China
Global views of China and Xi up, U.S. and Trump down. A Pew Research Center survey shows that international views of China and President Xi Jinping have improved, while those of the U.S. and Donald Trump have declined. Among 10 wealthy countries, U.S. favorability fell from 51% to 35%, while China's rose from 23% to 32%. Confidence in Trump dropped sharply, while Xi saw a modest gain. Didi Tang, Associated Press, July 15
Xi addresses Central Urban Work Conference, listing priorities for urban development. President Xi Jinping outlined key priorities for urban development at the Central Urban Work Conference in Beijing, emphasizing a transition from large-scale expansion to improving quality and efficiency. Goals include developing modern, innovative, livable, low-carbon, and smart cities with people-oriented governance. Global Times, July 15
China’s local governments urged to use legislation ‘propeller’ to power economy. China’s central leadership is urging local governments to harness legislative power to support private enterprise, attract talent and spur innovation. The People’s Daily praised cities like Hangzhou and Changzhou for tailored laws boosting industries such as new energy and technology. Expanding lawmaking authority to 293 cities has shifted governance from top-down directives to legal frameworks aligned with urban development needs. Phoebe Zhang, South China Morning Post, July 16
Japan
Ruling coalition projected to lose majority in Upper House. Japan’s ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito is projected to fall short of a majority in the July 20 Upper House election, with estimates placing their combined seats at 118—seven short of the 125 needed. The LDP is losing ground in key constituencies, while opposition parties like Sanseito and the Democratic Party for the People are gaining support. The Asahi Shimbun, July 15
Japan PM eyes tighter oversight of foreign residents via new office. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba launched a new Cabinet Secretariat office to review immigration control and related concerns amid rising political attention to Japan’s growing foreign population. The 80-member unit will coordinate with key agencies to address unpaid social security premiums, land acquisitions by foreigners and foreign driver license conversions. Kyodo News, July 15
Japan calls China’s military activity its biggest strategic challenge. Japan’s Defense Ministry labeled China’s expanding military operations from its southern coasts to the Pacific as the most serious strategic threat, citing concerns over Taiwan, increased Chinese-Russian cooperation and repeated airspace violations. The annual defense report also highlighted growing threats from North Korea and Russia. Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press, July 15
South Korea
South Korea aims to regain wartime command from US within Lee’s term, defense minister nominee says. Defense Minister nominee Ahn Gyu-back stated that the South Korean government intends to reclaim wartime operational control (OPCON) from the US during President Lee Jae Myung’s term. Ahn emphasized the military’s progress in meeting transition conditions and reaffirmed North Korea as the country’s main enemy. He also pledged to rebuild public trust in the military and support inter-Korean peace efforts. Lee Minji, Yonhap News Agency, July 15
Special counsel makes 3rd attempt to bring in ex-President Yoon for questioning. Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team made a third effort to bring in ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol for questioning over his martial law bid, after two failed attempts due to Yoon's non-cooperation. Detention officials requested personnel support from prosecutors. The team may indict Yoon without questioning him. He faces multiple charges including insurrection and document falsification. Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News Agency, July 16
South Korea summons Japan’s defence attaché in protest over island claims. South Korea summoned Japan’s defence attaché after Tokyo reiterated its sovereignty over the disputed Dokdo/Takeshima islands in a defence white paper. Seoul’s defence ministry demanded immediate removal of the claims and warned of a stern response to threats against its sovereignty. The islets are administered by South Korea but have long been contested by both nations. Cynthia Kim, Reuters, July 15
North Korea
Kim Jong Un deploys military engineers to Russia as anti-Western strategy. North Korea is sending 6,000 military engineers to Russia to aid in the reconstruction of Kursk, marking a strategic move to deepen military and political ties. The deployment, championed by Kim Jong Un, includes personnel specializing in infrastructure and signals growing alignment with Moscow. The initiative is part of a broader anti-Western strategy and could expand to military base repairs. Lee Sang-yong, Daily NK, July 15
Russian delegation of emergency ministry visits Pyongyang: report. A Russian emergency ministry delegation led by Deputy Minister Roman Kurynin visited Pyongyang at the invitation of North Korea’s disaster committee to explore cooperation in science, technology and emergency response. The delegation will tour disaster sites and discuss joint training in firefighting and rescue. The visit follows a 2023 disaster cooperation agreement and comes amid deepening Russia–North Korea defense ties. Park Boram, Yonhap News Agency, July 15
Thailand
Suspended PM Paetongtarn seeks more time to file defence. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has requested an extension from the Constitutional Court to submit her defence in an ethics case that could result in dismissal. The request follows her suspension on July 1 over a leaked phone call with Hun Sen. Her aide cited time constraints in preparing the statement. She also faces a separate investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Bangkok Post, July 15
No chance of reunion with Pheu Thai, says Bhumjaithai chief. Bhumjaithai Party leader Anutin Charnvirakul rejected any prospect of rejoining the Pheu Thai-led coalition, citing divergent political directions. He pointed to disputes over the Interior Ministry and the fallout from a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Hun Sen. Anutin also dismissed rumors about defecting MPs and denied claims his son aspired to be prime minister. Bangkok Post, July 15
Myanmar
Myanmar and Russian regimes push Indian trade corridor to bypass Western sanctions. Myanmar’s junta and Russia are pursuing a trilateral trade corridor through India, connecting Russia with Yangon Port via Mumbai. Junta minister Mya Tun Oo and Russian officials discussed the project’s logistics, potential fertilizer imports, and e-commerce expansion. The Irrawaddy, July 15
Cambodia
Hun Sen accuses Thaksin of giving him secret Thai govt documents. Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen accused former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra of treason, claiming Thaksin provided him with classified documents during Abhisit Vejjajiva’s tenure. The allegation escalates tensions after a leaked call involving Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Hun Sen defended Cambodia’s ICJ move over disputed border areas and warned against Thai military provocation. Taing Rinith, Khmer Times, July 15
Thailand must apologise for assault on Cambodian soldier, says minister. Cambodian Defence Minister General Tea Seiha condemned a violent incident in which a Thai soldier and tourist assaulted a Cambodian soldier near the Ta Moan Thom Temple. Despite media apologies, Seiha demanded a public one, warning the matter will not be ignored. Prime Minister Hun Manet laid out conditions for renewed talks, linking border checkpoint reopenings to Thai cooperation. Torn Vibol, Khmer Times, July 15
Philippines
Duterte senators seek his release. Senators Ronald dela Rosa, Bong Go and Robinhood Padilla filed a resolution urging the government to advocate for house arrest for former president Rodrigo Duterte, who has been held over 100 days at the ICC in The Hague. They cited his declining health despite ICC assessments. A similar resolution was introduced by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. Both remain pending Senate adoption. Javier Joe Ismael, The Manila Times, July 15
Charter change bid alive again in House. Lawmakers in the Philippines have revived efforts to amend the 1987 Constitution through Resolution of Both Houses No. 1, targeting national territory and economic provisions. Proposed changes include explicitly incorporating the country’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in Article 1 and allowing laws to override foreign ownership restrictions in Articles 12, 14 and 16. Gabriel Pabico Lalu, Philippine Daily Inquirer, July 15
Indonesia
U.S. strikes trade deal with Indonesia, Trump says, without providing details. President Donald Trump announced a new trade agreement with Indonesia but gave no specifics, saying only that it was a “great deal” and reached directly with Indonesia’s president. The move follows his threat of a 32% tariff on Indonesian goods effective August 1. Similar letters were sent to over 20 countries with tariff threats up to 50%. Bhargav Acharya, Reuters, July 15
Trump cuts tariff on Indonesian goods to 19% after talks. US President Donald Trump reduced tariffs on all Indonesian imports to 19% following negotiations with President Prabowo Subianto, easing the initial 32% rate proposed in April. The deal includes tariff-free access for US exports to Indonesia and commitments by Indonesia to purchase $15 billion in energy, $4.5 billion in agricultural goods and 50 Boeing aircraft. ANTARA News, July 16
