"South Korea may have resisted Trump’s calls to extend military support to Iran, but new demands will come, and its leaders must remain clear-eyed as they chart a path to defensive independence" buff.ly/w2NAZlc | by Hunter Slingbaum

The Indo–Pacific is reshaping global politics, business and security.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓 delivers essential analysis and insights for leading decision makers.

Your free monthly briefing on a region shaping our future is available today.

Join here buff.ly/mmiPMfn

Pakistan signs visa-free agreement with Sudan months after $1.5 billion weapons deal stalled over Saudi Arabia's objections buff.ly/lPSnUXe

Nvidia opens investigation after report CEO Jensen Huang was target of foreign intelligence buff.ly/gF9N7Nn CEO reportedly ‌had close relationship ‌with a Chinese businesswoman who passed information to ‌Beijing.

Philippines rebukes officials over public comments about China buff.ly/6jcU1Bq

The datacentre arms race hits pause in south-east Asia buff.ly/fby3KtC Power and water constraints are pressuring what seemed like a juggernaut of growth for the region just months ago.

Taiwan detains a Communist Party leader over alleged Chinese sponsorship in election buff.ly/lHxRBXA

Beyond censorship: China’s growing influence on Thailand’s media buff.ly/lz8j4QE

New Zealand election figures tell story of disenchantment and fracturing buff.ly/KNXvjCe

Australia scraps plan to sell Sydney military barracks after backlash buff.ly/HRHxXX2

A 'new Hong Kong' is on the rise buff.ly/fCW2s8P

Australia should deepen economic, security ties with Southeast Asia to advance national interests amid intense global rivalry: SM Lee buff.ly/diWJKjD

Malaysia's cybersecurity situation remains under control, says security council buff.ly/T753Fll

North Korean orphans fast tracked into state care to stem declining birth rate buff.ly/FBvZF5D Orphanages are now supplied more regularly after shift toward birth-friendly policies.

Japan, Taiwan, China and the emerging 2028 strategic test buff.ly/K8FmfGW Analysts focus on 2027 and key PLA modernization milestones, but Taiwan’s 2028 presidential election appears to be a greater strategic inflection point.

US slaps more sanctions on Cambodia’s alleged scam group affiliates buff.ly/B93GnCs

US asks China to uphold Busan trade deal commitments buff.ly/GOATubr US urged Beijing to meet commitments from a 2025 accord — particularly on agricultural purchases and rare earths supply. China meanwhile expressed concern over US "economic, trade restrictive" measures.

China-Laos military cooperation should contribute to regional stability, Vietnam says buff.ly/tL60bwd

No clear winner after tight New Zealand general election buff.ly/X8WQhOF

Pakistani astronaut to join China’s next space station mission buff.ly/zweVE6d The unnamed individual will be the first foreign national to visit China’s space station as part of Shenzhou-24 mission.

China confirms discussions are underway on a historic Xi-Trump-Putin meeting buff.ly/7kRUZ8F Nothing is set, but the three-leader gathering would take place this month on the sidelines of a regional summit in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen.