This Week in Asia /
Opinion
Related Topics:
China Briefing
The View
Asean
Asian Angle
|
Why Malaysia seeks enduring Asean-GCC-China cooperation
Malaysia’s history as a global bridge drives this new trilateral forum, mirroring historical trade routes from China to the Middle East.
28 Jul 2025 - 10:05AM
videocam
US-ally trade wars
Opinion
|
In Trump’s tariff deals with Southeast Asia, will there be any winners?
28 Jul 2025 - 10:04AM
videocam
South Korea
My Take
|
From Seoul to Singapore, the squat toilet’s days are numbered
25 Jul 2025 - 10:00AM
videocam
Malaysia
Asian Angle
|
Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohamad: a 100-year mixed legacy
From nation-building triumphs to institutional erosion, the 100-year legacy of Malaysia’s two-time prime minister is complex.
20 Jul 2025 - 10:30AM
6
Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad gestures during an interview at his office in Putrajaya. Photo: AFP
Environment
Opinion
|
Is Asia’s cleaner air driving global warming?
Air pollution has held human-induced warming in check for the past century by acting as an artificial sunshade, a new study shows.
19 Jul 2025 - 10:30AM
videocam
Malaysia
My Take
|
Malaysian lawyers’ march a marker of falling public trust in Anwar
Greater transparency could go a long way in restoring Malaysians’ belief in their prime minister.
18 Jul 2025 - 10:30AM
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Vietnam
Asian Angle
|
Is Vietnam’s tech dream stuck in the assembly line?
Vietnam needs to focus on upgrading domestic capacity and implementing urgent reforms, or risk becoming a second-tier assembly line.
13 Jul 2025 - 10:00AM
Workers stitch garments at a factory in Vietnam’s Thai Nguyen province on July 2. Photo: AFP
Asean
Asian Angle
|
Food for thought: how Chinese brands serve up soft power in Southeast Asia
Chinese F&B brands are becoming increasingly prominent, fuelling a familiarity with China that legitimates its stronger regional presence.
12 Jul 2025 - 12:00PM
Hong Kong
Opinion
|
Time to end Hong Kong’s licensing regime to foster innovation
The city’s licensing system for food stalls, taxis and care homes creates unfair power dynamics. A more flexible approach is needed.
6 Jul 2025 - 3:18PM
7
US-Asean relations
Asian Angle
|
What the Vietnam war can teach us about Trump’s Asia policy
The Vietnam war ended 50 years ago. Its complex legacy offers context for Donald Trump’s global trade and security shake-up.
5 Jul 2025 - 11:00AM
videocam
North Korea
My Take
|
Are North Korea, China and Russia’s ‘blood-forged’ ties more than just rhetoric?
National interests historically prevail over the much-lauded friendships ‘forged in blood’ among the three countries.
4 Jul 2025 - 10:30AM
videocam
A screen displays North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un looking at coffins during a performance attended by Kim and Russian Minister of Culture Olga Lyubimova in Pyongyang. Photo: Korean Central Television/AFP
Israel-Iran conflict
Opinion
|
Decoding Israel, Iran and China’s collision of interests in the Middle East
The conflict exposed a harsh reality for Iran: strategic alliances with China and Russia do not guarantee military backing.
29 Jun 2025 - 6:00PM
videocam
Asean
Asian Angle
|
Are migrant workers the real glue cementing Asean-GCC ties?
The surprising truth behind the growing partnership lies in its people-to-people connections, remittances, the haj and financial mobility.
28 Jun 2025 - 12:00PM
videocam
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.
27 Jun 2025 - 10:30AM
7
Indonesia
Asian Angle
|
Not-so-rich kid: meet Bobby Saputra, a viral parody of privilege
More than just a viral sensation, Bobby Saputra exposes deep-seated frustrations among Southeast Asian youth with corruption and inequality.
22 Jun 2025 - 10:00AM
videocam
Ben Sumadiwiria as uber-rich playboy Bobby Saputra. Photo: Ben Sumadiwiria
Israel-Iran conflict
Opinion
|
Flying into the storm: how Middle East conflict reshapes global air routes
The airline industry has been re-routing routes and avoiding conflict zones in the Middle East while keeping an eye on rising costs.
