Power
The world’s next decade is being decided in rooms most Western readers never see. These are the elections, alliances, and military standoffs across Asia-Pacific — and what each one costs the West.
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May- 2026 -24 May
Sydney gangland kingpin murdered in Vietnam, testing new Australia-Vietnam security pact
Lorenzo Lomalu, leader of Sydney's Coconut Cartel, was shot dead in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on May 23, 2026. This assassination tests the Australia–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signed March…
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23 May
Pakistan seeks China’s backing to mediate US-Iran tensions, Afghanistan border dispute
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is in Beijing for a four-day state visit, seeking Chinese backing to mediate between the United States and Iran, and for support with Afghanistan. The…
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21 May
China and Russia deepen strategic ties with 20+ agreements, challenging Western sanctions
On May 16–17, 2026, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin signed two joint statements and over 20 bilateral cooperation documents in Beijing, deepening their strategic partnership. China–Russia bilateral trade reached a…
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20 May
Malacca Strait emerges as next global chokepoint, threatening Western supply chains and inflation
The Strait of Malacca, vital for global trade and oil shipments, is emerging as a critical strategic pressure point following the Hormuz crisis. A disruption would be a macroeconomic event…
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20 May
Philanthropy Asia Alliance pledges $2.6M for clean energy in Philippine, Indonesian communities
The Just Energy Transition Community (JETC), a philanthropic coalition, has pledged US$2.6 million to deploy clean energy systems in farming and fishing communities across the Philippines and Indonesia. This initiative…
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20 May
Southeast Asia’s tourism and medical travel hit by oil shock, eroding competitive edge
A conflict-driven closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sent jet fuel prices in Asia & Oceania to USD 208.79 per barrel as of 27 March 2026, triggering earnings downgrades,…
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19 May
Hong Kong Airport passenger traffic surges 19.6% as Middle East rerouting boosts hub status
Hong Kong International Airport handled 5.74 million passengers in March 2026, a +19.6% year-on-year increase, driven by a sharp rise in transfer and transit traffic as Middle East airspace disruptions…