Singapore
Singapore c.bank warns of slower growth in second half of 2025. The Monetary Authority of Singapore expects slower economic growth in the second half of the year due to global uncertainties, including U.S. tariffs, weaker external demand and potential trade conflicts. Despite 4.3% GDP growth in Q2, full-year projections were downgraded to 0–2%. MAS reported S$19.7 billion in net profit, with assets under management surpassing S$6 trillion. Xinghui Kok and Jun Yong, Reuters, July 15
Bangladesh
Bangladesh struggles to contain the fallout of the uprising that ousted Hasina. One year after a student-led revolt toppled Sheikh Hasina and brought Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to power, Bangladesh faces worsening political instability and rising religious polarization. Yunus’ interim government has delayed elections in favor of sweeping reforms, but deep divisions remain. Islamist factions are gaining ground, and India has distanced itself as Yunus courts China and Western allies. Julhas Alam, Associated Press, July 15
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan to supply uranium to Slovakia. Kazakhstan’s Kazatomprom signed a memorandum of understanding with Slovenské elektrárne a.s. to provide natural uranium concentrate and explore future deliveries of uranium dioxide for Slovak nuclear power plants. This marks their first official agreement. SEAS operates Slovakia’s Bohunice and Mochovce facilities, which generate over 70% of the country’s electricity. Kazakhstan is also eyeing uranium exports to Bulgaria. Fatima Kemelova, The Astana Times, July 15
Uzbekistan
IMF lauds Uzbek reform efforts. The International Monetary Fund praised Uzbekistan’s economic reforms for driving investment, growth and poverty reduction while cautioning that challenges remain. Annual GDP growth has averaged 5.7% since 2016 and is projected to stay near 6%. Poverty and unemployment have declined, though youth joblessness remains high. The IMF urged reforms to reduce state control, improve governance and boost private-sector competition. Eurasianet, July 15
Northeast Asia
A US–Japan sovereign wealth fund is a bad idea. A proposed joint US–Japan sovereign wealth fund (SWF) risks politicizing investment, duplicating private sector capabilities, and promoting mercantilist policymaking. Masayoshi Son’s initiative envisions a vehicle for large-scale funding in infrastructure and technology, but both nations already possess sophisticated, liquid capital markets. The United States, in particular, does not face conditions warranting an SWF and should avoid emulating China’s state capitalism. Joint public investment could become vulnerable to lobbyist influence, political manipulation, and inefficiency. Japan can pursue strategic investments independently, while US–Japan cooperation is better served through open markets, regulatory reform, and bilateral partnerships. Institutionalizing such a fund may alarm East Asian nations and contradict long-standing commitments to free-market principles. Adam Dixon, East Asia Forum, July 15
How AI Cooperation Can Save the U.S.-ROK Trade Talks. Ongoing U.S.-ROK trade tensions, fueled by tariffs and disputes over digital regulation, risk derailing a critical alliance. South Korea’s legislative push to restrict dominant platforms and its reluctance to liberalize agriculture have clashed with U.S. trade goals. Yet, a narrow tariff deal would miss the opportunity to reset relations around shared economic security. A full-stack AI cooperation pact spanning chips, data, energy, talent, and critical minerals would offer a path forward. It would deepen bilateral innovation, rebalance trade through U.S. AI services exports, and counter China’s technological reach. By aligning AI ecosystems, the two allies could secure mutual economic growth and technological leadership amid intensifying geopolitical pressure. Navin Girishankar, CSIS, July 15
One Year In: Contextualizing 20×10 Policy for Regional Development. North Korea’s 20×10 policy, announced in 2024 and now one year into implementation, aims to build factories in 20 counties annually over a decade, targeting regional economic development. While positioned as an economic initiative, the policy is deeply political, meant to reinforce loyalty to socialism amid widening inequalities between Pyongyang and provincial areas. The rapid execution of its first-year projects and Kim Jong Un’s personal promotion of the initiative show its regime-signaling function. However, dual-use facilities suggest latent military purposes, particularly as North Korea’s defense ties with Russia strengthen. Though framed around public welfare, the program aligns with broader defense priorities and political control strategies, raising doubts about its economic sustainability given chronic infrastructure and resource constraints. Rachel Minyoung Lee, 38 North, July 15
