China
China and Philippines have a rare naval stand-off near disputed Scarborough Shoal. Four Chinese warships reportedly confronted the Philippine Navy’s BRP Diego Silang near Scarborough Shoal as the Salaknib 2026 joint exercise ended. Chinese and Philippine personnel exchanged radio challenges, the Philippine frigate launched a helicopter, and Chinese vessels shadowed the ship during an encounter that lasted several hours and ended without incident. William Zheng, South China Morning Post, June 23
U.S. Supreme Court ends suit alleging Cisco helped China pursue Falun Gong. The U.S. Supreme Court ended a lawsuit accusing Cisco Systems of helping China persecute Falun Gong members through surveillance technology. The ruling reversed a lower court decision reviving the Alien Tort Statute case, further limiting the ability to sue corporations in U.S. courts over alleged human rights abuses committed abroad. Jan Wolfe, Reuters, June 23
Alibaba sues U.S. Department of Defense for branding it a 'Chinese military company'. Alibaba sued the U.S. Department of Defense over designations including its listing as a “Chinese military company.” The company said the determinations lack factual or legal basis, its independent board has no military affiliation and its products serve retail, logistics and enterprise information technology rather than weapons, defense or intelligence. Susan Heavey, Michelle Nichols and Doina Chiacu, Reuters, June 23
China's most advanced aircraft carrier sails through Taiwan Strait, Taipei says. Taiwan’s defense ministry said China’s Fujian aircraft carrier sailed through the Taiwan Strait, its first such mission there since April. Taipei said it monitored the ship through joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance methods, while Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Chui-cheng said Taiwan would not compromise under increasing Chinese pressure. Ben Blanchard, Reuters, June 23
Japan
Takaichi offers document in lieu of answers to Diet grilling. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi avoided direct Diet questions about her aide’s alleged involvement in an online smear campaign, saying she would submit written materials instead. Opposition lawmakers called the approach unprecedented, while Takaichi denied personal involvement, said no records remained and declined to confirm specific facts during budget committee hearings. Mika Kuniyoshi, The Asahi Shimbun, June 23
Takaichi to skip NATO summit in July. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to skip the July NATO summit in Turkey to prioritize parliamentary proceedings before the Diet session ends July 17. She had initially planned to visit Ankara to strengthen Japan-NATO ties, but now faces a tight schedule, and the government may send Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi instead. The Japan Times, June 23
Tokyo court fines ex-ruling LDP lawmaker in 1st slush fund ruling for politician. The Tokyo District Court fined former LDP lawmaker Yasutada Ono and former policy secretary Yoshiko Iwata for false reporting under the political funds law. The court found they omitted about 11.2 million yen from a 2022 report but acquitted them on four other years covered by the indictment. Kyodo News, June 23
South Korea
PM calls for China’s role to foster conditions for inter-Korean, U.S.-N.K. talks. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok urged Chinese Premier Li Qiang to help create conditions for dialogue between the Koreas and between North Korea and the U.S. Their Dalian talks also covered Chinese investment in Saemangeum, South Korea’s extension of visa waivers for Chinese travelers and cooperation on semiconductor supply chain stability. Kim Seung-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, June 23
PM nominee sells three homes, leaving only one amid criticism. Prime Minister nominee Han Seong-sook sold three homes before her parliamentary confirmation hearing, leaving only a residence in Seoul’s Samcheong-dong district. Opposition criticism had focused on her multiple-home ownership, which was seen as conflicting with President Lee Jae Myung’s stance against real estate speculation and owners of multiple properties. Chang Jae-sun, Yonhap News Agency, June 23
President ramps up regional growth blueprint, putting AI, chips at center. President Lee Jae Myung will present a regional growth strategy aimed at developing AI, semiconductors and other advanced industries beyond the Seoul metropolitan area. The plan involves major conglomerates, possible tax incentives, regulatory easing and support for electricity, water and skilled labor, with Samsung and SK exploring regional investments in chips, AI and data centers. Yi Whan-woo, The Korea Times, June 23
North Korea
N. Korea's Kim calls for expanding nuclear arsenal to 'overtake the world'. North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for expanding nuclear assets “with a goal of overtaking the world” after a party plenary reaffirmed nuclear forces as central to deterrence and warfighting. The meeting also pledged faster construction of a 10,000-ton guided missile cruiser, border fortification, new naval bases, a party reshuffle and coal-sector modernization. Woo Jae-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, June 23
North Korea's Kim says country will exercise its position as nuclear state, KCNA reports. Kim Jong Un said North Korea must exercise its position as a nuclear state to confront an unpredictable global security environment. He accused the U.S. and South Korea of upgrading their combined nuclear posture, ordered expansion of nuclear and conventional forces and accelerated construction of a 10,000-ton strategic guided missile cruiser. Jack Kim and Kyu-Seok Shim, Reuters, June 22
Thailand
People’s Party on course to dominate Bangkok council poll. Thailand’s People’s Party is favoured to win the largest share of Bangkok Metropolitan Council seats as strategic voting shapes the race alongside the gubernatorial election. Analysts project at least 20 of 50 seats for the party, with Democrats and Working People candidates each expected to win about 14–15 seats, while turnout could determine the scale of any gains. Nattaya Chetchotiros, Bangkok Post, June 22
Opposition questions government handling of four key cases. People’s Party MP Parit Wacharasindhu challenged Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s denial of political persecution and said the opposition is tracking four cases involving Senate election collusion, a dismissed share-concealment case, Interior Ministry discipline concerns and the TSI Passport project. Bangkok MP Bhuntin Noumjerm urged a wider investigation into the Senate election case. Aekarach Sattaburuth, Bangkok Post, June 23
Myanmar
Myanmar military killed over 700 civilians in six months: UN. The UN said Myanmar’s military was responsible for at least 702 civilian deaths during the six-month election period, including 224 women and 153 children. Airstrikes were the largest cause of destruction, killing at least 505 civilians, or 57% of the total. The UN urged an ICC referral and an end to arms, jet fuel and dual-use transfers. The Irrawaddy, June 23
Philippines
VP Sara to attend impeach trial if needed, lawyer says. Vice President Sara Duterte is expected to attend her impeachment trial if necessary when Senate proceedings begin July 6, lawyer Michael Poa said. The trial can proceed without her, with a not-guilty plea entered on her behalf. Defense and prosecution teams are marking evidence, with prosecutors seeking more teams and extra days for voluminous confidential-fund documents. Javier Joe Ismael and Red Mendoza, The Manila Times, June 23
ICC tells lawyers: no comments in media. The ICC told lawyers in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s trial to avoid public commentary and keep arguments inside court proceedings. Presiding Judge Joanna Korner said the courtroom is the proper forum, not media discourse, and called for clearer rules on counsel communications. Duterte waived his right to attend the second status conference. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, June 23
U.S. gives Philippines solar-powered sea drones to boost maritime surveillance. The U.S. gave the Philippine military four Ocean Aero Triton autonomous sea drones worth $13 million to improve monitoring and threat detection. The solar-powered drones can operate for up to 30 days without crews and are intended to help detect illegal fishing, gray-zone activities and threats to freedom of navigation. Mikhail Flores, Karen Lema and Nestor Corrales, Reuters, June 23
Indonesia
Indonesia eyes more Chinese tourists with new direct flights. Indonesia expects two new Spring Airlines routes from Guangzhou and Shenzhen to Jakarta to boost Chinese tourism. Government data showed 491,726 Chinese arrivals between January and April 2023, up 25.58% from a year earlier. The Guangzhou service will run three times weekly, while Shenzhen-Jakarta flights will operate twice a week. ANTARA News, June 23
Prabowo says gov’t has closed 240 SOEs, hundreds more to follow. President Prabowo Subianto said Indonesia has shut down 240 loss-making state-owned enterprises and may eventually close 700 to 800. He said many firms failed to generate profits, relied on government support and paid salaries and bonuses to directors and commissioners, with the restructuring meant to improve efficiency and reduce public spending. Ricki Putra Harahap, Jakarta Globe, June 23
Taiwan
Returning to 'one China' status quo key to restarting talks: KMT head. KMT Chairwoman Cheng Li-wun said cross-strait dialogue should resume on the basis of the “1992 consensus,” an anti-Taiwan independence stance and her view that both sides belong to “one China.” DPP caucus secretary-general Chuang Jui-hsiung rejected that framing, saying Beijing’s military pressure and gray-zone activities are what undermine the status quo. Liu Kuan-ting, Lin Ching-yin and Shih Hsiu-chuan, Focus Taiwan, June 23
Nepal
Nepal’s former finance minister arrested for money laundering, police say. Nepal’s former finance minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel was arrested on money laundering charges as the Gen Z-backed government intensifies its anti-corruption drive. Police said Paudel, a senior Communist Party of Nepal (UML) leader, was detained in western Nepal and would be handed to the Department of Money Laundering Investigation. Gopal Sharma, Reuters, June 23
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan and European partners announce $462 million Middle Corridor agreements in Brussels. Kazakhstan and European partners announced four transport agreements worth $462 million during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s visit to Belgium. The deals cover airport digitalization, the Aktobe-Ulgaisyn road project, Black Sea infrastructure at Romania’s Port of Midia and Maersk cooperation on Trans-Caspian container shipping, strengthening the Middle Corridor between Europe and Asia. Sergey Kwan, The Times of Central Asia, June 23
Uzbekistan
IMF growth forecast for Uzbekistan warns of inflation and global risks. Uzbekistan’s GDP grew 7.7% in 2025 as consumption, investment, services and construction expanded, while inflation fell to 7.3% and the fiscal deficit narrowed to 2.1% of GDP. The IMF forecast 6.8% growth in 2026 but warned that inflation may stay above the 5% target amid oil-price risks and strong domestic demand. Sadokat Jalolova, The Times of Central Asia, June 23
The Iran War Turned Asia’s Fragile Energy Dependence Into an Emergency. The Iran war exposed Asia’s reliance on Persian Gulf energy as the Strait of Hormuz shutdown pushed fuel costs, inflation, and emergency rationing across the region. Governments are turning toward solar, nuclear power, alternative crude, LNG suppliers, electric vehicles, and grid investment. Obstacles remain in coal dependence, weak ASEAN coordination, storage gaps, high nuclear finance costs, China-linked renewable supply chains, and power networks unprepared for demand growth and resilience needs. Joshua Kurlantzick, Council on Foreign Relations, June 23
East Asia
The China–Gulf axis is reshaping renewable energy in the Global South. China and the United Arab Emirates are pairing low-cost technology, Gulf financing, and diplomatic access to build solar, wind, and battery projects across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Volatile fossil fuel markets, Iran war disruptions, and growing demand for cheap clean power strengthen the model. The partnership expands renewable capacity, deepens Chinese supply-chain reach, and creates new infrastructure dependencies in Global South energy transitions under state-backed finance and procurement systems. Safa Joudeh, East Asia Forum, June 23
Why “China First” Will Fail. China’s flexible partnership model expands influence without binding commitments or security guarantees. Beijing backs Russia, Iran, and Venezuela through trade, diplomacy, and selective goods, while avoiding direct defense or crisis management. This approach preserves autonomy, but limits loyalty, collective power, and reliable support in a Taiwan conflict. The lesson for Washington is that transactional retrenchment weakens alliances, fragments order, and leaves strong states exposed when costs rise during crisis cycles. Patricia M. Kim, Foreign Affairs, June 23
Why Chinese banks now act like local governments. Chinese banks are being reshaped by political and people-oriented mandates that tie credit to state priorities, whitelists, and growth targets. Banks compete like local governments, using below-cost loans, data systems, bundled services, and client lock-in to meet policy metrics. Chen Kang warns that this weakens risk pricing, misallocates capital, hides poor asset quality, and can create systemic stress when whitelisted borrowers falter and repayment cycles turn adverse across the sector. Chen Kang, ThinkChina, June 23
