 06 Nov 2026 04:00:12 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles A road project with coordinates pointing to Nigeria. A government building apparently located in the Sahara Desert. Another road mapped to a sea near Brunei. These are among the unlikely locations listed for infrastructure projects in the Philippines’ proposed 2027 national budget, according to independent watchdogs that have discovered the discrepancies, highlighting problems with government transparency and accountability. Their scrutiny of Manila’s proposed 7.2 trillion pesos (US$114 billion)... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373450/philippines-project-budget-allocations-spur-accusations-pork-barrel-politics https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373450/philippines-project-budget-allocations-spur-accusations-pork-barrel-politics Fri, 06 Nov 2026 02:30:08 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran Vietnam’s growing nuclear partnership with Russia could help Hanoi gain the expertise needed to fuel its ambitious nuclear programme amid doubts over Western sanctions against Moscow and financing challenges complicating the plans. The Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (Vinatom) and a subsidiary of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom, which is leading the development of the MBIR International Research Centre, announced on Tuesday that they had signed a memorandum of understanding to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373424/vietnam-seeks-russias-help-its-nuclear-ambition-will-sanctions-stall-it https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373424/vietnam-seeks-russias-help-its-nuclear-ambition-will-sanctions-stall-it Thu, 05 Nov 2026 10:59:48 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk The Philippines on Thursday voiced optimism that the Democratic Party’s resounding midterm election win would prompt the United States to adopt “a different approach” to President Donald Trump’s hardening immigration crackdown that has ensnared many Filipinos. Trump’s Republican Party was routed in Tuesday’s polls, with the Democrats taking control of both houses of the US Congress and gaining legislative power to check his policies. The drubbing has given hope to Jose Manuel Romualdez, Manila’s... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373374/philippine-envoy-says-us-immigration-detention-rules-may-change-after-midterms https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373374/philippine-envoy-says-us-immigration-detention-rules-may-change-after-midterms Thu, 05 Nov 2026 07:49:13 +0000 Park Chan-kyong Park Chan-kyong North Korea is bracing for a prolonged confrontation with the United States, analysts say, after sweeping Democratic gains in the US midterm elections diminished the likelihood of renewed diplomacy between Kim Jong-un and President Donald Trump. As Americans cast their ballots on Tuesday, Pyongyang test-fired a new surface-to-air missile system and carried out a strike drill with long-range strategic cruise missiles early on Wednesday, Korean time – its fourth weapons test in a week. The... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373364/north-korea-digs-us-stand-democratic-midterm-wins-dim-summit-hopes https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373364/north-korea-digs-us-stand-democratic-midterm-wins-dim-summit-hopes Thu, 05 Nov 2026 07:15:57 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow Cost of living issues are set to dominate Saturday’s election in New Zealand, but the outcome may also determine whether Wellington maintains its cautious approach to US President Donald Trump or pursues a more independent foreign policy. With the major parties locked in a close contest ahead of the vote, analysts say the next government’s defence priorities and its approach to Washington are likely to hinge on the minor coalition partners. Robert Patman, a professor of international relations... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373324/will-new-zealands-election-reshape-its-softly-softly-approach-trump https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373324/will-new-zealands-election-reshape-its-softly-softly-approach-trump Thu, 05 Nov 2026 02:30:08 +0000 Park Chan-kyong Park Chan-kyong South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s push for a centralised cybersecurity agency risks hitting a wall of indifference, despite his insistence that the move is a national security priority following a leak of his passport details. Tech experts warn that creating a new organisation will do little to address the deeper problem of complacency on its own, with businesses and government agencies viewing tighter cybersecurity as an unnecessary expense until a serious breach occurs. Lee’s proposal... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373305/south-korea-wants-cyber-tsar-can-it-beat-complacency https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373305/south-korea-wants-cyber-tsar-can-it-beat-complacency Thu, 05 Nov 2026 00:00:18 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk A senior Indonesian diplomat said on Wednesday that dialogue “must not stop” among Asean members, amid a diplomatic row between Jakarta and Singapore over transboundary haze. Ties between the Southeast Asian neighbours have been tense after wildfires in Indonesia blanketed the city state in toxic smog for months. Complaints from Singapore over the air quality were met with sharp rebukes from Indonesian officials. Despite a visit to Jakarta by Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373287/indonesia-says-asean-diplomacy-must-not-stop-despite-singapore-row https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373287/indonesia-says-asean-diplomacy-must-not-stop-despite-singapore-row Wed, 04 Nov 2026 11:48:32 +0000 Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar Indonesia has called on Russia to stop recruiting its citizens to fight in Ukraine, but the appeal may prove ineffective unless President Prabowo Subianto directly pressures his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the issue, analysts have said. On Sunday, Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Yvonne Mewengkang said: “The Indonesian government asked the Russian government to take all necessary steps to ensure that no Indonesians will be recruited into the Russian military or any... