By Jean Iau Recent comments by Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong about an inclusive “we first” society potentially involving foreigners have drawn the ire of some locals, with experts noting that a cultural shift and greater cooperation are necessary to attain the goal. The “we first” society call was first raised by Prime […]
Read MoreBy Maria Siow Washington’s latest defence strategy of providing “more limited US support” to its allies is expected to damage domestic backing for leaders in Japan and South Korea and spur greater momentum among regional countries towards military self-reliance. Analysts also warn that such a realignment could lead to a “radical swing” in regional security […]
Read MoreBy Tural Heybatov In recent years, cooperation between Uzbekistan and China has taken on a systemic and strategic character, moving far beyond the traditional model of “investor and host country.” Today, China is not only Uzbekistan’s largest trading partner but also the primary external driver of structural transformation within the Uzbek economy. The scale, sectoral […]
Read MoreBy Aidan Jones Myanmar’s military proxy party has claimed a predictable victory in an election widely condemned as a sham, a result likely to hardwire the junta into power indefinitely. For millions of disenfranchised citizens like May*, who fled to neighbouring Thailand to escape the crackdown, the landslide win holds no credibility. “None of us […]
Read MoreBy Biman Mukherji India’s increasing engagement with Gulf nations is driven more by trade and energy security, even as it seeks to forge a defence partnership with the United Arab Emirates amid deepening rivalries in the region, according to analysts. Last week, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan made a brief stop in […]
Read MoreBy Cao Jiaxuanin Beijing The foreign ministry in Beijing has urged citizens to avoid travelling to Japan ahead of Lunar New Year as the row over Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s November comments about Taiwan rumbles on. A statement issued on Monday said: “With the Lunar New Year approaching, the foreign ministry and the Chinese embassy […]
Read MoreBy Resty Woro Yuniar Indonesia has placed “resilience” at the heart of its foreign policy this year, pitching it as a way to keep the country from being buffeted by intensifying rivalry among the world’s major powers. But analysts say the concept, though rhetorically appealing, lacks clear objectives and a long-term strategy – running the […]
Read MoreBy Alyssa Chen The sudden removal of China’s two most senior generals is believed to be a stark warning underscoring President Xi Jinping’s zero-tolerance focus on Communist Party discipline and political purity ahead of two landmark events next year. Beijing announced on Saturday that Zhang Youxia, first-ranked vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) and […]
Read MoreRAMALLAH: Samuel Dalou, whose family has run a produce market in the West Bank city of Ramallah for decades, was astonished when local farmers suddenly began arriving in droves offering fresh produce at extremely competitive prices. When Ahmad Salim arrived from Jenin to offer his produce, Dalou half jokingly asked how he had managed to […]
Read MoreFor much of the post-Cold War era, Japan’s relationship with Central Asia unfolded quietly. Tokyo invested in infrastructure, supported education and training, and selectively engaged in commercial projects-most notably in Kazakhstan’s energy and mining sectors. This engagement was shaped less by geopolitical ambition and more by Japan’s long-standing emphasis on “human security,” capacity building, and […]
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