2. This is detrimental to Europe’s interests in the Asia-Pacific.

ASEAN-Russia energy deals and regional influence Explore how ASEAN nations turning to Russia for fuel may increase Moscow's influence in the region amidst geopolitical tensions. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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...

US intercepts three Iranian oil tankers in Asian waters, sources say The US is redirecting them away from their positions near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, sources said. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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

China’s cyber capabilities now equal to the US, warns Dutch intelligence Dutch intelligence says the threat from Beijing is now largely going unmet and is so sophisticated its operations are regularly missed by intelligence agencies and cybersecurity defenders.

“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 Explore how US aggression may push Iran towards a global shadow war, impacting international relations and regional stability. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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

Carney says Canada’s ties with US have become a weakness "The situation today feels unique, but we've faced down threats like this before," says the Canadian prime minister. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

“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 Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman and Audrey Chairunnisa
#singapore #asean

Staying Ahead of Cyber Threats for a Secure Regional Cyberspace SYNOPSIS Singapore announced enhanced cybersecurity initiatives during the annual Committee of Supply debates in March 2026. By staying ahead of evolving cyber threats, Singapore could demonstrate its...

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...

Cybersecurity’s Tower of Babel: Why we are still lost in translation When leadership teams and security functions operate in different languages of risk, critical signals might be dismissed until the problem has escalated Read more at The Business Times.

“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...

- cognitive warfare in cyberspace also entails battle between content creators and platforms operators in the adversary state.

YouTube suspends pro-Iran channel posting Lego-style clips mocking Trump Explosive Media was still posting videos mocking the US war effort on other tech platforms. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

“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...

US-Philippines ties enter ‘more mature’ phase with planned fuel depot The facility in Davao signals that defence ties are now focusing on sustainment, endurance and operational continuity, analysts say.

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...?

Trump orders US naval blockade of Strait of Hormuz While acknowledging that talks in Pakistan had gone "well" and "most points were agreed to", Trump said Tehran had refused to concede on the issue of its nuclear programme.

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-...

1914 was the start of the First World War. A poignant memory today as powerful states indulge in hubris and nationalisms, failing to learn from history.

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.”

Trump interested in calling on Arab states to help pay for Iran war, White House says "It's an idea that I know that he has," says White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

“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...

The fog of the Iran war For Asian businesses, the sharp pain from higher energy prices cannot be avoided, but scarring and worse trauma can be prevented Read more at The Business Times.

“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 warns against involvement in organisations linked to Israeli military amid current situation No action was taken against a Singaporean who participated in a volunteer programme by Israeli group Sar-El in 2016, as it did not involve combat roles at the time, said MHA and MINDEF.

“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...

“It was a real deployment and not an exercise, another source told DR.”

Denmark deployed troops fearing US invasion of Greenland: Report COPENHAGEN: Denmark and its allies deployed troops to Greenland in January, fearing a United States invasion as tensions spiked over President Donald Trump's bid to annex it, Danish broadcaster D

“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...

China calls for end to Gulf conflict, offers to ease Southeast Asia energy crunch China called for an end to conflict in the Gulf and said the safety ‌of waterways should not be disturbed on Thursday, adding that it was ready to work with Southeast Asia to address energy shortages ...

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...

Beyond ‘lip service’: Philippines urged to act on air defence gaps The Iran war has underscored the need for robust air systems and Manila should look to build a layered defence architecture, experts say.

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...?

“Behind the scenes, analysts and regional sources say there is also growing frustration at the US, long their security guarantor, at dragging them into a war they did not endorse but for which they are paying a hefty price”.

the costs of being dragged into an armed conflict involving major powers and the dilemma faced by regional countries when goals of the warring parties are not aligned with their national interests.

Iran wants ‘serious review’ of Gulf ties, denies role in Saudi oil attacks The Iranian ambassador to Saudi Arabia has decried the Gulf states' excessive reliance on external powers. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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...

Iran latest: US submarine sank Iranian warship in Indian Ocean with torpedo, defence secretary says Earlier, the Sri Lankan navy said around 140 people were missing after an Iranian ship sank near the island. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is giving a news conference at the Pentagon now - watch l...

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...

Singapore strives to stay non-aligned amid US-China rivalry, new conflicts Foreign minister says the city state must assert its distinctiveness to remain relevant and will not act as a proxy for any major power.

“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...?

‘Lay down your weapons': Prayer app used by Iranians hacked following US-Israeli strikes A prayer app used in Iran is believed to have been hacked after it told users to lay down their weapons after strikes by the U.S. and Israel.

“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...

5. Second. In this case, it appears the information ops target Chinese-speaking people in Singapore or with interest in Singapore. #Singapore #digitaldefence

4. First. Geopolitical contest extends to the grey zone as information operations increasingly target people of countries whose leaders and policies are seen as not aligned with the strategic interests of the threat actor or the state sponsor behind it.