China
Nexperia civil war erupts as firm’s Chinese and Dutch arms trade blows. A rift inside chipmaker Nexperia widened as its Chinese and Dutch divisions exchanged accusations over wafer supplies, financing and governance, while Beijing condemned Dutch economy minister Vincent Karremans for remarks defending actions that triggered the crisis. Competing internal letters revealed dueling claims of sabotage and mismanagement ahead of high-stakes talks in Beijing. Finbarr Bermingham, South China Morning Post, November 15
China’s 076 amphibious assault ship Sichuan completes first sea trials. China’s next-generation Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, finished its first three-day sea trials, testing engine and power systems as the PLA advances unmanned aerial operations with a carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults and arresting gear. The 40,000-tonne vessel, launched last December, is expected to enter service by late 2026. Meredith Chen, South China Morning Post, November 16
German finance minister embarks on ‘ice-breaker’ visit to China; experts urge building trust is essential. German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil began a visit to Beijing for the fourth China-Germany High-Level Financial Dialogue, seeking to stabilise ties despite Berlin’s tougher stance on Chinese technology and trade. Chinese analysts said the trip aims to bridge misunderstandings and rebuild trust as Germany tightens scrutiny of Chinese investment and components. Zhao Yusha and Shen Sheng, Global Times, November 16
Japan
Support rate for Japan PM Takaichi’s Cabinet rises to 69.9%: Kyodo poll. A Kyodo News survey found Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Cabinet approval rising to 69.9 %, with most respondents expecting inflation-relief measures and supporting higher defense spending, while 48.8 % backed exercising collective self-defense in a Taiwan crisis and majorities questioned her resolve on an LDP slush fund scandal and the government’s response to bear attacks. Kyodo News, November 16
China Coast Guard ship formation sails through Japan-administered Senkaku Islands. A China Coast Guard formation conducted a “rights enforcement patrol” in the Senkaku Islands, escalating tensions after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response. Beijing summoned Japan’s ambassador, warned citizens against travel to Japan and continued joint combat patrols around Taiwan. Joe Cash, Liam Mo and Ben Blanchard, Reuters, November 16
Japan’s GDP drops as tariffs bite and domestic demand flags. Japan’s real GDP contracted at an annualised 1.8 % in the July–September quarter, with exports down 1.2 % and domestic demand weakening as U.S. tariffs hit manufacturers, though the decline was smaller than forecasts. A July deal set reciprocal tariffs at 15 %, while housing investment fell 9.4 % amid stricter eco-building rules. Francis Tang, The Japan Times, November 17
South Korea
Lee departs for G20 summit, embarks on 4-nation swing to Middle East, Africa. President Lee Jae Myung left for a trip to the UAE, Egypt, South Africa and Turkey, beginning with a state visit to Abu Dhabi to discuss defense and AI cooperation before attending the G20 summit in Johannesburg and concluding with talks in Ankara, aiming to deepen ties across the Global South. Kim Eun-jung, Yonhap News Agency, November 17
Lee’s approval rating inches down to 54.5%: poll. President Lee Jae Myung’s approval rating slipped to 54.5 %, down 2.2 points, as negative assessments rose amid renewed controversy over prosecutors’ decision not to appeal a 2015 development corruption case tied to his tenure as Seongnam mayor. Party support diverged, with the Democratic Party at 46.7 % and the People Power Party at 34.2 %. Yi Wonju, Yonhap News Agency, November 16
Thailand
Thailand says U.S. trade talks to proceed despite Cambodia dispute. Thailand will continue negotiating a reciprocal trade deal with the United States after a temporary suspension tied to its ceasefire dispute with Cambodia, with Bangkok saying tariff discussions remain separate and noting a call in which Donald Trump assured Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul that Washington would not intervene in the border issue. Orathai Sriring, Reuters, November 15
Anutin ‘ready’ to defend 1.5-month-old tenure. The Bhumjaithai Party said Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is prepared for Pheu Thai’s planned no-confidence motion, asserting his early economic measures, including the “Khon La Khrueng Plus” co-payment scheme, have been well received. Pheu Thai countered that evidence of mismanagement, from fraud to “gray money,” justifies targeting him in the debate. Bangkok Post, November 17
Vietnam
PM arrives in Kuwait, beginning three-country tour. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh began visits to Kuwait, Algeria and South Africa after landing in Kuwait City for a November 16-18 stop that includes meetings with senior Kuwaiti leaders, economic groups and a policy address, marking the first such visit in 16 years as bilateral trade reaches $7.3 billion and cooperation expands ahead of next year’s 50th anniversary of ties. Vietnam News, November 16
Cambodia
Security sources warn of possible Thai military attacks at Thmar Da, O’Phluk Damrey in Pursat. Credible security sources said Thai military units are preparing operations in Cambodia’s Thmar Da and O’Phluk Damrey areas, with activity expected on November 18, as authorities monitor the situation closely for potential escalation near the border. Khmer Times, November 16
Philippines
Philippines, U.S., and Japan deepen security ties with maritime drills in West Philippine Sea. The Philippines, United States and Japan held the 13th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity, deploying major naval assets for interoperability drills ranging from anti-submarine operations to cross-deck landings as Manila expands joint patrols and protests continued Chinese interference in areas within its exclusive economic zone. The Manila Times, November 17
Supreme Court designates special courts for infrastructure graft cases. The Supreme Court assigned select Regional Trial Courts as special anti-graft courts with exclusive jurisdiction over corruption cases linked to infrastructure projects under RA 10660, directing the Court Administrator to monitor filings and requiring designated judges to undergo specialized training on plunder, graft laws, evidentiary rules, cyber warrants and forensic procedures. Franco Jose C. Baroña, The Manila Times, November 17
Singapore
Singapore key exports jump 22% in October, much stronger than expected. Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports rose 22.2% year-on-year in October, driven by a 33.2% surge in electronics on sharp increases in personal computer, disk media and integrated circuit shipments, while non-electronics grew 18.8% on strong gains in non-monetary gold and pharmaceuticals, far outperforming economists’ forecasts of 7.5%. Sheila Chiang, The Straits Times, November 17
Taiwan
KMT and TPP heads to meet, collaborate. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang confirmed plans to meet Kuomintang Chairperson Cheng Li-wun to discuss cooperation ahead of next year’s local elections, stressing shared goals on governance while political sources cited rival motives involving nominations and defense policy. Yu Chao-fu, Fion Khan, Lin Hsin-han and Chen Yun, Taipei Times, November 16
Taiwan deputy legislative speaker leads group to U.S., Paraguay. Deputy Legislative Speaker Johnny Chiang began a nine-day cross-party trip to the United States and Paraguay, meeting U.S. lawmakers after attending a Taiwanese Chambers of Commerce event in Detroit before traveling to Paraguay to review cooperation projects and reinforce ties with Taiwan’s sole South American ally. Wu Ruei-chi and Joseph Yeh, Focus Taiwan, November 16
India
Trump tariff rollback offers relief for Indian farmers. U.S. President Donald Trump removed tariffs on more than 200 food items, easing pressure on Indian farm exporters hit by duties of up to 50 %, with officials expecting $2.5–3 billion in benefits for tea, coffee, spices and cashews, though analysts say gains may be limited by competition, freight costs and narrow product exposure. Manoj Kumar and Mayank Bhardwaj, Reuters, November 16
Bangladesh
Bangladesh tense ahead of ousted PM Hasina’s verdict. Several crude bombs exploded in Dhaka as security forces tightened controls before Monday’s verdict against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who is being tried in absentia for alleged crimes against humanity over a 2024 protest crackdown. Authorities deployed Border Guard units, ordered police to open fire in deadly arson attempts and reported dozens of recent blasts and bus burnings. Reuters, November 16
Kazakhstan
Tokayev, Mirziyoyev advance strategic alliance at Supreme Interstate Council meeting. Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Shavkat Mirziyoyev reaffirmed fast-growing Kazakh-Uzbek cooperation in Tashkent, setting priorities in trade, industry, transport, water management, energy and digital development while launching $1.2 billion in joint projects and targeting $10 billion in trade by 2030 as bilateral ties deepen into a strategic alliance. Dana Omirgazy, The Astana Times, November 15
Uzbekistan
Uzbek president proposes setting up bloc of Central Asian states. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev proposed creating a “Community of Central Asia” to formalize regular meetings among the region’s five post-Soviet republics, aiming to strengthen economic, security and environmental cooperation as external powers court the mineral-rich region, while leaders also agreed to include Azerbaijan in future gatherings. Muhammadsharif Mamatkulov and Felix Light, Reuters, November 16
East Asia
The Myth of the Asian Century: Has China’s Power Peaked? China’s size and economic weight ensure influence in Asia, yet its assertive turn under Xi Jinping has bred mistrust that constrains regional deference. Coercive moves in the South China Sea, around Taiwan, over Hong Kong and in the Himalayas have encouraged acceptance of United States security roles, support for the Quad and AUKUS, and upgrading of defense ties by ASEAN states that say they refuse choices. Surveys show China viewed as influential but weakly trusted, while combined ASEAN trade with Western partners exceeds flows with China alone. At the same time Beijing’s Leninist politics, economic strains and looming demographic decline complicate efforts to shape a China centred order. Bilahari Kausikan, Foreign Policy, November 14
