Asia-Pacific
Thanks to Trump, Russia's own 'pivot to Asia' is bearing fruit
Moscow is taking advantage of the opportunities unleashed by the Iran war's impact on the ASEAN states
June 26, 2026
Moscow is taking advantage of the opportunities unleashed by the Iran war's impact on the ASEAN states
This includes the Indian subcontinent, China, Japan, the Koreas, and all the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN
Striking down IEEPA tariffs gives Washington a chance to rebuild trust, if the president doesn’t try for new workarounds
Trump announces largely one-way trade deals with Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand, and also takes credit for another peace agreement.
While Washington sends speeches and militaries to Southeast Asia, Beijing shows up with money, projects, and people
Secretary of Defense told the Shangri La Dialogue that America won't leave, but it won't provoke or wage ideological war either
