Dear ST reader,
We hope you’ve recovered from the wall-to-wall coverage, watch parties and letdown after the much-hyped nail-biting finish to the US presidential race did not materialise.
Instead, Republican president-elect Donald Trump established a clear lead from the get-go on Nov 5 and was able to declare victory just after 2am in Florida (3pm in Singapore). How did he pull off such a stunning comeback? Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s analysis on his surprise emergence as the great unifier in the polarised nation.
Meanwhile, senior columnist Lin Suling delves into why his opponent Kamala Harris lost and asks: Can a woman never hope to be US president?
Also get our correspondents’ take on what a Trump presidency will mean for Asia and its economies, as well as security in Europe.
Turning to regional developments, Hariz Baharudin examines what has motivated Asean nations Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam to become partner countries to the Brics group of emerging economies. In a related piece, Tan Dawn Wei and Nirmala Ganapathy discuss what this membership drive means for Brics’ founder members India and China.
Over in Australia, Jonathan Pearlman reports on the unique dilemma faced by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who had to decide between staying put to receive Britain’s King Charles or going to Indonesia for President Prabowo Subianto’s inauguration.
And in Hong Kong, Magdalene Fung unearths the curious tale of why a rugged, off-the-grid island is a tourist magnet.
The unexpected unifier: Why Trump won the US presidential election
Higher US tariffs could mean cheap Chinese goods flooding South-east Asia
Trump win gives Europe security jitters
Asean countries look to Brics to reduce reliance on Western economies
China acknowledges Myanmar junta chief, with eye on own interests and fresh election
China is protecting the junta to guard its own interests, say analysts.
Read more on China’s regional ties:
Vietnam uses own grey-zone tactics to counter China
Despite election loss, Ishiba has a tailwind to form next government and remain as Japan PM
Hong Kong’s ‘South Pole’ island has no power or water, but that’s why tourists keep coming back
Hundreds visit Po Toi Island every weekend for its old-world charm and off-the-grid appeal.
Listen to this Asian Insider podcast:
What lies beneath: Chongqing’s subterranean world