China
China’s Li Qiang urges U.S. business leaders to help ease troubled trade relations. Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with U.S. corporate and policy leaders in New York, urging them to support efforts to stabilize China–US economic ties amid tariffs, investment curbs, and visa restrictions. Addressing top executives, Li emphasized market access and predictability while projecting China’s commitment to economic openness and global cooperation. Mark Magnier, South China Morning Post, September 25
Trump signs order saying TikTok sale meets U.S. requirements. President Donald Trump approved a deal allowing TikTok to continue operating in the U.S. under a new joint venture controlled by American investors, with Oracle overseeing data security. ByteDance will retain a minority stake and one board seat, but no role in algorithm operations. The decision delays enforcement of the sale-or-ban law by 120 days. Bochen Han, South China Morning Post, September 25
Japan
In policy debate, LDP candidates seek harmony, not conflict. Liberal Democratic Party presidential candidates avoided sharp disagreements in a debate hosted by the Japan National Press Club, offering cautious and similar positions on key topics including inflation, opposition cooperation, and Ishiba-era policies. All supported a gasoline tax cut and refrained from definitive stances on controversial issues like coalition partners or Yasukuni Shrine visits. Shohei Sasagawa, The Asahi Shimbun, September 24
South Korea
Nat’l Assembly set to vote on gov’t reorganization bill after filibuster. South Korea’s National Assembly will vote Friday on a sweeping government reorganization bill after the ruling Democratic Party moved to end a filibuster by the opposition People Power Party. The legislation would abolish the prosecution office, transfer its powers to two new agencies, shift budget authority to the prime minister’s office, and restructure the energy and environment ministries. Lee Haye-ah, Yonhap News Agency, September 26
North Korea
North Korea close to developing ICBM that can hit U.S. with nuclear weapon, South Korea’s Lee says. President Lee Jae Myung warned that North Korea is in the final stage of developing a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile, lacking only atmospheric re-entry technology. Speaking in New York, he stressed urgent negotiations to cap North Korea’s arsenal, stating Trump remains the only viable counterpart for Pyongyang. Ju-min Park, Reuters, September 25
North Korea’s foreign minister to visit China soon, KCNA reports. Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui will visit China from September 27 to 30 at the invitation of Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, marking her second trip in less than a month. The visit follows a summit between Kim Jong Un and Xi Jinping in early September, where Kim pledged continued support for China’s sovereignty. Heejin Kim, Reuters, September 25
N. Korea, China vow to deepen bilateral ties. Senior officials from North Korea and China pledged to strengthen their relationship during a banquet in Pyongyang marking China’s upcoming National Day. China’s Ambassador Wang Yajun emphasized implementing agreements between Xi Jinping and Kim Jong Un, while North Korea’s Kang Yun-sok called for stronger cooperation. Park Boram, Yonhap News Agency, September 26
Thailand
New Thai foreign minister calls for troop reductions with Cambodia. Newly appointed Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow urged a drawdown of military forces along the Thai-Cambodian border to uphold the July ceasefire and prevent renewed clashes. He emphasized implementation of recent agreements on troop withdrawal, landmine clearance, and illegal activity suppression. The call follows deadly July conflict that left 48 dead and displaced thousands. Panu Wongcha-um, Reuters, September 25
Group of 16 MPs poised to join BJT. Natural Resources Minister Suchart Chomklin confirmed that the Group of 16, currently under the United Thai Nation Party, will join the Bhumjaithai Party ahead of the next election. He cited long-standing ties with BJT leaders and pledged unity, coordination on constituency rights, and no internal conflict. Talks on candidate placement are ongoing. Mongkol Bangprapa, Bangkok Post, September 26
Vietnam
Vietnam’s top leader to pay rare visit to North Korea in October, sources say. Communist Party chief To Lam is expected to visit North Korea next month, the first such trip by a Vietnamese leader since 2007. The visit marks 75 years of diplomatic ties and follows Lam’s recent trip to South Korea. No official agenda has been announced, though a meeting with Kim Jong Un is expected. Reuters, September 25
Myanmar
U.S. imposes sanctions on arms network linking North Korea and Myanmar. The United States sanctioned five individuals and one entity tied to North Korea’s arms exports to Myanmar, targeting revenue streams supporting Pyongyang’s weapons programs. The Myanmar-based Royal Shune Lei Company and key figures coordinated bomb and guidance kit sales. Ryan Patrick Jones, Katharine Jackson, David Brunnstrom, and Simon Lewis, Reuters, September 25
Russia to observe Myanmar junta’s December election. Russia agreed to monitor Myanmar’s December–January elections, intensifying cooperation just days after the junta announced plans to invite foreign observers. Russian Ambassador Iskander Azizov met with Myanmar’s election chief to discuss electoral procedures, candidate registration, and advance voting. Maung Kavi, The Irrawaddy, September 25
Cambodia
Cambodia rejects Thailand claim of border encroachment. Cambodia dismissed accusations by Thai authorities and media that Cambodian villagers encroached on 17 border locations, urging respect for peaceful mechanisms and ceasefire terms. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized long-standing civilian activity in un-demarcated areas and called on Thailand to resolve disputes through the Joint Commission for Demarcation. Taing Rinith, Khmer Times, September 25
Philippines
PH to get share in $55-M U.S. maritime security funding. The Philippines will receive part of a new $55 million allocation from the United States aimed at bolstering maritime law enforcement in the Indo-Pacific. Announced at a UN summit, the funding supports efforts to counter illegal activities at sea and ensure freedom of navigation. Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and U.S. Secretary Marco Rubio emphasized collective action in the South China Sea. Joyce Ann L. Rocamora, Philippine Daily Inquirer, September 25
Marcos laments failed talks on West Philippine Sea disputes with China. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed disappointment over the stalled resolution of maritime disputes with China during his farewell meeting with outgoing Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian. Marcos emphasized the importance of continued dialogue despite limited progress, while acknowledging Huang’s efforts to strengthen bilateral ties. Catherine S. Valente, The Manila Times, September 25
Malaysia
Anwar cleared in probe into alleged foreign bank accounts, says MACC. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission confirmed no evidence was found linking Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to foreign bank accounts, including in Israel, following a probe initiated in 1999 and concluded in 2022. The agency cited a 2009 sworn statement and dismissed claims revived by a viral TikTok video referencing a 2013 parliamentary session. New Straits Times, September 26
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan parliament votes to hold snap November election. Kyrgyzstan’s parliament approved a motion to dissolve itself and hold snap elections on November 30, moving the vote up from its original 2026 schedule. Analysts view the decision as a move by President Sadyr Japarov to strengthen his hold on power before his 2027 re-election bid. His government has faced criticism for curbing media freedom and jailing journalists. Aigerim Turgunbaeva, Felix Light, and Kate Mayberry, Reuters, September 25
East Asia
Cracks in the Ice: Why Engaging China Can Check Russian Power in the Arctic. The United States and Europe can constrain Moscow’s Arctic primacy by selectively engaging Beijing. Russia expands military assets, sustains Northern Fleet investments, and prioritizes sovereignty along the Northern Sea Route. China advances a “Polar Silk Road,” holds Arctic Council observer status, and funds Russian LNG, yet faces constrained access, stalled projects, and pushback from Arctic states. These divergent interests create leverage. Washington and allies should accommodate limited Chinese economic roles under rule-of-law norms while strengthening icebreaking capacity, navigation, special operations, and surveillance, and coordinating with Denmark and NATO on Greenland security. This approach dilutes a Moscow-Beijing front, internationalizes governance, and narrows Russia’s room for coercion without conceding strategic ground. Nicolas Jouan, Jan Zelezny, Zdenek Rod, RAND, September 25
From Black Myth: Wukong to Labubu: Can China Project Soft Power? Market-led creators, not state campaigns, are generating China’s cultural pull abroad. Hits like Black Myth: Wukong, Ne Zha 2, and Pop Mart’s Labubu show how private studios and entrepreneurs convert Chinese aesthetics into globally resonant products through universal themes and savvy design. Official soft-power tools struggle amid ideological control and geopolitics, while hype cycles remain volatile, as Labubu’s resale slump illustrates. Structural hurdles persist: distribution dominance by Hollywood, piracy, regulatory frictions, and perception costs from Beijing’s diplomacy. Durable influence requires an ecosystem that funds continuous innovation, localizes for audiences, and sustains brands beyond one-off phenomena, echoing lessons from Korea’s content industry. Lizzi C. Lee, Asia Society, September 25
Can RMB Dethrone the Dollar in the Foreseeable Future? Beijing is expanding swap lines, RMB settlements in BRI trade, AIIB RMB lending, and digital yuan pilots to hedge sanctions risk and reduce dollar exposure. Displacement of the dollar remains unlikely due to limited RMB usage in trade finance and reserves, shallow and less liquid markets, capital controls, and interventionist governance that constrains convertibility and investor trust. Internationalization is selective and tactical, centered on partners like Russia and Iran. The e-CNY is primarily domestic. Overreaction by U.S. policymakers could unintentionally speed RMB uptake in parts of the Global South, yet a multipolar monetary order would still be gradual and volatile. Lizzi C. Lee, Asia Society, September 25
Internal party rivalries sealed Ishiba’s fate. Shigeru Ishiba resigned on 7 September 2025 after the Liberal Democratic Party’s heavy defeats in the October 2024 lower house and July 2025 upper house elections and sustained intra-party pressure. Funding scandals, threatened U.S. tariffs, and higher living costs weakened support, but factional hostility proved decisive. Ishiba’s past critiques of party orthodoxy alienated lawmakers he later needed, and his moderation on issues such as separate surnames for married couples frustrated conservatives. Calls from senior figures, including Taro Aso, accelerated a snap leadership contest set for 4 October. Successor contenders include Sanae Takaichi, Shinjiro Koizumi, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Takayuki Kobayashi, and Toshimitsu Motegi. The next leader must manage economic strain, security uncertainty, and public disaffection. Willy Jou, East Asia Forum, September 25
Japan’s Science Council reform deepens academic–government rift. A June 2025 law converts the Science Council of Japan into a special corporation by October 2026, keeps state funding, and creates a prime-minister-appointed evaluation committee and independent auditors. The government frames this as independence; the Council warns of de facto control. The clash revives tensions from 2020 appointment refusals and long-running disputes over defence-related research, which expanded via Ministry of Defense grants to universities. Although the Council eased its stance in 2022, mistrust persists amid constrained university budgets and corporatisation pressures. Failure to secure voluntary academic cooperation risks weakening defence innovation and competitiveness as the ruling party pushes deeper university involvement in security research. Kousuke Saitou, East Asia Forum, September 26
Current Status of North Korea’s Drone Program. Pyongyang is scaling unmanned systems after Kim Jong Un’s September visit prioritized AI, core technologies, and production capacity. Two large designs anchor the portfolio: the Saetbyol-4, a strategic reconnaissance platform resembling the RQ-4, and the Saetbyol-9, a multi-mission combat drone akin to the MQ-9, with at least six airframes observed. A Kumsong series of smaller attack drones and several quadcopters broaden roles from armor strikes to tactical support, though demonstrated performance and guidance accuracy remain unclear. Panghyon Airfield and adjacent factories form the development hub, enlarged with new hangars and ongoing plant redevelopment, signaling intent to field drones at scale. Future capability growth should be expected. Martyn Williams, 38 North, September 25
