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This Week in Asia /

Politics

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman hold a joint news conference in Tokyo on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (third from right) and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman (third from left) lead talks at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Japan

Japan’s US$6 billion port plan aims to revive Bangladesh’s bruised economy

Tokyo’s backing for the Matarbari deep-sea port offers Dhaka economic breathing room and promises to reshape Indo-Pacific trade routes.

Malaysia

In Melaka, is avoiding another Umno rout Anwar’s best hope?

Malaysia

Malaysia still deep in 1MDB red as Najib heads home

Indonesia

Indonesia’s haze crisis becomes rallying point for student anger at Prabowo

Students are demanding action on the fires while challenging the president’s spending priorities and record on governance.

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Students shout slogans and raise the three-finger salute, a symbol of resistance, during a protest against the government in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday. Hundreds of students staged a protest urging the government to declare a national disaster over wildfires and haze, control over the state budget, and lower fuel and basic necessities prices. Photo: EPA
University students take part in a protest against President Prabowo Subianto’s policies and the government’s handling of wildfires in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
India

Beyond ammo: India’s bid for a lasting role in Europe’s defence

A US$872 million ammo export windfall gave New Delhi a foot in the door. Turning crisis sales into a lasting presence may prove harder.

Japan

Will US midterm battles blind Washington to Asia? Japan isn’t taking any chances

Fearing post-election paralysis in the White House, Tokyo is fast-tracking defence partnerships across the region to reduce US reliance.

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US midterm elections 2026

Why Indian-American support for Trump is slipping before midterms

Visa restrictions, rising prices and right-wing rhetoric are driving once-supportive voters back towards the Democrats.

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US President Donald Trump walks off stage at a midterm campaign rally at Crossroads Arena in Corinth, Mississippi, on Sunday. Photo: AFP
US President Donald Trump walks off stage at a midterm campaign rally at Crossroads Arena in Corinth, Mississippi, on Sunday. Photo: AFP
South Korea

Why is the US reluctant to give South Korea wartime control of its troops?

Seoul wants full military command returned by 2028, but Washington is holding back – and analysts say China is the reason.

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Singapore

Why Singapore’s PAP vote is not the place to look for leadership renewal signs

Analysts predict changes to come in 2028, with the next general election slated for 2030.

The Philippines

Philippines’ bounty on ‘Bato’ dela Rosa exposes Marcos’ dilemma in Duterte feud

The massive reward for the ex-police chief highlights deepening political fallout as the ICC manhunt exposes executive vulnerabilities.

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Philippine Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa attends a Senate session in May. Manila has offered a 50-million-peso bounty for the former police chief, who remains at large despite an ICC arrest warrant over his role in Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly drug crackdown. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Indonesia’s 4-nation defence pact: strategic coup or paper tiger?

The Badr pact with Turkey, Qatar and Pakistan offers Indonesia defence equipment and capital, but tangled regional geopolitics pose a test.

Defence chiefs from Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday. The four nations established the Badr pact to boost military R&D, training and defence industry capabilities. Photo: Reuters
Defence chiefs from Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia attend a signing ceremony in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday. The four nations established the Badr pact to boost military R&D, training and defence industry capabilities. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Philippine Air Force faces hard questions after deadly crashes

Budget constraints mean the air force has had to repeatedly use aircraft for missions beyond their intended roles, analysts say.

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SCMP Highlights

Why paper straws are worse than plastic; haze in Indonesia: 7 Asia highlights

From Malaysian teen held after live-streaming axe attack to haze in Indonesia, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

US, Israel war on Iran

Why 4 Muslim-majority nations are suddenly pooling their military capabilities

The four-nation Badr defence pact seeks to shed dependence on Western arms sales and the political strings that come with them.

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Turkey, Qatar, Pakistan, and Indonesia sign an agreement aimed at boosting defence cooperation and strengthening defensive capabilities in Doha on Wednesday. Photo: Qatar News Agency / Reuters
Indonesia

Indonesia defends Singapore gas cuts as within contractual limits

The cuts come days after Indonesia’s energy minister warned that his country could stop exports to nations that ‘did not respect’ it.

Motorcyclists queue to refuel at a petrol station in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, on October 15. Photo: EPA
Motorcyclists queue to refuel at a petrol station in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia, on October 15. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

‘Fed up’ Malaysian sultan rebukes scandal-hit pilgrimage fund

The Selangor sultan expressed disappointment over the fund in an interview, warning against politicians exploiting race and religion.

The Philippines

Filipinos split on Marcos’ sea handling amid row over Chinese envoy’s remarks

A survey shows that many people back diplomacy, but rising rhetoric between Manila and Beijing could undermine this peaceful stance.

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Singapore

Singapore embraces AI for cyber defence, with one caveat: breach transparency

The city state will take a ‘pragmatic’ approach to AI adoption as it seeks to bolster protection for its critical infrastructure.

Anthropic co-founder Benjamin Mann and Kai Fong Chng, permanent secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information, sign an agreement on AI cooperation on October 13. Photo: MDDI
Anthropic co-founder Benjamin Mann and Kai Fong Chng, permanent secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Digital Development and Information, sign an agreement on AI cooperation on October 13. Photo: MDDI
Indonesia

Big dreams, growing pains in Indonesia: Prabowo’s turbulent 2 years in power

The president says he sees a ‘bright future for Indonesia’ even as citizens worry about rising costs and a lack of job opportunities.

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India

Economic fears fuel protests in India, France as ‘social contract’ breaks down

A leading Hindu organisation claims that foreign forces are seeking to destabilise India through the protests.

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The Philippines

How the Philippines’ energy crisis is opening doors for deeper US military ties

A proposed US-backed oil stockpile offers the Philippines energy relief while strengthening American military logistics in the region.

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A pedestrian reads a sign at a petrol station in Tacloban City, Philippines, in March, as the nation’s sole refinery looks to replenish dwindling fuel reserves. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s oil-rich Sarawak heads to polls, forcing Anwar into yet another federal test

Sarawak’s ‘confident’ ruling coalition is pushing for greater autonomy and control over the Borneo state’s vast oil and gas resources.

Leaders of the Sarawak Parties Alliance coalition wave flags after their landslide victory in the state elections in Kuching in 2021. The alliance currently holds 80 of the 82 seats in the state legislature. Photo: AFP
Leaders of the Sarawak Parties Alliance coalition wave flags after their landslide victory in the state elections in Kuching in 2021. The alliance currently holds 80 of the 82 seats in the state legislature. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

‘I am not resigning’: embattled leader digs in as Malaysia royal crisis deepens

Defying calls to step down and a royal rebuke, Ismail Lasim is fighting for survival as his sacked councillors take the throne feud to court.

Indonesia

Indonesia haze: why Jakarta won’t declare wildfires a national disaster

Indonesia resists declaring the wildfires a national disaster despite health crises, facing criticism over political and budget priorities.

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India

Why does India need 4 large amphibious warships?

While the vessels would be useful in humanitarian missions, their deployment in military operations would also be crucial, analysts say.

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INS Jalashwa is India’s first landing platform dock. Photo: YouTube/Indian Navy
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