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This Week in Asia /
Politics
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Asean
South China Sea
the Asian angle
The Philippines
Philippines shifts defence strategy with Japan, eyes wider security focus
Defence chief Gilberto Teodoro says the Diaoyu Islands are now considered a ‘serious concern’ and the Balikatan drills will also be expanded.
1 hour ago
Malaysia
New database tracks shifting outcomes of Malaysia’s political corruption cases
5 hours ago
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Asean
Asean’s pivot to energy security leaves long-standing issues on summit sidelines
8 May 2026 - 1:17PM
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India-Pakistan tensions
Chinese J-35 stealth jets set to give Pakistan a strategic edge over India
India has a much larger fleet of 4.5-generation fighters but is lagging behind Pakistan in the acquisition of stealth warplanes.
4 hours ago
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The J-35A fighter jet appears during a CCTV report on Shenyang Aircraft Corporation on May 1. Photo: CCTV
Vietnam
Vietnam burns red tape but growth may be harder to rekindle
Vietnam’s drive to energise its economy may take time to materialise in the face of rising fuel costs and trade barriers, analysts say.
8 May 2026 - 10:43AM
Myanmar
Myanmar’s military rulers hire Trump ally for US$50,000 a month to lobby Washington
Roger Stone has been commissioned to rebuild relations with the US, though analysts doubt Myanmar can escape its pariah status.
7 May 2026 - 4:13PM
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Japan
Trump’s last diehard Japanese fans lose faith as Iran war chaos spreads
Concerns in Japan are also mounting over the security ties between Japan and the US as Trump seeks to withdraw more troops from Europe.
8 May 2026 - 10:20AM
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Protesters hold placards representing Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and US President Donald Trump at a demonstration in Tokyo on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
North Korea
North Korea drops reunification from constitution to formalise ‘two-state’ ties
Pyongyang has dropped references to ‘national reunification’ and redefined borders in its revised constitution.
7 May 2026 - 8:20PM
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India
Vietnam, India seek closer ties to hedge against dependence on superpowers
President To Lam’s agenda during his visit to New Delhi is expected to include a deal for Vietnam to buy India’s BrahMos missiles.
7 May 2026 - 4:35PM
India
What the BJP’s historic West Bengal victory means for Modi’s India
Narendra Modi’s ruling coalition now controls roughly 70 per cent of India’s state legislatures, giving him a historic grip on power.
6 May 2026 - 7:00PM
Japan
Bound by anxiety: Japan and Australia deepen ties for an uneasy age
Shared concerns about trade coercion and energy shocks are driving the two middle powers to ‘institutionalise’ their partnership.
6 May 2026 - 12:25PM
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the signing of their Joint Declaration on Economic Security Cooperation in Canberra on Monday. Photo: AAP/dpa
The Philippines
Hiding from the ICC? Philippine senator’s 6-month paid absence draws fire
Ronald Dela Rosa has not appeared for work since reports of him being targeted by the ICC as a co-perpetrator in Duterte’s deadly drug war.
6 May 2026 - 11:13AM
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Japan
Why Japanese politician’s goal to reset ties with Russia is ‘a long shot’
A proposed meeting of foreign ministers from Tokyo and Moscow is unlikely for now due to objections from the Japanese public and allies.
6 May 2026 - 9:30AM
Singapore
Lawrence Wong warned of ‘storm clouds’ for Singapore. Was it an understatement?
Wong and his team have to prove they are ‘more than equal’ to the task of helping Singapore navigate coming headwinds, analysts say.
6 May 2026 - 11:50AM
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The Philippines
Philippine VP’s impeachment case heads to plenary vote amid coercion claims
Duterte-Carpio’s camp has accused administration allies of pressuring legislators to support the impeachment or risk withdrawal of funds.
5 May 2026 - 8:25PM
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Protesters hold a rally to call for the impeachment of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte, outside the House of Representatives in Quezon City on April 29. Photo: EPA
South Korea
South Korea rebuffs Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’ call after Hormuz ship fire
A UN mandate and a global coalition are required before Seoul joins Trump’s mission to reopen the strait, officials indicate.
6 May 2026 - 9:16AM
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Japan
Japan offers Indonesia and the Philippines lethal muscle to counter China
Frigate and submarine sales are reportedly on the cards as Tokyo’s defence minister tours the region.
5 May 2026 - 12:29PM
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Malaysia
Between hope and reality – Umno’s plan to go solo a test of political waters
The party says a solo bid can help it win up to 60 seats in the next election and give it leverage to decide on coalition partners.
4 May 2026 - 5:00PM
A United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) flag waves outside the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: EPA-EFE
Malaysia
In Malaysia, Anwar’s former ally Rafizi Ramli grilled over Arm chip deal
The MACC is investigating power abuse claims and irregularities linked to the alliance between the economy ministry and the UK chip designer.
4 May 2026 - 11:23AM
Middle East
‘Structural shift’: new routes for Middle East freight to bypass Hormuz
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE lead a push for a new trade architecture with multiple nodes linking the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
3 May 2026 - 10:30AM
Saudi Arabia
UAE’s Opec exit signals aim to accelerate foreign policy diversification
Iran’s attacks on Gulf states have forced Abu Dhabi to rethink its place within the Saudi Arabia-led diplomatic architecture, analysts say.
2 May 2026 - 5:00PM
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Japan
Common threats help Japan, South Korea overlook historical rows
Both appear willing to put past differences aside as they confront an assertive China, North Korea and an unpredictable US.
2 May 2026 - 3:58PM
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Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (left) and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung visit the Horyu-ji temple in Ikaruga, Nara prefecture, on January 14. Photo: EPA
India
Why India’s logistics pact with Russia signals its Arctic ‘footprint’ ambition
The pact allows up to ‘five warships, 10 aircraft and 3,000 troops’ to be stationed in each other’s territory for five years.
2 May 2026 - 1:00PM
Malaysia
From Malaysia’s book bans to Iran war, Anwar’s reform agenda faces sternest test
Anwar’s government has tilted to the right in recent years in a move to win the support of Malay voters, analysts say.
2 May 2026 - 8:00AM
Malaysia
‘Moral harm’: Malaysia’s culture war brigade tries to hose down water festival
Kuala Lumpur’s Rain Rave Water Music Festival faces backlash from critics who argue that such vulgar imports hurt conservative values.
1 May 2026 - 4:10PM
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