Asia Intelligence Brief — Thursday, July 23, 2026

Rio Times · Asia Intelligence Brief July 23 —Manila Forum Twenty-seven delegations gather for the ASEAN Regional Forum, with Middle East war spillover and South China Sea tensions topping the agenda. —Maritime Standoff China says it drove away two Philippine vessels near Scarborough Shoal, marking the second confrontation between the neighbours this week. —Monsoon Toll At least 82 people are dead across northeastern India, Pakistan and Afghanistan as flash floods destroy roads, bridges and farmland. —Seoul’s Pivot South Korea announces a ‘peace first’ North Korea policy, opening the door to humanitarian exchanges without preconditions on weapons programmes. —Deep South Attack Five Thai security personnel are killed and six civilians wounded, including two children, when insurgents strike a