Muhammad Faizal
@mfaizal.bsky.social
Muhammad Faizal is a Research Fellow with the Regional Security Architecture Programme, Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS) at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS).
“One of the silver linings of the global trade war is that the world is de-risking its trade away from the US.”
www.straitstimes.com/opinion/how-...
www.straitstimes.com/opinion/how-...
How to keep your country safe from Trump’s whims
One of the silver linings of the global trade war is that the world is de-risking its trade away from the US. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:43 AM
“One of the silver linings of the global trade war is that the world is de-risking its trade away from the US.”
www.straitstimes.com/opinion/how-...
www.straitstimes.com/opinion/how-...
“The October truce agreement does not spell out a path to resolve the underlying basis of the dispute.”
- Indeed it was a performative ceremony that basically gave the flattery that U.S President Trump wanted.
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/cambodi...
- Indeed it was a performative ceremony that basically gave the flattery that U.S President Trump wanted.
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/cambodi...
Cambodia evacuates village on disputed border with Thailand as tensions rise
About 250 families were moved to a Buddhist temple about 30km from the border.
www.channelnewsasia.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:21 AM
“The October truce agreement does not spell out a path to resolve the underlying basis of the dispute.”
- Indeed it was a performative ceremony that basically gave the flattery that U.S President Trump wanted.
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/cambodi...
- Indeed it was a performative ceremony that basically gave the flattery that U.S President Trump wanted.
www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/cambodi...
This one in Italian
www.ansa.it/amp/sito/not...
www.ansa.it/amp/sito/not...
Presidente Centro Alti Studi Difesa Mannino a Singapore | ANSA.it
www.ansa.it
November 6, 2025 at 6:15 AM
This one in Italian
www.ansa.it/amp/sito/not...
www.ansa.it/amp/sito/not...
The two delegations also reached a consensus on expanding cooperation into new areas, including cybersecurity and search-and-rescue operations.
en.sggp.org.vn/vietnam-sing...?
en.sggp.org.vn/vietnam-sing...?
Vietnam, Singapore expand cooperation in cybersecurity and search-and-rescue
Vietnam and Singapore expand cooperation in cybersecurity and search and rescue at a meeting between the Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defense and the Singaporean Permanent Secretary of the M...
en.sggp.org.vn
November 1, 2025 at 4:36 AM
The two delegations also reached a consensus on expanding cooperation into new areas, including cybersecurity and search-and-rescue operations.
en.sggp.org.vn/vietnam-sing...?
en.sggp.org.vn/vietnam-sing...?
A case of private sector contractor selling to Russia trade secrets of the cyber intelligence/hacking tools that the U.S. and others use.
In short, all major powers compete for domain superiority in cyberspace.
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
In short, all major powers compete for domain superiority in cyberspace.
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
US alleges executive sold secrets to Russia for $1.6m
The filing does not identify where executive Peter Williams worked or the companies whose trade secrets were allegedly stolen. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:45 PM
A case of private sector contractor selling to Russia trade secrets of the cyber intelligence/hacking tools that the U.S. and others use.
In short, all major powers compete for domain superiority in cyberspace.
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
In short, all major powers compete for domain superiority in cyberspace.
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
“The communique called for efforts to accelerate the “integrated development of mechanisation, informatisation, and intelligentisation” of China’s military…”
www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/ch...
www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/ch...
China outlines priorities for next five-year plan, adds defence capability to long-term goals
Communist Party leaders outlined priorities of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026 to 2030) in a communique released at the conclusion of its Fourth Plenum on Thursday (Oct 23).
www.channelnewsasia.com
October 23, 2025 at 2:59 PM
“The communique called for efforts to accelerate the “integrated development of mechanisation, informatisation, and intelligentisation” of China’s military…”
www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/ch...
www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/ch...
Is the U.S. now an authoritarian state? Authoritarianism with American characteristics? Clearly, in global affairs, some Asian & global south countries were right to exercise agency in working with any major or middle power - democratic or authoritarian.
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
Former US officials urge Congress to examine ‘weaponisation’ working group
The officials has urged Congress to probe Trump's Interagency Weaponisation Working Group over potential misuse of security services. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Is the U.S. now an authoritarian state? Authoritarianism with American characteristics? Clearly, in global affairs, some Asian & global south countries were right to exercise agency in working with any major or middle power - democratic or authoritarian.
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
www.straitstimes.com/world/united...
Informative piece on Timor Leste and ASEAN by @fundasaunmahein
www.fundasaunmahein.org/2025/10/21/t...
www.fundasaunmahein.org/2025/10/21/t...
Timor-Leste’s ASEAN Accession: Implications for Regional Geopolitics and National Identity - Fundasaun Mahein
Image: AP via World Politics Review At the end of this month, Timor-Leste will officially join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as its eleventh full member. The decision to admit Tim...
www.fundasaunmahein.org
October 21, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Informative piece on Timor Leste and ASEAN by @fundasaunmahein
www.fundasaunmahein.org/2025/10/21/t...
www.fundasaunmahein.org/2025/10/21/t...
