China
Fall of top Chinese general stirs U.S. uncertainty about China’s military. The investigation of Central Military Commission vice chairman Zhang Youxia removes a key U.S. interlocutor and raises concern about instability and poor advice at the top of China’s armed forces. Former U.S. officials said Zhang was seen as a professional voice with combat experience and a rare channel for crisis communication. Analysts warned his fall could heighten miscalculation risks as China modernises its military and pressures Taiwan. Michael Martina, Trevor Hunnicutt and Mei Mei Chu, Reuters, January 28
Britain’s Starmer to meet China’s Xi in bid to reset strained ties. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met President Xi Jinping during a four-day China visit aimed at rebuilding economic ties after years of friction. The trip, the first by a UK leader since 2018, seeks trade and investment gains while navigating tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump. The two sides are expected to announce cooperation to curb migrant-smuggling networks alongside business deals. Andrew MacAskill, Reuters, January 29
Japan
PM Takaichi says Japan could join U.S. on Taiwan rescue operations. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan could cooperate with the United States to evacuate nationals from Taiwan in a contingency, citing existing legal frameworks. She said the Japan-U.S. alliance would falter if Tokyo did nothing during a crisis involving U.S. forces. China criticized the remarks, saying Japan has no right to interfere in Taiwan-related matters. Kyodo News, January 28
South Korea
Bessent says disappointed by EU-India deal; South Korea must ratify trade deal. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized the European Union for finalizing a trade deal with India, saying it prioritized commerce over support for Ukraine. He said the agreement explained why Europe declined to match higher U.S. tariffs on Indian goods tied to Russian oil. Bessent also warned South Korea must ratify its trade framework with Washington after President Donald Trump raised tariffs over delays. Andrea Shalal and Susan Heavey, Reuters, January 28
South Korea court jails former first lady for bribery. A Seoul court sentenced former first lady Kim Keon Hee to 20 months in prison for accepting luxury gifts from Unification Church officials in exchange for political favours. The wife of former President Yoon Suk Yeol was acquitted on separate charges of stock manipulation and campaign finance violations, rulings prosecutors said they would appeal. Kim has been detained since August and was also fined and ordered to forfeit the gifts. Kyu-Seok Shim and Joyce Lee, Reuters, January 28
Lee invites Qatari emir to visit S. Korea. President Lee Jae Myung invited Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to visit South Korea during talks with the emir’s special envoy in Seoul. Lee said the meeting underscored both sides’ commitment to expanding cooperation in defense, energy, investment and other strategic sectors. Qatar remains South Korea’s largest supplier of liquefied natural gas under their comprehensive strategic partnership. Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News Agency, January 28
North Korea
New Iranian ambassador to N. Korea takes office after presenting credentials. Iran’s new ambassador to North Korea, Abbas Talebifar, formally took office after presenting credentials to senior North Korean officials, state media reported. Talks followed between the envoy and parliamentary chairman Choe Ryong-hae, with foreign ministry officials present. Iran and North Korea maintain close ties rooted in shared opposition to the United States and alleged military cooperation. Park Boram, Yonhap News Agency, January 28
Vietnam
EU, Vietnam to agree to boost work on minerals, chips, trusted 5G, draft document says. The European Union and Vietnam plan to deepen cooperation on critical minerals, semiconductors, infrastructure and trusted telecommunications networks as they upgrade diplomatic ties. A draft joint statement also points to possible non-sensitive defense technology transfers and stronger security cooperation. The move comes as both sides warn against coercive trade practices and seek resilient supply chains. Francesco Guarascio, Reuters, January 28
Thailand
Thailand to strengthen controls on gold trading to curb baht rise, central bank chief says. Thailand will cap daily gold trading transactions at 50 million baht from March to limit currency volatility, the central bank governor said. Heavy gold trading has driven rapid inflows that pushed the baht higher, hurting export and tourism competitiveness. Officials said the measures aim to stabilize growth as the economy remains below potential. Kitiphong Thaichareon and Orathai Sriring and Chayut Setboonsarng, Reuters, January 28
