UN Security Council approach offers hope for Gaza

By Daoud Kuttab Leaders of a number of key regional countries who met with US President Donald Trump before his announcement of the 20-point ceasefire plan have expressed reservations about the temporary international security force needed to ensure compliance with agreement. Jordan, the country with the longest border with Israel and Palestine, appears reluctant to […]

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Philippines’ No 1 Asean chair priority? A South China Sea code, then a visit by Xi

By Raissa Roblesin Manila It was a fleeting handshake, but one that Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr made sure was caught on camera. On November 1, Marcos approached Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Apec handover ceremony in Gyeongju, South Korea, to offer his congratulations as Beijing assumed the trade bloc’s 2026 chairmanship. A Filipino […]

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In the Middle East’s diplomatic drama, Turkey takes centre stage

By Tom Hussain Turkey is closing out 2025 as a pivotal Middle Eastern power broker, its influence resurgent amid shifting alliances that have pushed Ankara to the centre of diplomacy spanning from Syria to Gaza. Twelve months ago, few could have predicted the speed – and irony – with which the tides would turn in […]

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Despite protests, Indonesians satisfied with Prabowo but economy remains a challenge

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto waves at the Asean Summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26. Photo: Reuters Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s public approval rating is steady at 78 per cent a year after he took office, a survey showed on Saturday, despite a challenging first year in office marked by deadly student protests. Prabowo’s approval […]

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ICC issues arrest warrant for ally of Philippine ex-President Duterte over drug war, ombudsman says

MANILA, Nov 8 : The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Philippine Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, who oversaw then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, the nation’s ombudsman said on Saturday, although the ICC denied the assertion. Duterte, in office from 2016 to 2022, was arrested and taken to The Hague in March […]

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Turkey issues genocide arrest warrant against Netanyahu

Turkey announced Friday that it had issued arrest warrants for genocide against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior officials in his government over the war in Gaza. The announcement was met with a firm rebuttal from Israel. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel “firmly rejects, with contempt” the charges, calling them “the latest PR […]

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What’s Holding Back Kazakhstan’s Air Transport Market?

By Dauren Moldakhmetov Kazakhstan’s aviation industry has posted steady growth in recent years. Over the past four years, passenger and cargo traffic have risen by more than 36% and 23% respectively, with an actively expanding route network. The state’s aviation development strategy prioritizes infrastructure upgrades, improved safety standards, and expanded international cooperation. Yet, despite these […]

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A Trump Visit to Central Asia Would Deliver Results and Anchor a Corridor Strategy

By Dr. Robert M. Cutler On November 6, Washington will host the C5+1 leaders’ summit, marking the format’s 10th anniversary and signaling a rare alignment of political attention and regional appetite for concrete outcomes. The date is confirmed by regional and U.S.-focused reporting, with Kazakhstan’s presidency and multiple outlets noting heads-of-state attendance in the U.S. […]

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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 […]

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North 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 […]

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