21 Jun 2025 - 10:00AM
videocam
Malaysia
My Take
|
Caught in the chip war, Malaysia must rethink its US–China balancing act
Allegations of Chinese chip access via Malaysia highlight the growing costs of staying neutral.
20 Jun 2025 - 10:30AM
videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Asean
Asian Angle
|
Trump tariffs challenge Asean’s unity and economic stability
As Trump’s tariff policies threaten Asean solidarity, the bloc should focus on regional trade to maintain stability and prevent division amid divergent responses.
15 Jun 2025 - 10:00AM
videocam
An Asean logo is displayed at the venue, ahead of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Langkawi Island, state of Kedah, Malaysia, on January 17. Photo: EPA-EFE
War and conflict
Opinion
|
Israel’s interception of Madleen raises legal concerns over aid blockade
International law outlines strict conditions for blockades, highlighting potential violations in the recent interception of a humanitarian aid vessel.
14 Jun 2025 - 3:22PM
videocam
Diplomacy
Opinion
|
China as a global conflict mediator: from ambition to action
From Saudi-Iran rapprochement to Myanmar ceasefires, China’s conflict diplomacy also aims to protect its own interests.
8 Jun 2025 - 10:30AM
US-Asean relations
Asian Angle
|
Trump, Hegseth, Rubio: a triple threat to global stability – and Asia
The Trump administration has abandoned diplomacy for tariffs and threats, fracturing alliances and leaving Asean caught in the crossfire.
7 Jun 2025 - 10:30AM
5
Asean
My Take
|
Can Southeast Asia contain growing threat of cyber scams?
An unprecedented level of coordination is required to tackle such crimes as Southeast Asian economies become more digitalised.
6 Jun 2025 - 10:36AM
videocam
A recent UN report estimated that cyber-enabled fraud cost East and Southeast Asia nearly US$40 billion in 2023. Photo: Shutterstock
South Korea
Opinion
|
Will South Korea’s next president be able to heal a fractured nation?
High levels of support for front runner Lee Jae-myung suggest a widespread desire to repudiate Yoon Suk-yeol’s martial law declaration.
1 Jun 2025 - 12:00PM
videocam
United States
Opinion
|
Why US exceptionalism, export of crassness are losing their shallow appeal
America’s inevitable decline proves that nations thrive by prioritising their needs and working with others, not seeking economic dominance.
2 Jun 2025 - 8:32AM
6
India
My Take
|
Is India poised to rival US universities in a global academic shift?
As US visa changes worry Asian students, India sees a chance to boost education, research, and economic growth amid shifting global academic dynamics.
30 May 2025 - 10:30AM
Open Questions series
Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump
10 Feb 2025 - 12:57PM
videocam
40
US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss
10 Feb 2025 - 6:49AM
videocam
29
China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024
23 Dec 2024 - 2:30PM
Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty
22 Nov 2024 - 12:38PM
videocam
4
Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed
8 Nov 2024 - 12:01AM
videocam
31
Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump
10 Feb 2025 - 12:57PM
videocam
40
US-China rivalry doesn’t have to be a zero-sum game: Jessica Chen Weiss
10 Feb 2025 - 6:49AM
videocam
29
China’s rise, potential recession, no WWIII yet: 11 key interviews from 2024
23 Dec 2024 - 2:30PM
Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty
22 Nov 2024 - 12:38PM
videocam
4
Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed
8 Nov 2024 - 12:01AM
videocam
31
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
OPINION
FOLLOW
Cheng-Chwee Kuik
Asian Angle
|
Why Malaysia seeks enduring Asean-GCC-China cooperation
28 Jul 2025 - 10:05AM
Stephen Olson
Opinion
|
In Trump’s tariff deals with Southeast Asia, will there be any winners?
28 Jul 2025 - 10:04AM
Maria Siow
My Take
|
From Seoul to Singapore, the squat toilet’s days are numbered
25 Jul 2025 - 10:00AM
Tricia Yeoh
,
Francis E. Hutchinson
Asian Angle
|
Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohamad: a 100-year mixed legacy
20 Jul 2025 - 10:30AM
6
Laura Wilcox
,
Bjorn H. Samset
Opinion
|
Is Asia’s cleaner air driving global warming?
19 Jul 2025 - 10:30AM
Joseph Sipalan
My Take
|
Malaysian lawyers’ march a marker of falling public trust in Anwar
18 Jul 2025 - 10:30AM
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW