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This Week in Asia /

Politics

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In Islamabad, fireworks light up the sky to mark the first anniversary of Pakistan’s air skirmish with India on May 10. Photo: EPA
India-Pakistan tensions

Why India, Pakistan cannot afford another war right now

Hardline Indian political figures appear to be signalling a thaw in New Delhi-Islamabad ties is imminent, analysts say.

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Vietnam

Vietnam’s US$5 billion Apec island is running out of time

Bangladesh

Bangladesh turns to China for Teesta river project, testing India ties

Vietnam

Beyond bamboo: Vietnam’s To Lam mounts a diplomacy offensive

The security chief turned paramount leader is chasing the markets and capital required to reach high-income status by 2045.

Vietnam’s To Lam waves after shaking hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on May 6. Photo: EPA
Vietnam’s To Lam waves after shaking hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi before their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on May 6. Photo: EPA
The Philippines

Gunfire, farce and fugitive Philippine Senator Bato dela Rosa

‘Call me a coward’, ICC fugitive Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa told the cameras, as he holed up in the Senate in a bid to escape justice.

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Malaysia

In Malaysia, ex-ministers challenge Anwar’s attempt to project strength

Rafizi and Nik Nazmi are holding an event to announce a new ‘political direction’ on the same day as Anwar’s party meets.

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Japan

To cut reliance on China, Japan eyes bespoke ship for rare earth extraction

Tokyo also aims to become a major global supplier despite the project facing technological, cost and geopolitical hurdles.

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A Japanese research vessel leaves a port in Shizuoka prefecture to collect rare earth mud off Minamitorishima Island in January. Photo: Kyodo
A Japanese research vessel leaves a port in Shizuoka prefecture to collect rare earth mud off Minamitorishima Island in January. Photo: Kyodo
Japan

Why Japan’s ruling party is pushing for 5% military spending

The ruling party is expected to debate raising outlays to as much as 5 per cent of GDP, in line with that of many Nato members.

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The Philippines

Why airport at former US naval base in Philippines has Washington’s backing

The trend in defence is for civilian infrastructure that can be rapidly adapted for military use during contingencies, experts say.

Malaysia

Mahathir ‘doesn’t care’ about ‘dictator’ label as he reflects on his legacy

In an interview, the former prime minister reveals that he and his ex-protege, Anwar Ibrahim, clashed over their views on corruption.

Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad poses for a picture outside his office in Putrajaya on May 5 last year. Photo: AFP
India

Iran’s ‘anti-American’ rhetoric tests India’s balancing act at Brics meeting

Foreign Minister Araghchi seeks the bloc’s backing against US pressure in New Delhi, but India likely to prioritise de-escalation and trade.

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India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (right) shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi during the Brics meeting in New Delhi on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (right) shakes hands with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi during the Brics meeting in New Delhi on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

A year after USAID cuts, Philippine development groups struggle as anger lingers

An investigation by several regional media outlets shows USAID was a target of misinformation after Trump froze aid from the agency.

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Japan

Japan-South Korea ‘comfort women’ row stoked by statues abroad

The removal of wartime sex slave memorials in Germany and New Zealand has electrified certain LDP hardliners, risking a diplomatic rift.

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Malaysia

Malaysia weighs legal action after Norway blocks missile exports

The missiles are central to Malaysia’s troubled littoral combat ship programme as Putrajaya says it will seek an explanation from Oslo.

The Naval Strike Missiles produced by Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace are meant for the Malaysian navy’s littoral combat ships and two guided missile frigates. Photo: Kongsberg
Singapore

Strong international sea laws ‘vital’ for small nations like Singapore: Wong

The prime minister warns of a direct impact on Singapore’s trade if the international law framework is weakened.

Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the SGLaw200 Youth Forum held at the Singapore Management University on Wednesday. Photo: Jacky Ho for SGLaw200
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the SGLaw200 Youth Forum held at the Singapore Management University on Wednesday. Photo: Jacky Ho for SGLaw200
South China Sea

Philippines pitches Asean maritime hub despite ‘big red elephant in the room’

Can a Philippine-led maritime hub succeed? Observers say the plan touches on a dispute other members are loath to broach.

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Malaysia

‘Low profile’ ex-judge takes over Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency

Abdul Halim Aman, 69, takes the reins at a turbulent time for the MACC. ‘He has a difficult job ahead’, one analyst says.

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Japan

Japan’s Takaichi backs aide over smear claims against LDP rivals

Analysts say Japan’s prime minister used an ‘excellent non-answer’ to shield an aide against claims of orchestrating a smear campaign.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said that personal attacks are not her “approach”. Photo: Pool via AP
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has said that personal attacks are not her “approach”. Photo: Pool via AP
The Philippines

‘Accountability is coming’: dela Rosa flight piles pressure on Duterte camp

Dela Rosa evading the ICC arrest and the Senate leadership coup could mark a turning point for a Duterte camp under siege, analysts say.

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Indonesia

Police raids reveal Indonesia as new hub for scam, gambling syndicates

Hundreds of foreigners have been arrested in Indonesia recently following crackdowns against crime groups in Cambodia and Myanmar.

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Myanmar

‘Tentative step’: Asean weighs bringing Myanmar back into the fold

Virtual talks may offer a ‘sensible middle ground’ for reconciliation after Myanmar’s years in the political wilderness, analysts say.

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Myanmar’s newly elected President Min Aung Hlaing waves as he leaves after a swearing-in ceremony in Naypyidaw on April 10. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s top anti-corruption enforcer exits with legacy in doubt

Malaysia has a new anti-corruption chief. What it doesn’t have yet is a clear answer to the questions that dogged the old one.

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Azam Baki waves after a press conference on repatriated artworks linked to 1MDB asset recovery at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on May 6. Photo: AFP
Azam Baki waves after a press conference on repatriated artworks linked to 1MDB asset recovery at the MACC headquarters in Putrajaya on May 6. Photo: AFP
South Korea

South Korea cautious on blaming Iran for ship strike ahead of US-China summit

Seoul has footage of the May 4 attack on the HMM Namu but analysts say it is biding its time, hoping ‘the dust will settle’.

Singapore

Why flood of AI deepfakes is accusing Singapore of being ‘ungrateful’ to China

Clips on Chinese social media showing speakers disparaging the city state are likely to be deepfakes, experts say.

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Japan

Japan’s new spy agency: a shield against China or ‘militarist surveillance’?

Japan has not had a centralised intelligence service since World War II. Sanae Takaichi wants to change that.

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Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi waves as she departs from Canberra on May 5 after a three-day official visit to Australia. Photo: AFP
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