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Nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)

Nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs)
Nuclear weapons continue to be a topic of tension in the modern world, particularly with concerns from the US and its partners over Iran's nuclear development programme, which Iran says is for medical and industrial use only. Such armaments can be delivered by intercontinental ballistic missiles, which have with a range of over 5,500km (3,400 miles).
The Central Business District in Singapore. The US State Department has endorsed the potential sale of AGM-114R Hellfire missiles to the city state. Photo: AP
United States

US State Department green lights possible sale of Hellfire missiles to Singapore

The US$22.3 million deal aims to strengthen the defences of the city state, which is a key US strategic partner in Asia.

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War and conflict

Opinion | 8 takeaways from the US-Iran war

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US-Iran tensions

‘War of words’ won’t stop Iran nuclear inspections, says IAEA

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North Korea

Kim says North Korea to arm navy with nuclear weapons, build bigger warships

The leader is aiming to construct two vessels a year, both of a larger class than the newly commissioned Choe Hon destroyer.

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Sailors salute during the commissioning ceremony of the Choe Hyon warship in the port city of Nampo in North Korea on Wednesday. Photo: KCNA via Reuters
US, Israel war on Iran

2 wars later, US-Iran nuclear diplomacy returns to square one

Analysts say the new agreement returns to a familiar trade-off: nuclear curbs in exchange for sanctions relief and oil waivers.

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Japan

Japan, South Korea not for nuclear weapons – until one of them changes policy

Should either take lead in acquiring nuclear weapons, support for such a move in the other country could rise rapidly, new US survey says.

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North Korea

North Korea warns of ‘disaster’ if G7 tries to strip its nuclear weapons

Kim Jong-un’s sister said denuclearisation would never be realised as ⁠North Korea’s weapons were a self-defensive deterrent.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (front) inspects a nuclear materials production factory on June 3. Photo: KCNA/EPA
Australia

China’s direct strike threat to Australia is ‘growing’, think tank report finds

A Lowy Institute report said the main threat to Australia was from Chinese missiles fired from ships, submarines and a new ballistic missile.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says deal to end war to be signed on Sunday, but Iran questions timing

Iranian officials and hardline protesters have expressed opposition to the framework agreement.

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North Korea

As I see it | Kim Jong-un turns out to be the cleverest of them all

As others exert geopolitical influence based on economic or military might, North Korea’s leader has turned a weaker hand to his advantage.

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President Xi Jinping (left) and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un applaud during an artistic performance at the Pyongyang Gymnasium on June 8. Photo: Xinhua via AP
US, Israel war on Iran

India summons US diplomat again in rare display of anger over sailors’ killings

US military says the tanker ignored repeated warnings before being disabled for violating the Iran blockade.

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On Monday, Omani authorities airlifted Indian sailors off the MT Marivex after a US strike on the Palau-flagged tanker. Photo: Facebook/IndianCoastGuard
China-North Korea relations

Xi Jinping arrives in a North Korea armed with advanced warships and AI drones

Could Xi’s visit indirectly advance North Korea’s military build-up as Pyongyang strengthens ties with Beijing and Moscow?

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China's military weapons

China’s nuclear stockpile growing as disarmament era ends: SIPRI

Swedish think-tank says Beijing now has 620 nuclear warheads and may be increasing deployment as New Start’s expiry ends arms control era.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | What Seoul must do to achieve peaceful coexistence with North Korea

South Korea needs to restore communication channels, end the policy see-saw and ensure official rhetoric is consistent with policy objectives.

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South Korean President Lee Jae Myung salutes the national flag at the first plenary meeting of the National Economic Advisory Council, at the presidential office in Seoul, South Korea, on April 9. Photo: EPA/Yonhap
US, Israel war on Iran

US-Iran diplomacy mired in uncertainty as Trump claims Lebanon de-escalation

Israeli leader vows to continue operations in southern Lebanon despite the US president claiming ‘no Troops going to Beirut’.

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An Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Tyre in southern Lebanon on Monday. Photo: AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

Iran says US not to be trusted as Trump toughens deal terms

Ceasefire remains elusive as both sides still remain apart on conditions for peace.

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Nordic nations

Norway to join France’s nuclear umbrella, in move away from US reliance

European countries are seeking to strengthen their defence capabilities ⁠amid doubts about US commitments and tensions with Russia.

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Iran

UN event on nuclear non-proliferation treaty stumbles, US and Iran clash

There was no consensus among the 191 parties to the NPT, the third failure in a row at a conference reviewing the treaty.

A plenary session of the review conference for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty held on Friday at the UN headquarters in New York. Photo: Kyodo
US, Israel war on Iran

Vance says Iran talks making ‘good progress’, but US forces ‘locked and loaded’

Vice-President J.D. Vance said US and Iran are working together positively; however, military campaign will restart if negotiations collapse.

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Ukraine war

Belarus begins nuclear weapons drills with Russia

Minsk claims drills pose no security threats ⁠in the region, but Kyiv urges tightened sanctions in response.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | North Korea is not Iran. The same pressure tactics won’t work

North Korea’s nuclear reality and the overlapping interests of the US, China and Russia make tension reduction a prerequisite.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
2026 Xi-Trump summits

What does Pete Hegseth’s presence in China say about Trump’s military agenda?

US arms sales to Taiwan, nuclear weapons and military-to-military communication will be among topics discussed, experts say.

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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth (third from top) descends the steps of Air Force One as President Donald Trump walks with Chinese Vice-President Han Zheng during a welcome ceremony in Beijing on Wednesday. Photo: AP
Russia

Putin hails ‘world’s most powerful’ nuclear-capable missile in key test

Russian president boasts Sarmat ICBM’s capabilities months after the expiry of a nuclear treaty with the US.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Netanyahu says war ‘not over’ until Iran’s uranium is physically removed

Israeli leader says nuclear material must be ‘taken out’, as US-Iran ceasefire remains tenuous.

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North Korea

‘Groundless’ claims: North Korea says nuclear status is not up for debate

Since withdrawing from the non-proliferation treaty in 2003, North Korea has conducted six nuclear tests and built up an arsenal of warheads.

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North Korea launches a hypersonic missile from an undisclosed location on January 6, 2025. Photo: KCNA/AFP
US, Israel war on Iran

US strikes Iranian tanker amid reports Washington and Tehran near deal

Trump reiterated that Iran ‘cannot have a nuclear weapon’ as both sides combined military pressure with diplomatic efforts to end deadlock.

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Oil tankers remain anchored in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas in southern Iran. Photo: ISNA/AFP
China's military weapons

Does YJ-20 hypersonic sea-based missile give China an edge over US carriers?

The highly manoeuvrable weapon is nearly invulnerable to interception and could sink an aircraft carrier with a single hit.

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War and conflict

As I see it | Thanks to Trump and Netanyahu, everyone now wants to go nuclear

After waging a war on the pretext of stopping Iran from developing nuclear weapons, the US and Israel have ignited a new arms race.

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