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S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies

S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies: A prominent Singapore-based autonomous graduate school and global think tank, RSIS is part of Nanyang Technological University. It is dedicated to being a leading research and graduate teaching institution in strategic and international affairs in the Asia-Pacific. Its main areas of focus include offering Master’s and Doctoral programmes in international relations, strategic studies, and Asian studies, alongside conducting policy-relevant research on defence, national security, and non-traditional security issues. Recognised as a top graduate school in Asia, RSIS significantly contributes to policy-making and regional security dialogues.

Rockets are intercepted by the Iron Dome over the Upper Galilee region in northern Israel, on April 11. A US news outlet says Israel sent an Iron Dome battery to the UAE early in the Iran war. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Will Israel’s use of Iron Dome to aid Arab neighbour recalibrate Mideast defence?

Reported deployment ‘on UAE soil represents a qualitatively different level of trust and coordination’, analyst says.

29 Apr 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Asean

Why Malacca Strait tolls are unlikely despite Indonesia’s maritime push

28 Apr 2026 - 6:35PMvideocam

Malaysia

At Malaysia’s arms bazaar, drone dealers chase Southeast Asian market share

26 Apr 2026 - 1:46PMvideocam

China-India relations

Could Russian missiles help India counter its arch-rival’s Chinese weapons?

‘Force multiplier’ could allow New Delhi to target Pakistani support planes such as surveillance and refuelling aircraft.

26 Apr 2026 - 4:10PMvideocam

The missiles are fired from a Russian-made Su-35. Photo: Handout

US, Israel war on Iran

Shifting Saudi ties: what role could China take after Iran war is over?

Caught between Washington and Tehran, Riyadh may shift towards self-reliance and diversifying partnerships, observers note.

22 Apr 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Social media

Southeast Asia wants children off social media. Will it work?

Indonesia is leading a regional push to ban children from social media platforms. Enforcement is another matter, however.

19 Apr 2026 - 10:00AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Can Iran’s small, fast-attack boats challenge US naval blockade of Hormuz?

Iran’s conventional navy might be decimated, but its large fleet of high-speed boats could well pose a threat, analysts in China say.

15 Apr 2026 - 8:13PMvideocam

“Forever in Iran’s hand”, a large billboard proclaims in Persian in a reference to the Strait of Hormuz, in Tehran on April 15. Photo: EPA

The Philippines

Why Southeast Asian nations are skipping major US-Philippine Balikatan drills

Given the rivalry between Washington and Beijing, joining the annual military exercise may risk being seen as picking the US, analysts say.

17 Apr 2026 - 1:11PM

Singapore

Singapore balances national interest with rising anti-US sentiment

Negative public sentiment does not immediately translate to worsening bilateral ties as the US remains an important partner, experts say.

15 Apr 2026 - 5:54PMvideocam

The Philippines

US-Philippines ties enter ‘more mature’ phase with planned fuel depot

The facility in Davao signals that defence ties are now focusing on sustainment, endurance and operational continuity, analysts say.

14 Apr 2026 - 8:14PMvideocam

Soldiers fire a howitzer during the annual joint “Balikatan” military exercises between the US and Philippine troops in Aparri, Cagayan province, in May 2025. Photo: Reuters

South Korea

Trump lashed out at Seoul over Hormuz. Will it affect US-South Korea ties?

Strong security ties and other allies’ reluctance to support Washington’s ‘war of choice’ will help Seoul withstand the blow, analysts say.

10 Apr 2026 - 10:37AMvideocam

South Korean protesters attach stickers on a banner showing the Strait of Hormuz during a rally near the presidential office in Seoul on March 28. The letters read “Refuse sending troops to Hormuz!” Photo: AP

US, Israel war on Iran

What is the war on Iran teaching China about the United States’ resilience?

Washington is providing a real-time laboratory of modern warfare and Beijing is paying close attention to the lessons.

8 Apr 2026 - 11:10AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

‘A whole civilisation will die tonight’: Donald Trump heightens Iran threats

Ahead of ‘complete demolition’ deadline, two sides face trust deficit and see no acceptable guarantor between them, analysts say.

7 Apr 2026 - 11:46PMvideocam

Pakistan

What Pakistan gains by playing peacemaker in Iran war

If Islamabad can successfully carry off the talks, it stands a chance of bringing in much-needed investments and weapon sales, analysts say.

1 Apr 2026 - 7:20PMvideocam

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (left) and Army Chief Asim Munir (right) meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on September 26, 2025. Photo: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Office/AFP

Formula One (F1)

Gulf’s decades-long strategy of sporting investment rocked by war

Since February, dozens of events due to be held have been cancelled or postponed, including football’s ‘Finalissima’, grands prix, MotoGP.

22 Mar 2026 - 8:00AM

Gulf countries like Bahrain have invested vast sums of money in bringing global sporting events to their shores. Photo: Reuters

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

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

China-Japan relations

Why Beijing has struggled to rally Asia against Japan over PM’s Taiwan remarks

Many in the region harbour security concerns similar to Tokyo’s and prefer to stay neutral between the Asian heavyweights, analysts say.

19 Mar 2026 - 8:16AMvideocam

Asean

New US trade offensive threatens to test Asean ties

The trade probes may compel Southeast Asia to continue diversifying away from the US, with analysts predicting recent deals could unravel.

18 Mar 2026 - 6:28PM

Asean

Asean bets on new framework to remedy ‘uneven’ disaster response

The new ‘ASPECT’ initiative could help boost quicker collective regional responses during large-scale or evolving disasters, analysts say.

18 Mar 2026 - 3:33PMvideocam

US-China relations

The US is shifting THAAD to the Middle East. What does that mean for China?

Analysts warn of a regional capability gap in the wake of US redeployment of anti-missile system to the Middle East.

14 Mar 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

A THAAD missile defense launcher sits at a US military base in Seongju, South Korea, on March 5. Photo: AFP

Diplomacy

Beyond Pax Silica: Japan, France and Canada seek rare earth autonomy

Wary of both Beijing’s grip and Washington’s whims, three G7 allies are charting their own independent critical mineral course.

14 Mar 2026 - 8:01AM

French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hand with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Paris, France, last year. Photo: EPA-EFE

South China Sea

What’s important about Antelope Reef in the South China Sea’s Paracel Islands?

Reports of extensive reclamation work on the once-submerged feature have prompted questions about its strategic value to Beijing.

13 Mar 2026 - 7:07PMvideocam

Singapore

Singapore strives to stay non-aligned amid US-China rivalry, new conflicts

Foreign minister says the city state must assert its distinctiveness to remain relevant and will not act as a proxy for any major power.

2 Mar 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

China's military weapons

What will first Type 055 destroyers for PLA East China Fleet mean for Taiwan?

Two of the guided-missile destroyers with hull numbers assigned have been spotted at a naval base on the East China Sea coast.

1 Mar 2026 - 8:00PM

China’s Type 055 destroyer, designated “Renhai-class” by Nato, is a cruiser-sized vessel with robust air defence, anti-submarine and surface warfare capabilities. Photo: Handout

Pakistan

‘Managed escalation’: Pakistan-Taliban stand-off enters dangerous new phase

With positions entrenched, mediation efforts by regional powers are unlikely to deliver a swift breakthrough, observers say.

28 Feb 2026 - 4:03PMvideocam

A Taliban fighter holds his weapon beside a Humvee after exchanges of fire between Pakistani and Afghan forces in Momand Dara district of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Singapore

Singapore prime minister attacked by hundreds of Chinese-language fake AI videos

The videos targeting Lawrence Wong spread false narratives about his leadership being under threat and political infighting in Singapore.

25 Feb 2026 - 9:31AMvideocam

The Philippines

US missile deployments in Philippines signal deeper strategic shift in region

Analysts said the move bolsters the First Island Chain strategy and deepens Manila’s role in regional defence planning.

19 Feb 2026 - 6:58PMvideocam

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