The costs of quick power: America’s Iran strike

The latest OECD projections suggest that India will be the world’s largest economy in the next 40 years or so, with the US stabilising in second and China third. EAI non-resident senior fellow Bert Hofman offers an analysis of the reasons and factors behind this forecast.

The current turmoil in the Middle East may not disrupt China-US relations, but instead stabilise it, as China will not underestimate US strength, and the US will continue to seek reciprocal gains in dealing with China. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei finds out from academics the impact of the Iran strike on China-US relations.

The recent escalation of the Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict upends China’s westward economic expansion. With neither Pakistan nor Afghanistan willing to subordinate their core security objectives to Beijing’s connectivity agenda, will China find itself unable to push forward on its regional strategy? US academic John Calabrese ponders this quandary.

A slew of investigations and dismissals of high-level party officials, slower growth targets across provinces, and an emphasis on cultivating a “correct view of political achievements” are just some of the issues leading up to the highly anticipated Two Sessions this week. Lianhe Zaobao associate editor Han Yong Hong takes a look at what we can expect from the meeting.

The US and Israel have launched a military strike on Iran that has killed its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, to mixed reactions globally. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yu Zeyuan looks at the effects of the offensive, not least on China.

Hedging comes at a cost, but it is a price India may have to pay as it gets constricted by US transactionalism, two-front security pressure, Pakistan’s strategic rehabilitation and China’s institutional penetration of South Asia. Academic Hao Nan analyses the situation. 

China worries that Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state would set a precedent for Taiwan. It is also concerned about the greater transfer of security know-how and regional contacts to Taiwan via the Taiwan-Israel-Somaliland entente. Italian commentator Emanuele Scimia explains.

The ride-hailing industry in China is becoming increasingly competitive, with the influx of drivers following the pandemic. As a result, some drivers are driving only to get by, while spending the rest of the time on leisure activities such as mahjong. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei looks at the phenomenon of involution, and how it is spilling over to other countries.

The high frequency of foreign dignitaries from Asia, Europe and South America visiting China at the start of 2026 indicates a strong focus and urgency behind Beijing’s effort to draw US allies closer and counter America’s efforts to restore preeminence in the western hemisphere, observes ISEAS researcher Lye Liang Fook.

Voters rallied behind Japan’s first female prime minister, seeing Takaichi not just as a Liberal Democratic Party leader but as a figure to challenge the old order and bring unprecedented change to politics and policy. Academic Shin Kawashima takes a look at the factors that led to the election outcome.

Tech giants in China are splashing huge sums on AI healthcare assistants, while regulators and medical tests push the technology forward — but with most services still free and business models unclear, can AI really transform healthcare and make money?

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is seen as cautious and moderate in Japan, prioritising budgets and legal debates. Yet in China and overseas, her rhetoric is often framed as provocative, stoking tensions. Academic Shin Kawashima looks into the discrepancies.

Facing Bangladesh under newly installed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, India finds itself in greater diplomatic uncertainty while China sees it as more of a political adjustment rather than strategic disruption. Singapore-based Indian researcher Amit Ranjan and Australian researcher Genevieve Donnellon-May analyse the situation.

More people in China are buying into the recent trend of immersive dining at themed restaurants, which offer diners an opportunity to experience Chinese history and culture, from dressing up in costumes from various dynasties to being part of familiar classics like Dream of the Red Chamber. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Yush Chau dives in.

The Supreme Court’s ruling on US President Trump’s “reciprocal tariffs” is not proof that American democracy is alive and well and that the system will self-correct. Instead, it shows that usual guardrails like Congress and the fourth estate have been breached, leaving the Court the last line of defence but a shaky one at that. Does that leave American democracy forever damaged under Trump? Commentator Deng Yuwen weighs in.

The launch of Alibaba’s latest Qwen3.5, designed for the “agentic AI era”, has kicked the AI race up a notch. It presents an opportunity for countries like Indonesia to level up, but also forces competitors of China’s Big Tech firms — from OpenAI to European startups — to look at deeper issues such as safety and ethics. Technopreneur Akhmad Hanan explains.

Chinese firms are expanding in the Gulf despite regional rivalries and tensions. Profitable projects, resilient logistics and growing demand make the Middle East a long-term growth frontier rather than a risk to avoid. Middle East Institute-NUS research fellow Jing Lin shares her insights.