“This is why this is not a ship, but it is a mothership that will bring together unmanned air capabilities, unmanned surface capabilities and unmanned subsurface capabilities. This is the new way that we have to operate and fight in the future.” - Min
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/no...
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/no...
‘Not a ship, but a mothership’: Mindef launches first multi-role combat vessel
The MRCVs will be delivered progressively from 2028 onwards, it added. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:44 AM
“This is why this is not a ship, but it is a mothership that will bring together unmanned air capabilities, unmanned surface capabilities and unmanned subsurface capabilities. This is the new way that we have to operate and fight in the future.” - Min
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/no...
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/no...
“The US National Security Agency has been carrying out a cyber attack operation on the National Time Service Centre over an extended period of time, China’s State Security Ministry said in a statement on its WeChat account on Oct 19.”
www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-as...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-as...
China accuses US of cyber breaches at national time centre
The US embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
October 19, 2025 at 9:34 AM
“The US National Security Agency has been carrying out a cyber attack operation on the National Time Service Centre over an extended period of time, China’s State Security Ministry said in a statement on its WeChat account on Oct 19.”
www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-as...
www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-as...
Pleasure to be affiliated with the 26th Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO) by RSIS | S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies .
(Front row, left)
(Front row, left)
October 16, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Pleasure to be affiliated with the 26th Asia-Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO) by RSIS | S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies .
(Front row, left)
(Front row, left)
This might Make America Healthy Again. Less fried food. Maybe less fast food 🧐
www.businesstimes.com.sg/internationa...
www.businesstimes.com.sg/internationa...
Trump threatens to end cooking oil purchases from China
US PRESIDENT Donald Trump slammed China’s halt of American soybean purchases as an “economically hostile act,” warning on Tuesday that his country could in turn stop buying cooking oil from the world’...
www.businesstimes.com.sg
October 14, 2025 at 11:43 PM
This might Make America Healthy Again. Less fried food. Maybe less fast food 🧐
www.businesstimes.com.sg/internationa...
www.businesstimes.com.sg/internationa...
𝟭𝟮𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗷𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗫𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺: 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮’𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴
The 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum was portrayed by the Chinese media and experts as a platform for promoting solutions to international security issues.
By Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman
moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/10/12/1...
The 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum was portrayed by the Chinese media and experts as a platform for promoting solutions to international security issues.
By Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman
moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/10/12/1...
12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum: Reflections on China’s Strategic Messaging
The 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum was portrayed by the Chinese media and experts as a platform for promoting solutions to international security issues.
moderndiplomacy.eu
October 12, 2025 at 9:55 AM
𝟭𝟮𝘁𝗵 𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗷𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗫𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗴𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺: 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮’𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴
The 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum was portrayed by the Chinese media and experts as a platform for promoting solutions to international security issues.
By Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman
moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/10/12/1...
The 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum was portrayed by the Chinese media and experts as a platform for promoting solutions to international security issues.
By Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman
moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/10/12/1...
“Minister Sugiono reaffirmed Indonesia’s readiness to facilitate closer engagement between the DPRK and ASEAN, including through the DPRK’s enhanced participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF),”
en.antaranews.com/news/385609/...
en.antaranews.com/news/385609/...
Indonesia ready to facilitate closer ties between N. Korea and ASEAN
Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono has expressed Indonesia’s readiness to facilitate closer engagement between North Korea and the Association of ...
en.antaranews.com
October 12, 2025 at 6:52 AM
“Minister Sugiono reaffirmed Indonesia’s readiness to facilitate closer engagement between the DPRK and ASEAN, including through the DPRK’s enhanced participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF),”
en.antaranews.com/news/385609/...
en.antaranews.com/news/385609/...
“Along with the Russian drone attack on September 10, there was a correlated cyberattack on Poland, the largest since 2022, when the war broke out in Ukraine…”
www.straitstimes.com/world/europe...
www.straitstimes.com/world/europe...
Poland says cyberattacks on critical infrastructure rising, blames Russia
WARSAW - Poland's critical infrastructure has been subject to a growing number of cyberattacks by Russia, whose military intelligence, has trebled its resources for such action against Poland this yea...
www.straitstimes.com
October 10, 2025 at 1:57 PM
“Along with the Russian drone attack on September 10, there was a correlated cyberattack on Poland, the largest since 2022, when the war broke out in Ukraine…”
www.straitstimes.com/world/europe...
www.straitstimes.com/world/europe...
Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman, a research fellow at Singapore’s @RSIS_NTU, said the joint deployment of troops for humanitarian mission could help alleviate tensions arising from the dispute between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea.
www.scmp.com/week-asia/po...?
www.scmp.com/week-asia/po...?
Philippines and Japan signal defence pact’s depth via aid to quake-hit Cebu
The humanitarian mission is partly aimed at addressing regional concerns over the pact’s objectives, analysts say.
www.scmp.com
October 8, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman, a research fellow at Singapore’s @RSIS_NTU, said the joint deployment of troops for humanitarian mission could help alleviate tensions arising from the dispute between the Philippines and China over the South China Sea.
www.scmp.com/week-asia/po...?
www.scmp.com/week-asia/po...?
Dr Sinha is a surgeon on the East Coast specialising in orthopaedics and sports medicine.
www.channelnewsasia.com/world/anjani...
www.channelnewsasia.com/world/anjani...
US Senate confirms Dr Anjani Sinha as new ambassador to Singapore
Dr Anjani Sinha is a surgeon specialising in orthopaedics and sports medicine.
www.channelnewsasia.com
October 7, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Dr Sinha is a surgeon on the East Coast specialising in orthopaedics and sports medicine.
www.channelnewsasia.com/world/anjani...
www.channelnewsasia.com/world/anjani...
At the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, I gave a wide-ranging interview to Southern Weekend.
infzm.com/wap/#/content/…
nvan alil
infzm.com/wap/#/content/…
nvan alil
September 28, 2025 at 3:39 AM
At the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, I gave a wide-ranging interview to Southern Weekend.
infzm.com/wap/#/content/…
nvan alil
infzm.com/wap/#/content/…
nvan alil
“The increasing, and if I may add, cynical use of vetoes by the P5 must be constrained,” said Dr Balakrishnan, adding that the wider UN membership must reach an agreement on how this veto is exercised in the future.
www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/vi...
www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/vi...
Singapore urges UN to curb Security Council vetoes and reform for greater inclusivity
"We need a more representative and a more inclusive UN that reflects current realities," says Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
www.channelnewsasia.com
September 28, 2025 at 12:01 AM
“The increasing, and if I may add, cynical use of vetoes by the P5 must be constrained,” said Dr Balakrishnan, adding that the wider UN membership must reach an agreement on how this veto is exercised in the future.
www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/vi...
www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/vi...
Keynote address by China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun at the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum.
September 18, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Keynote address by China’s Defence Minister Dong Jun at the 12th Beijing Xiangshan Forum.
Catch my latest RSIS | S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies podcast that discusses the intersection of geopolitics and cybersecurity.
open.spotify.com/episode/3fmf...
open.spotify.com/episode/3fmf...
Wiring the Domains – Episode 22: Muhammad Faizal on How as Cyber Threats Grow, Singapore Walks a Careful Line on Identifying State Actors
open.spotify.com
September 16, 2025 at 4:37 AM
Catch my latest RSIS | S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies podcast that discusses the intersection of geopolitics and cybersecurity.
open.spotify.com/episode/3fmf...
open.spotify.com/episode/3fmf...
Israel launched attack on the capital of Qatar.
International law and principle of state sovereignty means little or nothing to powerful states.
www.channelnewsasia.com/world/israel...
International law and principle of state sovereignty means little or nothing to powerful states.
www.channelnewsasia.com/world/israel...
Israel military says it targeted Hamas leaders, after blasts rock Doha
Isarel's military said the "precise strike" targeted senior Hamas leadership, without specifying where the strike took place.
www.channelnewsasia.com
September 9, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Israel launched attack on the capital of Qatar.
International law and principle of state sovereignty means little or nothing to powerful states.
www.channelnewsasia.com/world/israel...
International law and principle of state sovereignty means little or nothing to powerful states.
www.channelnewsasia.com/world/israel...
My latest analysis on ASEAN regional security and Cambodia-Thailand conflict. Published by @FACTSAsiaOrg
www.factsasia.org/blog/what-be...
www.factsasia.org/blog/what-be...
What became of ASEAN’s military hotline in the Cambodia-Thailand Conflict?
Military hotlines are a crucial confidence-building and security measure in international politics, although there is no guarantee that they will always function effectively.
www.factsasia.org
September 9, 2025 at 5:38 AM
My latest analysis on ASEAN regional security and Cambodia-Thailand conflict. Published by @FACTSAsiaOrg
www.factsasia.org/blog/what-be...
www.factsasia.org/blog/what-be...
- My brief analysis in this news article by @SCMPNews
Why homeward shift by Pentagon may signal US decline in ‘bad news’ for Taiwan
www.scmp.com/news/china/m...?
Why homeward shift by Pentagon may signal US decline in ‘bad news’ for Taiwan
www.scmp.com/news/china/m...?
Why homeward shift by Pentagon may signal US decline in ‘bad news’ for Taiwan
US Defence department officials have reportedly called for prioritising domestic and regional threats over countering China.
www.scmp.com
September 8, 2025 at 12:36 AM
- My brief analysis in this news article by @SCMPNews
Why homeward shift by Pentagon may signal US decline in ‘bad news’ for Taiwan
www.scmp.com/news/china/m...?
Why homeward shift by Pentagon may signal US decline in ‘bad news’ for Taiwan
www.scmp.com/news/china/m...?