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Centre for Strategic and International Studies (US)

The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a prominent Washington, D.C.-based non-profit think tank, established in 1962. Dedicated to providing strategic insights and policy solutions on global issues, CSIS focuses on international relations, security, economics, trade, technology, and global health. It conducts extensive research and analysis, developing policy initiatives for decision-makers in government and other sectors. Recognised as a leading bipartisan institution, CSIS is highly influential in shaping foreign policy and national security discussions, contributing significantly to public understanding and policy development.

A Kinetica-2 Y1 carrier rocket, also known as the Lijian-2 Y1, with three satellites onboard blasts off from a launch centre in northwestern China. Photo: Xinhua

US-China relations

US lawmakers warn China is top space rival as race to the moon intensifies

Beijing is using space for ‘diplomacy and influence’, US lawmakers claim amid growing competition with Washington.

30 Apr 2026 - 7:40AMvideocam

US-China relations

UN bloated, costly, but China fears to keep US involved, House committee told

30 Apr 2026 - 11:09PMvideocam

Middle East

Lebanese minister backs Hezbollah disarmament, but warns it will take time

28 Apr 2026 - 5:39PM

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump and Iran trade red lines as Putin enters the diplomatic crossfire

Message via Pakistan outlines terms on nuclear work and Strait of Hormuz, as Moscow signals support and Washington considers next move.

28 Apr 2026 - 8:57AMvideocam

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, meets Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday in St Petersburg. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Chinese military experts take stock of US munitions weak spot exposed by Iran war

Think tank warns that weapons shortfalls could leave American forces vulnerable in a future conflict – and Chinese observers agree.

23 Apr 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Myanmar

Why Myanmar’s token amnesties are ‘no cause for celebration’

Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is now due for release in 2043 – provided she survives to the age of 97.

22 Apr 2026 - 4:18PM

China-Africa relations

China steps up aid to Africa but huge funding gap left by Trump’s cuts remains

Beijing’s efforts in food and medical relief, a sector traditionally dominated by US programmes, could partly fill the void, observers said.

19 Apr 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Togo has been a recipient of emergency food aid from China. Photo: Xinhua

North Korea

UN watchdog warns North Korea is boosting nuclear weapons capacity

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi confirms a rapid rise in activity at North Korea’s Yongbyon nuclear complex.

15 Apr 2026 - 9:15PM

Singapore

Singapore balances national interest with rising anti-US sentiment

Negative public sentiment does not immediately translate to worsening bilateral ties as the US remains an important partner, experts say.

15 Apr 2026 - 5:54PMvideocam

Japan

Japan’s Middle East oil habit gets an Iran war reality check

Almost all of Japan’s oil comes from the Middle East. A closed strait turned that dependence into a trap.

11 Apr 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Storage tanks are seen at an oil refinery in Yokohama, Japan’s Kanagawa prefecture, as Mount Fuji looms in the background. Photo: AFP

North Korea

‘No one loses’: why North Korea’s Kim may shake hands with Trump again

At the US-China summit, Beijing may act as a go-between to bring Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un to the negotiating table, analysts say.

9 Apr 2026 - 6:55PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un talk before a meeting in the demilitarised zone in Panmunjom on June 30, 2019. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

What does the China-Pakistan plan for the Iran crisis mean for a post-war order?

Diplomatic initiative comes as long-standing US-dominated security framework faces growing strain and uncertainty, analysts say.

1 Apr 2026 - 9:26PMvideocam

Myanmar

Why Myanmar top general’s exit is window dressing to cement military rule

Min Aung Hlaing, who has resigned from the armed forces, is set to get approval from the military-allied parliament to become president.

1 Apr 2026 - 7:49PM

Israel-Iran conflict

1 month, 2 straits, more strikes: how long will the US-Israeli war on Iran last?

With Houthi rebels entering the fray, the next maritime choke point at risk could be the Bab el-Mandeb.

