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This Week in Asia /

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Japanese Self-Defence Force’s SOTEN drones fly during a drill with US Marines in Yufu, Oita prefecture, Japan, on Sunday. Photo: Reuters
Japan

Japan aims to catch up on drone warfare by tapping Ukraine’s experience

Analysts say Japan wants to accelerate production of drones to protect its territory given its shortage of military manpower.

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Malaysia

Malaysia narrows hunt for replacement missiles after Norway axes contract

Malaysia

Malaysia acts to avert Singapore causeway chaos amid Johor vote

Singapore

Singapore’s Pritam Singh wins vote of no confidence by landslide

The Workers’ Party chief defeated a challenge from 25 cadre members demanding his resignation for breaching its constitution.

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Workers’ Party secretary general Pritam Singh (left) addresses the media in Singapore on Sunday. Photo: Jean Iau
Workers’ Party secretary general Pritam Singh (left) addresses the media in Singapore on Sunday. Photo: Jean Iau
Pakistan

Pakistan rattles India with new Chinese-built stealth submarine

Half a century after a bruising naval defeat, Pakistan is signalling it can again challenge India on its eastern flank.

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Thailand

Bangkok’s ‘Hulk’ governor wins 4 more years to fix Thai capital’s woes

Popular incumbent Chadchart Sittipunt swept aside rivals to claim a second term leading a city grappling with floods, smog and gridlock.

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The Netherlands

‘Too late’: why some Malukans say a Dutch apology isn’t enough

Dutch PM Rob Jetten apologises for the mistreatment of first-generation Malukans in Europe, prompting calls for tangible change.

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The Netherlands’ Prime Minister Rob Jetten (centre) and Mayor of Rotterdam Carola Schouten (left) unveil a national monument at the Lloydkade for Malukans in Rotterdam on June 21. Photo: AFP
The Netherlands’ Prime Minister Rob Jetten (centre) and Mayor of Rotterdam Carola Schouten (left) unveil a national monument at the Lloydkade for Malukans in Rotterdam on June 21. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Johor election campaign begins as federal allies clash

Ruling partners Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional will both contest all 56 seats, alongside 60 other candidates in a crowded 14-day race.

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran survived 3 months of war. Can it survive the aftermath?

US$270 billion in damage and 4 million citizens plunged into poverty may have broken Iran’s economy.

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Defence

US and allies flex military muscle on China’s doorstep with multi-front drills

Analysts say the near-simultaneous exercises reflect a shift in US strategy that enables allies to play a greater role in regional security.

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About 10,000 personnel are taking part in Valiant Shield 2026 across Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and surrounding waters. Photo: X/US Navy
Malaysia

Malaysia demands US$257 million from Norwegian firm over axed missile deal

The country says it is asking Norway to mediate between the two parties so that the company can settle the claims.

Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile is displayed at the Australian International Airshow in Avalon, Australia, in March last year. Photo: Reuters
Kongsberg’s Naval Strike Missile is displayed at the Australian International Airshow in Avalon, Australia, in March last year. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Malaysia’s Umno pulled into royal row ahead of Johor vote

Supreme council member Mohd Puad Zarkashi has quit Umno, saying that the party ‘is controlled by the palace in making decisions’.

South Korea

North Korea’s border build-up opens a Seoul-UN Command rift

South Korea views its the North’s border fortifications as an armistice violation. The UN body disagrees.

Malaysia

‘No DAP’: could Johor state election disrupt Malaysia’s unity coalition?

The refusal to work with DAP could be a defensive move to shore up BN’s Malay base in Johor ahead of the July 11 polls, analysts say.

Supporters of Malaysia’s Barisan National coalition led by the United Malays National Organisation, wave flags in 2022. Photo: AP
Thailand

Thai officials caught altering exam scores for bribes of up to US$24,000

Thousands of applicants allegedly paid bribes to secure civil service positions in the multimillion-dollar fraud.

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A view of downtown Bangkok. A corruption investigation in Thailand into civil service exam scores for bribes has prompted questions over competence at local government offices across the country. Photo: Shutterstock
A view of downtown Bangkok. A corruption investigation in Thailand into civil service exam scores for bribes has prompted questions over competence at local government offices across the country. Photo: Shutterstock
India

‘Senseless’: US military command rebrand risks damaging India ties

Eight years after ‘Indo’ was added to signal India’s importance, analysts say its removal points to a shift in Washington’s priorities.

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India

India wants a self-reliant military, but can its private defence firms deliver?

Private firms now drive nearly a quarter of domestic production, but analysts warn a lack of R&D leaves New Delhi tethered to foreign tech.

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South Korea

Why North Korea prefers a ‘hostile’ neighbour to Seoul’s peace efforts

One way to break the deadlock is to revive talks between the two Koreas, China and the US to end the Korean war, an analyst suggests.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un observes a new multipurpose missile launching system and tactical cruise missile weapon system at an unspecified location in May. Photo: KCNA/YNA/dpa
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un observes a new multipurpose missile launching system and tactical cruise missile weapon system at an unspecified location in May. Photo: KCNA/YNA/dpa
Malaysia

Royal succession crisis strains Malaysia’s governing alliance ahead of polls

Analysts say the dispute has become harder to contain, with Umno and Pakatan Harapan taking different stances amid other political grievances.

Japan

How Japan seeks to win over allies by refuting China’s claims of militarism

Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi questions the accuracy of China’s military spending data, contrasting it with Japan’s transparent approach.

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The Philippines

Will Philippines’ new bill entrench the political dynasties it aims to curb?

Critics say the bill does not address political power concentration in government or the conditions that allow dynasties to flourish.

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Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr (third from left), with his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos and their son, Congressman Sandro Marcos (left), mak the country’s independence day in Manila on June 12. Photo: EPA
Singapore

Why Wong-Putin meeting doesn’t mean Singapore’s going soft on Russia

Singapore needs to balance its tough stance on the Ukraine war with its responsibilities towards other Asean nations, experts say.

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Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during their meeting on the sidelines of the Russia-Asean Summit in Kazan on Thursday. Photo: Sputnik/AP
Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during their meeting on the sidelines of the Russia-Asean Summit in Kazan on Thursday. Photo: Sputnik/AP
Myanmar

Did Myanmar-China talks spawn a more emboldened junta?

China and India have been jostling for influence in Myanmar as the Asean member remains embroiled in civil war.

Canada

Trump called Canada a freerider. This Pacific naval push is Ottawa’s reply

Ottawa is fielding its largest military contingent in years at the Rimpac drills. Whether it can sustain the commitment is another matter.

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Asean

Can Russia secure ‘third power’ status in Southeast Asia with energy push?

While energy may be ‘a good opening’ for Russia to boost Asean ties, analysts say its relevance in the region is unlikely to grow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (centre) with Southeast Asian leaders at the Russia-Asean Summit in Kazan on Thursday. Photo: EPA
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