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373271/jakarta-wants-russia-not-recruit-indonesians-its-war-should-prabowo-call-putin https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373271/jakarta-wants-russia-not-recruit-indonesians-its-war-should-prabowo-call-putin Wed, 04 Nov 2026 10:30:06 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday took aim at former UK leader Liz Truss and the thousands of British backpackers flocking to cities like Sydney, as the government seeks to tweak visa rules and ease pressure on the local job market. Truss, who lasted just 49 days in office before being forced to resign in 2022, called the travel arrangement “a major achievement of our trade deal with Australia and hard fought!” “Young Brits no longer have to do farm work as part of their... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373253/australian-pm-albanese-takes-swipe-ex-uk-leader-liz-truss-over-backpacker-visa-rules https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373253/australian-pm-albanese-takes-swipe-ex-uk-leader-liz-truss-over-backpacker-visa-rules Wed, 04 Nov 2026 08:43:50 +0000 Johannes Nugroho Johannes Nugroho In one of the biggest scandals to hit the Indonesian National Police (Polri), President Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday sacked his chief of staff, former national police chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo, after his arrest for allegedly wiretapping the president, cabinet ministers, politicians and journalists. The government raised the stakes on Wednesday when presidential spokesman Prasetyo Hadi addressed reporters in Jakarta, warning that the surveillance could amount to “treason” and endanger state... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373235/indonesias-prabowo-sacks-chief-staff-wiretap-scandal-tests-alliance-widodo https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373235/indonesias-prabowo-sacks-chief-staff-wiretap-scandal-tests-alliance-widodo Wed, 04 Nov 2026 07:02:00 +0000 Maria Siow Maria Siow Kim Jong-un’s powerful sister on Wednesday rejected holding any further talks with the United States, days after the FBI accused North Korea of stealing more than US$6 billion from a cryptocurrency exchange and Washington launched a new round of sanctions aimed at Pyongyang. Analysts say the latest developments have all but killed off the chances of another Trump-Kim summit, despite the US president’s continued warm words for North Korea’s supreme leader and apparent openness to meeting him... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373219/why-north-koreas-kim-sees-no-need-another-trump-photo-op-summit https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373219/why-north-koreas-kim-sees-no-need-another-trump-photo-op-summit Wed, 04 Nov 2026 05:14:56 +0000 Johannes Nugroho Johannes Nugroho A rally organised by Jakarta police to promote national unity has instead raised questions about whether the Indonesian government is using public events to blunt dissent, with questions raised over the identities of some participants after one admitted in a television interview that he had been paid to attend while posing as a university student. The controversy has fuelled criticism of what analysts describe as an intensifying effort to drown out opposing voices, while drawing attention to the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373133/fake-students-indonesia-police-rally-raise-questions-over-efforts-counter-dissent https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373133/fake-students-indonesia-police-rally-raise-questions-over-efforts-counter-dissent Tue, 03 Nov 2026 09:21:24 +0000 Julian Ryall Julian Ryall A new public opinion poll released on the eve of the US midterm elections indicates that while few Japanese favour President Donald Trump’s policies, most say they wish Japan had a “strong” head of state who could make difficult decisions. Analysts suggest that while many Japanese believe a strong leader will stand up for the nation on the world stage and not shy away from bold policies, this does not mean they want someone with the bombast, showmanship and arrogance associated with... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3373131/japanese-voters-yearn-strong-politician-trump-without-his-showmanship https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3373131/japanese-voters-yearn-strong-politician-trump-without-his-showmanship Tue, 03 Nov 2026 09:15:08 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan Malaysia’s unity government is facing an increasingly uncomfortable test ahead of the Melaka state election, with parties governing together at the federal level reverting to old rivalries as they compete for votes in a contest that could foreshadow shifting alliances before a national poll due by February 2028. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s ruling Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition is under pressure to put on a strong showing against federal partners Umno, which is widely expected to retain power... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373103/melaka-election-tests-malaysias-fragile-unity-government-partners-clash https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373103/melaka-election-tests-malaysias-fragile-unity-government-partners-clash Tue, 03 Nov 2026 08:00:13 +0000 Raissa Robles Raissa Robles The impeachment trial of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio may soon draw to a close after the prosecution decided to drop several of her charges, a move that legal experts have said is intended to speed up the trial and secure a conviction by focusing on the strongest evidence against her. Beyond the trial, the decision could have significant political implications for the 2028 presidential race, with a swift verdict potentially removing a strong candidate, according to analysts. On... