Western Asia
Will Trump’s Luck Run Out if He Attacks Iran Again?
by Masum BillahIn a new analysis for Foreign Policy, John Haltiwanger, a staff writer covering national security and the Middle East, explores whether Donald Trump’s bold approach toward Iran could finally catch up with him – and what further military action might mean for U.S. strategy and influence in the region. Four former generals break down the […]
Trump claims Iran working on missiles that could hit US
by Masum BillahWASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed Iran is seeking to develop missiles that can strike the United States and accused Tehran of working to rebuild a nuclear program that was targeted by American strikes last year. The United States and Iran are engaged in high-stakes negotiations over Iran’s atomic program and other issues […]
What does Trump want in Iran?
by Masum BillahPresident Donald Trump’s threats to attack Iran provide little detail on what the long-term US goal would be in the event of a sustained or even brief conflict. Trump sent warships and dozens of fighter planes to the Middle East and has several options to choose from that could destabilise the region. Will Trump order […]
Azerbaijan, Georgia Prosecutors Meet to Discuss Cooperation in Tbilisi
by Masum BillahA delegation headed by Azerbaijan’s Prosecutor General Kamran Aliyev visited Tbilisi at the invitation of Georgian Prosecutor General Giorgi Gvarakidze. As part of the visit, the delegation paid tribute to the National Leader of Azerbaijan Heydar Aliyev, laying a wreath at his monumen at a park in Tbilisi named after him, The Caspian Post reports, […]
Fueling uncertainty: How US-Iran Tensions Shape Energy Markets
by Masum BillahThe current picture dominating global energy markets can, at a first glance, be read as one of surprising calm and controlled optimism. Messages of coordination and supply security, delivered at the International Energy Agency ministerial meeting, together with the agreements signed at the LNG2026 in Qatar, have presented the market with a strong perception of […]
East Asia
Germany’s Merz hails China ties as he seeks reset with Beijing
by Masum BillahBEIJING: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz won a pledge by China to import more high-quality goods from Germany on Wednesday, as he visited Beijing aiming to reset relations that have been clouded by a yawning trade deficit with the world’s second-largest economy. On his first visit to China as Chancellor, Merz, who was accompanied by a […]
Is China flexing its intelligence muscle by tracking US military moves near Iran?
by Masum BillahBy Yuanyue Dang in Beijing and Amber Wang in Beijing A Chinese private company has drawn the attention of security watchers after detailing US military deployments near Iran, a move experts say underlines Beijing’s intelligence abilities. MizarVision, a Chinese commercial intelligence analysis firm, has consistently published monitoring posts regarding American military movements on social media […]
Xi Jinping expresses hope China can open ‘new chapter’ in relations with North Korea
by Masum BillahBy Yuanyue Dang in Beijing Chinese President Xi Jinping has congratulated North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after he cemented his leadership at the latest congress of the country’s ruling party. Xi said Kim’s reselection as general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea on Monday reflected the “high trust and wholehearted support” of the country’s […]
South Korea, Brazil agree to expand cooperation in key minerals, trade
by Masum BillahSouth Korean President Lee Jae Myung held summit talks in Seoul on Monday with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, where they agreed to expand cooperation in sectors including trade, key minerals, technology and culture. The leaders plan to elevate the bilateral relationship into a strategic partnership, and for the countries to work together […]
How Trump’s Beijing bargaining could derail Taiwan’s multibillion-dollar defence budget
by Masum BillahBy Lawrence Chung in Taipei Taiwan’s parliament is set to prioritise review of a disputed NT$1.25 trillion (US$40 billion) special defence budget bill when its new session begins on Tuesday, as pressure mounts from Washington. But US President Donald Trump’s recent remarks about consulting Chinese President Xi Jinping on arms sales could complicate the debate, […]
South Asia
Narenda Modi to be first Indian PM to address Israeli parliament
by Masum BillahNarendra Modi today (25 February) said he will be the first Indian prime minister to address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, as he began a two-day state visit to the country, marking his second visit since 2017. “I will also have the honour of becoming the first Indian prime minister to address the Israeli parliament, […]
Modi’s Israel visit sees tensions over Israel’s Supreme Court chief’s exclusion
by Masum BillahAhead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to Israel from 25 February to 26 February, Israel’s domestic politics is roiled by opposition leader Yair Lapid’s threatening to boycott his address to parliament unless the Israeli Supreme Court chief is invited to it, as per convention, said a PTI report from Jerusalem. Modi is […]
Afghans mourn villagers killed in Pakistani strikes
by Masum BillahBIHSUD: Afghans gathered around a mass grave Sunday to bury villagers killed in overnight air strikes by Pakistan, which said its military targeted militants. The overnight attacks killed at least 18 people and were the most extensive since border clashes in October, which left more than 70 dead on both sides and wounded hundreds. “The […]
India delays US trade talks after Supreme Court rejects Trump tariffs, source says
by Masum BillahNEW DELHI: India has delayed plans to send a trade delegation to Washington this week, chiefly because of uncertainty after the US Supreme Court struck down tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, a source in its trade ministry said on Sunday. One of the first concrete reactions among Asian nations to the decision, it follows […]
Southeast Asia
Retired Myanmar general set for powerful role in new parliament, sources say
by Masum BillahA retired general from an army-backed party that swept Myanmar’s election is set to take the powerful role of speaker of parliament, party sources said, which could help the military cement control of government after a return to democratic rule. A junta that has run Myanmar since a 2021 coup will formally cede power after […]
Can China and Philippines replace ‘disputes with cooperation’ after years of tension?
by Masum BillahBy Alyssa Chen China and the Philippines may soon start joint coastguard patrols in the South China Sea after years of tensions over the disputed waters, according to a Philippine senator. Erwin Tulfo, chairman of the Senate’s foreign relations committee, met Chinese ambassador Jing Quan on Monday, and said afterwards that the two countries’ coastguards […]
Malaysia mulls law to curb premiership to two terms
by Masum BillahKUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia introduced new legislation Monday to restrict the prime minister’s tenure to a maximum of two terms, a move aimed at boosting accountability and curbing the overreach of executive powers. The Southeast Asian nation currently places no cap on how many terms a premier can serve. Former leader Mahathir Mohamad held office for […]
Thailand sees Lunar New Year travel boom as Chinese tourists back in droves
by Masum BillahBy Aidan Jones Resorts are near capacity in Pattaya, Bangkok restaurants are doing a roaring trade and the strict time slots to visit the Louis Vuitton pop-up “hotel” in the Thai capital are fully booked. As this year’s Lunar New Year holiday draws to a close, Thailand’s tourist businesses are totting up the receipts from […]
Views of corruption in Philippines worsen as ‘grease money’ dents confidence
by Masum BillahBy Sam Beltran The Philippines has fallen in a global corruption perception ranking, as allegations of financial wrongdoings and court cases surrounding a multibillion-peso flood-control programme have deepened doubts about its governance and dented investor confidence. Berlin-based watchdog Transparency International said the Philippines ranked 120th out of 182 countries and territories in its 2025 Corruption […]
Central Asia
US Warns Ukraine Over Strikes on Kazakhstan-Linked Oil Routes
by Masum BillahThe US administration has issued a formal diplomatic warning to Ukraine following drone strikes on Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk that reportedly affected American economic interests tied to Kazakhstan’s oil exports. Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Olga Stefanishyna confirmed that Kyiv received a demarche from the US Department of State after the attacks, […]
How Many Kazakh Citizens Are Eligible to Vote in Upcoming Referendum?
by Masum BillahThe Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan has finalized the number of citizens eligible to participate in the upcoming referendum on amendments to the Constitution. Based on data provided by regional akimats and the administrations of Astana, Almaty, and Shymkent, a total of 12,461,796 voters have been included on the official lists, The […]
Kazakh President congratulates Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
by Masum BillahPresident Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan has offered his felicitations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, on the occasion of Saudi Founding Day, The Caspian Post reports, citing Akorda. The Head of State emphasized that Saudi […]
Kazakhstan, UNEP Agree to Deepen Environmental Cooperation
by Masum BillahKazakhstan is stepping up its environmental diplomacy as it prepares to host a major regional summit in Astana this spring. Kazakhstan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office in Nairobi, Ambassador Barlybay Sadykov, held talks with United Nations Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen, focusing on deepening cooperation ahead of the Regional Environmental Summit scheduled for […]
Can Pakistan Break the Connectivity Barrier to Central Asia?
by Masum BillahIn early February, Kazakhstan’s President Kassym Jomart Tokayev conducted the first state visit to Islamabad in 23 years, followed by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Both leaders were awarded Pakistan’s highest civilian honour, the Nishan-e-Pakistan, highlighting the symbolic importance of these engagements. Pakistan’s access to the Indian Ocean has further enhanced its position in Eurasian geoeconomics, […]
