China
Proposed agenda unveiled for annual session of China's top political advisory body. China set March 4 to open the 14th CPPCC National Committee’s fourth session in Beijing. The agenda includes a standing committee work report and a report on handling proposals since the last session. CPPCC members will attend the NPC session to discuss the government work report and the draft 2026-2030 plan. Global Times, March 1
China's top political advisory body convenes standing committee session. The CPPCC National Committee held a standing committee meeting in Beijing to prepare for its annual session. Wang Huning attended as political advisers approved convening the fourth session of the 14th CPPCC, starting March 4. Members heard a 2025 work report and explanations for drafting reports on standing committee work and proposal handling. Xinhua, March 1
Japan
Government and ruling bloc adamant about passing budget before fiscal 2026. The government and ruling parties aim to pass the draft fiscal 2026 budget by the end of March. The LDP-led bloc seeks swift passage, while opposition parties, including the CRA, demand more deliberation. Opposition lawmakers want a stopgap budget if passage slips into April or later. The Japan Times, March 1
Japan refrains from outright support of U.S., Israeli attacks on Iran. Japan avoided endorsing or condemning U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran after Iranian media reported Khamenei was killed. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ordered ministries to assess the impacts on transport and the economy and protect Japanese nationals. Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi told G7 counterparts Japan seeks a dialogue-based solution on Iran’s nuclear program. Kyodo News, March 1
Takaichi hopes to submit bill on zero food tax to Diet in autumn. Takaichi said a bill to suspend the consumption tax on food for two years could be submitted in autumn if a cross-party forum agrees by summer. She said the rate would return to 8% after two years. She urged opposition parties to join the forum’s talks. Mika Kuniyoshi, The Asahi Shimbun, February 28
South Korea
17%: PPP approval rating plunges as internal rift over Yoon deepens. A poll put the People Power Party at 17% support, 28 points behind the Democratic Party of Korea. It tied the DPK at 28% in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, a conservative base. Lawmakers urged leader Jang Dong-hyeok to break with former President Yoon Suk Yeol after his life sentence. Bahk Eun-ji, The Korea Times, February 27
Lee departs for Singapore on two-nation Southeast Asia swing. President Lee Jae Myung departed Seoul for Singapore to start a two-nation swing that includes the Philippines. He will hold summit talks with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, and attend the AI Connect forum. In Manila, he will meet President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to deepen cooperation in the defense industry, infrastructure, trade, nuclear power, shipbuilding, critical minerals and AI. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, March 1
PM Kim convenes emergency meeting to review Middle East situation. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok convened an emergency meeting after Iran’s supreme leader died in U.S.-Israeli attacks. He ordered monitoring of oil prices, exchange rates, and stocks and told ministries to assess crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies and prepare stabilization tools. The government set a round-the-clock crisis system, prioritized protection of nationals, and said 60 Koreans are in Iran and around 600 in Israel. Choi Kyong-ae, Yonhap News Agency, March 1
North Korea
N.K. leader's sister confirmed to serve as director of ruling party's general affairs department. State media confirmed Kim Yo-jong as director of the Workers’ Party of Korea’s general affairs department. Her title surfaced as Kim Jong Un gave new sniper rifles to senior party and military officials. She was promoted to department chief during a plenary meeting held amid the Ninth Party Congress. Kim Soo-yeon, Yonhap News Agency, February 28
North Korean leader presents new sniper rifles to party officials. Kim Jong Un presented new sniper rifles to party and military officials for the Ninth Party Congress. KCNA said the Academy of Defence Science developed the rifle. Photos showed daughter Ju Ae and described Kim Yo Jong as a party department director. Heekyong Yang, Jack Kim and Sebin Choi, Reuters, February 28
South Korea president calls on North Korea to resume dialogue. President Lee Jae Myung said he hopes North Korea resumes dialogue soon to open a new era in ties. He spoke on the March 1 holiday and pledged efforts to restart talks for peace on the peninsula. Lee said new relations require dialogue between the neighbours. Heejin Kim, Reuters, March 1
Vietnam
Vietnam voices deep concern over escalating conflict in Middle East. Vietnam said the escalating Middle East conflict threatens civilians and regional and global peace and stability. Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang urged restraint, a halt to escalatory actions, and peaceful settlement under international law and the UN Charter. The foreign ministry said Vietnamese in Iran and Israel are safe and advised against travel there. Vietnam News, February 28
Thailand
Voters believe election not clean, EC fails to fight cheating. A poll found 87.7% of respondents said the Feb. 8 election was somewhat or totally unfair. Only 12.3% were satisfied with the results, and 67.6% criticized the Election Commission’s efforts against vote-buying. The Feb. 13-16 survey questioned 2,000 adults nationwide as results were certified in 396 constituencies. Bangkok Post, February 27
Poll body denies intimidation claims. Thailand’s Election Commission denied it is suing citizens or intimidating the media over elections. It said six people faced complaints after installing cameras at a Bangkok polling station and trying to decode ballot barcodes. The commission said the actions violate secret voting, and it said some voters did not cast ballots after seeing cameras. Bangkok Post, February 28
Myanmar
China-backed power plant pulled from Kyaukphyu as AA advances. A Chinese-backed VPower plant in Kyaukphyu is being dismantled and moved amid fighting with the Arakan Army. The $140 million, 150-megawatt site opened in 2022 and shut in late 2023 after gas shortages and unpaid U.S.-dollar bills. Locals said most equipment has been shipped out by sea. Lin Thit, The Irrawaddy, February 27
Laos
Govt approves 10-year development strategy, legal reforms. Cabinet endorsed a 2026-2035 strategy and a Vision to 2055 at a meeting led by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone. Ministers also backed policies on electric vehicles and draft decrees on hazardous goods transport and nongovernmental organisations. The government set March tasks on revenue collection modernisation, price management, and crackdowns on scams and online defamation. Vientiane Times, February 27
Thailand eases oil export controls to Laos, maintains restrictions on Cambodia shipments. Thailand relaxed fuel export controls at the Chong Mek crossing on Feb. 27 to speed shipments to Laos. The Second Army Region kept strict oversight and maintained restrictions on exports to Cambodia. Officials cited December suspensions after abnormal volumes and claims that some fuel moved through Laos to Cambodia. Namfon Chanthavong, The Laotian Times, February 27
Philippines
House starts review of Sara impeach cases. The House justice committee will start reviewing four impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte on March 2. Chair Gerville Luistro scheduled meetings for March 2-4 to assess whether the filings meet form requirements. If they do, members will examine substance, including alleged misuse of confidential funds at the vice president’s and education offices. Reina C. Tolentino, The Manila Times, March 1
Expert weighs ICC hearing arguments. International law expert Melissa Loja said prosecutors face hurdles linking Rodrigo Duterte to killings through indirect co-perpetration. She said they must identify the person or power structure used to convey intent to murder. Loja said defense policies on police procedure and self-defense weakened the intent case unless violations are proved. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, March 1
Indonesia
Indonesia’s Prabowo ‘ready’ to fly to Tehran as mediator. Indonesia said President Prabowo Subianto is ready to fly to Tehran to mediate after U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran. A foreign ministry statement said he would facilitate dialogue if accepted by the parties. Jakarta regretted the collapse of US-Iran talks, urged restraint, and told Indonesians in Iran to follow local instructions. Jayanty Nada Shofa, Jakarta Globe, February 28
Indonesia's US trade tariff trimmed to 15%, says minister. Indonesia's U.S. tariff rate fell to 15% from 19%, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said. He cited a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that invalidated President Donald Trump's IEEPA tariffs. He said the ART keeps zero duty for 1,819 tariff lines and quota relief for textiles. Author, ANTARA News, February 27
Malaysia
Malaysia police launch probe into alleged plot to topple government. Police said they are investigating a conspiracy to topple the government and sabotage national stability. Inspector-General Mohd Khalid Ismail said the plot involved an influential local figure and an international media agency. The probe is under laws against undermining parliamentary democracy, which carry up to 20 years in prison. Danial Azhar and Rozanna Latiff, Reuters, February 27
Taiwan
Taichung mayor to visit U.S. in mid-March. Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen confirmed an 11-day U.S. trip starting March 11. She pledged to boost Taiwan’s diplomatic engagement and deepen cooperation with Washington. Lu plans to clarify KMT positions on defense procurement and U.S. tariff policies, according to a United Daily News report. Su Mu-chun and Frances Huang, Focus Taiwan, February 28
KMT lawmakers urge clarity on U.S. tariff agreement ahead of Premier’s report. KMT lawmakers demanded confirmation that the Feb. 12 U.S.-Taiwan tariff pact still applies after the ruling. They urged relief for affected industries before Premier Cho Jung-tai reports to lawmakers on March 3. Wang Hung-wei and Huang Chien-hao highlighted small firms, while DPP’s Chuang Jui-hsiung rejected public hearings. James Thompson, Liu Kuan-ting and Su Lung-chi, Focus Taiwan, March 1
Kazakhstan
President Tokayev reaffirms support for Gulf states during regional crisis. Tokayev sent support messages to leaders of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. He condemned military actions that undermine partner sovereignty and security. Tokayev also called Qatar’s emir to urge diplomacy and prevent escalation. The Times of Central Asia, March 1
Kyrgyzstan
Following purge, Kyrgyz president faces calls to ease up on repressive measures. Sadyr Japarov removed security chief Kamchybek Tashiev and pushed out allies from ministries, city halls and parliament. He cut GKNB influence, detained senior agents and created an investigative committee under the presidency. Journalists urged reviews of crackdown cases, while analysts warned blowback remains possible. Alexander Thompson, Eurasianet, February 27
East Asia
Performing robots push Chinese tech to center stage. China’s humanoid robots took center stage at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala with martial arts routines and acrobatics that signaled progress from AI software to hardware. Xi Jinping elevated humanoid robotics after a February 2025 meeting with tech founders that included DeepSeek’s Liang Wenfeng. Unitree’s G1 and H1 performed autonomous sequences with 7.5 rotation spins, formation changes at 4 meters per second, fall recovery, and 3D lidar sensing. Founder Wang Xingxing forecast shipments of as many as 20,000 units in 2026, and firms like MagicLab, Galbot, and Noetix showed dexterous manipulation. Technical gaps remain in actuators, sensors, and chips, pushing a drive for domestic substitutes. An Indian summit faced a scandal over a rebranded Unitree robot dog. George Chen and Marshall Li, Nikkei Asia, February 27
U.S. Equities and Korea’s Balance of Payments. Korea posted a record $120 billion current account surplus in 2025 while the won neared 1500 per dollar, with reserves not rising because the Bank of Korea sold foreign exchange to support the currency. The offsetting financial outflow came from net equity purchases abroad, not debt, led by the National Pension Service with about $40 billion in equity outflows and a growing foreign allocation. Hedging activity shifted during 2025, with swap-based hedges used early in the year and allowed to roll off later, before tactical hedging in December helped steady the won. Korea’s flow pattern illustrates a broader change in financing the U.S. external deficit toward foreign equity inflows. Brad W. Setser, Council on Foreign Relations, March 1
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia’s small navies face a quantum shift. Quantum technologies may reshape maritime operations for Southeast Asia’s small navies by threatening encryption that protects command and control, port systems, and private communications, and by enabling new positioning, navigation, and timing tools that do not depend on GPS. Quantum clocks and inertial sensors can support assured navigation in jammed conditions and speed decisions and targeting. Quantum sensing via magnetometers and gravimeters may improve submarine detection, shrinking survivability margins. Resource limits call for a readiness agenda focused on skills, selective development, and stress tests of cryptography, not prestige platforms. Undersea cable protection needs quantum-resistant standards, and ASEAN-level cooperation on training and shared expertise can build a regional quantum maritime commons. Hadrien Saperstein, East Asia Forum, February 28
Islam-State Relations under Prabowo: More Carrots and More Sticks, But Less Progressive and Less Civil? Prabowo Subianto builds ties with Islamic groups across the spectrum while increasing control over Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah. Cabinet posts and mining concessions channel state resources to both organisations, and legal pressure adds leverage. The Corruption Eradication Commission charged Yaqut Cholil Qoumas in a hajj quota graft case, drawing NU into elite rivalries linked to Jokowi and Prabowo. NU chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf faced impeachment moves and internal splits as NU shifted its mining partnership toward Prabowo’s circle. Muhammadiyah gained more cabinet seats and sought relief for cadres in graft cases as Prabowo issued sentence commutations. Islamist groups receive fewer posts but face fewer bans, and PKS returned to government. Ary Hermawan, FULCRUM, February 27
From Haven to Hub: Thailand’s New Trade of Transnational Repression. Thailand went after the 2014 coup from refuge for regional exiles to a hub that enables cross-border surveillance, detention, extradition, deportation, and refoulement through reciprocal “swap mart” arrangements with neighboring governments. UNHCR refugee determinations lack legal force, and a dual-track process includes a “special lane” where senior officials decide outcomes using Interpol notices and informal state requests. Killings, disappearances, and harassment have followed, including the 2023 shooting of Lao activist Bounsuan Kitiyano and the deaths of Thai critics found in the Mekong River in 2019. These practices breach ICCPR duties and Thailand’s anti-torture and enforced disappearance law. Erica Ruoxin Zhang, Sino-Southeast Initiative, February 28
Russia’s Critical Military Role in Myanmar’s Civil War. Russia provides the junta’s State Security and Peace Commission with air power, drones, intelligence support, and training that exceed China’s military help. Sergei Shoigu’s February visit brought praise for Myanmar’s elections and a four-year military cooperation agreement that reinforces arms sales. Su-30 fighters and Mi-38 helicopters underpin air superiority and troop insertion, and aerial attacks rose from 2,471 in 2024 to 4,881 in 2025. Russia supplies surveillance, combat, and suicide drones and anti-drone systems. A satellite imagery center opened in 2025, and joint naval drills shared tactics for resupply, landings, and bombardment. Conscription expanded ground forces for human-wave assaults. Ian Storey, FULCRUM, February 27