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This Week in Asia /

Politics

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the Asian angle
Fireworks burst as Houthi supporters rally against the Saudi-led coalition in Sanaa, Yemen, on Monday. Photo: AP
US, Israel war on Iran

Asia’s oil buyers face US$100-per-barrel risk as Houthis threaten Saudi blockade

A Houthi blockade could disrupt Saudi oil flows through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, leaving Asian buyers with fewer options.

The Philippines

Philippines taps combat veteran to lead armed forces amid regional tensions

Indonesia

Indonesia’s AI ambitions test US-China balancing act

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Malaysia

Malaysia set for ‘timely’ overhaul of old law to fight new cyber threats

The Cybercrimes Bill will close critical legal gaps and give authorities greater reach against criminals operating overseas, analysts say.

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Malaysia’s Cybercrimes Bill 2026 aims to give authorities long-sought tools to pursue online fraud, digital impersonation and AI-generated abuse. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia’s Cybercrimes Bill 2026 aims to give authorities long-sought tools to pursue online fraud, digital impersonation and AI-generated abuse. Photo: Shutterstock
Malaysia

Fall in line or resign: Malaysia’s Anwar reins in partners ahead of state poll

The prime minister has threatened to remove ministers and senior officers attacking fellow federal partners during the Negeri Sembilan poll.

India

SpaceX took 4 attempts. India’s space start-up needed just 1

Skyroot’s Vikram-1 rocket lifted off on Saturday, carrying customer payloads and in-orbit experiments on its maiden orbital mission.

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Singapore

Why Singapore PM Wong moved swiftly on Faishal Ibrahim’s resignation

Analysts say the prime minister had to act quickly in case of leaks and be sensitive to the Muslim community’s reaction.

Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim pictured during his swearing-in ceremony at the Istana in Singapore in May last year. Photo: AFP
Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim pictured during his swearing-in ceremony at the Istana in Singapore in May last year. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia adds South China Sea eyes in the sky amid Sabah row with Philippines

Long-range radar at Swallow Reef and new drones in Labuan aim to give Malaysia better oversight of its eastern waters.

North Korea

North Korea paves way for possible Kim trip to Moscow

Pyongyang’s top diplomat met Putin to discuss the Ukraine war, munition shipments and a likely Kim visit, analysts say.

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Malaysia

Malaysian court acquits BN politician’s widow Zizie Izette after 7-year legal battle

The former actress had been accused of abetting her late husband, BN politician Bung Moktar Radin, in an alleged US$685,000 bribery case.

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Senior BN politican Bung Moktar Radin. Photo: Umno
Singapore

Singapore cabinet minister resigns over inappropriate interactions with woman

Faishal, who is married with two children, was acting minister of Muslim affairs and senior minister of state for home affairs.

Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim pictured during his swearing-in ceremony at the Istana in Singapore in May last year. Photo: AFP
Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim pictured during his swearing-in ceremony at the Istana in Singapore in May last year. Photo: AFP
Indonesia

Did fear of the US force Indonesia’s ‘slap in the face’ to Iran?

The perceived snub has raised questions about the core tensions at the heart of Jakarta’s ‘good-neighbour’ diplomacy.

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India

How India’s ‘practical’ alliances could reshape Indo-Pacific security

New Delhi’s ‘proactive new playbook’ aims to fill the vacuum left by fluctuating US commitments in the region, analysts say.

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US, Israel war on Iran

‘We will not stop’: the UAE’s trillion-dollar trade detour

New terminals offer insurance, but analysts say securing trade ultimately relies on lasting peace, not just pouring concrete.

Workers load and unload containers at Khor Fakkan Port in the United Arab Emirates on July 7. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

Malaysian snap poll threatens to chip away at Negeri Sembilan’s tech hub goals

Last year, the state recorded US$4.7 billion in approved investments across 295 projects, almost three times the amount logged in 2024.

Barisan Nasional supporters attend the announcement of the party’s slate for the Negeri Sembilan election. Photo: Facebook/barisanasional
Barisan Nasional supporters attend the announcement of the party’s slate for the Negeri Sembilan election. Photo: Facebook/barisanasional
The Philippines

Philippines’ plan to fortify coastal defences: deterrence or target?

The plan to establish coastal defence assets in Palawan is unlikely to close the country’s military gap with China, analysts say.

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South Korea

Why South Korea is racing to build a sovereign AI model for cybersecurity

Fears over access to foreign AI models have accelerated Seoul’s push to control the systems used to defend critical infrastructure.

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Japan

Why Ukraine’s Patriot missile request may be a step too far for Japan

Agreeing to Kyiv’s co-production proposal risks triggering a backlash from Beijing and Moscow, analysts say.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stands in front of a Patriot missile system during his visit to a military training area in northeastern Germany in 2024. Photo: dpa
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stands in front of a Patriot missile system during his visit to a military training area in northeastern Germany in 2024. Photo: dpa
The Philippines

Philippine military assures ‘no vacuum’ over top officer’s retirement

The transition comes at a sensitive time due to ongoing tensions in the South China Sea and Manila’s row with some retired officers over Marcos.

Malaysia

Can Malaysia’s PAS deliver the votes in Negeri Sembilan despite Johor wipeout?

The party says it helped BN secure victory in Johor and has promoted cooperation with the coalition for the coming Negeri Sembilan election.

Bangladesh

Sheikh Hasina’s return bid threatens to upend Bangladeshi politics

The ousted leader, who has been sentenced to death, plans a December homecoming in a high-stakes bid to resurrect her banned party.

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Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's then prime minister, attends a security conference in Munich in 2024. Photo: dpa
Japan

‘Very worried’: US campaign against ICC leaves Japan in a bind

The initiative will make Tokyo weigh its international law commitments against its dependence on the US security umbrella, analysts say.

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The International Criminal Court in The Hague, the Netherlands. Photo: AP
The International Criminal Court in The Hague, the Netherlands. Photo: AP
Britain

UK grooming gangs scandal deepens Labour’s woes amid voter backlash

Analysts warn the failure to protect vulnerable girls and deport a convicted ringleader has ‘undermined’ the ruling party.

South Korea

Sunk deals: why South Korea’s submarine exports are running aground

After losing bids in Canada and Poland, analysts say Korean shipyards are learning how strategic alignment can trump commercial merit.

Malaysia

PH’s ‘marriage’ of convenience with BN unravels in Melaka over lawmaker bill

A bill allowing up to seven unelected members with voting rights in Melaka has further strained the PH-BN federal alliance.

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Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends an event on the sidelines of the Asean summit in Cebu in May. Anwar has urged the DAP to delay its exit from the Melaka government until the state election. Photo: Reuters
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