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This Week in Asia /
Politics
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Asean
South China Sea
the Asian angle
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.
23 Mar 2026 - 4:00PM
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Japan
Can Japan offer Indonesia a ‘credible alternative’ to China on Prabowo’s visit?
23 Mar 2026 - 9:20AM
India
Why India faces dilemma over Iran war while seeking ‘diplomatic flexibility’
22 Mar 2026 - 4:08PM
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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.
22 Mar 2026 - 1:15PM
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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.
21 Mar 2026 - 12:30PM
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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.
21 Mar 2026 - 11:01AM
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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.
20 Mar 2026 - 9:03PM
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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.
20 Mar 2026 - 4:58PM
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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.
19 Mar 2026 - 7:12PM
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.
19 Mar 2026 - 5:35PM
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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.
19 Mar 2026 - 5:06PM
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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.
19 Mar 2026 - 9:30AM
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.
19 Mar 2026 - 5:23PM
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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.
18 Mar 2026 - 2:10PM
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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.
17 Mar 2026 - 11:45PM
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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
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.
17 Mar 2026 - 11:15PM
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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.
17 Mar 2026 - 5:01PM
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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.
17 Mar 2026 - 6:04PM
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.
17 Mar 2026 - 12:40PM
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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.
17 Mar 2026 - 3:13PM
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.
17 Mar 2026 - 7:07PM
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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.
16 Mar 2026 - 9:53PM
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US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pictured in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, last October. Photo: AP
Myanmar
Myanmar’s junta-proxy parliament meets for first time since 2021 coup
Stacked with military allies and ex-generals, the new assembly aims to legitimise a regime the United Nations and EU have branded a sham.
16 Mar 2026 - 2:51PM
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Malaysia
Malaysia’s government accused of using law to silence critics
Civil society groups say an investigation into an alleged plot to topple the government risks shrinking civic space.
16 Mar 2026 - 12:52PM
Japan
Trump wants Japanese warships in Hormuz. Can Takaichi ‘dodge the bullet’?
The Iran war complicates Trump-Takaichi talks, putting her in a bind between US demands and constitutional limits on military action.
16 Mar 2026 - 8:00AM
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