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This Week in Asia /
Politics
Related Topics:
Asean
South China Sea
the Asian angle
Donald Trump
Russia’s Lavrov says balance of power shifting to emerging economies
At the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Turkey, Lavrov said the foundations of globalisation powered primarily by the US had ‘come to an end’.
18 Apr 2026 - 11:42PM
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Japan
Japan ditches decades of arm export curbs as US reliability wavers
18 Apr 2026 - 9:00AM
US, Israel war on Iran
Turkey’s Erdogan urges Iran, US to use ceasefire to push for lasting peace
17 Apr 2026 - 11:20PM
US, Israel war on Iran
Lebanon becomes key to Iran-US peace talks amid fears of Israel’s ‘hegemony’
Pakistan is the regional go-between to help maintain the 10-day ceasefire in Lebanon and push for a conclusive deal to end the Iran war.
17 Apr 2026 - 9:00PM
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Displaced people make their way back to their home on Friday crossing the bridge in Qasmiyeh linking southern Lebanon to the rest of the country as a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel went into effect. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines
Philippine ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co’s arrest revives long-stalled corruption probe
Observers say Co’s arrest is a ‘notable step towards accountability’ and committee hearings on the flood control scandal could resume.
17 Apr 2026 - 8:30PM
US, Israel war on Iran
‘Everybody’s suffering’: Kazakhstan seeks UN reforms amid fragile Iran truce
President Tokayev told the Antalya Diplomacy Forum that multilateralism is being undermined as major decisions move outside the UN framework.
17 Apr 2026 - 7:49PM
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North Korea
Nuclear defiance: North Korea’s Kim signals he won’t be the next Iran
Kim Jong-un’s increased appearances at military drills show his confidence in Pyongyang’s nuclear deterrence, analysts say.
17 Apr 2026 - 8:00AM
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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visits to observe the test launches of missiles at an undisclosed place on Sunday. Photo: KCNA/KNS/AP
Indonesia
Chinese drone exposes Indonesia’s ‘insufficient’ undersea capabilities
Indonesia is likely to resolve the drone issue through ‘quiet diplomacy’ and not escalate it into a major row, analysts say.
16 Apr 2026 - 7:24PM
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Japan
Why Japan will remain the most trusted power in Asean despite military push
A survey by ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute shows respondents trusted Japan more as a power than the EU, the US, China and India.
16 Apr 2026 - 6:27PM
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Japan
Japan backs a female emperor while Takaichi pushes conservative succession plan
A new poll shows most Japanese support a woman taking the throne, even as the prime minister moves to preserve male-line succession.
17 Apr 2026 - 8:28PM
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The Philippines
Why Southeast Asian nations are skipping major US-Philippine Balikatan drills
Given the rivalry between Washington and Beijing, joining the annual military exercise may risk being seen as picking the US, analysts say.
17 Apr 2026 - 1:11PM
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Philippine Navy Colonel Dennis Hernandez (left) looks on as United States Marines Colonel Robert Bunn speaks during a Balikatan briefing on Tuesday. Photo: EPA
Indonesia
Prabowo’s overseas trips draw scrutiny as Indonesia urges fuel restraint
Since his inauguration in October 2024, Prabowo has gone on 51 official visits, travelling to 28 countries and chalking up 99 days overseas.
15 Apr 2026 - 7:09PM
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Pakistan
Pakistan seeks to shield Gulf states as US-Iran talks set to resume
A senior official involved in Islamabad’s diplomacy says it is trying to defuse the crisis ‘in any way we can’.
15 Apr 2026 - 10:50PM
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Singapore
Singapore balances national interest with rising anti-US sentiment
Negative public sentiment does not immediately translate to worsening bilateral ties as the US remains an important partner, experts say.
15 Apr 2026 - 5:54PM
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Indonesia
Leaked plan for US military overflights triggers sovereignty row in Indonesia
Internal warnings reveal a government split over risks that blanket access for US warplanes could drag Indonesia into foreign conflicts.
15 Apr 2026 - 8:52PM
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US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth shakes hands with Indonesia’s Director General of Defence Strategy Major General Agus Widodo at the Pentagon on Monday. Photo: AFP
South Korea
South Korea’s former first couple endure a frosty courtroom reunion
The hearing lasted all of half an hour. Yoon Suk-yeol and his wife, appearing as a witness, made eye contact only once.
15 Apr 2026 - 12:24PM
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The Philippines
Jailed witness reveals Duterte plotted to oust Philippines’ Marcos
Ramil Madriaga claims Duterte had considered ‘assassinations or armed hits of several government officials’ to cause unrest and stage a coup.
15 Apr 2026 - 2:09PM
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The Philippines
Philippines rejects China’s claim it ‘staged’ cyanide evidence at disputed shoal
Manila said tests found cyanide in bottles seized near the Second Thomas Shoal, rejecting Beijing’s claim that the evidence was manufactured.
14 Apr 2026 - 9:16PM
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Philippine Navy spokesman Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad speaks next to a slide presentation of seized yellow bottles suspected to contain cyanide in waters of Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea, during a press conference in Manila on Monday. Photo: AFP
The Philippines
US-Philippines ties enter ‘more mature’ phase with planned fuel depot
The facility in Davao signals that defence ties are now focusing on sustainment, endurance and operational continuity, analysts say.
14 Apr 2026 - 8:14PM
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Japan
Israel envoy protests Japanese TV pundit’s remarks on Kushner’s Jewish identity
Critics said his comments suggested that Trump’s son-in-law should not be involved in negotiations with Iran because he is Jewish.
14 Apr 2026 - 4:56PM
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Indonesia
Why Indonesia’s Prabowo is in Russia – and what he needs from Putin
The visit aims to secure discounted crude as global prices soar, even as Jakarta holds high-level defence talks with Washington.
14 Apr 2026 - 2:54PM
South Korea
What is really behind South Korea’s diplomatic row with Israel?
Lee Jae Myung’s clash was about more than human rights, analysts say – it was about energy security and sending a message to Donald Trump.
14 Apr 2026 - 2:07PM
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung attends a National Economic Advisory Council meeting in Seoul on Thursday. Photo: Yonhap/EPA
Pakistan
What Pakistani jets in Saudi Arabia mean for Gulf security in Iran war
Analysts say the Pakistani air force’s presence ‘will complicate Iran’s targeting calculus’ and force it to reconsider its attack strategy.
13 Apr 2026 - 8:22PM
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Japan
‘Not a reliable ally’: Japan eyes Nato as Trump erodes faith in US guarantees
Tokyo and the transatlantic security alliance have a shared problem: what happens if the US walks away?
13 Apr 2026 - 9:16AM
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Nepal
Nepal’s school fee crackdown upends South Asian private education norms
Nepal wants private schools to charge less and be more transparent. It could backfire, industry insiders say.
14 Apr 2026 - 9:15AM
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