The BRICS countries constitute a formidable force in the critical minerals sector and have the potential to shape a fair and resilient global resource economy. Much will depend on how China exercises its critical minerals heft, says RSIS' Sarah Soh.

The old-school vision of the military conjured up by US defence chief Pete Hegseth seems at odds with the high-tech modern wars being fought, says Bernard F W Loo from the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies.