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This Week in Asia /
Politics
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Asean
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the Asian angle
India
Hope for India-Bangladesh reset after arrests in student leader’s killing
The development may provide an early test of bilateral cooperation following Bangladesh’s recent political transition, analysts say.
3 hours ago
Indonesia
Will Iran war push Indonesia to quit Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’?
3 hours ago
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Malaysia
In Malaysia, Muhyiddin’s corruption trial opens with a fight over TikTok
4 hours ago
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US, Israel war on Iran
Why has the US-Israeli war on Iran left Brics speechless?
As Tehran retaliates against its Gulf neighbours, the newly expanded bloc built for trade is discovering the limits of its own unity.
6 hours ago
A plume of black smoke rises from the port of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday last week following a suspected Iranian strike. Photo: AFP
India
India’s 30-day Russian oil waiver comes with a steep US price tag
Washington has granted New Delhi a brief waiver for stranded Russian crude – but expects it to ramp up American oil purchases in return.
9 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM
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Malaysia
Malaysia’s Anwar risks reformist image as Daim family sues over ‘Zionist’ claims
The prime minister said that a group of Malaysians were working with foreign media and a ‘prominent Zionist group’ to topple the government.
9 Mar 2026 - 5:29PM
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The Philippines
Asia’s longest communist revolt is dying, Manila says. The rebels disagree
The Philippine military claims the 56-year insurgency is near the finish line. But veteran rebels say the roots of rebellion remain.
9 Mar 2026 - 2:00PM
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New People’s Army (NPA) guerrillas stand in formation at a base in the Sierra Madre mountain range, east of Manila, in 2017. Photo: AFP
Singapore
Singapore’s ban on caged lorries revives debate over migrant worker transport
The government says the move improves workers’ safety, but advocacy groups say the wider transport risks remain.
7 Mar 2026 - 7:00PM
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Nepal
Nepal election: rapper-turned-politician Balen Shah beats former prime minister
The 35-year-old former Kathmandu mayor’s defeat of K.P. Sharma Oli means he is on track to head the next government.
7 Mar 2026 - 9:33PM
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Pakistan
Pakistan imperils its IMF rescue as Afghanistan border violence rages
Without an IMF bailout, ‘Pakistan won’t survive’, one economist says. But financial collapse wouldn’t just be Islamabad’s problem.
7 Mar 2026 - 2:00PM
Indonesia
Indonesia’s US trade deal faces a sovereignty reckoning at home
Nearly 80 civil groups and 65 academics have signed a petition urging parliament to block ratification of the ‘shameful’ deal.
7 Mar 2026 - 11:00AM
Indonesias President Prabowo Subianto (left) and US President Donald Trump at a summit in Egypt last year. Photo: AFP
Indonesia
Indonesia to ban under-16s from ‘high-risk’ social media platforms
Minister Meutya Hafid said the restrictions would protect children from online harms, but experts warned enforcement might prove difficult.
6 Mar 2026 - 9:00PM
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Iran
How far could the war with Iran spread beyond the Middle East?
From Turkey and the Caucasus to South Asia, analysts warn the war could ignite new flashpoints along regional fault lines.
6 Mar 2026 - 6:29PM
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South Korea
South Korea uneasy as US weighs moving air defences to Middle East
Fears are growing in Seoul that shifting US Patriot and THAAD missiles to fight Iran could leave it vulnerable to North Korea.
6 Mar 2026 - 6:09PM
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Japan
Japan weighs military upgrade on Iwo Jima as China deepens Pacific activity
Tokyo is reportedly planning to enhance facilities and station aircraft on the island, and establish a Pacific defence initiative office.
6 Mar 2026 - 3:57PM
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The island of Iwo Jima, with Mount Suribachi in the foreground, is seen from a Japanese Air Self-Defence Force transport plane. Photo: Reuters
Japan
Can Japan build a ‘China-free’ military? The high price of defying a rival
Tokyo’s bid to boost ‘self-reliance’ may be costly and could take years given China’s dominance in critical materials, analysts say.
6 Mar 2026 - 3:48PM
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The Philippines
Philippines advances Sara Duterte impeachment case, but ‘this is not a cakewalk’
A failed Senate conviction could ultimately strengthen Duterte-Carpio ahead of the presidential 2028 race, observers warn.
5 Mar 2026 - 8:25PM
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US, Israel war on Iran
US submarine strike on Iranian warship near Sri Lanka rattles the region
Experts say the strike highlights the risk of the conflict spreading into Asian waters and tests India’s careful diplomatic balancing.
5 Mar 2026 - 6:00PM
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Iranian warship IRIS Dena is seen in the Bay of Bengal during the International Fleet Review held at Visakhapatnam, India, on February 18. Photo: AP
North Korea
Why North Korea’s missile tests from new warship has Iran conflict in mind
Experts say the US strikes on Iran are sharpening Pyongyang’s resolve to diversify nuclear-capable forces, including new naval platforms.
5 Mar 2026 - 5:16PM
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Malaysia
‘I am not Jho Low 2.0’: Malaysia Arm chip deal probe turns political
The probe into a flagship chip-design deal has sparked criticism, with Prime Minister Anwar’s allies questioning the investigation.
5 Mar 2026 - 5:06PM
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Pakistan
Pakistan aims to walk tightrope between Saudi Arabia and Iran as war flares
Islamabad has to navigate a tricky regional environment and manage the domestic blowback of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
4 Mar 2026 - 9:22PM
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The Philippines
Philippine lawmaker slammed for ‘sexist’ remarks in defence of VP Sara
Analysts say lawmaker Angel Suntay’s comments have become an ‘effective distraction’ against the vice-president’s impeachment proceedings.
4 Mar 2026 - 7:50PM
Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte once admitted imagining herself beheading President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Photo: Kyodo
Malaysia
Reality check for Anwar’s reform push after Malaysian parliamentary setback
The failure to pass key reforms reflects ‘looser’ discipline in the ruling bloc and complex political negotiations facing Anwar, analysts say.
4 Mar 2026 - 5:37PM
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North Korea
North Korea’s hostage strategy packs more bite in post-Iran US shake-up
The Pentagon wants Seoul to shoulder more of its defence burden. Analysts say it may have strengthened Kim Jong-un’s hand instead.
4 Mar 2026 - 5:25PM
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The Philippines
Duterte allies use Iran war threat to attack Philippines’ US ties
Social media posts claim US bases in the Philippines are like ‘bullseyes on Filipino soil’, prompting the military to debunk the disinformation.
4 Mar 2026 - 9:00AM
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