Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman, an expert on regional security, told the BBC it would be "uncertain if [Hegseth's] language of war will resonate well with Asian countries" that favour peace and neutrality. #sld2026 www.bbc.com/news/article...

Brief analysis in #SLD2026 Keynote Speech by Vietnam President To Lam. “In an interview, Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman, a researcher at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at Nanyang Technological University… For more, read www.zaobao.com.sg/news/world/s...

Brief analysis in #SLD2026 Keynote Speech by Vietnam President To Lam. “In an interview, Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman, a researcher at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) at Nanyang Technological University… For more, read www.zaobao.com.sg/news/world/s...

Growing Russian community presence in Southeast Asia - Phuket and Bali - and its socioeconomic impact via-a-vis locals. www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/ru...

Donald Trump has threatened to “blow up” Oman if it fails to “behave” in a casual aside during a cabinet meeting, as the US scrambles to reopen the strait of Hormuz. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

Israeli edge-computing firm Maris-Tech has received its first serial production order from a defense customer in Singapore, signaling a transition from product trials to active procurement. thedefensepost.com/2026/05/26/m...

“Tusk said beyond defence a significant part of the treaty focused on cybersecurity. Poland says its role as a hub for military aid to Ukraine has made it a key target for Russian espionage, cyberattacks and disinformation.” www.straitstimes.com/world/europe...

The formalities and meetings suggest ASEAN’s efforts to maintain balanced relations with China and the U.S. on AI-related developments including cybersecurity and digitalization.

S’pore-China ties based on mutual benefit, with opportunities in AI, ageing: SM Lee www.straitstimes.com/asia/spore-c...

“Driven above all by a heightened awareness of shared vulnerability.” ‘Enlightened self-interest’ spurs Japan’s deepening economic security ties with ASEAN amid Iran war www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-as...

Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman, a research fellow at the RSIS | S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said China was unlikely to view the Type 88 as much of a threat, given the system’s age and limited range. www.scmp.com/week-asia/po...?

Trump posts graphic of Venezuela as 51st US state www.straitstimes.com/world/united...

“Instead of building a coalition to manage China’s rise, Trump is busying himself with wrecking the very idea of Western partnership – unless, of course, it takes the form of outright submission to Washington.” www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-feat...

“At Locked Shields, the teams must put their skills to the test, protecting the IT systems that keep our everyday life running—including critical infrastructure, air defence and e-voting. ccdcoe.org/news/2026/lo...

“On April 27, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in unusually candid comments that the US was being “humiliated” by Iran’s leadership, which had proceeded “very skilfully” in talks.” www.straitstimes.com/world/united...

1. “Fitness tracking apps like Strava pose security risks in Singapore's military bases – not by revealing their locations, but by exposing the daily routines and movement patterns of personnel inside, defence observers have warned.” www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/st...

1. In gist, the U.S-Israel war on Iran (and U.S using dependence on American LNG to pressure Indonesia in defence talks) is helping to boost China’s image in Southeast Asia as well as grow Russia’s influence in the region. www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...

U.S. interception of Iran-linked vessels may be getting closer to Southeast Asia. www.straitstimes.com/world/middle...

“The Netherlands' military intelligence service says it believes China has drawn level with the United States in offensive cyber capabilities, leading to a situation where only a fraction of Chinese operations against Dutch interests are ever detected.” therecord.media/china-cyber-...

US aggression risks pushing a cornered Iran towards a global shadow war. www.straitstimes.com/world/us-agg...

“Canada's close ties to the United States were once a strength but have become a weakness, PM Mark Carney said on April 19, in a video message… he also praised the heroism of military leaders who fought against US invasion more than two centuries ago.” www.straitstimes.com/world/carney...

By staying ahead of evolving cyber threats, Singapore could demonstrate its defensive cyber capabilities, maintain its position as Southeast Asia’s cybersecurity thought leader and convenor, and continue to contribute to the regional cybersecurity architecture. rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...

“In a world of constant digital threat, the greatest risk is not the hacker, but the silence between the silos.” www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-feat...

“Cartoonish video memes – amplified by Iranian diplomatic missions and pro-Tehran accounts on social media – are emerging as an effective information warfare tool, a phenomenon analysts have dubbed the “Legofication” of conflict propaganda.” www.straitstimes.com/world/united...

𝗠𝘂𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗯𝗱𝘂𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗻, a research fellow at @RSIS_NTU | S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said the Davao location could reduce the odds of the site being targeted by Chinese missiles or drones in any maritime clash. www.scmp.com/week-asia/po...?

