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Defence
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Defence. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin attends a plenary session of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on June 20. Photo: Reuters
Russia

Opinion | As attacks on Iran show, Russia can now do very little for its allies

Moscow’s credibility is sinking after it failed to stand up for allies in Iran, Syria and Armenia.

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War and conflict

Opinion | US attack on Iran shakes East Asia’s faith in non-proliferation norms

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Ukraine war

Zelensky signs decree for Ukraine’s withdrawal from anti-personnel mines treaty

Ukraine war

Russia launches biggest aerial attack since start of the war, Ukraine says

Ukraine loses an F-16 and its pilot while defending against heavy Russian air attack.

People take shelter inside a metro station in Kyiv, Ukraine. Photo: Reuters
Rare earths

China’s rare earth curbs spur overseas projects, says US developer

Analysts say buildouts to be costly and protracted, could require subsidies and tariffs to stave off Chinese competition.

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Israel-Iran conflict

Iran could enrich uranium again ‘in matter of months’: UN nuclear watchdog

Another key question is whether Iran was able to relocate its stockpile of highly enriched uranium before Israeli and US attacks.

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Israel-Iran conflict

How Israel-Iran war sent ripples of fear through the global maritime trade

The ghost of the 1980s ‘tanker war’ returned as Iran’s threats to close the Strait of Hormuz saw ships change course and freight rates soar.

A tanker is seen ablaze in 1987 after being attacked by an Iranian warship as it approached the Strait of Hormuz. Photo: AFP
Israel-Iran conflict

From Iraq to Iran: the US quest for Israeli military dominance – and its fallout

This decades-long strategy has not only redrawn the regional map but also exposed the limits of China’s Middle East influence, analysts say.

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Diplomacy

My Take | Nato chief calls Trump ‘daddy’ as he makes Beijing the bogeyman

Rutte needs to hype the ‘China threat’ to justify Nato nations boosting military spending, returning the welfare state to the warfare state.

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Israel-Iran conflict

Trump says he’ll bomb Iran again if nuclear activities start

The US president said he saved Supreme Leader Khamenei from assassination and lashed out at him for not saying ‘thank you’.

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US President Donald Trump gestures as he gives a press conference during the Nato summit at the Hague on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Will the US strikes on Iran push China to ramp up its nuclear arms programme?

The American attacks could erode non-proliferation efforts around the world and set a dangerous precedent for the Asia-Pacific, observers say.

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Observers say the US strikes on Iran could encourage the dangerous practice of preventive war. Photo: KCNA
South Korea

2 Chinese men arrested in South Korea for using drone to film naval base

A series of similar recent incidents involving Chinese nationals has sparked fears of South Korea’s national security being compromised.

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South China Sea

Philippines and Malaysia navies renew close ties, sidestep maritime claims

Relations between the two countries have been tested over the Malaysian state of Sabah and Manila’s maritime laws.

Japan

My Take | Who are these ‘like-minded countries’ politicians are talking about?

Once used to describe ‘the West’, the term has seen expanded usage recently.

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G7 Leaders pose for the traditional family photo during the June 16 summit in Kananaskis. Photo: dpa
South China Sea

China says Philippines face ‘self-inflicted destruction’ by hosting US missiles

Defence Ministry also denounces Manila’s plan to encourage fishermen to operate in disputed South China Sea waters.

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A US Army Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Launcher deployed in Northern Luzon, the Philippines, on April 8, 2024. Photo: US Army
Japan

Nato shelves Tokyo office plan. Is China too powerful to provoke?

Analysts say the decision could be a missed opportunity to formalise Japan’s role as a trusted partner in global security.

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United States

US defence chief says no known intelligence that Iran moved uranium

The US defence secretary also accused the media of downplaying the success of US strikes on Iran’s nuclear programme.

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Israel-Iran conflict

Iran delivered ‘slap to America’s face’ with Qatar attack, says supreme leader

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s pre-recorded speech was filled with warnings and threats directed towards the US and Israel.

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Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a televised speech, under a portrait of the late revolutionary founder Ayatollah Khomeini. Photo: Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader via AP
Israel-Iran conflict

China hosts Iran defence minister and others on warship, condemns ‘hegemony’

Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh tours Type 052D destroyer Kaifeng, thanks Beijing for ‘supporting Iran’s legitimate position’.

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Donald Trump

Nato chief Rutte defends flattery of Trump, who he called ‘daddy’

Nato secretary general likened the US president to a ‘daddy’ in the Israel-Iran conflict.

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US-China relations

China moving ‘breathtakingly fast’ in space military tech: US general

America’s top space force official voices concern about Beijing’s growing capabilities, echoing previous warnings about ‘kill chain’.

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A Long March-2C carrier rocket carrying two satellites blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China in November 2024. Photo: Xinhua
Israel-Iran conflict

CIA says US bombing set Iran’s nuclear programme back for ‘years’

The US spy agency cited new intelligence, in a statement supporting Trump’s claim that the facilities had been completely destroyed.

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A satellite overview shows the damaged Fordow Fuel Enrichment Facility near Qom, Iran, on Tuesday. Image: Maxar Technologies via Reuters
Ukraine war

Trump mulls more Patriots for Ukraine, says Putin ‘really has to end’ the war

The US president had a 50-minute talk with Zelensky, who wore a suit-style jacket after his attire at a previous meeting drew criticism.

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US-China relations

Did US strikes wipe out Iran’s nuclear facilities? Chinese experts sceptical

Trump says attacks ‘obliterated’ key sites, but analysts raise doubts about bunker buster’s abilities and whether uranium was present.

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War and conflict

Opinion | How an overstretched US could clear space for China’s global rise

As the US gambles on swift military might to advance its interests, China navigates a treacherous diplomatic landscape with hard choices.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
The Philippines

Will Philippines help US in another Middle East conflict?

With the US embroiled in the Israel-Iran war, there is speculation over whether Manila would help Washington, like it did in the Iraq War.

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US and Philippine soldiers salute during the opening ceremony of the annual US-Philippines Balikatan joint drills at a camp in Manila in April. Photo: AFP
Japan

US marine’s ‘hugged her’ defence fails as Japan jails him for sexual assault

James Clayton, 22, was sentenced to seven years in prison for attempting to rape a woman in Okinawa.

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Britain

UK to reintroduce nuclear weapon-capable aircraft under Nato

UK to purchase 12 F-35A fighter jets capable of carrying tactical nuclear weapons.

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