Thai parties tap nationalist mood as Cambodia clashes roil rural voters. Thai political parties are reshaping campaigns to harness nationalist sentiment after deadly border clashes with Cambodia ahead of the Feb. 8 election. Candidates in affected rural areas cited anger over shelling and displacement, while ruling allies emphasized support for the military and a proposed border wall. Rivals adjusted platforms to avoid appearing unpatriotic as the conflict reshaped voter priorities. Panu Wongcha-um, Panarat Thepgumpanat and Orathai Sriring, Reuters, January 28
Anutin says polls not final verdict. Bhumjaithai Party leader and prime ministerial candidate Anutin Charnvirakul dismissed surveys showing a tight race with the People’s Party, saying voter support will be decided on election day. He downplayed speculation after a cordial handshake with People’s Party campaign figure Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit during overlapping campaign stops. Anutin said the encounter reflected politeness, not political cooperation. Author, Bangkok Post, January 28
Police gear up to combat election-related crime. Thai police ordered a nationwide crackdown on influential figures, contract killers and illegal weapons in the final week before the Feb. 8 election. Authorities raised readiness for advance voting and polling day, intensified patrols and pledged impartial enforcement. The Election Commission warned of alcohol bans and campaigning restrictions around advance voting. Wassayos Ngamkham and Mongkol Bangprapa, Bangkok Post, January 28
Myanmar
Philippines
Philippines maritime council calls for restraint amid heated exchanges between Manila and China diplomats. The Philippines’ National Maritime Council urged restraint following public disputes with the Chinese embassy, saying it does not seek provocation or escalation. The council stressed that official engagements should follow established diplomatic and legal channels. The statement echoed the foreign ministry’s position amid rising rhetoric over South China Sea issues. Karen Lema, Reuters, January 28
ICC sets terms for Duterte’s hearing. The International Criminal Court set Feb. 23–27 for the confirmation of charges hearing of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte and scheduled an annual review of his detention at the end of the week. Judges allotted fixed speaking times for prosecutors, victims’ lawyers and the defense, with proceedings limited to shorter daily sessions under medical guidance. The court rejected a renewed adjournment request and confirmed Duterte is fit to participate. Franco Jose C. Baroña and Red Mendoza, The Manila Times, January 28
60% of Filipinos distrust China, survey reveals. A nationwide OCTA Research survey found six in 10 Filipinos distrust China, while 79% view Beijing as the country’s greatest threat. Distrust declined from mid-2025 levels but remained high across regions and income groups, with the strongest skepticism in Metro Manila and Luzon. Analysts said views remain sensitive to developments in the South China Sea. Red Mendoza, The Manila Times, January 28
Indonesia
Indonesia says peace board’s voluntary $1 billion is for Gaza reconstruction. Indonesia said a proposed $1 billion payment linked to the U.S.-led Board of Peace would be voluntary and used solely for rebuilding Gaza, not as a membership fee. Foreign Minister Sugiono said countries automatically receive three-year membership, with contributions invited to fund reconstruction. Jakarta has not confirmed whether it will contribute amid domestic criticism over costs and board participation alongside Israel. Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta Globe, January 28
Prabowo swears in National Energy Council, denies reshuffle. President Prabowo Subianto inaugurated Indonesia’s National Energy Council, tasking it with steering long-term energy policy and self-sufficiency. State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi said the move was unrelated to cabinet reshuffle rumors, noting only one recent personnel change at the central bank. The council includes ministers and stakeholder representatives vetted by parliament. Theressia Sunday Silalahi and Celvin Moniaga Sipahutar, Jakarta Globe, January 28
Taiwan
U.S. calls Taiwan vital partner after high-level tech and AI talks. Senior U.S. and Taiwanese officials discussed cooperation on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, drones and supply chain security at a high-level forum launched during Donald Trump’s first presidency. The U.S. State Department said Taiwan’s advanced manufacturing sector is central to global AI development and economic security. Both sides cited recent tariff cuts and major Taiwanese investment pledges in the United States. Ben Blanchard and David Lawder, Reuters, January 28
