This Week in Asia /

Opinion

Related Topics:
China Briefing
The View
Malaysia’s Defence Minister Mohamed Khaled Nordin receives an Asean emblem at the handover of Asean chairmanship in Laos on November 21. Photo: AP
Asean

Opinion

Asian Angle | Why Asean’s neutrality is our greatest asset in a divided world

As Malaysia prepares to assume the 2025 Asean chair, its trade minister argues for a unified approach to navigate the US-China rivalry.

Thailand

Asian Angle | Thaksin’s return at Udon Thani election sparks play for national influence

videocam
Middle East

Opinion | China’s Middle East strategy falters as Aleppo falls to rebel forces

12

Opinion

Japan

My Take | Japan should not just focus on abduction issue and reach out to North Korea

Tokyo has demanded the return of its citizens abducted by North Korea over the decades but any breakthrough on the issue is unlikely.

Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, speaks about the issue in August. His sister Megumi (on the screen) was abducted by North Korea in 1977. Photo: Kyodo
Takuya Yokota, head of a group representing the families of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea, speaks about the issue in August. His sister Megumi (on the screen) was abducted by North Korea in 1977. Photo: Kyodo

Opinion

Asean

Asian Angle | How Malaysia can boost Asean agency and centrality amid global challenges

As 2025 chair, Malaysia should adopt a cross-disciplinary approach to issues and undertake incremental but bold moves to cement Asean centrality.

videocam

Opinion

War and conflict

Opinion | 4 critical concerns about the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

The 60-day truce may not lead to lasting peace, with potential for conflict escalation in Syria and unclear troop withdrawal plans.

videocam
4
Advertisement
Advertisement

Opinion

Bangladesh

My Take | ‘Worse than before’: Bangladesh’s turmoil grows as Yunus tries to restore order

Muhammad Yunus faces challenges in restoring order and reviving Bangladesh’s economy amid ethnic tensions and urgent calls for new elections.

videocam
Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, speaks to members of the media at the COP29 UN Climate Summit on November 13. Photo: AP
Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, speaks to members of the media at the COP29 UN Climate Summit on November 13. Photo: AP

Opinion

Internet

Asian Angle | Asia’s digital future hangs by a thread beneath the ocean waves

Public-private partnerships are essential to ensuring the security of undersea cables against attacks, data theft and espionage.

Opinion

Ukraine war

Opinion | How longer-range US missiles can change the Russia-Ukraine war’s complexion

The Army Tactical Missile System will allow Ukraine to conduct deep strikes on Russian territory and limit Moscow’s operational reach.

6

Opinion

Malaysia

My Take | As Sabah faces new bribery case, will it pay dividends for power seekers?

A whistle-blower has alleged corruption involving a ‘top leader’, prompting Chief Minister Hajiji Noor to dismiss speculation about his role.

Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor. Photo: Facebook

Opinion

Israel

Opinion | Why peace in the Middle East may be beyond Trump’s deal-making abilities

The US president-elect has vowed to end all wars. But the Middle East is likely to prove as much of a headache for him as it has for Biden.

videocam
Smoke rises after an Israeli air strike on southern Beirut, Lebanon, on Thursday, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. Photo: AFP
Smoke rises after an Israeli air strike on southern Beirut, Lebanon, on Thursday, amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah. Photo: AFP

Opinion

Myanmar

Asian Angle | Is Myanmar’s Arakan Army capable of governing Rakhine state?

The Arakan Army has made military gains in Rakhine but it’s likely to face challenges in addressing residents’ socio-economic needs.

6

Opinion

US-China relations

My Take | Trade and development used to undermine the Monroe Doctrine

As the United States surrounds China with bases and allies, Beijing is expanding business ties in Washington’s South American backyard.

