Across The Region
-
Cambodia: Reversing course on dam construction
Electricity-starved Cambodia will not develop new hydropower dams on the Mekong River for the next 10 years, a senior energy official said in April 2020, as the country reviews its…
Read More -
Southeast Asia: Pandemic changes wildlife trade perspective
The coronavirus pandemic has generated overwhelming support for the closure of markets selling illegal wildlife across Southeast Asia, an epicenter of the multibillion-dollar trade, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said…
Read More -
India: Space ambition abounds with moon mission
India approved its third lunar mission in January 2020, the latest effort in its ambitions to become a low-cost space power. The Chandrayaan-3 mission will have a lander and a…
Read More -
INDONESIA: Seeking Investment in Disputed Waters
Indonesian President Joko Widodo in January 2020 asked Japan to step up investment in fisheries and energy in some of its South China Sea islands following a standoff with the…
Read More -
Australia/Japan: Teaming up for a Hydrogen-Fueled Future
Japan is looking to Australia for help in becoming a nation powered mainly by hydrogen by 2050. Australia, which hopes to move away from its dependency on coal exports, will…
Read More -
Singapore: Building a fleet of stealth fighters
The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of up to 12 F-35 fighter jets, pictured, and related equipment to Singapore at an estimated cost of U.S. $2.75 billion, pending…
Read More -
INDIA: New post to improve military integration
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in mid-August 2019 the establishment of the post of chief of defense staff for better coordination among the Army, Air Force and Navy. Indian…
Read More -
JAPAN: Military seeks eighth straight spending hike
Japan’s military has asked for an eighth consecutive annual increase in defense spending to help pay for U.S.-made interceptor missiles, stealth fighters and other equipment to counter threats from North…
Read More -
AUSTRALIA: Investing in Special Forces
Australia will spend AUD $500 million (U.S. $340 million) to improve the capability of its special forces troops, the first stage of an AUD $3 billion, 20-year plan that the…
Read More -
Malaysia: Palm oil to pay for military equipment
Malaysia is in talks with at least six countries on the possible use of palm oil to pay for arms, as Southeast Asia’s third-biggest economy seeks to replace old equipment…
Read More