Politics

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan.26.
Politics

Is the US heading back to the TPP? Not so fast

Even if Trump is serious, renegotiation will take time and effort

30 January 2018
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen chats with a garment worker during a visit to the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone last August.
Asia Insight

Minimum wage politicking stings employers in Southeast Asia

Rush to woo voters raises the risk of layoffs and factory relocations

30 January 2018
Indonesian repairmen work on air conditioners at a shopping complex in Jakarta. The country has the highest air conditioning demand in Southeast Asia.
Economy

Air conditioning sends ASEAN electricity demand soaring

Rising wealth in region risks doubling electricity demand by 2040

29 January 2018
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks to the Nikkei Asian Review on Jan. 29. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's Mahathir claims ousting Najib is on the cards

'Your enemy's enemy is my friend,' says former PM on uniting opposition

29 January 2018
Policewomen take part in India's Republic Day parade in Srinagar on Jan. 26, 2018.
International relations

Modi showcases links with ASEAN at New Delhi parade

India steps up maritime cooperation amid growing concerns over China

26 January 2018
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders arrive for the group photo session at the summit in Danang, Vietnam on Nov. 11. (Photo courtesy of APEC Secretariat)
Economy

Host problems cloud the outlook for this year's APEC

Beset by domestic issues, Papua New Guinea may struggle to put on the event

25 January 2018
Toshimitsu Motegi, Japan's economic revitalization minister, speaks about the TPP agreement in Tokyo Tuesday.
International relations

TPP 11 deal reached as Canada and Vietnam end holdout

Side deals will enact concessions needed to reach March signing

24 January 2018
Japanese Trade Minister Toshimitsu Motegi speaks during the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade initiative talks in Tokyo on Jan. 22. The 11 countries reached an agreement Jan. 23 to move ahead without the participation of the U.S.
Economy

TPP 11 set to sign accord in March, without US

Earlier holdout Canada now part of deal on free trade zone spanning Pacific

23 January 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks at the Invest Malaysia 2018 conference in Kuala Lumpur on Jan. 22.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's Najib touts government's stability ahead of election

Prime minister accuses ex-leader Mahathir of fixation with national car

23 January 2018
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad waves after unsuccessfully trying to visit jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur on Jan. 10.
Opinion

Malaysia pays high price for political drama

Theatrical election battle between Mahathir and Najib will not resolve economic challenges

22 January 2018
(Original picture by Reuters)
Politics

Russia courts Southeast Asian leaders with authoritarian streaks

Putin's new pals tend to be wary of both China and the West

18 January 2018
The remaining members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership are entering the home stretch to reach a replacement deal without the U.S.
International relations

Canada is the great unknown as TPP 11 talks near goal

Cultural and auto issues remain obstacles to reviving Pacific trade pact

18 January 2018
Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump, Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang and and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrive for the group photo session at the APEC Summit in Danang, Vietnam on Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo courtesy of APEC Secretariat)
International relations

APEC summit outlook clouded by new host's problems

Caught between China and the bloc, PNG's domestic issues dominate

17 January 2018
Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak, back left, and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, back right, witness the signing of an agreement between the two countries on the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link during the Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat at the Istana or presidential palace in Singapore on Jan. 16.
International relations

Malaysia, Singapore sign bilateral transport pact

Move advances initiative to strengthen connectivity between two neighbors

16 January 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announce the transit link in the city-state on Jan. 16.
Economy

Deepening Singapore-Malaysia ties spawn transit link

Lee and Najib now have two rail projects to show for their good rapport

16 January 2018
(Original picture by Reuters)
Asia Insight

Russia courts Southeast Asian partners with authoritarian streaks

Putin looks to capitalize on wariness of China and the West

16 January 2018
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte hands over the gavel to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong during a transfer of ASEAN chairmanship in Manila on Nov. 14.
Politics

Singapore goes for quiet ASEAN diplomacy

City-state seeks cooperation boost despite differences over Trump, China and Myanmar refugees

16 January 2018
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad waves after being rebuffed in an attempt to visit jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur on Jan. 10.
Malaysia in transition

Mahathir struggles to unite Malaysia's opposition

Anwar Ibrahim's daughter now vouches for the man who jailed her dad

15 January 2018
FNSS, a joint venture between Turkey's Nurol Holding and the U.K.'s BAE Systems, unveiled a medium-weight tank co-developed with Indonesia’s PT Pindad during the Istanbul Defense Industry Fair in Istanbul in May 2017. (Photo by Sinan Tavsan)
International relations

Turkey steps up arms sales to South and Southeast Asia

Ankara seeks to diversify as tensions rise in traditional Middle East markets

12 January 2018
AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes speaks at a news conference at the AirAsia headquarters in Sepang, Malaysia.
Asia300

AirAsia to float Indian unit

Budget carrier accelerates associates listing after gaining approval for holdco

10 January 2018
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, center, and Wan Azizah Ismail, wife of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, appear at a political opposition alliance meeting in Selangor state on Jan.7.
Politics

Malaysia's Mahathir faces critics after being named prime minister candidate

Opposition alliance struggles to form a united front ahead of general election

8 January 2018
The Port of Singapore, the largest in Southeast Asia by cargo volume, is facing a stronger challenge from regional rivals.
Business trends

Southeast Asian countries vie for port supremacy

China's 'Belt and Road' may tip balance from Singapore to newcomers

31 December 2017
Unoccupied rooms are seen at the shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Economy

Malaysia's ban on development no relief for property glut

Central bank and analysts warned of worsening situation

28 December 2017
Officials attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the rail project linking Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima, on Dec. 21 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. (Photo by Yukako Ono).
Economy

China's high-speed train plans in Southeast Asia stumble

Disagreements over costs and land procurement are adding years to schedules

28 December 2017
Broadcom CEO Hock Tan announces the repatriation of his company's legal base from Singapore to the U.S. at the White House on Nov. 2.
Economy

US corporate tax cuts unnerve Asian economies

Region frets as Broadcom becomes first US company planning to move home

28 December 2017