9

Opinion

India

Asian Angle | Why India-Pakistan relations need a new era of engagement

Historical examples show that the South Asian rivals can navigate their differences when their leaders embrace imaginative diplomacy.

videocam
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (right) shakes hands with India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Islamabad last month. Photo: Pakistan’s Press Information Department / AFP

Opinion

Asean

Asian Angle | Why Southeast Asia should worry about North Korean troops in Russia

The arrival of North Korean troops in Russia threatens to worsen and prolong the conflict in Ukraine, which would not be good for Southeast Asia.

videocam
4
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un toast during a reception in Pyongyang on June 19. Photo: TNS
Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un toast during a reception in Pyongyang on June 19. Photo: TNS

Opinion

North Korea

My Take | How North Korea’s troop deployment to Russia is changing attitudes in China

The Chinese public who once derided North Korea as a ‘neighbourhood hooligan’ is now hailing its decision to help Russia in the Ukraine war.

videocam

Opinion

US-China relations

Asian Angle | 6 reasons the Indo-Pacific became a battleground for US-China influence

Discover the key factors driving this shift, the role India plays, and the potential that it holds for Southeast Asia.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Opinion

India

My Take | India needs to honour Ratan Tata’s legacy with transparent funding of polls

An overhaul of the funding process and seat distribution in constituencies is needed to weed out ‘crony capitalism’ in Indian politics.

videocam
A man votes inside a booth at a polling station during the sixth phase of the general election, in the old quarters of Delhi, India, in May. Photo: Reuters
A man votes inside a booth at a polling station during the sixth phase of the general election, in the old quarters of Delhi, India, in May. Photo: Reuters

Opinion

Asean

Asian Angle | How Southeast Asia can help bolster regional security amid US-China rivalry

It is in the region’s interests to welcome the independent involvement of extra-regional powers to keep vital sea lanes free and open.

Opinion

Brics

Opinion | Turkey’s Brics bid reflects its desire to a forge path between East and West

Ankara’s decision could be a strategy to strengthen relations with non-Western powers, but it’s also about chasing more trade.

Opinion

Malaysia

My Take | ‘Government knows best’? Malaysia has a problem with explaining its policies

The government needs to improve communication of its policy details and how they will be executed, instead of leaving the issue for later.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) delivers the 2025 budget speech at parliament in Kuala Lumpur on October 18. Photo: Malaysia Department of Information via AP
Open Questions series

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

videocam
4
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

videocam
32
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

videocam
13
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

videocam
46
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Ex-World Bank economist on why ‘China will not be misled’, dodging Japan’s fate

videocam
21
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Arthur Kroeber: why China decoupling is unlikely, and talk of reform incomplete

videocam
38
Illustration: Henry Wong

Why eco-warrior Ma Jun sees hope for China’s role in Cop29 amid US uncertainty

videocam
4
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Historian on why we aren’t heading towards WWIII yet and how wars have changed

videocam
32
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

China’s evolving role in Middle East conflicts, according to an academic

videocam
13
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

This economist says China’s property oversupply is far from over. Here’s why

videocam
46
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Ex-World Bank economist on why ‘China will not be misled’, dodging Japan’s fate

videocam
21
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Arthur Kroeber: why China decoupling is unlikely, and talk of reform incomplete

videocam
38
Illustration: Henry Wong
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
OPINION
Tengku Zafrul Aziz

Asian Angle | Why Asean’s neutrality is our greatest asset in a divided world

Tengku Zafrul Aziz
Napon Jatusripitak

Asian Angle | Thaksin’s return at Udon Thani election sparks play for national influence

Napon Jatusripitak
Alessandro Arduino

Opinion | China’s Middle East strategy falters as Aleppo falls to rebel forces

Alessandro Arduino
12
Maria Siow

My Take | Japan should not just focus on abduction issue and reach out to North Korea

Maria Siow
Elina Noor

Asian Angle | How Malaysia can boost Asean agency and centrality amid global challenges

Elina Noor
Marika Sosnowski

Opinion | 4 critical concerns about the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire

Marika Sosnowski
4
TRENDING TOPICS
Singapore
Malaysia
The Philippines
Indonesia
South China Sea
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW