In 5th century BCE, the Persian Empire, led by King Xerxes I, threatened the Greek city-states. Athens and Sparta, despite their rivalry, united against this common enemy echoing the sentiment, “We stand together, or we fall alone.” Spartan King Leonidas I and Athenian statesman Themistocles led the resistance, marking the start of the Greco-Persian Wars….
The Philippines and the United States are gearing up for their most ambitious joint military exercise to date due to escalating tensions with China in the South China Sea. This year’s Balikatan drills, set to commence from April 22 to May 10, will see more than 16,000 soldiers conducting joint naval exercises beyond the Philippines’…
Audrey Fang, a 39-year-old Singaporean architect on a solo journey to explore Spain’s scenic landscapes, met a grim demise in the quiet town of Abanilla. Her lifeless body, bearing more than 30 stab wounds, was discovered near a lorry parking area, sending shockwaves through her community and prompting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding…
In a tragic incident off the southern coast of central Japan, two Japanese navy SH-60 patrol helicopters collided during a night-time training exercise near Torishima, part of the remote Izu island group. Each helicopter was carrying four crew members, totaling eight personnel. The collision resulted in one crew member being killed, and seven others were…
Heavy rainfall has triggered dangerous flooding in China’s Guangdong and Guangxi provinces, placing many residents at risk. Officials are actively engaged in disaster response efforts to safeguard lives and minimize the impact of the ongoing crisis. In Guangdong, concerns are heightened as rivers in the Xijiang and Beijiang basins swell to levels seen only once…
Great powers—whether ancient empires, colonial juggernauts, or modern nation-states—have long recognized the strategic value of military outposts. These bastions serve multiple purposes: projecting force, safeguarding trade routes, asserting dominance, and maintaining a watchful eye on rivals. From the Roman legions stationed along Hadrian’s Wall to the British naval bases dotting the Indian Ocean, history is…
Background History The Philippines, nestled in the heart of Southeast Asia, finds itself at a crossroads of geopolitical significance, particularly in the context of the South China Sea disputes. With a history shaped by colonial legacies and strategic interests, the country has long grappled with the challenge of safeguarding its territorial integrity while navigating the…
Background: A Growing Crisis in Vietnam’s Financial Sector The recent sentencing of Truong My Lan, chairwoman of Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, to death for her involvement in a massive $12.46 billion fraud case has brought to light the deep-rooted corruption plaguing Vietnam’s financial sector. As public outrage mounts over the scale of the fraud,…
Background The visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Indonesia marks a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between the two nations. Amidst the backdrop of global economic shifts and regional security concerns, this meeting was poised to shape the future of Sino-Indonesian cooperation. Over the years, Indonesia and China have shared a complex…
Background History Situated in Southeast Asia, the Philippines finds itself at the heart of geopolitical tensions, particularly concerning the South China Sea. The region’s overlapping territorial claims, especially with China, have prompted Manila to forge alliances to strengthen its defense capabilities and assert its sovereignty. Over the years, the Philippines has cultivated partnerships with key…