Taiwan shows off F-16 jets rapid response amid tensions with China. Taiwan’s air force demonstrated rapid rearming and refuelling of F-16 fighter jets during a combat-readiness drill in southern Chiayi. Officials said the exercises reflect a shift toward more realistic training as aircraft scramble almost daily to respond to Chinese activity. President Lai Ching-te said the military must integrate technology and artificial intelligence into flexible defense strategies. Yi-Chin Lee and Ann Wang, Reuters, January 28
Taiwan’s defense ministry slams TPP’s ‘unworkable’ military spending plan. Taiwan’s defense ministry rejected a Taiwan People’s Party proposal to slash a planned NT$1.25 trillion special military budget to NT$400 billion and drop the T-Dome layered air defense system. Officials said the plan would undermine defense readiness as military pressure from Beijing intensifies and warned it could weaken deterrence. The criticism came as opposition lawmakers blocked the special funding bill for a 10th time, delaying debate until after the Lunar New Year. Lawrence Chung, South China Morning Post, January 28
Communist Party and KMT revive forum stalled by decade of cross-strait tensions. China’s Communist Party and Taiwan’s opposition Kuomintang will revive a long-suspended party-to-party forum in Beijing on February 3 to discuss cross-strait relations and industrial cooperation. The dialogue channel, launched in 2006 and frozen since 2016, is intended to ease tensions and explore cooperation on tourism, industry and environmental issues. Chinese officials said the forum could pave the way for a possible meeting between KMT leader Cheng Li-wun and President Xi Jinping. Amber Wang, South China Morning Post, January 28
Lai warns opposition: Approve trade pact or risk higher U.S. tariffs. President Lai Ching-te urged Taiwan’s opposition-led legislature to approve a pending trade agreement with the United States, warning delays could prompt Washington to raise tariffs on Taiwanese goods to 25 percent or more. Lai said the tentative deal would cut tariffs to 15 percent in exchange for major Taiwanese investment and credit guarantees in the U.S. He also pressed lawmakers to pass a NT$1.25 trillion special defense budget, rejecting a smaller opposition proposal as inadequate. Kao Chien-hua, Yeh Su-ping, Wang Cheng-chung and Matthew Mazzetta, Focus Taiwan, January 28
India
Deputy chief minister of India’s Maharashtra state among five dead in air charter crash. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was killed along with four others when a chartered Learjet 45 crashed and burst into flames while approaching Baramati, India’s aviation regulator said. Pawar was travelling from Mumbai to campaign in local body elections, with two staff members and two crew on board. No one survived, and authorities said the cause of the crash remains under investigation. Sakshi Dayal, Shilpa Jamkhandikar and Rajendra Jadhav, Reuters, January 28
Kazakhstan
Anti-China demonstrators face long prison terms after fiery protest. Nineteen protesters in Kazakhstan face up to 10 years in prison for allegedly inciting ethnic discord after burning Chinese flags and a portrait of Xi Jinping near the border. The charges followed diplomatic pressure from Beijing and concern over relations with a key economic partner. Rights groups said the closed-door trial risks violating freedoms of expression and assembly. Eurasianet, January 28
Kazakhstan and Germany set sights on next phase of economic ties. Kazakhstan and Germany agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, investment and technology during talks in Astana, with officials stressing diversification and long-term collaboration. Germany ranks seventh among Kazakhstan’s trading partners, with bilateral trade reaching $3.9 billion in the first 11 months of 2025. Both sides highlighted joint financing, green energy, hydrogen projects and expanded agro-industrial cooperation. Aida Haidar, The Astana Times, January 28
Uzbekistan
President of Uzbekistan to make official visit to Türkiye. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev will visit Türkiye on Jan. 29 for talks aimed at strengthening the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership. Leaders will convene the fourth Strategic Cooperation Council meeting to advance political dialogue, trade, transport links and joint economic projects. A package of bilateral agreements and humanitarian events is expected to follow. Uzbekistan Daily, January 28
Tajikistan