Today’s Rare Earths Conflict Echoes the 1973 Oil Crisis But It Is Not the Same. On October 9 2025, Beijing expanded export controls and licensing rules for rare earth elements, processing technology and magnets vital for electric vehicles, wind turbines and advanced weapons. The move capped limits on metals and showed that China uses regulation rather than embargoes to wield influence. Leverage stems less from ore deposits than from control of refining and magnet manufacturing, turning materials into chokepoints in production networks. The United States, Japan, Europe and partners are rebuilding midstream capacity, forming initiatives such as the Minerals Security Partnership and integrating materials into defense planning to create resilient supply systems within managed interdependence. Alvin Camba, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, November 16
The End of China’s Old Guard. Speculation in Beijing portrays Xi Jinping as weakened or sidelined, with private sources claiming he has lost real authority and that others now govern behind the scenes. Whispers describe failing health and even a body double taking his place in public, while senior retired leaders are cast as the true decision makers. Some accounts imagine alliances of liberal reformers and conservative generals who might jointly admonish the top leadership and rein in excesses. Expectations of rescue by party elders are misguided and China cannot rely on an old guard to redirect the country’s course away from his rule. Deng Yuwen, Foreign Affairs, November 14
Seoul’s Nuclear Script: South Korea’s Quiet Redefinition of Deterrence. The Korean Nuclear Security Project, a set of Korean language volumes, moves South Korea’s planning from reliance on the United States toward more deliberate management of its own deterrent posture. The study questions assumptions behind the three axes defense concept, portrays extended deterrence as a fading myth and treats alliance credibility as a variable rather than a constant. With North Korea fielding systems such as the Hwasong 20 and expanding tactical capabilities, debate in Seoul moves through slow institutional work rather than brief emotional spikes. Washington’s approval for South Korea to pursue nuclear powered submarines carries much of this thinking into policy and underscores a maturing yet uneasy partnership where reassurance and trust are no longer automatic. Perry Choi, 38 North, November 14
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia Is Eager for China’s Renewable Energy. ASEAN governments are turning to China for solar panels, hydropower dams and coal plants built quickly. Between 2015 and 2024 Chinese investors supplied about one third of foreign capital for power and gas projects, dominate solar supply chains, and control much of the Laos based hydropower linked by cable to Singapore as a grid. Western and Japanese firms still play roles in oil, gas and nuclear ventures, but United States led transition finance has receded under President Trump. China is placed to lock in an energy mix that leaves coal at the core, adds renewables and nuclear on top, and deepens reliance on Chinese capital and technology. Joseph Rachman and Indra Øverland, Foreign Policy, November 14
Myanmar’s planned elections are a sham. Myanmar’s military leadership is using promised polls in late 2025 and early 2026 to entrench Min Aung Hlaing’s rule by staging tightly managed voting in limited “secure” areas, excluding conflict zones and opposition strongholds, after a census that covered less than half the townships and an opaque transition to electronic voting machines tied to personal data, while the Union Solidarity and Development Party benefits from party dissolutions, mass imprisonment of rivals, and patronage networks that consolidate its role as proxy for the Tatmadaw under an interim administration staffed by loyalists and legitimized through a state managed “peace forum” and diplomatic backing from China and Russia. Shwe Yi Myint Myat, East Asia Forum, November 16
Myanmar faces permanent Balkanisation as the world tilts towards authoritarianism. Since the 2021 coup, battle lines in Myanmar’s civil war have hardened, making a decisive victory by either the junta or its opponents unlikely and pointing toward enduring fragmentation into ethnic statelets. Forces within the Three Brotherhood Alliance, including the Kachin Independence Army, captured strategic towns and rare earth mining areas, but Chinese intervention forced key withdrawals and enabled the military to regain parts of northern Shan State. Meanwhile Min Aung Hlaing has secured backing from Beijing and Moscow and engagement from New Delhi and Washington, where the Trump administration pursues access to critical minerals and cuts funding for independent media. Ethnic armed organisations and allied militias are left defending de facto autonomous territories in a permanently divided union. Adam Simpson, East Asia Forum, November 15