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This Week in Asia /

Politics

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Asean
South China Sea
the Asian angle
India launches the maiden flight test of the Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile system on July 23. Photo: YouTube/Military92
India

India’s Kusha missile test signals step closer to self-reliance for air defence

The locally made missile system is set to be a key part of India’s goal to create a multilayered national defence umbrella by 2035.

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Thailand

Thailand looks to Siam Silica to propel it to top Asean semiconductor player

Malaysia

Malaysia’s royals rise to the fore in a changing nation

The Philippines

Philippines’ South China Sea education push blurs ‘teaching the truth’ lines

The push by several Philippine lawmakers is to counter what they say are efforts to support pro-Beijing positions over the maritime row.

A Chinese coastguard ship fires a water cannon at a Philippine vessel in South China Sea, as seen in this screengrab of a video released on July 23. Photo: Jay Tarriela/X/Handout/Reuters
A Chinese coastguard ship fires a water cannon at a Philippine vessel in South China Sea, as seen in this screengrab of a video released on July 23. Photo: Jay Tarriela/X/Handout/Reuters
Malaysia

In Malaysia, Nurul Izzah’s PKR exit deepens questions over Anwar’s leadership

Having his daughter quit as deputy president of the party he founded is going to be a huge political setback for the prime minister, analysts say.

Malaysia

Malaysian ex-PM Ismail Sabri’s corruption charges delayed by health woes

The 66-year-old is the latest senior politician swept up in the government’s anti-corruption crackdown under PM Anwar Ibrahim.

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Malaysia

How crime syndicates are exploiting Malaysia’s connectivity to move drugs

The country’s proximity to major drug-producing areas and porous borders make it an attractive transit point for traffickers, analysts say.

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Indonesian Customs officials display drugs smuggled by a Malaysian pilot as evidence during a press conference at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on July 31. Photo: AFP
Indonesian Customs officials display drugs smuggled by a Malaysian pilot as evidence during a press conference at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on July 31. Photo: AFP
Asean

Why the UK is doubling down on Asean ties amid European reset

Observers say the move to engage Asean is less a policy reset than continuity in Britain’s post-Brexit engagement with the bloc.

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Indonesia

Indonesia warns against users spreading fake news ahead of its Independence Day

The move by some shopping centres and office complexes in Jakarta to erect barricades has fuelled speculation about potential unrest.

US, Israel war on Iran

How US became trapped in ‘dreadful situation’ of its own making over Iran war

With Iran holding firm to its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, Trump faces one of two choices: capitulate or risk a ‘forever war’, experts say.

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US President Donald Trump addresses the nation from the East Room of the White House on July 16. Photo: Getty Images
Indonesia

Reality bites for Indonesia’s Prabowo as approval rating falls

The decline reflects a disconnect between Indonesia’s still-respectable headline growth and how voters experience the economy, analysts say.

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto. Photo: AFP
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Indonesia’s Prabowo eyes North Korea trip. But no one’s invited him

While a visit could boost Indonesia’s diplomatic clout, it also threatens to raise another outcry about Prabowo’s frequent flights.

Malaysia

Malay nationalism surge threatens to end Malaysia’s reform experiment

Since becoming prime minister in 2022, Anwar has struggled to win over support from Malaysia’s Malay-Muslim majority.

Myanmar

Myanmar president heads to Thailand amid civil war at home

Thailand’s acknowledgement of Min Aung Hlaing’s legitimacy stems from a ‘straight up pragmatism’, analysts say.

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Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing leaves after delivering a speech in parliament on Friday. Photo: AP
The Philippines

Can France help the Philippines overcome its nuclear power baggage?

Paris is ready to share its nuclear energy expertise with Manila as part of efforts to deepen defence cooperation, outgoing envoy says.

Vapour rises from cooling towers of a nuclear power plant in Saint-Vulbas, central eastern France, in January 2022. About 70 per cent of France’s power supply comes from nuclear energy. Photo: AFP
Vapour rises from cooling towers of a nuclear power plant in Saint-Vulbas, central eastern France, in January 2022. About 70 per cent of France’s power supply comes from nuclear energy. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Are Indonesia’s Prabowo and ultra rich ‘9 Dragons’ on a collision course?

Analysts say the pressure on Indonesia’s older business elite forms part of a broader two-pronged strategy of state capitalism.

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Pacific nations

Solomon port plans mark US reset of ‘anaemic’ Pacific ties

The move aims to ensure Honiara partners with Western allies in sectors with security implications, analysts say.

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India

Can a tech titan ace a test to fix India’s crisis-hit education system?

Nandan Nilekani’s efforts to reform the nation’s education sector face employability and AI challenges amid anger over exam scandals.

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People celebrate the resignation of India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Mumbai on July 26 during a protest over the alleged question paper leaks. Photo: AFP
People celebrate the resignation of India’s Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in Mumbai on July 26 during a protest over the alleged question paper leaks. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Will Philippines’ push for seabed rights derail South China Sea code talks?

Analysts say Manila’s move could make it harder for Asean to agree on a common position regarding the code of conduct.

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Thailand

Thailand hits back at ‘inaccuracies’ in UN expert’s Cambodia findings

Bangkok says no efforts were made to verify the claims of UN Special Rapporteur Tom Andrews with Thai authorities.

Malaysia

Why Malaysia is urging global powers to uphold international law ‘consistently’

Analysts say the remarks are aimed broadly at powerful states as Southeast Asian nations seek stronger deterrence against coercion.

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Malaysia’s Defence Minister Khaled Nordin (right) at the 37th International Military Law and Operations Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday. Photo: EPA
Singapore

Singapore battles speed of youth radicalisation as concerns mount

Observers say boosting relationships, digital literacy and emotional resilience can help young people better reject violent ideologies.

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Singapore’s Internal Security Department says social media and online platforms have accelerated the time between an individual’s first encounter with extremist elements and their subscription to such ideologies. Photo: Shutterstock
Singapore’s Internal Security Department says social media and online platforms have accelerated the time between an individual’s first encounter with extremist elements and their subscription to such ideologies. Photo: Shutterstock
Asean

What Turkey’s upgrade to Asean dialogue partner status means

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan calls the development ‘of utmost importance’ in its relationship with Asia-Pacific countries.

Malaysia

Three strikes, DAP’s out? Loss in Malaysia’s third state poll rattles coalition

DAP chief Anthony Loke’s defeat in Chennah, which he has represented for 13 years, is a big blow to the ruling coalition’s largest party.

The Philippines

Philippines eyes Ukraine’s drone know-how for South China Sea

Manila likes the look of Kyiv’s low-cost drones, but adapting battlefield tech to grey-zone sea stand-offs won’t be easy.

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An FP-1 deep-strike drone launches for a combat mission in an undisclosed location in Ukraine in 2026. Photo: Reuters
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