Eyes on the great powers: How North Korea navigates China, Russia and the US. Pyongyang leans on a revived alliance with Moscow, earning foreign currency through arms exports and deployments, while reported energy gains in the capital suggest sanctions bite less. Anticipating limits to a Russia-centric approach, Kim Jong Un renews engagement with Beijing, highlighted by his first multilateral appearance in Tiananmen on 3 September alongside Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin. No trilateral summit occurs, reflecting divergent anti-U.S. positions. North Korea seeks balanced diplomacy, expanded trade with China, and room to prepare for possible U.S. talks if Washington offers concessions. Focus on great-power ties signals confidence grounded in nuclear status while sidelining smaller partners. Atsuhito Isozaki, ThinkChina, September 25
Southeast Asia
Indonesia’s defence modernisation needs procurement discipline. Jakarta’s rapid acquisitions since 2020—48 Turkish Kaan fighters, 42 French Rafales, continued KF-21 participation, and three frigate classes from the United Kingdom, Italy, and Turkey—expand capacity but entrench fragmentation. Diversifying suppliers hedges embargo and CAATSA risks, yet multiplies logistics burdens, training pipelines, and maintenance chains. Piecemeal air defence illustrates the gap: two NASAMS units arrived in 2020 with no follow-on coverage despite vast airspace and rising threats. Aligning purchases to the archipelagic defence doctrine would prioritize interoperable, cost-effective systems for island-based denial over prestige platforms bought in thin quantities. Fewer fighter types in larger lots and focused industrial partnerships would raise readiness and sustain domestic capability. Alfin Basundoro, East Asia Forum, September 25
“No Justice, No Merdeka!” Independence Rings Hollow for Sabahans Demanding Justice. Mass rallies across Sabah escalate after 13-year-old Zara Qairina is found unconscious at a Papar religious school on 16 July and later dies, with swift burial and initial lack of autopsy fueling suspicion. Exhumation on 9 August, police disciplinary actions, and an ongoing inquest follow, while five teenagers face bullying charges that many deem inadequate. Protesters link Zara’s case to chronic marginalization, contrasting Merdeka celebrations with black-clad gatherings in Likas, Tawau, and other east coast towns. Rumours of elite involvement prompt denials from Sabah’s governor. Arrests under the Sedition Act and calls to boycott Merdeka underscore anger over unequal justice, autonomy, and accountability ahead of a state election due by year’s end. Vilashini Somiah, FULCRUM, September 25
South Asia
A Thaw in Chinese-Indian Relations Amid Mounting U.S. Pressure and Trump’s Tariffs. Beijing and New Delhi move to stabilize ties after years of clashes and curbs, aided by U.S. tariff pressure on India. Senior talks in August restarted direct flights, reopen border trade at Lipulekh, Shipki La, and Nathu La, and pursue early harvest steps under the WMCC to manage the frontier. China agrees to share emergency hydrological data and launch expert-level cooperation on dams, including plans on the Brahmaputra. Modi’s renewed SCO engagement and upcoming BRICS roles add momentum, though mistrust over the boundary and river projects persists. Washington’s selective enforcement, including steep duties on Indian exports and signals on Sakhalin-1, undercuts its aims and nudges rivals closer. Leonardo Dinic, CHINA US Focus, September 25
Trump’s Tariffs on India Could Unravel Decades of Strategic Partnership. A 50 percent tariff order and public claims about mediating India-Pakistan tensions trigger a sharp downturn in U.S.–India relations after nearly two decades of growing cooperation. New Delhi resists pressure, advances tax cuts and regulatory changes to blunt growth losses, and seeks diversified ties with Japan and the EU while weighing limited openings to Chinese investment. Goods bound for the United States equal roughly 2 percent of India’s GDP, reducing leverage. Defense exercises and prospective aircraft sales continue, yet doubts about reliability rise, risking spillovers into technology and services. Without leadership-level repair, outcomes could include service restrictions or secondary sanctions while China benefits from redirected oil and manufacturing decisions. Ishaan Thakker, Council on Foreign Relations, September 25