TOPIC

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.

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.

5 hours agovideocam

The Philippines

US missile deployments in Philippines signal deeper strategic shift in region

19 Feb 2026 - 6:58PMvideocam

China's military weapons

China’s Middle East arms edge overshadowed by Turkey and South Korea in Riyadh

12 Feb 2026 - 5:50PMvideocam

South China Sea

How Manila’s ‘naming and shaming’ challenges Beijing’s South China Sea stance

Analysts say the Philippines’ approach of ‘assertive transparency’ may be wearing thin at home and in the region.

12 Feb 2026 - 11:07AMvideocam

Malaysia

‘Balancing act’: why Malaysia is boosting its missile arsenal amid maritime row

The navy is adding new Norwegian and Turkish missiles to replace its ageing arsenal of decades-old Exocets.

10 Feb 2026 - 5:27PMvideocam

South China Sea

China, Philippines hold first talks in over a year: South China Sea thaw ahead?

Philippine president rejects calls for Manila to declare Chinese ambassador persona non grata even as frictions spike in South China Sea.

8 Feb 2026 - 8:34PMvideocam

Pakistan

Pakistan accuses ‘elements supported by India’ of organising Balochistan attacks

The attacks in recent days in the restive province caused the deaths of more than 250 civilians, security personnel and insurgents.

5 Feb 2026 - 6:17PMvideocam

Site of a suspected separatist attack in Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, Pakistan, on Monday. Photo: EPA

US-China relations

As Canada and UK hit refresh on China ties, is this the end of Five Eyes?

The White House’s ‘America first’ strategy is prompting alliance members to take another look at their relationship with Beijing.

31 Jan 2026 - 3:31PMvideocam

Singapore

Who are ‘we’? Why some Singaporeans bristle at ‘we first’ inclusive society call

Several ministers have spoken about a “we first” society, prompting some Singaporeans to question whether it benefits foreigners more.

28 Jan 2026 - 7:48PM

South Korea

Why US defence strategy may hurt leaders in South Korea, Japan

The National Defence Strategy states that the US will provide ‘more limited’ support to its allies in line with the ‘America-first’ policy.

28 Jan 2026 - 9:11PMvideocam

A US B-1B bomber, South Korean F-15K, Japanese F-2, and US F-16 jets fly in a joint drill over Jeju Island, South Korea, in 2024. Photo: AFP/US Air Force/South Korea’s defence ministry

The Philippines

Filipino’s death fuels concern over coercive recruitment in Ukraine war

Observers say the case of John Patrick reflects human exploitation and the structural pressure on Russia’s manpower resources.

30 Jan 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Ukrainian soldiers fire the BM-21 Grad MLRS at an undisclosed location in Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, on January 24, amid the Russian invasion. Photo: EPA/24th Mechanised Brigade Press Service

Cambodia

Fear of Thai border action steers Cambodia towards UN law of sea after 43 years

Cambodia’s smaller and weaker navy will find safety in numbers and rule of law now that it has ratified Unclos, according to analysts.

27 Jan 2026 - 6:03PMvideocam

China's military weapons

Shandong’s use of PLA dry dock near South China Sea suggests carrier milestone

China may avoid a ‘carrier gap’ and could support carrier operations along the Indian Ocean to the Middle East and beyond, analysts say.

26 Jan 2026 - 8:25PMvideocam

US-Asean relations

Foot in the door or trap? Risks of Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Southeast Asia

Nations are likely to try to avoid early commitment while steering clear of outright rejection to minimise US retaliation, analysts say.

21 Jan 2026 - 2:30PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump speaks to the media on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday. Photo: EPA

Singapore

US ambassador to Singapore’s much ‘larger gifts’ call to mark July 4 rankles

In light of recent US actions, Anjani Sinha’s call could be deemed as the embassy trying to ‘shake down businesses’, an analyst says.

21 Jan 2026 - 10:54AM

Singapore

Most Singaporeans not upbeat on future of next generation: survey

But the city state also ranks highest in trust among people with differences in society, tied with Saudi Arabia in the Edelman global report.

19 Jan 2026 - 8:17AM

The Philippines

Why the Philippines is taking control of undersea cable security

The moves will help strengthen regional stability and prevent Indo-Pacific connectivity from being quietly weaponised, analysts say.

9 Jan 2026 - 6:26PM

Donald Trump

US’ Asian allies reluctant to slam Trump’s ‘cowboy tactics’ against Venezuela

These countries fear the consequences of criticising the US, particularly given Trump’s willingness to use the tariff threat in trade talks.

6 Jan 2026 - 8:57PMvideocam

Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in handcuffs after landing at a helipad in New York, escorted by US federal agents on Monday. Photo: TNS

China-Japan relations

‘Real and accelerating’: China-Japan military tensions surge amid missile race

Analysts hold out little hope that security pressures will ease, given US insistence that regional allies boost first island chain defences.

8 Jan 2026 - 8:34AMvideocam

China's military weapons

Is China quietly preparing cargo ships to transform into military vessels?

Containers bear the words ‘plan for the maritime revival of the Chinese nation and the community of shared future for mankind in the ocean’.

26 Dec 2025 - 9:06PMvideocam

US-China relations

Will Trump’s battleship plan deter China or is it just a pipe dream?

Donald Trump unveils new class of ship meant to ‘inspire fear in America’s enemies’, but analysts say the initiative faces huge hurdles.

26 Dec 2025 - 5:50PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump announces plans for a new class of warships bearing his name at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday. Photo: AFP

The Philippines

Is Philippines being unfairly named in Australia’s Bondi Beach shooting?

Australian police are looking into a trip the two suspects made to Davao City, but Philippine officials say it is not connected to the shooting.

19 Dec 2025 - 5:24PMvideocam

People visit a floral tribute outside the Bondi Pavilion on Friday following Sunday’s shooting. Photo: AP

US-Asean relations

Southeast Asia barely features in America’s new security strategy

The region appears just twice in the new 32-page US National Security Strategy, raising fears it is being relegated to a ‘bargaining chip’.

14 Dec 2025 - 12:00PM

Australia

Why US review of Aukus submarine deal for Australia is kept secret

One reason is to maintain public support for the alliance by preventing any shortfalls of the deal from being made known, analysts say.

12 Dec 2025 - 6:17PMvideocam

Myanmar

Myanmar’s criticism of Takaichi signals ‘loyalty’ to China ahead of election

A junta spokesman slammed the Japanese prime minister’s comments on Taiwan, saying Tokyo had not shown remorse for its ‘crimes’ in Asia.

5 Dec 2025 - 6:44PMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets Myanmar leader Min Aung Hlaing on the sidelines of celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany in Moscow on May 9. Photo: Xinhua

Asean

Why Asean’s AI ambition may lead to widening economic and tech divide

While countries such as Singapore and Malaysia are ahead in the AI race, others like Cambodia and Laos risk being left behind, analysts say.

21 Nov 2025 - 5:31PM

An illustration of stock market trading using artificial intelligence. Asean is aiming to expand the use of AI across sectors. Photo: Shutterstock

China's military weapons

Pakistan’s navy is set to have Chinese subs in 2026. What does it mean for India?

The delivery also suggests that Beijing has overcome a major technical hurdle in the vessels’ construction, observers say.

8 Nov 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

Singapore

Atomic ambitions: Singapore eyes the nuclear option for a net-zero future

The city state has released a paper on nuclear energy covering new reactor technology and high-profile accidents.

1 Nov 2025 - 12:39PMvideocam

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW