Advertisement
Advertisement
This Week in Asia /
Politics
Related Topics:
Asean
South China Sea
the Asian angle
Indonesia
Police raids reveal Indonesia as new hub for scam, gambling syndicates
Hundreds of foreigners have been arrested in Indonesia recently following crackdowns against crime groups in Cambodia and Myanmar.
1 hour ago
videocam
Myanmar
‘Tentative step’: Asean weighs bringing Myanmar back into the fold
3 hours ago
videocam
Malaysia
Malaysia’s top anti-corruption enforcer exits with legacy in doubt
2 hours ago
videocam
South Korea
South Korea cautious on blaming Iran for ship strike ahead of US-China summit
Seoul has footage of the May 4 attack on the HMM Namu but analysts say it is biding its time, hoping ‘the dust will settle’.
6 hours ago
Damage to the South Korean cargo ship HMM Namu is seen this undated handout photograph released on Sunday. Photo: South Korea’s Foreign Ministry/AFP
Singapore
Why flood of AI deepfakes is accusing Singapore of being ‘ungrateful’ to China
Clips on Chinese social media showing speakers disparaging the city state are likely to be deepfakes, experts say.
5 hours ago
videocam
Japan
Japan’s new spy agency: a shield against China or ‘militarist surveillance’?
Japan has not had a centralised intelligence service since World War II. Sanae Takaichi wants to change that.
4 hours ago
videocam
5
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
The Philippines
Philippine VP’s impeachment trial delayed after Senate leadership coup
The leadership change could prove critical as the Senate leader presides over the trial of an impeached vice-president.
11 May 2026 - 11:43PM
Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte at a press conference at her office in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, in February. Photo: EPA
Malaysia
Malaysia’s Umno marks 80th anniversary with show of Malay political power
The party held its celebrations in the Johor palace where it was founded, signalling it is back on track ahead of coming state polls.
11 May 2026 - 8:45PM
India
Canada’s spy report hints at India reset despite meddling claims
A Canadian spy report validates New Delhi’s concerns about Sikh extremism, even as it accuses India of foreign interference and espionage.
11 May 2026 - 5:00PM
videocam
Thailand
Thaksin exits jail to a Thailand that seems to have moved on from Shinawatra era
The former prime minister’s once unassailable Pheu Thai party is now just a minor player in Anutin Charnvirakul’s government.
11 May 2026 - 4:43PM
videocam
Israel
Israel’s election may end the Netanyahu era but not the ‘forever wars’
After nearly two decades and six terms in office, Israel’s prime minister could be on his way out. But little looks likely to change.
11 May 2026 - 8:00AM
videocam
Israelis protest against the war with Iran and Netanyahu’s government in Tel Aviv on May 2. Photo: AFP
India
Vietnam joins rush for India’s battle-tested ‘strong, non-Western’ BrahMos
As a joint Indo-Russian venture, BrahMos offers a supersonic, non-Western alternative to US hardware with no Nato-linked conditions.
10 May 2026 - 1:35PM
videocam
22
The Philippines
Decoding this year’s US-Japan-Philippines Balikatan drills
Analysts say this year’s drills, which stress tested a new generation of mobile strike capabilities, were a pointed display of resolve.
10 May 2026 - 8:34AM
7
Japan
Mogami momentum: why Japan’s warship is winning over New Zealand
Japan’s Mogami and Britain’s Type 31 are the top two contenders, but Australia may have already tipped the scales.
9 May 2026 - 10:30AM
Asean
Asean to step up push for South China Sea code, energy security
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr says the code of conduct is key to unlocking deeper China-Asean economic cooperation.
8 May 2026 - 10:28PM
videocam
4
Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr addresses a press conference on the sidelines of the 48th Asean summit in Cebu province on Friday. Photo: EPA
The Philippines
Philippines shifts defence strategy with Japan, eyes wider security focus
Defence chief Gilberto Teodoro says the Diaoyu Islands are now considered a ‘serious concern’ and the Balikatan drills will also be expanded.
8 May 2026 - 8:25PM
Malaysia
New database tracks shifting outcomes of Malaysia’s political corruption cases
The Prosecutorial Accountability Watch database is an attempt to make sense of a justice system clouded by ‘double standards’.
8 May 2026 - 4:47PM
videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Asean
Asean’s pivot to energy security leaves long-standing issues on summit sidelines
Southeast Asia is one of the worst affected by the global fuel crisis due to its high imports of oil and gas coming from the Gulf.
8 May 2026 - 1:17PM
videocam
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr delivers an opening speech at the Asean summit in Cebu on Friday. Photo: Reuters
India-Pakistan tensions
Chinese J-35 stealth jets set to give Pakistan a strategic edge over India
India has a much larger fleet of 4.5-generation fighters but is lagging behind Pakistan in the acquisition of stealth warplanes.
8 May 2026 - 5:26PM
videocam
11
Vietnam
Vietnam burns red tape but growth may be harder to rekindle
Vietnam’s drive to energise its economy may take time to materialise in the face of rising fuel costs and trade barriers, analysts say.
8 May 2026 - 10:43AM
Myanmar
Myanmar’s military rulers hire Trump ally for US$50,000 a month to lobby Washington
Roger Stone has been commissioned to rebuild relations with the US, though analysts doubt Myanmar can escape its pariah status.
7 May 2026 - 4:13PM
Japan
Trump’s last diehard Japanese fans lose faith as Iran war chaos spreads
Concerns in Japan are also mounting over the security ties between Japan and the US as Trump seeks to withdraw more troops from Europe.
8 May 2026 - 10:20AM
videocam
7
Protesters hold placards representing Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump at a demonstration in Tokyo on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
North Korea
North Korea drops reunification from constitution to formalise ‘two-state’ ties
Pyongyang has dropped references to ‘national reunification’ and redefined borders in its revised constitution.
7 May 2026 - 8:20PM
videocam
India
Vietnam, India seek closer ties to hedge against dependence on superpowers
President To Lam’s agenda during his visit to New Delhi is expected to include a deal for Vietnam to buy India’s BrahMos missiles.
7 May 2026 - 4:35PM
India
What the BJP’s historic West Bengal victory means for Modi’s India
Narendra Modi’s ruling coalition now controls roughly 70 per cent of India’s state legislatures, giving him a historic grip on power.
6 May 2026 - 7:00PM
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW