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War and conflict

War and conflict
The latest news, analysis and opinion on War and conflict. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Vendors sort vegetables at a market in Naypyidaw on December 29, a day after the first phase of Myanmar’s general election. Photo: AFP
Myanmar

As I see it | Why China is Myanmar’s only real hope

A general election won’t end the country’s brutal civil war, but regional coordination by key neighbouring countries without Western interference might.

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Ukraine war

US Nato envoy casts doubt on Russian claim Ukraine attacked Putin residence

Diplomacy

Editorial | China provides substance to Cambodia-Thailand peace efforts

Middle East

UAE to withdraw forces from Yemen after Saudi strike and ultimatum

Decision to withdraw follows a Saudi strike on a UAE-linked weapons shipment for Yemen separatists.

A video screengrab show a person gesture toward smoke after a Saudi-led airstrike on Tuesday targeting UAE-backed separatists in Mukalla, Yemen. Photo: Aden al-Mustakillah TV via Reuters
Israel-Gaza war

Israel to ban several aid groups from Gaza in 2026 over vetting rules

Israel says suspensions are meant to prevent Hamas from exploiting aid, but humanitarian groups say it will harm civilians.

Russia

Russia’s Medvedev warns ‘Grim Reaper’ stalks Ukraine’s Zelensky in vile threat

Reacting to Zelensky’s Christmas speech, the former Russian president warns of imminent death and says his corpse belongs in a curiosity shop.

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US-China relations

Opinion | If Trump wants a deal with China, he must rein in US allies in Asia

From Manila to Tokyo, domestic political dynamics are increasing the risks of a dangerous confrontation between Washington and Beijing.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Russia

Russia’s nuclear-capable missiles enter service, heightening Ukraine tensions

After Trump-Zelensky talks, Putin projects power by deploying nuclear-ready Oreshnik missiles to Belarus as a warning to the West.

Middle East

Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen port over weapons shipment and warns UAE

Riyadh targets weaponry in Mukalla as tensions between Gulf allies strain over separatist advances in Yemen.

US-China relations

‘No worries’: Trump plays down Beijing’s military drills around Taiwan

Trump dismisses ‘routine’ drills in Taiwan Strait even as US arms sales hit record high and Pentagon repeats 2027 timeline.

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US President Donald Trump spoke about China’s military drills around Taiwan during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Middle East

‘Hell to pay’: Trump warns Hamas and Iran after talks with Netanyahu

Trump presses for Hamas disarmament in Gaza, warns Iran of further US action if it reconstitutes nuclear programme.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump after meeting at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: Reuters
Israel

Israeli president denies Trump claim Netanyahu pardon is ‘on its way’

Trump renews his call on Israel’s president to grant ally Netanyahu, who is in the midst of a corruption trial, a pardon.

Venezuela

Trump says US ‘hit’ drug boat loading facility in Venezuela pressure campaign

If confirmed, it would mark the first known land strike on Venezuelan soil since the US began its lethal anti-cartel campaign in September.

United Nations

‘World stands at a crossroads’: UN chief issues grim New Year message

Antonio Guterres laments US$2.7 trillion global arms race and urges leaders to choose ‘people and planet over pain’ in 2026.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Russia says Ukraine tried to attack Putin residence, but Zelensky denies it

Ukraine denies accusation as a fabrication after Trump said he was ‘angry’ when Putin told him about the alleged attack.

Satellite imagery from 2023 shows Vladimir Putin’s residential complex in Roshchino, Novgorod, Russia. Photo: Planet Labs PBC via Reuters
Science

China builds world-first crab-walking electric ICBM mobile launcher prototype

In less than two years, scientists have developed a technology that ‘fundamentally overturns’ conventional heavy-vehicle design.

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Russia

Putin signs law allowing Russia to ignore foreign court rulings on Ukraine

Under the changes, Moscow can ignore international judgments on Ukraine, shielding officials from ICC warrants and war crime tribunals.

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Ukraine war

Zelensky asked Trump for ‘historic’ 50-year guarantee against Russia

The Ukrainian president is seeking extended US security guarantees, exceeding the 15-year plan under discussion as part of peace talks.

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US President Donald Trump (right) meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida on Sunday. Photo: EPA/Presidential Press Service
Myanmar

‘They always lie’: pro-military party claims big lead in Myanmar’s disputed vote

The overwhelming lead claimed by the USDP in the first poll phase is met with condemnation from rights groups warning of a rigged process.

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Ukraine war

Opinion | Europe risks a self-fulfilling prophecy of war with Russia

The EU should secure its future through fair contributions to Nato and a lucrative transatlantic defence market, not conflict with Moscow.

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China-Asean relations

Cambodia and Thailand agree to resume exchanges after meeting with China

Ceasefire deal was ‘hard won and must not be allowed to stall’, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi says.

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On December 29, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi (centre) met Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn (left), who is also the country’s foreign minister, and Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow in Yunnan province. Photo: Agence Kampuchea Presse/AFP
United Nations

‘Adapt, shrink or die’: US pledges US$2 billion for UN aid in humanitarian cut

Trump administration’s latest aid pledge is a small fraction of what the US has contributed in the past.

Women displaced by fighting in Sudan line up to receive food aid at a camp in Al Dabbah. Photo: AP
Cambodia

Video | China hosts truce talks with Thailand and Cambodia

China said it will help the Asean monitor the ceasefire agreement between the two feuding nations.

Myanmar

Why Myanmar’s junta election cannot hide a collapsing economy

Analysts warn that conflict, power shortages and resource extraction under military rule are pushing Myanmar’s economy further into reverse.

Israel-Gaza war

Trump and Netanyahu to discuss next phase of Gaza plan during US visit

Israel’s prime minister is making his fifth visit to see Trump in the United States this year.

A displaced Palestinian looks at a rainbow in Gaza on Sunday. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Trump predicts end to Ukraine war will be decided within ‘weeks’

After meeting at Mar-a-Lago with Zelensky and a ‘friendly’ call with Putin, US president claims a peace deal is closer.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) and US President Donald Trump at a press conference after their lunch meeting at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. Photo: Reuters
Syria

Sectarian tensions flare and turn deadly in Syria after mosque bombing

Clashes erupt between protesters from the Alawite religious minority and counterdemonstrators after a mosque attack in Homs.

Iran

Iran launches 3 satellites into space from Russia

Iran’s space programme and related entities have been targeted by US sanctions, but Iran insists the satellites are intended for ‘observation’.

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