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373034/sara-dutertes-impeachment-case-being-sped-due-filipinos-growing-impatience https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3373034/sara-dutertes-impeachment-case-being-sped-due-filipinos-growing-impatience Tue, 03 Nov 2026 02:00:13 +0000 Park Chan-kyong Park Chan-kyong North Korea is rapidly advancing its drone warfare capabilities by drawing lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war, even as South Korea’s efforts to keep pace remain bogged down by procurement delays and bureaucratic red tape, observers warn. They also caution that cryptocurrency theft has become a crucial source of funding for Pyongyang’s weapons programmes, following US Federal Bureau of Investigation allegations that North Korean state-backed hackers stole more than US$6 billion from Binance, the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372988/north-koreas-low-cost-drone-push-exposes-south-koreas-red-tape-trap https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372988/north-koreas-low-cost-drone-push-exposes-south-koreas-red-tape-trap Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:36 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju As India seeks to expand its security cooperation with Southeast Asia by sharing its battle-tested counterterrorism expertise, defence analysts say its experience would only partly meet Asean’s needs given the differences in threat perception and domestic priorities. Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made the offer at the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Cebu on Thursday. Citing Operation Sindoor as an example of India’s counterterrorism capabilities, he offered to share... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372998/why-indias-asean-anti-terrorism-partnership-offer-may-not-be-one-size-fits-all https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372998/why-indias-asean-anti-terrorism-partnership-offer-may-not-be-one-size-fits-all Mon, 02 Nov 2026 09:38:21 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran The Philippines’ military modernisation drive could offer South Korea an opportunity to transform its role as a major arms supplier into a deeper defence partnership, analysts have said. This prospect gained fresh momentum after Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jnr and his South Korean counterpart, Kang Shin-chul, agreed to deepen cooperation in military modernisation, defence technology and joint training on the sidelines of an Asean security summit in Cebu last week. Teodoro... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372945/how-south-korea-can-play-pivotal-role-philippines-military-modernisation-drive https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372945/how-south-korea-can-play-pivotal-role-philippines-military-modernisation-drive Mon, 02 Nov 2026 05:41:44 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji India’s new high-altitude combat tank was designed to go where its heavier armoured fighting vehicles cannot: the thin mountain air, narrow roads and small bridges along its disputed border with China. In its base configuration, the Zorawar weighs some 25 tonnes – light enough to be flown all the way to the Line of Actual Control – but a push to make it strong enough to withstand high-calibre autocannon fire could add an extra seven tonnes to that loadout. Reports of renewed stand-offs between... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372762/armour-vs-altitude-indias-light-tank-dilemma-along-china-border https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372762/armour-vs-altitude-indias-light-tank-dilemma-along-china-border Sun, 01 Nov 2026 08:00:19 +0000 Tom Hussain Tom Hussain Benjamin Netanyahu’s win in Israel’s election and next week’s US midterm results could prompt President Donald Trump to resume previously paused strikes against Iran, according to analysts. The Israeli prime minister’s bloc secured 53 seats in the 120-member Knesset, while his rival Gadi Eisenkot’s alliance took 48 and the remaining 19 went to the Arab parties. The hung legislature after Tuesday’s polls led to complex negotiations to form the country’s next coalition government, complicating... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372864/trumps-next-iran-move-strikes-loom-after-netanyahus-win-and-us-midterms https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372864/trumps-next-iran-move-strikes-loom-after-netanyahus-win-and-us-midterms Sun, 01 Nov 2026 04:15:37 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof Malaysia’s Melaka state began its election campaign on Saturday after 79 candidates were cleared to contest a poll testing whether Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s governing partners can turn an opportunistic alliance with his Islamist opponents into a platform for national power. The coastal state south of Kuala Lumpur heads to the polls on November 14, handing the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) and the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) another opening to deepen cooperation after... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372821/malaysias-melaka-poll-begins-79-cleared-test-anwars-coalition https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372821/malaysias-melaka-poll-begins-79-cleared-test-anwars-coalition Sat, 31 Oct 2026 06:57:03 +0000 Sam Beltran Sam Beltran Transnational drug syndicates in the Philippines continue to thrive despite decades of crackdowns targeting street-level dealers, with analysts warning that regional suppliers, financiers and trafficking networks have largely eluded enforcement efforts. Former drug officials and security analysts say the country’s drug trade remains closely connected to a wider regional supply chain, with criminal groups relying on local partners, maritime routes and established distribution networks to move... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372777/why-philippines-remains-hotspot-transnational-drug-syndicates https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372777/why-philippines-remains-hotspot-transnational-drug-syndicates Fri, 30 Oct 2026 13:27:02 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji In recent weeks, Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has frequently taken to the streets – joining protest marches, staging sit-ins at police stations and confronting authorities over alleged abuses of power and corruption. Often trading the formal attire traditionally worn by India’s political elite for a T-shirt and jeans, Gandhi’s high-visibility participation in grass-roots demonstrations has drawn wide attention as he seeks to place himself at the forefront of a growing movement of... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372772/indias-rahul-gandhi-takes-modi-can-grass-roots-defiance-win-votes https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3372772/indias-rahul-gandhi-takes-modi-can-grass-roots-defiance-win-votes Fri, 30 Oct 2026 12:53:57 +0000