How far can Beijing cut its food imports? China’s farm outlook frames food security as import-risk management, not output scarcity. Grain production is set to rise, but imports remain high because land is fixed, diets require more feed, and soybean dependence persists. Beijing can cut corn and wheat exposure through yield gains, seeds, machinery, reserves, and timing. Soybeans remain the main constraint, pushing policies on GM crops, low-protein feed, substitutes, and alternative proteins for food security and resilience. China Policy, June 23
Japan's public is ambivalent about Takaichi's security agenda. Japanese voters endorse parts of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s security agenda, including constitutional revision, economic security, anti espionage legislation, and a tougher China stance. Support weakens on higher defense spending, revising non nuclear principles, lethal weapons exports, Yasukuni visits, and alliance choices under a transactional United States. Survey data show uncertainty on Taiwan contingencies and little generational split, leaving Takaichi to manage voter hesitation across society as tensions test consent. Peter Chai, Nikkei Asia, June 23
President Lee Jae Myung: A Year in Power. Lee’s first year followed Yoon Seok Yeol’s martial law crisis and impeachment. Backed by a National Assembly majority, Lee built support through pragmatic diplomacy with Japan, tariff negotiations with Washington, and defense goals that include wartime operational control transfer and nuclear powered submarines. Local elections exposed voter caution, ballot problems, factional strains, housing pressure, demographic stress, and the need to balance labor demands, growth, and defense costs during his term. Chung Min Lee, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, June 23
From martial law to democratic renewal in South Korea. South Korea’s response to Yoon Suk Yeol’s December 2024 martial law declaration showed democratic resilience under polarization and institutional strain. The National Assembly overturned the decree, courts upheld impeachment through public hearings, and elections brought Lee Jae-myung to power. Lee has emphasized unity, pragmatic appointments, economic management, alliance modernization, and local elections that preserved competition while exposing ballot shortages and conservative openings after crisis tested courts, parties, and public trust. Andrew Yeo and Hanna Foreman, Brookings, June 23
Southeast Asia
Why Vietnam Needs Both Concrete and Nature to Fight Floods. Vietnam faces rising flood losses as sea levels, rainfall, and urban growth strain walls, levees, gates, drains, and embankments. Nature based solutions can store water, restore ecosystems, and support adaptation, but dense cities lack spare land and need protection now. Hybrid designs that pair concrete defenses with wetlands, permeable surfaces, retention areas, corridors, and flexible walls can balance climate resilience, development needs, public confidence, and community support and cost control. Bao Tan-Hoang Nguyen, FULCRUM, June 23
Indonesia's paradox: Bold reformers face prison while crooks prosper. Indonesia’s corruption system punishes accountable risk while rewarding schemes that evade proof. Cases involving Nadiem Makarim, state venture investors, ferry executives, and Thomas Lembong show how state loss charges can criminalize decisions without personal enrichment. The Tulungagung resignation letters show extraction with low visibility. Legal unpredictability raises investment risk, discourages founders from public service, and teaches officials that inaction offers more safety than reform under prosecutorial discretion and political pressure. Nofie Iman, Nikkei Asia, June 23
South Asia
Households lose out in Bangladesh’s remittance boom. Bangladesh’s record remittance inflows have strengthened reserves but have not eased household budgets. Formal channels expanded after the August 2024 political crisis disrupted hundi networks, yet high transfer fees, weak exchange-rate competition, food-market concentration, and inflation absorb gains. Most remittances fund consumption, which can lift prices for nonrecipient households. Reforms in transfer pricing, savings tools, enterprise investment, and food-market enforcement are needed to turn inflows into purchasing power and stability. Mezabahnur Masum, East Asia Forum, June 23