28 Mar 2026 - 10:31PMvideocam

Houthis brandish their weapons as they rally in solidarity with Iran and Lebanon, amid the US-Israeli war with Iran, in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Friday. Photo: AFP

South China Sea

Why military base on contested Paracels will be of ‘limited’ value to Beijing

Chinese observers weigh in amid rising concern over Beijing’s land reclamation activities at Antelope Reef.

24 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

Antelope Reef in the disputed Paracels is believed to be China’s most significant reclamation project in the strategic waters since it declared a halt to such activities about a decade ago. Photo: Handout

South China Sea

‘No dispute’: Beijing defends construction on Paracels in South China Sea

China says living conditions and local economy stand to benefit, days after Vietnam states opposition to land-reclamation activities.

23 Mar 2026 - 8:37PM

China trade

Strait of Hormuz transiting ships flash ‘China owner’ signals to evade blockade

Analysts see ‘diplomatic bulletproofing’ in vessels leveraging Beijing’s neutrality, while some Chinese-linked ships clear chokepoint.

13 Mar 2026 - 8:45PMvideocam

South China Sea

What’s important about Antelope Reef in the South China Sea’s Paracel Islands?

Reports of extensive reclamation work on the once-submerged feature have prompted questions about its strategic value to Beijing.

13 Mar 2026 - 7:07PMvideocam

Antelope Reef, part of the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Photo: Handout

US, Israel war on Iran

American military bleeds US$11.3 billion in first week of Iran war: report

According to the Pentagon, the figure excludes many costs connected with the build-up to ‘Operation Epic Fury’.

12 Mar 2026 - 11:33PMvideocam

India

Why US policy on India aims to avoid repeat of China ‘mistake’

Despite official saying the US wants to work with India, it is likely to maintain a ‘transactional approach’ towards New Delhi, analysts say.

11 Mar 2026 - 7:05PM

US-China relations

From ‘love and hate’ to nationalism, can Xi and Trump rebalance ties?

Chinese scholars say the US-China relationship has changed, and there’s a chance for the two powers to steer away from confrontation.

11 Mar 2026 - 12:58AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump is expected to visit Beijing and meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the end of the month. Photo: TNS

US-China relations

Taiwan tensions No 1 in Beijing’s top 10 geopolitical risks of 2026: think tank

Most consequential external security variable may be uncertainty in the US ahead of the midterm elections in November, report warns.

9 Mar 2026 - 3:42PMvideocam

A report has identified escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait as the most pressing external security concern for Beijing. Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran strikes on desalination plants threaten Arab states’ water supplies

In Kuwait, about 90 per cent of drinking water comes from desalination, along with roughly 86 per cent in Oman and about 70 per cent in Saudi Arabia.

9 Mar 2026 - 10:22AMvideocam

Iran

How far could the war with Iran spread beyond the Middle East?

From Turkey and the Caucasus to South Asia, analysts warn the war could ignite new flashpoints along regional fault lines.

6 Mar 2026 - 6:29PMvideocam

US-China relations

Xi-Trump talk plans rattled by chaotic US team: ‘the worst I’ve ever seen’

Analysts warn thin US coordination and rushed timelines risk weak deliverables and surprises ahead of high-stakes Beijing meeting.

27 Feb 2026 - 1:57AMvideocam

US-China relations

Trump touts US ‘golden age’, avoids direct mention of China before Beijing trip

In nearly two-hour State of the Union speech, American leader focuses on economic strength and global leadership ahead of midterm elections.

25 Feb 2026 - 5:33PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump delivers the first State of the Union address of his second term to a joint session of Congress in the US Capitol in Washington on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

South China Sea

Chinese maritime militia in South China Sea hit ‘record high’ in 2025: US report

Deployments averaged 241 vessels per day, Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative report says, notes waning role for civilian fishing fleets.

24 Feb 2026 - 6:22PMvideocam

Ukraine war

Where Ukraine and Russia stand as war enters fifth year

Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II shows no signs of stopping any time soon.

24 Feb 2026 - 3:19PM

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