January
North Korean troops disappear from Ukraine’s war front
North Korea sent its best troops to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine. But after months of suffering severe losses, they have been taken off the front line.
Trump says he would ‘rather not’ impose tariffs on China
The president says threatening tariffs is his “one very big power” over Beijing, but he would prefer not to have to use it.
What the North Koreans took into battle against Ukraine
Notes and weapons recovered from the battlefield are helping Kyiv to better understand the thousands of troops from East Asia fighting on Russia’s side.
North Korean secret diary reveals deadly ‘drone bait’ tactic
The written notes of a dead soldier published by Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces describe the reckless ploy, along with expressions of love for Kim Jong-un.
December 2024
Why a destabilised South Korea is dangerous
North Korea’s Kim Jong-un is not backing down from his nuclear ambitions. A stable South Korea is crucial for peace in the region.
South Korean MPs to impeach president over martial law chaos
The opposition is pushing for a vote to remove Yoon Suk Yeol after his failed attempt to impose martial law triggered a major political crisis in the country.
November 2024
The economics behind ‘credible threats’
Good strategy involves knowing the game, including your opponents, and committing to a strategy.
Ukraine says it has attacked North Korean troops
The first contact has been reported with North Korean troops in a Russian region captured by Kyiv in their surprise offensive.
October 2024
Why 3000 North Korean troops have the world’s attention
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said the troops have been sent to Russia, a situation he called “very, very serious” for both Europe and Asia.
July 2024
Wong calls on China to rein in North Korea
The foreign minister acknowledged that countries all around Asia are beefing up their defence capabilities in response to China’s dramatic military expansion.
Putin is meeting a lot of world leaders for a ‘global outcast’
In the two months since he began his fifth presidential term in May, Vladimir Putin has held more than 20 meetings with leaders. He has also made six foreign visits.
Japan must strengthen NATO ties to safeguard global peace, PM says
Fumio Kishida also signalled concern over Beijing’s alleged role in aiding Moscow’s two-year-old war in Ukraine, although he did not name China.
June 2024
Putin to Xi: I have options in East Asia
The Russian President’s visits last week to North Korea and Vietnam shows Russia’s residual capacity to stir trouble in East Asia.
Putin-Kim bond threatens Pacific security: envoy
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia has made a fresh pitch for weapons to help Kyiv fight Russia.
Putin and Kim sign mutual defence pact
The pact could be a dramatic shift in the strategic balance in Northeast Asia by placing Russia’s heft behind North Korea.
Kim vows ‘full support’ for Putin’s war
The Russian president arrived for his first visit to the DPRK in 24 years, amid warnings of more arms transfers to Moscow for its war in Ukraine.
May 2024
How Kim Jong-un’s propaganda song conquered TikTok
“Friendly Father” is the first North Korean composition about the leader to go viral for its musicality.
April 2024
With Trump in court, can Biden take control of the election?
As polls show the race tied, the president is campaigning around the country and his opponent is stuck spending his days in a Manhattan courtroom.
March 2024
North Korea claims Japan’s PM wants summit with Kim to ease tensions
The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida communicated his intention to meet with the reclusive leader.
South Korea sends scandal-hit ambassador to Australia
The arrival of South Korea’s former defence minister in Canberra this week has made headlines in Seoul, where the opposition accused him of fleeing the country.