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Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (left) shakes hands with his Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba during a meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in June. Photo: Jiji Press / AFP
Japan

How a US$7 billion warship deal is reshaping Japan–Australia defence ties

Analysts say the warships deal will create ‘long-term coordination’ between the two navies amid mutual concerns over China’s rise.

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United States

New details emerge about Trump’s US$175 billion Golden Dome missile shield

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South Korea

South Korea, Vietnam join forces amid US-China rivalry

South China Sea

Collision between Chinese ships expected to escalate tension in South China Sea

Analysts predict China will move to restore its image at sea while ramping up exercises to improve navy-coastguard coordination.

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A Chinese coastguard vessel collided with a PLA Navy ship, numbered 164, around 10 nautical miles east of Scarborough Shoal, resulting in substantial damage to the coastguard vessel. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard
South Korea

US ‘piles pressure’ on South Korea to redefine alliance ahead of Trump summit

A top US commander’s comments on ‘strategic flexibility’ show Washington wants Seoul to help counter China and Russia, analysts say.

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South China Sea

Philippines slams ‘reckless’ Chinese ships over collision at Scarborough Shoal

China criticised the Philippines for its ‘malign’ moves in Monday’s incident, saying it had ‘seriously harmed peace and stability at sea’.

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Singapore

Singapore, US scrap plans for F-15 fighter jet training in Guam

The planned deployment, which would have been Singapore’s fourth training detachment on US territory, was set to begin in 2029.

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An RSAF F-15 air-superiority fighter (centre) and two F-16s fly in formation over the South China Sea in 2018. Photo: AFP
North Korea

Unpacking North Korea’s ‘unusual’ reaction to this year’s US-South Korea drills

Observers say they’re surprised by Pyongyang’s shift in tone towards the Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, which begin on August 18.

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China's military weapons

China releases rare footage of DF-100 cruise missile to deter US

‘If it can be launched close to urban areas, it will be more difficult for adversaries to locate, identify, target and destroy it’: analyst.

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India

India’s US$8.7 billion defence splurge sparks calls for clarity

New arms package to fill defence gap felt during India-Pakistan conflict, but analysts warn of vulnerabilities in foreign collaboration.

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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) during a visit to Adampur Airforce Base in Punjab. Photo: Indian Press Information Bureau / AFP
The Philippines

Amid China tensions, what ‘valuable lessons’ can Philippines learn from Poland?

Analysts say Manila should pursue strategic cooperation with Warsaw to learn from its military build-up and ‘self-reliant defence posture’.

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Soldiers march during a military parade in Manila last year. The Philippines has been working to modernise its armed forces and deter Chinese pressure in the South China Sea. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

Opinion | Under Trump, is the US no longer interested in playing maritime referee?

The delay in the release of the US Navy’s annual report on freedom of navigation could signal a change in the country’s strategic approach.

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India-Pakistan tensions

India downed 6 Pakistani aircraft in May clash, air force chief says

Most of the aircraft were downed by India’s Russian-made S-400 surface-to-air missile system, citing electronic tracking data as confirmation.

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China-India relations

China urged to monitor disputed border as India upgrades road to move tanks

New Delhi is doing major work on Darbuk-Shyok-Daulat Beg Oldie Road while also building alternative route with minimal exposure to Chinese patrols.

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India has reportedly been upgrading a key all-weather road in the Himalayas to boost infrastructure at its border with China and is also building an alternative route. Photo: EPA-EFE
Israel-Gaza war

Germany suspends arms exports to Israel for use in Gaza

Berlin’s move, a drastic change of course from a staunch ally, comes in response to Netanyahu’s plan to take control of Gaza City.

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Palestinians check the devastation following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City’s southern al-Zeitoun neighbourhood on Friday. Photo: AFP
Singapore

Singapore’s Shanmugam meets China envoy for bilateral, security talks

Their meeting comes after the Chinese embassy took issue with local media linking cyberthreat group UNC3886 to China last month.

New Zealand

Japanese warships return to Wellington after 90 years, boosting Pacific ties

The last time a Japanese naval vessel visited the New Zealand capital was in 1936.

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US-China relations

People’s Daily spells out PLA’s mid-century goal, with US as a benchmark

Defence academic explains Xi Jinping’s ‘world-class military’ goal and why the PLA must dominate.

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As Chinese President Xi Jinping pushes the country’s PLA to modernise, an academic has laid out an official policy explanation in state media on the scope and significance of the task. Photo: Reuters
Israel-Gaza war

Israel approves plan to take control of Gaza City, escalating war

Israel’s Netanyahu says he wants military control of entire coastal territory, but not to act as governing body.

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South Korea

Is Seoul delaying joint drills with US to avoid antagonising Pyongyang?

South Korea cites heatwave for postponement but timing aligns with broader effort to ease tensions on the peninsula.

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South Korea

‘We will not talk about it’: US, South Korea to shun Taiwan issue at summit

The session between both leaders is set to yield only a broad agreement to elevate the bilateral alliance into a ‘comprehensive strategic alliance’.

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Marines aboard an amphibious assault vehicle take part in defence drills on the border island of Baengnyeong in the Yellow Sea, South Korea, on May 22. Photo: Republic of Korea Marine Corps /EPA-EFE/Yonhap
US-China relations

US debuts hypersonic missile in Australia. Is it a deterrent against China?

Chinese analysts say Washington is showing the importance of US-Australia relationship, but missile system unlikely to affect China.

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US soldiers give a capabilities brief on the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon System in the Northern Territory, Australia, on July 9 as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 25. It is the first operational employment of the Dark Eagle system outside the continental US. Photo: Handout
Aviation accidents

Ghana defence and environment ministers killed in helicopter crash

A total of three crew and five passengers died after the aircraft dropped off the radar and went down in a heavily forested area.

Gun violence in the US

US Army sergeant shoots 5 fellow soldiers at Fort Stewart before being tackled

Parts of the facility were locked down because of the incident, and the suspect was quickly arrested.

US-China relations

Opinion | China’s rise is good for Asia. Here’s why

Beijing isn’t looking to usurp Washington’s hegemony, but its prominence does make it harder for American planners to take Asia for granted.

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China’s foreign minister Wang Yi attends the 15th East Asia Summit foreign ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 11. Photo:: EPA
European Union

Poland’s pro-Trump president calls for constitutional change, slams euro

Karol Nawrocki has pledged for a sovereign Poland within the EU, while his anti-migration stance reflects a nationalist agenda.

Poland’s new president Karol Nawrocki with his wife Marta Nawrocka shows a V-sign during the inauguration ceremony in Warsaw, Poland, on Wednesday. Photo: AP
Donald Trump

Trump stands on White House roof, jokes about building nuclear missiles

The US president, under the protection of snipers, made a surprise appearance as he surveyed the site for his proposed new ballroom.

The Philippines

Philippines, India mark strategic leap in 75 years of ties amid China tensions

Marcos’ ‘landmark’ visit reflects the countries’ growing convergence on defence and economic interests, analysts say.

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