South China Sea
2026 Balikatan exercises will highlight Manila’s more ‘active defense posture’
Experts note that Philippines remains anchored in alliance with US, but will assert more agency over own defense.
Myanmar
Award-winning Burmese journalist Shin Daewe released from prison
Sentenced to life in prison for buying a video drone, Shin Daewe urged others to pray for those still in prison.
Pacific
Soft power ‘win’ for Beijing as Chinese medical ship treats 5,400 for free in PNG
Floating hospital Silk Road Ark’s 220-day goodwill humanitarian mission ends with Port Moresby port call
South China Sea
US to set up Philippines fuel depot in support of its South China Sea operations
Project announced at maritime security forum, but details scarce as plan is being finalized.
Pacific
Solomon Islands’ political crisis will ‘not fundamentally change’ ties with Beijing
Whether Prime Minister Manele is ousted or not, China's presence will remain extensive, experts say.
Korea
North Korean operatives use fake identities to apply for tech jobs
Some land six-figure jobs to funnel hundreds of millions of dollars back to the regime.
South China Sea
ASEAN, China unlikely to finalize South China Sea Code of Conduct at upcoming summit
Beijing routinely skirts international agreements, so a COC must have enforcement mechanisms, analysts said.
Korea
Heat maps show largest greenhouse farm in North Korea at less than half capacity
The farm was said to be the area’s rebound from severe flooding, but it's not fully operational, analysts say.
South China Sea
Japan’s combat role in Philippines war games signals shift in regional strategy
Expanded ‘Balikatan’ combat drills are a sign of deeper South China Sea defense coordination, experts say.
Pacific
China-US competition for rare earths sparks plan to mine Pacific seabed near Guam
‘Largest seabed mining proposal in US history’ would cover an area the size of Nevada
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