Tajikistan approves use of central bank reserves to fund Rogun Hydropower Plant. Tajikistan’s parliament approved legislation allowing 916 million somoni, about $100 million, from central bank reserves to finance the Rogun hydropower project. Officials said the move aims to secure energy independence by 2027 and reduce reliance on external borrowing. The Rogun dam remains central to the country’s long-term energy strategy despite past audit concerns. Sadokat Jalolova, The Times of Central Asia, January 28
East Asia
The Indo-Pacific’s defining dilemma for democracies. Competing official definitions of the Indo-Pacific create strategic confusion among democracies, promoting a “free, open and inclusive” region. National and regional strategies draw different geographic boundaries, complicating coordination and weakening public buy-in for reframing the Asia Pacific. The absence of Indo-Pacific-branded institutions, alongside the durability of Asia-Pacific and ASEAN-centred bodies, reinforces doubts and enables China to portray the concept as containment. Resolving the dilemma requires separating geostrategic aims from regional relabelling, or changing emphasis back toward an inclusive Asia-Pacific framework that can incorporate India through modest institutional adjustments such as broader participation in existing fora. Clarity on geography is presented as essential because conflicting definitions signal unclear intentions and hinder regional cooperation. Roberto Rabel, East Asia Forum, January 28
Xi Jinping is immensely powerful. Why can’t he stamp out corruption? Xi Jinping’s anti-graft drive has jailed thousands, punished millions, and curbed some everyday bribery, yet investigations surged to more than 1 million cases in 2025, with 983,000 people punished. The campaign has reached the People’s Liberation Army, where budget growth and procurement create fertile ground for buying posts and exchanging promotions for bribes, contributing to repeated purges that have hollowed out senior ranks. Tougher sanctions and expanded detention have not removed incentives, as officials fund career advancement through kickbacks and rely on gifts to signal trust within tight personal networks. Strategic-sector spending sprees and fear-driven self-preservation keep corruption entrenched despite escalating pressure. The Economist, January 28
China’s Economic Statecraft Is Working. Beijing is capitalizing on a more coercive, transactional U.S. economic posture to deepen other countries’ reliance on Chinese trade, capital, and supply chains. China has refined coercion with new legal tools and expansive rare-earth export controls while preserving ambiguity and deniability, and it pairs these sticks with carrots such as development branding through the Global Development Initiative and a recalibrated Belt and Road. Dominance in strategic sectors and financing locks partners into Chinese-led production, illustrated by China’s entrenched role in Indonesia’s nickel industry and spillover influence on elite preferences. Pushback persists, tariffs and scrutiny in Brazil, resistance in Mexico, but U.S. pressure tactics also drive wedges among allies, making it easier for China to buy silence on issues from Xinjiang to Taiwan. Audrye Wong, Foreign Affairs, January 28
China’s military leadership vacuum: A boon or bane for Taiwan? The removal of Central Military Commission vice-chairman Zhang Youxia and CMC member Liu Zhenli leaves the top command with scarce real operational experience, raising questions about the People’s Liberation Army’s readiness for a Taiwan contingency. Structural reforms since 2016 have shortened decision pathways and strengthened joint-command mechanisms, and routine patrols around the Taiwan Strait have continued, suggesting near-term functionality despite turmoil. Taiwanese analysts argue the gap in combat-seasoned leadership could constrain planning for large-scale joint operations, even as competition among younger officers to prove loyalty may encourage more assertive tactics. Persistent weaknesses in joint integration and C4ISR systems, along with external variables such as U.S. policy and regional conflicts, add uncertainty to the timing and character of any forced reunification move. Miao Zong-Han, ThinkChina, January 28
Xi Jinping purges his conduit to party elders. Xi Jinping placed Central Military Commission vice chairman Zhang Youxia and Joint Staff Department chief Liu Zhenli under investigation, leaving the CMC with only Xi and discipline chief Zhang Shengmin and raising doubts about the PLA’s chain of command. Zhang Youxia, a princeling with 1979 combat experience, long served as Xi’s channel to retired party elders and stayed past retirement at the 2022 party congress as part of a compromise. Tensions increased after the 2023 purge of Defense Minister Li Shangfu and the Rocket Force shake-up, then broadened in 2024 as Fujian-clique officers fell and calls for “collective leadership” resurfaced. The purge removes a key political balancer ahead of the 2027 party congress. Katsuji Nakazawa, Nikkei Asia, January 28