As a matter of principle, countries should voice their disagreement of U.S. blockade of Hormuz Strait, similar to how they disagreed with Iran’s blockade. www.channelnewsasia.com/world/trump-...

These sentences (p. 4) sums up this book by Odd Arne Westad: “This world is unlike anything any of us have experienced in our lifetimes. But it does look quite a bit like the world of more than a hundred years ago, from the nineteenth century to 1914.”

“US President Donald Trump would be interested in calling on Arab countries to pay for the cost of the Iran war, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters”. www.straitstimes.com/world/united...

“Perhaps no one can stop the US when it chooses to break the law, but calling it out can deter others from following suit. It also demonstrates empathy for states in the Gulf.” www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-feat...

“Singapore authorities warned on Tuesday (Mar 24) that involvement in organisations linked to the Israeli military, such as Sar-El, would not be acceptable under current conditions and could attract action under the law.” www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/is...

“Under the cover of a NATO exercise dubbed "Arctic Endurance", a Danish regiment and elite forces were sent to Greenland, as well as French alpine troops and German and Swedish soldiers, DR said. www.channelnewsasia.com/world/denmar...

Beijing’s message will resonate in a region that has rapidly grown disillusioned with an increasingly unilateral and erratic United States: www.reuters.com/business/ene...

Muhammad Faizal, a research fellow at the @RSIS_NTU in Singapore, said lessons from the Middle East conflict included vulnerabilities for smaller allies hosting the forces of a superpower that was concentrating its military operations elsewhere. www.scmp.com/week-asia/po...?

The U.S./Israel war on Iran presents lessons in cyber warfare and a cautionary note to the Indo-Pacific: www.straitstimes.com/world/middle...

US sinks Iranian warship with torpedo in Indian Ocean - Hegseth - If the U.S/Israel war against Iran starts to spread to the exclusive economic zone (waters) of other countries outside Middle East, what could this mean for the maritime security of coastal states? www.bbc.com/news/live/c6...

“This major power chess game, where regional countries like Singapore are regarded as geopolitical chess pieces is becoming more heated,” 𝗠𝘂𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗯𝗱𝘂𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗻, research fellow at the @RSIS_NTU , told This Week in Asia. www.scmp.com/week-asia/po...?

“A popular prayer app used in Iran is believed to have been hacked after it began urging users to lay down their weapons on Saturday following airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel.” #cybersecurity #DigitalDefence #psyops www.yahoo.com/news/article...

1. "Hundreds of AI-generated, Chinese-language YouTube videos have been targeting Singapore and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as part of an ongoing disinformation campaign, CNA has found. www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/la...

𝗠𝘂𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗹, a research fellow at @RSIS_NTU in Singapore, said Manila hoped to leverage US technology deployments to forge credible deterrent against China’s quantitative advantage in maritime forces and increasingly advanced systems. www.scmp.com/week-asia/po...

“East Timor's charge d'affaires had been summoned on Friday and was given a week to leave Myanmar.” www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/myanmar...

“Anthropic’s artificial-intelligence model Claude was used in the US military’s operation to capture former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro…” www.straitstimes.com/world/united...

Xi’s new year greeting reveals PLA Cyberspace Force post in South China Sea www.scmp.com/news/china/m...

In this conversation with CNA938 radio, I elaborated on the importance of Psychological Defence in the present era of geopolitical tensions. Happy Total Defence Day, Singapore. www.channelnewsasia.com/listen/cna93...

What could this mean for allies or partners countries in the Indo-pacific that grant access to U.S. forces? www.straitstimes.com/world/europe...

1. 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of bilateral defence relations for Brunei & Singapore. It was an honour for @RSIS_NTU to host a visit by BG (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Haji Alirupendi bin Haji Perudin, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam on 5 Feb 2026.

Short reflection on the cyberspace/digital defence dimension of Southeast Asia regional security outlook for 2026. More perspectives from other regional experts and analysts here: lnkd.in/gMsWy5NU

𝗠𝘂𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗹 @RSIS, suggested that “as long as the alliance members continue to share the same perception of China as a strategic threat and the US does not become an actual military threat to its allies, the alliance will continue” although it might be “shaky”. www.scmp.com/news/china/d...?

De-risking previously involved Chinese tech; now American tech too. Possible impact of lower trust in transatlantic relations on digital security. www.straitstimes.com/world/europe...

“But Indonesia has rejected provisions that would violate its Constitution, including demands for it to buy US-made drones for surveillance in waters near the South China Sea, two senior government officials have told ST on condition of anonymity.” www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia...

Interesting article: - American unilateralism may not be new. What is new is that this time, it is America's friends and allies that find themselves on the receiving end of American power. www.bbc.com/news/article...