DW  By Julian Ryall in Tokyo February 24, 2026

For many years, the US has been planning to reduce its footprint in southern Japan and move thousands of marines to places like Hawaii and Australia. But some experts urge a change in strategy amid threats facing Taiwan.  The US military is slowly scaling down its presence in Okinawa following decades of talks and delays colored by lingering animosity between US forces and local residents — in large part stemming from the 1995 scandal which saw three US servicemen abduct, assault and rape a 12-year-old Okinawan girl. 

DW Christoph Hasselbach  February 23, 2026   

Chancellor Friedrich Merz is traveling to China for a belated inaugural visit. A lot is at stake as Germany is in search of global partners after the US has relinquished much of its longstanding role.  There is no shortage of gloomy assessments of the global situation at the moment. "In the era of great powers, our freedom is no longer a given. It is under threat," said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the opening of the Munich Security Conference earlier in February.  Merz explicitly mentioned China. "China has the ambition to shape global affairs, laying the foundations for this over many years with strategic patience. In the foreseeable future, Beijing could draw level with the US in terms of military might.

Global Times   By Zhang Yiyi and Du QiongfangPublished: Feb 24, 2026 

China's Foreign and Commerce ministries on Tuesday outlined details of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's upcoming visit, confirming meetings with Chinese leaders and the participation of around 30 senior executives from leading German firms, in sectors ranging from automotive and chemicals to biopharmaceuticals, machinery and the circular economy.   Analysts said the visit sends a clear signal that Berlin is seeking a more pragmatic approach toward China amid shifting global dynamics, as Germany looks to deepen economic engagement and expand its strategic and policy space in the face of transatlantic uncertainty and mounting growth pressures.

Global Times  Editorial Published: Feb 25, 2026

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will pay his first official visit to China from February 25 to 26 since taking office. German media said that "Merz has never prepared for a trip so meticulously before." Around 30 executives from leading German companies, including Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volkswagen, Bayer, Siemens, and Adidas, will accompany him, with interest in joining the delegation reportedly far exceeding the available slots.

    By Sachi Satapathy February 24, 2026

India celebrates its remittance-generating diaspora without addressing the governance failures that forced them to leave. A few weeks ago, a post on X stopped thousands of Indians mid-scroll. A user recounted a conversation with a friend settled in Canada — educated, successful, with half a million dollars saved — who said, quietly but clearly: “I’m not coming back.” Not because he doesn’t love India. But because, after years abroad, he has simply stopped wanting to fight for things that should just work.

  Asia News Network  By Pong Bo Yang The Phnom Penh Post  February 23, 2026

As ASEAN Chair, the Philippines is expected to assume a more proactive role in sustaining dialogue among member nations, minimising the risk of miscalculation, and helping to prevent tensions from escalating, says the writer. 

 The Diplomat   February 20, 2026

The war helped secure an election victory for Anutin and Thai conservatives. And that was almost certainly by design.  In June 2025, Hun Sen, Cambodia’s influential former prime minister, leaked the audio of a phone call that he’d held days earlier with the leader of Thailand. The two nations were then on the brink of conflict over their disputed border, and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra wanted to calm the situation.

  The Washington Post By John R. Bolton Friday 20, 2026- Opinion

He can still reverse Biden’s disastrous push for Britain to cede the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

Capital /Opinion The New York Times Παρασκευή, 20-Φεβ-2026  Γράφει ο Steven Rattner 

Πριν από λίγες εβδομάδες στη Νέα Υόρκη, σε ένα δείπνο που οργανώθηκε με θέμα το αμερικανικό εμπόριο, η συζήτηση στράφηκε γρήγορα στην Κίνα. Ειδικοί με άριστα προσόντα υιοθέτησαν αντίθετες θέσεις: Κάποιοι υποστήριξαν τις δυναμικές, επιθετικές θέσεις του προέδρου Τραμπ, ενώ άλλοι μία λιγότερο αντιπαραθετική, πιο συμβατική προσέγγιση. Δεν είμαι ειδικός στο εμπόριο, αλλά έχω κάνει επενδύσεις στην Κίνα εδώ και χρόνια και μόλις επέστρεψα από μια εβδομαδιαία επίσκεψη. Τελικά, συγκεντρώνοντας όσο θάρρος είχα, υποστήριξα ότι καμία από τις δύο προσεγγίσεις δεν θα λειτουργήσει. Η Κίνα είναι απλώς πολύ τρομερή ως αντίπαλος - καθώς και μια κρίσιμη δύναμη στη μεταποίηση - για να συγκρατηθεί με τη διπλωματία ή με μια επιθετική αλλαγή στην πολιτική μας.

 The Times of Central Asia By Ola Fiedorczuk  20 February 2026

The Times of Central Asia By Bruce Pannier,  20 February 2026