Trump Is Pandering to China as Beijing Threatens U.S. Allies. The Trump administration has pursued a Beijing charm offensive ahead of an April trip, easing semiconductor export controls and dropping planned cyber sanctions while offering little public support as China pressures Japan and Taiwan. After Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Taiwan conflict could trigger Japanese intervention, Beijing issued threats, propaganda, travel advisories, and trade restrictions; U.S. responses were delayed and low-level. China escalated with radar lock-ons and tighter export curbs on Japan, and followed Taiwan’s $11.1 billion U.S. arms package with its largest drills since 2022, including rockets into Taiwan’s contiguous zone and blockade rehearsals. Congressional action is urged to reaffirm Taiwan policy, bolster Japan, and fund Indo-Pacific security assistance. Mira Rapp-Hooper, Ely Ratner, Foreign Policy, January 28
Political Realignment and the 2026 Japanese Election. Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae dissolved the Diet on January 23 and called a February 8 Lower House election to capitalize on approval ratings that had stayed near 70 percent before dipping into the 60s. Recent LDP setbacks—losses in the 2024 Lower House election and the 2025 Upper House election—set the backdrop for party realignment, including the end of the LDP–Komeitō coalition, a new LDP–Ishin partnership, and a CDPJ–Komeitō merger into the Centrist Reform Alliance. A central campaign driver is anxiety about the growing foreign presence amid record tourism, rising foreign residency, and expanding foreign labour. Policy proposals include higher departure taxes, steep visa-fee increases, and stricter permanent residency requirements tied to Japanese-language testing. Sheila A. Smith, Council on Foreign Relations, January 29
Southeast Asia
Vietnam's new balancing act in an unbalanced world. Vietnam’s party congress reelected To Lam and authorized him to also become president, a rare consolidation of power, while adopting a new foreign-policy slogan, “core, frequent” to make diplomacy a central national-security function. Hanoi’s “bamboo diplomacy” of flexible hedging now faces sharper U.S.–China rivalry, an unpredictable Trump administration, and a more confident Beijing. Vietnam is widening options by upgrading strategic ties with a growing list of “comprehensive strategic partners,” pursuing new outreach beyond the region, and joining BRICS as a partner nation. Hedging continues through first-ever joint army drills with China alongside expanded defense cooperation with the United States, even as a 20% U.S. tariff on Vietnamese imports complicates alignment. The approach aims to reduce dependence on great powers while preserving autonomy. Derek Grossman, Nikkei Asia, January 28
Border crisis exposes Cambodia’s murky political economy. Fighting that began on the Cambodia–Thailand border in July 2025 grew out of overlapping territorial tensions and economic shocks tied to Cambodia’s border-based casino and cybercrime economy. A looming 2025 downturn increased after President Donald Trump announced 49 percent tariffs on Cambodian goods, threatening the garment sector, while Thailand moved to legalize casinos and expanded crackdowns on scam centers. Investigations cited cybercrime revenues above US$12.5 billion annually and extensive trafficking into fortified compounds linked to casino hubs and politically connected figures. Cambodia leveraged migrant labour withdrawals, Thailand imposed gambling bans and asset seizures, and coalition politics in Thailand fractured. ASEAN-led mediation produced fragile ceasefires as China pursued parallel influence and the United States pressed for de-escalation. Will Brehm, East Asia Forum, January 28
South Asia
Look Northward, Pakistan. Pakistan’s mounting border feud with Afghanistan shows the costs of relying on the Torkham crossing and neglecting cultural and economic ties to Central Asia. Central Asian energy resources and critical minerals align with Pakistan’s chronic energy needs, while improved connectivity could expand textile, pharmaceutical, and agricultural exports and support a planned $100 billion “blue economy” built on upgraded ports and logistics. The Pashtun-dominated Torkham corridor is repeatedly destabilized by militants, smuggling networks, and informal taxation. Reviving the Dorah Pass route through Chitral and Badakhshan would shorten the Karachi-to-Tajik border corridor and keep most transit inside Pakistan, but requires major road upgrades and a high-altitude tunnel. Expanded cooperation on glacier risks and education exchanges could deepen durable regional integration. Benazir Samad, Foreign Policy, January 28