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Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (right) shakes hands with India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Islamabad last month. Photo: Pakistan’s Press Information Department / AFP

Opinion

Asian Angle | Why India-Pakistan relations need a new era of engagement

Historical examples show that the South Asian rivals can navigate their differences when their leaders embrace imaginative diplomacy.

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Asian Angle | Why Southeast Asia should worry about North Korean troops in Russia

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My Take | How North Korea’s troop deployment to Russia is changing attitudes in China

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Opinion

Asian Angle | 6 reasons the Indo-Pacific became a battleground for US-China influence

Discover the key factors driving this shift, the role India plays, and the potential that it holds for Southeast Asia.

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Opinion

My Take | India needs to honour Ratan Tata’s legacy with transparent funding of polls

An overhaul of the funding process and seat distribution in constituencies is needed to weed out ‘crony capitalism’ in Indian politics.

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Opinion

Asian Angle | How Southeast Asia can help bolster regional security amid US-China rivalry

It is in the region’s interests to welcome the independent involvement of extra-regional powers to keep vital sea lanes free and open.

Opinion

Opinion | Turkey’s Brics bid reflects its desire to a forge path between East and West

Ankara’s decision could be a strategy to strengthen relations with non-Western powers, but it’s also about chasing more trade.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) shakes hands with Russia’s Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Brics summit in Kazan on Wednesday. Photo: Turkish Presidency Press Office / AFP

Opinion

My Take | ‘Government knows best’? Malaysia has a problem with explaining its policies

The government needs to improve communication of its policy details and how they will be executed, instead of leaving the issue for later.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) delivers the 2025 budget speech at parliament in Kuala Lumpur on October 18. Photo: Malaysia Department of Information via AP
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) delivers the 2025 budget speech at parliament in Kuala Lumpur on October 18. Photo: Malaysia Department of Information via AP

Opinion

Asian Angle | Why Thailand failed to escape the middle-income trap

Despite early success, Thailand’s growth has stagnated – as flashy developments siphon resources away from innovation and productivity.

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Opinion

Asian Angle | Will Indonesia be more assertive on the world stage under Prabowo?

Prabowo Subianto is expected to be more hands-on in managing Indonesia’s foreign policy than his predecessor Joko Widodo.

Opinion

Asian Angle | Malaysia’s youth survey reveals deep ethnic divides and hopes for fairer policies

A recent survey of Malaysian youth reveals stark ethnic divisions, with Malays largely supporting existing preferential policies while non-Malays advocate for equality.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. An opinion poll has confirmed widely held beliefs and deep-rooted realities among young Malaysians. Photo: Shutterstock

Opinion

Asian Angle | Strengthening Asean is key for the US to boost its Indo-Pacific strategy

Whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris wins next month, a renewed focus on Asean will be essential for lasting stability amid China tensions.

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Asean leaders reach for each other’s hands during a group photo at the opening ceremony of the Asean Summit in Vientiane, Laos, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Asean leaders reach for each other’s hands during a group photo at the opening ceremony of the Asean Summit in Vientiane, Laos, on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Opinion

My Take | Japan’s Ishiba to focus on security ties with South Korea to counter Pyongyang

Shigeru Ishiba’s ‘progressive’ views on thorny historical issues have raised hopes that ties between Japan and South Korea could improve.

Opinion

Opinion | Israel invading Lebanon is nothing new. Will this time be different?

A year since the October 7 attack, Israel has failed to wipe out Hamas as intended. Destroying Hezbollah will prove even harder.

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Opinion

Asian Angle | Inside PAS’ ‘brilliant move’ to consolidate political power in Malaysia

SG4 aims to pool resources from Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu to attract investment – though feasibility issues remain.

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Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad (centre) at the launch of the SG4 Group Sdn Bhd in September. Photo: Facebook/TunDrMahathir

Opinion

My Take | Death of two Indian women workers underscores need to revamp workplace culture

The deaths highlight a lack of worker safety, fuelling calls for inclusive workplace reforms in India, and addressing low female workforce participation.

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India has a low participation of female workers, with only 37 per cent of women in the workforce according to government data. Photo: Shutterstock
India has a low participation of female workers, with only 37 per cent of women in the workforce according to government data. Photo: Shutterstock

Opinion

Asian Angle | Is Asia’s democracy in retreat? Insights from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand

Political shifts across Asia show the struggles of democratic movements – and why backing despots is not always a safe bet.

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Opinion

Asian Angle | How South Korea managed to avoid the ‘middle-income trap’ to grow its economy

Early land reform reduced income and wealth inequality, allowing South Korea to later focus on manufacturing and innovation to boost growth.

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Opinion

My Take | Malaysia owes it to young victims of cult-linked group to start healing process

The authorities have said little about the steps they will take to help the more than 550 children recover from their trauma.

The headquarters of Global Ikhwan Services and Business Holdings in Rawang, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: AFP

Opinion

Asian Angle | Why Thailand chose to buy Swedish fighter jets instead of US F-16s

The decision was driven by factors including cost, technology transfer, and a desire to avoid dependence on any single superpower.

Thailand’s move to buy Swedish jets was influenced by royal ties, military modernisation needs, and geopolitical considerations, marking a pivot in defence procurement. Photo: AFP
Thailand’s move to buy Swedish jets was influenced by royal ties, military modernisation needs, and geopolitical considerations, marking a pivot in defence procurement. Photo: AFP

Opinion

Asian Angle | Why did Malaysia’s Anwar give Russia a free pass over Ukraine?

Malaysia’s leader risks being accused of double standards over his reluctance to call out the Russian aggression he previously condemned.

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Opinion

Opinion | Is it time to rename the ‘Arab-Israeli conflict’ to reflect its wider scope?

The decades-long conflict now involves more than just the Arab nations and Israel, encompassing the US, Turkey and Iran, among others.

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Opinion

Opinion | India’s US$33 billion travel boom is reshaping global tourism

Indian outbound tourism is booming, with global travel nearing pre-pandemic levels, and destinations easing visa rules to attract Indian tourists.

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Indian tourists admire The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: Shutterstock
Open Questions series

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Ex-World Bank economist on why ‘China will not be misled’, dodging Japan’s fate

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Arthur Kroeber: why China decoupling is unlikely, and talk of reform incomplete

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Illustration: Henry Wong

South China Sea flare-up risk ‘much higher’: Taiwan’s former unofficial US envoy

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

videocam
28
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

videocam
13
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

videocam
46
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Ex-World Bank economist on why ‘China will not be misled’, dodging Japan’s fate

videocam
21
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Arthur Kroeber: why China decoupling is unlikely, and talk of reform incomplete

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38
Illustration: Henry Wong

South China Sea flare-up risk ‘much higher’: Taiwan’s former unofficial US envoy

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23
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
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