The Russia-China partnership has grown steadily in the past decade, driven by Moscow’s widening rift with the European Union. As Western markets closed to Russia in 2014, Beijing emerged as an economic partner, importing Russian energy, defence goods, metals and minerals, timber, and other natural resources and exporting manufactured goods, technology, and dual-use…

For the fifth time since the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was founded in 1967, Malaysia took over as chairman of the organisation on 1 January 2025.[i] ASEAN’s 2025 theme will be ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability’.[ii] During its chairship, Malaysia seeks to promote digital transformation and further strengthen intra-ASEAN as well as extra-regional trade. The first ASEAN–Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)…

The Quad foreign ministers met shortly after Donald Trump took office at the White House. This ministerial meeting was also the first engagement of the United States (US)’ new secretary of State, Marco Rubio. While speculations were rife about the future of Quad after Trump won the polls earlier last year, the prompt meeting of Quad foreign ministers…

The global situation is likely to become even more uncertain and complex as President Trump begins to unfold and implement his radical policies. His repeated threats during the campaign for about the imposition of tariffs on imports from China and other countries is sure to trigger unsettling trade wars. At the same time, his promise to help end the Russia-Ukraine war…