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Opinion

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The Asia-Pacific region is critically dependent on undersea cables. Photo: Shutterstock
Internet

Opinion

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.

Ukraine war

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

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Malaysia

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

Filipino troops patrol during a joint exercise with their US and South Korean counterparts on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Filipino troops patrol during a joint exercise with their US and South Korean counterparts on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

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.

Opinion

Thailand

Asian Angle | Why Thailand failed to escape the middle-income trap

Despite early success, Thailand’s growth has stagnated – as flashy developments siphon resources away from innovation and productivity.

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A busy street in Bangkok, Thailand. Photo: Donald Low

Opinion

Indonesia

Asian Angle | Will Indonesia be more assertive on the world stage under Prabowo?

Prabowo Subianto is expected to be more hands-on in managing Indonesia’s foreign policy than his predecessor Joko Widodo.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo talks to Prabowo Subianto in the future capital Nusantara in August. Photo: AFP
Indonesian President Joko Widodo talks to Prabowo Subianto in the future capital Nusantara in August. Photo: AFP

Opinion

Malaysia

Asian Angle | Malaysia’s youth survey reveals deep ethnic divides and hopes for fairer policies

A recent survey of Malaysian youth reveals stark ethnic divisions, with Malays largely supporting existing preferential policies while non-Malays advocate for equality.

Opinion

US-Asean relations

Asian Angle | Strengthening Asean is key for the US to boost its Indo-Pacific strategy

Whether Donald Trump or Kamala Harris wins next month, a renewed focus on Asean will be essential for lasting stability amid China tensions.

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Opinion

Japan

My Take | Japan’s Ishiba to focus on security ties with South Korea to counter Pyongyang

Shigeru Ishiba’s ‘progressive’ views on thorny historical issues have raised hopes that ties between Japan and South Korea could improve.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (middle) oversees a launch of a ballistic missile at an undisclosed place in North Korea. The threat from North Korea is expected to be a key focus in Shigeru Ishiba’s engagement with Yoon Suk-yeol. Photo: AP

Opinion

Israel

Opinion | Israel invading Lebanon is nothing new. Will this time be different?

A year since the October 7 attack, Israel has failed to wipe out Hamas as intended. Destroying Hezbollah will prove even harder.

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Smoke rises from buildings hit in an overnight Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs on Thursday. Photo: AFP
Smoke rises from buildings hit in an overnight Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs on Thursday. Photo: AFP

Opinion

Malaysia

Asian Angle | Inside PAS’ ‘brilliant move’ to consolidate political power in Malaysia

SG4 aims to pool resources from Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis and Terengganu to attract investment – though feasibility issues remain.

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Opinion

India

My Take | Death of two Indian women workers underscores need to revamp workplace culture

The deaths highlight a lack of worker safety, fuelling calls for inclusive workplace reforms in India, and addressing low female workforce participation.

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Opinion

Thailand

Asian Angle | Is Asia’s democracy in retreat? Insights from Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Thailand

Political shifts across Asia show the struggles of democratic movements – and why backing despots is not always a safe bet.

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Protesters in Dhaka, Bangladesh, shout slogans as they celebrate Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation on August 5. Photo: AP
Open Questions series

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

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

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

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

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

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

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

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

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

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Illustration: Henry Wong

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

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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

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21
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

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

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Illustration: Henry Wong
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