South China Sea: does new US-Philippine task force mark turning point in allies’ ties?
By Sam Beltran The United States and the Philippines have launched a new military task force designed to expand joint operational planning and coordination – a move analysts say underscores both countries’ determination to strengthen deterrence against Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. While the initiative formalises years of expanding defence ties, observers […]
Read MoreNorth Korea sends 5,000 construction troops to Russia: Seoul
SEOUL: North Korea has sent about 5,000 construction troops to Russia since September to help with “infrastructure reconstruction,” a South Korean lawmaker said Tuesday after a briefing by Seoul’s spy agency. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been emboldened by the war in Ukraine, securing critical support from Moscow after sending thousands of troops […]
Read MoreTrump tries old tactic with China on fentanyl – a new ‘working group’
US President Donald Trump began his second term by signaling that talks with China to stop a deadly flow of fentanyl were fruitless and instead slapped 20% tariffs on Chinese goods to try to push Beijing to tackle trafficking of the synthetic opioid. But last week, after meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, […]
Read MoreChina’s Xi seeks to boost investment, expand economic ties with Russia
China’s President Xi Jinping on Tuesday sought to expand mutual investment with Russia and affirmed Beijing’s commitment to advance ties despite “turbulent” external conditions, Chinese state media reported. Xi met Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin in Beijing at the Great Hall of the People, a day after Chinese Premier Li Qiang held a meeting with […]
Read MoreTaiwan’s new opposition leader takes over, warning against risk of China war
TAIPEI: Taiwan’s new opposition leader took office on Saturday, warning of the risk of war with China and pledging to open a new era of peace with Beijing. Former lawmaker Cheng Li-wun takes the reins of the largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), at a time of rising military and political tension with Beijing, which […]
Read MoreSouth Korea to woo China’s Xi with state summit as APEC wraps up
Chinese President Xi Jinping will wrap up his three-day visit to South Korea on Saturday with a state dinner and summit hosted by President Lee Jae Myung, the newly elected US ally who has pledged to balance Seoul’s ties with Beijing. The stakes are high for Lee, who assumed office in June following the ouster […]
Read MorePakistan partially reopens Torkham border crossing to allow Afghan refugees to leave
PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Pakistan on Saturday partially reopened the Torkham border crossing with Afghanistan to allow thousands of stranded Afghan refugees to return home, officials said. Restrictions remain on all other cross-border movement, including trade. Pakistan closed all border crossings with Afghanistan on Oct. 12 following deadly clashes in which both sides claimed to have killed […]
Read MoreCould East Timor be new ally for Philippines as Manila prepares to chair Asean in 2026?
By Sam Beltran With East Timor’s entry into Asean as its 11th member, the youngest country in the region may become a key partner and new ally for the Philippines as Manila gears up to lead the bloc as chair in 2026. Before Sunday’s accession ceremony at the 47th summit of the Association of Southeast […]
Read MoreUS signs rare earth MOUs with Malaysia, Thailand. Can it hedge against China?
By Ralph Jennings in Kuala Lumpur The United States has ramped up efforts to hedge against rare earth export controls by China – the world’s dominant supplier – through agreements signed on Sunday with two Southeast Asian countries, including one that experts believe could deliver results relatively quickly. Memoranda of understanding with Malaysia and Thailand […]
Read MoreHow will the next UN chief be chosen and who wants the job?
A new United Nations Secretary-General will be elected next year for a five-year term starting on 1 January, 2027. Here are the potential candidates so far and how the successor to current UN chief Antonio Guterres will be chosen: WHEN DOES THE PROCESS START? The race will formally start when the 15-member Security Council and […]
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