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This Week in Asia /

Politics

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Asean
South China Sea
the Asian angle
An Airbus Eurodrone remotely piloted aircraft system on display at the 55th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport, near Paris, France, on June 17, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Japan

Why Japan is trying to get in on Europe’s flagship drone programme

Analysts said Japan could bring precision manufacturing to the European project aimed at building a home-grown alternative to US-made drones.

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North Korea

North Korea plays US-China rivalry card to justify ‘irreversible’ nuclear status

US, Israel war on Iran

Relief and wariness: Asia watches US-Iran deal for real impact

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The Philippines

Wave of Philippine government website hacks raises alarm over weak cybersecurity

Analysts warned that repeated breaches of high-profile state websites could erode trust even if no sensitive data were stolen.

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The National Bureau of Investigation office in Manila. The agency’s website was among three Philippine government sites compromised in less than a week. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
The National Bureau of Investigation office in Manila. The agency’s website was among three Philippine government sites compromised in less than a week. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Thailand

Thailand’s Thaksin is out of jail, but can he ‘leave politics behind’?

While the former PM is ‘no longer a political magnet’, analysts say he will still be behind the scenes as Pheu Thai tries to make a comeback.

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South China Sea

What is Marcos’ diplomatic end game? Inside Philippines’ South China Sea shift

By making undersea cables and fisheries the issue, analysts say Manila is trying to give all Asean members ‘skin in the game’.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s fight for Malay votes becomes a multiparty scrum

Five Malay parties, one electorate. Strip away ‘the logos and personalities’ and is there really any difference between them?

Malaysian voters show their fingers dipped in ink after voting in the last general election in 2022. Photo: Bernama/dpa
Malaysian voters show their fingers dipped in ink after voting in the last general election in 2022. Photo: Bernama/dpa
India

Could India’s Cockroach Janta Party spark South Asia’s next youth uprising?

Analysts say the satirical party reflects real discontent but remains far from matching the movements that toppled neighbouring governments.

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Thailand

Thailand and Vietnam team up in an Asean ‘plus or minus’ gamble

Southeast Asia’s second- and third-largest economies opt for bilateral insurance over reliance on the regional bloc.

North Korea

What does North Korea get from its blossoming ties with Russia?

Kim’s Russia Day message seeks to reassure Putin that ties are evolving beyond transactional into a firm military alliance, experts say.

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(From left) Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un head to a military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on September 3, 2025. Photo: KCNA/AP
Japan

Japan adds Indonesia to its ‘network of navies’ after Australia, Philippines

By exporting warships, analysts say Tokyo is sidestepping military pacts to bind partners through shared hardware.

JS Asagiri, lead ship of Japan’s Asagiri-class destroyers, heads a fleet review in Sagami Bay, Japan, in 1997. Photo: AFP
JS Asagiri, lead ship of Japan’s Asagiri-class destroyers, heads a fleet review in Sagami Bay, Japan, in 1997. Photo: AFP
Bangladesh

Why Bangladesh’s new PM is visiting Malaysia and China before India

Analysts view the decision to prioritise Kuala Lumpur and Beijing as practical rather than a direct snub of New Delhi.

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Japan

‘Bad signal’: Japan’s Russia outreach puts Takaichi at odds with G7 allies

Energy needs have driven Tokyo to explore cooperation with Moscow again, which could make Europe ‘uncomfortable’.

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Asean

Asean at 60: peace, prosperity and polite paralysis

Non-interference bought decades of stability, but now breeds inaction. Is Asean due an overhaul?

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Illustration: Huy Truong
The Philippines

China’s ban on Philippine defence chief, family seen as warning shot to Manila

Analysts say Beijing may be trying to ‘kill the chicken to warn the monkeys’, as Manila faces calls for a tit-for-tat response.

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Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro talks to the media as he attends the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 29. Photo: AP
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro talks to the media as he attends the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on May 29. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Can Singapore-linked growth deliver votes for Johor’s ruling party?

Living costs and economic strides form the undertones of influence in Johor and Negeri Sembilan when voters head to the polls on July 11 and August 1.

The Philippines

Why US and China are watching Philippines’ Marcos at Russia-Asean talks

The visit comes amid expanded military ties with the US but is unlikely to signal a shift in Philippine foreign policy, analysts say.

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The Philippines

Will Marcos’ shipbuilding push deliver lasting capacity for Philippines?

The expansion of the West Cebu Industrial Park aims to strengthen the Philippines’ defence and economy, and cement dominance in shipbuilding.

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The West Cebu Industrial Park in Balamban town, Cebu, the Philippines. Photo: Handout
The West Cebu Industrial Park in Balamban town, Cebu, the Philippines. Photo: Handout
The Philippines

Hacking of Philippine Senate’s website spotlights widening political crisis

In earlier messages seen on the hacked website, which has been restored, a group demanded accountability and slammed ‘corrupt networks’.

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US, Israel war on Iran

Iran’s ‘unity of theatres’ strategy exposes US-Israel rift

Analysts say Iran’s new tactic is both an attempt to reassert strategic deterrence and a political bargaining chip ahead of negotiations.

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Malaysia

Malaysia rises as Asean ‘middle power’ through new Japan LNG deal

Petronas’ 20-year agreement to supply JERA with LNG shows how Malaysia is using its natural resources to strengthen ties, analysts say.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi (right) and her Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, shake hands at the end a joint press announcement at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tokyo on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Philippine military chief vows to stay neutral as Marcos-Duterte feud deepens

Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jnr says the military will stay out of politics despite some unease within the ranks.

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Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner Jnr. Photo: AFP
Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner Jnr. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

‘No further action’ as Malaysia ends probe into ex-anti-corruption chief

Businessman Albert Tei slams ‘double standards’ after prosecutors say the complaint did not ‘meet the legal threshold’ for further action.

Indonesia

Exclusive | Indonesian union boss defends joining Prabowo’s government

Said Iqbal says workers need lobbyists inside the palace. Critics say organised labour’s best weapon is its independence.

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Singapore

Singapore PM Lawrence Wong to visit Russia, first since Ukraine war sanctions

Ties between Singapore and Russia nosedived after the city state imposed sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

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Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong listens to the keynote speech at the IISS Shangri-la Dialogue security summit in Singapore last month. Photo: Reuters
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