A ‘Reverse Nixon’ Attempt by Trump? A Chinese View. Trump’s early efforts in his second term to engage Russia and reduce tensions over Ukraine were perceived by some Chinese observers as a “Reverse Nixon” strategy, seeking rapprochement with Moscow to isolate Beijing. However, such a change faces major obstacles: bipartisan U.S. hostility toward Russia, Russia’s maximalist demands in Ukraine, and deep structural distrust on both sides. Even if Trump wished to realign strategically, domestic backlash and Putin’s skepticism about American consistency would limit any substantive reset. Meanwhile, Europe has cautiously deepened ties with China on trade and multilateralism while recognizing its enduring dependence on U.S. security guarantees. Qian Yuming, FULCRUM, July 15
Southeast Asia
Stemming the rise of destructive entrepreneurship in Indonesia. Indonesia faces a growing threat from destructive entrepreneurship, where individuals exploit political connections and legal ambiguity for personal gain rather than innovation. Weak institutions, complex regulations, and inconsistent law enforcement have incentivized rent-seeking behaviors, including extortion by mass organizations (ormas) and manipulation of language laws in contracts. Ormas, often politically connected and sometimes violent, have proliferated from 140,000 in 2013 to over 550,000 in 2025, reflecting institutional failure rather than civic vitality. Addressing this requires strengthening the rule of law, streamlining regulations, eliminating corruption, and redirecting government support toward increasing competitiveness and innovation. President Prabowo’s warnings and the prosecution of corrupt actors mark initial steps toward restoring trust and steering entrepreneurship toward productive outcomes. Andree Surianta, East Asia Forum, July 16
The US–Vietnam deal: A paper tiger for China? The proposed US–Vietnam trade deal, though not officially confirmed, includes a reported clause imposing a 40% tariff on Vietnamese exports with Chinese content, double the tariff on purely Vietnamese goods. This has raised concerns in Beijing, given Vietnam’s key role in China’s supply chains. Yet the deal’s practical impact may be limited due to verification challenges, widespread use of transfer pricing, and Vietnam’s balancing act between China’s investment and the U.S. market. The broader context of U.S. reciprocal tariffs has triggered fragmented responses from global players, with China standing alone in retaliation. While the deal could marginally affect Chinese producers, its potential as a supply chain disruptor remains constrained. Bo Chen, ThinkChina, July 15
Rubio’s Reassurances to ASEAN Rings Hollow. Despite affirming U.S. support for ASEAN at his first Post-Ministerial Conference, Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assurances were overshadowed by Washington’s imposition of new tariffs on key Southeast Asian economies, including Malaysia and the Philippines. While promoting investment and strategic ties, Rubio’s message conflicted with trade actions seen as unilateral and punitive. ASEAN leaders, wary of U.S. unpredictability under Trump, are pushing for multilateralism and resilience, launching the ASEAN Geoeconomic Task Force and deepening ties with China and Canada. Fragmented bilateral trade diplomacy has weakened ASEAN's leverage, prompting calls for a unified negotiating framework. As ASEAN embraces hedging as strategy, U.S. credibility hinges on aligning rhetoric with consistent policy. Joanne Lin, FULCRUM, July 16
Oceania
New Caledonia’s Bougival Accord offers path beyond independence deadlock. The Bougival Accord, signed on July 12 under French President Emmanuel Macron’s mediation, outlines a compromise solution to New Caledonia’s prolonged political impasse. It establishes a new state within France with dual citizenship, expanded international relations powers, and the eventual handover of remaining sovereign functions. Though it avoids an outright vote on independence, it guarantees continued self-determination. Voter eligibility will widen, reducing Kanak electoral strength, while congressional seat reallocation favors loyalist regions. The accord mandates referendums, new legislation, and socioeconomic development plans to ensure lasting peace. Despite opposition from figures like Marine Le Pen, the agreement’s implementation could redefine France’s territorial relationships and increase Pacific regional stability. Denise Fisher, Lowy Institute, July 12