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A US F-35C Lightning II prepares to land on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln on March 3. It is not clear which warplanes the US asked Sri Lanka to host. Photo: US Navy/AFP
Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s refusal to host US warplanes before Iran war risks trade backlash

Trying to keep conflict at arm’s length by distancing itself from the US could bring Sri Lanka’s economy ‘to its knees’, analysts say.

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Japan

Trump’s ‘wind-up doll’? Japan’s PM faces backlash over White House fawning

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North Korea

North Korea’s Kim slams US ‘state terror’ but spares Trump in third-term address

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The Philippines

US eyes a Philippine ammo facility as opposition warns of ‘warmongering’

The Philippines has long been the closest US ally in Asia. Now Washington wants something more: a place to make bullets and shells.

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Philippine soldiers load ammunition into an Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (Armos) during a live-fire exercise in 2024. Photo: AFP
Philippine soldiers load ammunition into an Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (Armos) during a live-fire exercise in 2024. Photo: AFP
Japan

Can Japan offer Indonesia a ‘credible alternative’ to China on Prabowo’s visit?

Defence and minerals to dominate the agenda as Tokyo offers hi-tech warships and energy pacts to secure Indonesia as a ‘trusted partner’.

India

Why India faces dilemma over Iran war while seeking ‘diplomatic flexibility’

India has to carefully navigate the fallout from the war, given its huge stakes in the Middle East, analysts say.

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The Philippines

Philippine military uncovers alleged new China spy tactics in sea row

China called the allegations ‘malicious smears’ after three people were arrested on suspicion of leaking sensitive information to foreigners.

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A Philippine vessel distributes supplies in the contested South China Sea last month. Photo: China’s coastguard/Xinhua
A Philippine vessel distributes supplies in the contested South China Sea last month. Photo: China’s coastguard/Xinhua
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war nears 3-front tipping point as Gulf energy hubs burn

Israeli strikes on the world’s largest gas field and Iranian attacks on Saudi and Qatari hubs threaten a global energy crisis.

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South Korea

South Korea’s cut-price interceptor outshines US Patriot in Iran war debut

The Cheongung-II hit 96 per cent of targets at a third of the cost of its US rival, triggering a scramble for the technology.

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Japan

Trump’s Pearl Harbour joke falls flat in Japan over his ‘disrespectful remarks’

As Japan faces pressure over the Iran war, some observers commend Takaichi for steering her meeting with Trump towards trade deals.

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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her fist while delivering remarks during a dinner hosted by US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Pakistan

Is Pakistan building ICBMs? Non-proliferation experts dispute US warning

US fears of Pakistani ICBMs targeting America are overstated as Islamabad’s missile programme remains regional, observers say.

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Pakistan’s Shaheen-3 missile on display during a military parade in Islamabad in 2018. Photo: AP
Pakistan’s Shaheen-3 missile on display during a military parade in Islamabad in 2018. Photo: AP
The Philippines

Support for Duterte’s ICC trial has halved in a year. Here’s why

Only 30 per cent of Gen Z Filipinos now back the ICC drugs war case, as AI-generated disinformation floods TikTok.

The Philippines

Beyond ‘lip service’: Philippines urged to act on air defence gaps

The Iran war has underscored the need for robust air systems and Manila should look to build a layered defence architecture, experts say.

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Thailand

Anutin takes charge in Thailand as Mideast chaos pressures economy

Facing economic challenges and border tensions with Cambodia, the prime minister has pledged swift responses to public needs.

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Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul reacts at parliament in Bangkok on Thursday. Photo: AFP
North Korea

Nuclear or nothing: why North Korea’s Kim expects the US to come ‘cap in hand’

With Washington tied up in Iran, Kim Jong-un’s message is clear: if the US wants a summit, it must pay his nuclear price.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a shooting competition to mark the army’s “Snipers’ Day” at a training base on March 3. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AFP/Getty Images/TNS
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un inspects a shooting competition to mark the army’s “Snipers’ Day” at a training base on March 3. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AFP/Getty Images/TNS
Japan

Russian hypersonic jets buzz Japan’s coast in ‘thinly veiled threat’

The exercises send a message that Tokyo should avoid antagonising Moscow or risk ‘repercussions’, observers say.

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Nepal

Nepal voted for change. Can its rapper-engineer PM deliver?

Balendra Shah has promised to transform Nepal, but success hinges on him becoming the first elected leader to finish a full five-year term.

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Malaysia

Why US warships’ pit stop in Malaysia is raising eyebrows

The USS Tulsa and USS Santa Barbara were seen in Penang on Sunday, despite Malaysia’s criticism of Washington over the Iran war.

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The United States Navy’s USS Tulsa and USS Santa Barbara are seen docked at the North Butterworth Container Terminal in Penang, Malaysia, on Sunday. Photo: Facebook / Sherwynd Kessler
The United States Navy’s USS Tulsa and USS Santa Barbara are seen docked at the North Butterworth Container Terminal in Penang, Malaysia, on Sunday. Photo: Facebook / Sherwynd Kessler
Singapore

Singapore’s Lawrence Wong seeks stronger ties with Japan amid global tensions

Wong and Takaichi are expected to discuss economic stability and AI, and tread cautiously amid superpower rivalries, analysts say.

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US, Israel war on Iran

US military’s Iran war pivot forces security rethink in Asia-Pacific

As assets are diverted to the Gulf, the Iran war’s high ‘burn rate’ risks creating a ‘thin spot’ in the US security umbrella.

Malaysia

Malaysia charges 2 men and seeks extradition over religious posts

Two men have been hauled up in court and a third is being tracked amid a crackdown on inflammatory social media posts.

Malaysian activist Arun Dorasamy. Photo: Facebook/arundorasamy
Malaysia

Fate of US-Malaysia trade pact rests on Washington’s next move

The US$240 billion deal isn’t ‘null and void’ yet, says the trade minister, as Malaysia waits for Washington to submit updated terms.

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Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Johari Abdul Ghani. Photo: Facebook/joharighaniofficial
Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Johari Abdul Ghani. Photo: Facebook/joharighaniofficial
Japan

Japan identifies 1,500 new missile shelters as ‘front line’ fears grow

Underground car parks and subways are being repurposed as Tokyo warns of the most severe security threat since the second world war.

South Korea

‘Catch-22 situation’: South Korea walks tightrope over Trump’s Hormuz call

Seoul is expected to seek national consensus and wait for the outcome of the Takaichi-Trump summit before deciding, observers say.

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Malaysia

Deal or no deal? Malaysia-US trade pact in turmoil after minister ‘misspeaks’

First, a minister called the deal dead. Then his ministry backtracked. Now the opposition is demanding answers.

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US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pictured in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last October. Photo: AP
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