Asia

The most likely outcome is that the latest deadly flare-up between India and Pakistan will end relatively soon: In the little over 25 years that the two countries have possessed nuclear weapons, both have become very good at engaging in tense and violent confrontations without them escalating to threaten the entire planet. When he announced the cross-border missile strikes that began what India is calling “Operation Sindoor,” Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri described his country’s actions as “measured, non-escalatory, proportionate, and responsible.” Neither side has yet sent ground troops into the other’s territory, which would be the clearest sign yet of a wider war. On Wednesday, India launched missile attacks into Pakistan in response to a brutal massacre of tourists in Ap

India launched missile strikes on targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir early on Wednesday, marking the most serious military escalation in years between the nuclear-armed rivals and raising fears of a broader conflict.Analysts say the move may serve New Delhi’s domestic political aims but risks triggering unpredictable retaliation from Islamabad. The strikes – which Indian authorities dubbed “Operation Sindoor” – came in retaliation for an April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 Indian tourists dead. Delhi has blamed Pakistan-based militants for the assault, a claim Islamabad has denied.The Indian Defence Ministry said “precision strikes at terrorist camps” at nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir were conducted, following whi

A total of 245 people have applied for political donation certificates for the May 3 General Election. The Elections Department (ELD) said in a statement on April 20 that it had received the 245 requests by the April 19 application deadline. This means there could be as many candidates contesting the 97 seats in Parliament. A number of parties typically apply for additional or standby certificates. There were 226 applications for political donation certificates for GE2020, although only 192 candidates submitted nomination papers to contest the 93 parliamentary seats then. Singapore’s election rules require candidates to submit political donation forms, on which they have to record donations received and declare that the funds are permitted under the law. This paperwork is need

South Asia, comprising nearly a quarter of the world’s population, stands as a region brimming with economic potential but simultaneously grappling with considerable challenges. Positioned at the crossroads of historical trade routes and cultural exchanges, India’s economic policies and growth trajectories serve as both a beacon of opportunity and a source of contention among its neighbours—Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the Maldives. India's influence is multifaceted, encompassing trade partnerships, investments, and regional diplomacy. Understanding India’s role in the economic development of South Asia necessitates a nuanced examination of its influence, which fluctuates between being a supporter of regional growth and a potential obstacle constrained by national i

Thailand’s longstanding urban–rural political divide is evolving. While Bangkok’s middle class once backed the conservative establishment, many now embrace the reformist Move Forward Party (MFP), whose support extends beyond the capital to rural provinces. Shifting voter behaviour reflects a convergence of urban democratic consciousness and rural reformist aspirations. But true power ultimately remains with the military-backed establishment, which continues to override electoral mandates through constitutional and institutional mechanismsConventional wisdom in Thai politics holds that ‘the provinces elect governments, Bangkok overthrows them’. For decades, the socioeconomic and cultural divides between metropolitan Bangkok and the countryside have been understood as the quintessential sou

As Singapore gears up for its General Elections on 3 May 2025, political campaigning is undergoing an audio transformation as podcasts emerge as a surprising front-runner for voter engagement. This shift comes amid tighter scrutiny of online campaigning under Singapore’s Elections Department (ELD). While candidates and their teams can legally campaign across social media, websites, podcasts, and email, all paid online election ads must be authorised and clearly disclosed to ensure transparency. In this new digital landscape, where authenticity and accessibility matter more than ever, podcasts offer a unique platform — one that allows political figures to sidestep sound bites and engage in deeper, more personal dialogue with voters. To understand the growing influence of this medi

The United States has become an unreliable ally under President Donald Trump, challenging Japan to reconsider its 80 year old pacifist stance. Despite shifting public sentiment, the lack of the political leadership and commitment to its pacifist ideology limits constructive discussions about defence readiness in Japan.On 22 February 2025, the United States stood against its allies by voting with Russia and North Korea against a Ukrainian amendment at the United Nations that called for Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine. US President Donald Trump’s hostile policy became more apparent during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the US to sign a minerals deal, with the agreement cancelled following the televised confrontation between Trump and Zelensky. Since then, Trump has furth