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China's Multilateral Policy Aims to Prevent Security Threats in East Asia

China's Multilateral Policy Aims to Prevent Security Threats in East Asia

China's multilateral policy is primarily focused on preventing security threats, particularly those arising from territorial disputes in the South China and East China Seas. For approximately two decades, China has employed a selective approach to multilateralism, choosing specific legal and regional forums for participation and establishing institutions under its leadership. This strategy also involves allowing soft-law agreements that provide strategic flexibility. The core of China's multilateralism in this context is to establish communication and crisis-management channels, shift contentious issues towards low-politics cooperation (such as joint development and environmental protection), influence norms and agenda-setting to reduce third-party intervention, and utilize economic multilateralism as a tool for restraint through incentives. This selective engagement, coupled with an openness to vague multilateral situations and a reluctance to engage in binding adjudication that might not favor its claims...

North Korea Tests New High-Speed Torpedo, Expands Naval Capabilities

North Korea Tests New High-Speed Torpedo, Expands Naval Capabilities

North Korea has conducted a test of a new high-speed torpedo in the East Sea, confirming its combat effectiveness ahead of a planned deployment in early 2027. The test, which took place on November 9, was a joint effort by the Academy of Defence Sciences, the Missile Administration, and the Office of Torpedo Weapons Research. This development signifies Pyongyang's ongoing efforts to enhance its naval strike capabilities and introduce advanced underwater weapons systems. While specific technical details of the torpedo were not released, this test follows earlier reports in October of underwater trials involving another high-speed, precision-guided system that reportedly utilized artificial intelligence. It remains unclear if these announcements refer to the same weapon or distinct developments. These torpedo trials are part of a broader strategy to strengthen North Korea's naval power, which also includes the launch of strategic cruise missiles from a submarine platform and the commissioning of new destroye...

German Military Bans Chinese-Made Drones Citing Data Security Concerns

German Military Bans Chinese-Made Drones Citing Data Security Concerns

The German military has implemented a ban on the use of Chinese-made drones, including for training purposes, and is actively replacing them with European models. This decision, announced by the Defense Ministry on November 11, stems from concerns over data and IT security. The ministry stated that existing Chinese-made systems will be phased out and substituted with products from domestic or European sources. This move follows a previous strategy from 2024 that allowed local commanders to purchase drones from a 'white list,' which included several models from China-based DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer. Due to the lack of a centralized record of purchases by individual units, the military has imposed a blanket ban to ensure compliance and mitigate potential security risks.

China Unveils Close-Up Footage of GJ-11 Stealth Strike Drone, Showcasing Advanced Military Capabilities

China Unveils Close-Up Footage of GJ-11 Stealth Strike Drone, Showcasing Advanced Military Capabilities

China has released its most detailed footage to date of the Gongji-11 (GJ-11) stealth strike drone, also known as 'Strike-11.' State media outlet CCTV aired segments providing multi-angle, close-up views of the drone both on the ground and in flight, revealing its weapon bays, nose-mounted electro-optical and infrared sensor, and landing gear. The GJ-11, first unveiled in 2019, features a stealthy, flying-wing airframe similar to the B-2 Spirit bomber, designed to reduce radar reflections with its smooth body, internal weapons, and tucked-in engine. State media presenters indicated the drone is intended for recon missions and primarily to strike fortified ground targets deep behind enemy lines, carrying multiple guided bombs and precision-strike munitions. The drone is also designed to operate as a 'loyal wingman' alongside crewed aircraft like the J-20 stealth fighter, with the fighter jet clearing the skies while directing the GJ-11 to engage high-value targets. Recent reports also highlight the GJ-11's ...

General Atomics Develops Advanced Unmanned Underwater Vehicles for Surveillance and Strike Missions

General Atomics Develops Advanced Unmanned Underwater Vehicles for Surveillance and Strike Missions

General Atomics has developed new long-range unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), named Ranger and GA-Ray, designed for a variety of missions including surveillance, mining, and strike operations. These UUVs are capable of launching sub-drones and carrying extensive payload modules, aiming to support distributed underwater operations while reducing reliance on traditional attack submarines (SSNs). Concept graphics from General Atomics illustrate these glider-type UUVs launching from bases in Okinawa and Guam, enabling them to reach strategic locations such as First Island Chain chokepoints or the littoral waters of mainland China. Depending on the variant, these vehicles can carry between 16 and 96 smaller sub-UUVs. At Euronaval 2026, General Atomics also showcased a submarine-launched quadcopter UAV, with a video demonstrating its deployment from a tube launched by a UUV that Ranger or GA-Ray would carry. The Ranger UUV is 100-135 feet in size with a multi-year endurance, while the GA-Ray is 22 feet with ...

Former NATO Commander Cavoli Warns U.S. Cannot Sustain Global Military Aid, Urges Allies to Build Capabilities

Former NATO Commander Cavoli Warns U.S. Cannot Sustain Global Military Aid, Urges Allies to Build Capabilities

General (Ret.) Christopher Cavoli, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, stated that the U.S. is no longer structurally positioned to assist in every global conflict. Speaking at the Israel Private Markets Summit, Cavoli identified three critical trends shaping the current threat landscape: traditional adversaries like Iran, Russia, China, and North Korea are increasingly collaborating on the battlefield; cheap commercial technology is enabling limited countries and groups to conduct long-range, precise strikes, making defense more costly; and international institutions that once managed state friction have lost authority, leaving nations feeling more isolated. Cavoli emphasized that the Ukraine conflict exposed the Western industrial base's unreadiness, as modern warfare consumes munitions faster than they can be produced. He noted that the U.S. military was designed to handle one major regional conflict at a time.

Defense Secretary Hegseth Issues Corrected Counter-Drone Guidance to Streamline Military Capabilities

Defense Secretary Hegseth Issues Corrected Counter-Drone Guidance to Streamline Military Capabilities

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has issued a 'corrected copy' of a memorandum, dated November 5, aimed at reforming the Pentagon's approval processes for acquiring and deploying counter-drone capabilities. This updated directive instructs senior Pentagon and military officials to document any delays or denials in their requests to use counter-drone technologies as a 'risk of inaction' and report these instances to Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401). The five-page memo outlines policies designed to expedite the procurement and fielding of weapons capable of neutralizing unauthorized unmanned aerial systems. Hegseth emphasized that 'Protection against the threat of drones will not be delayed by self-imposed restrictions.' This move builds upon previous directives issued during the second Trump administration and comes amid a surge in unauthorized drone incursions over U.S. military bases and sensitive national security sites, some involving coordinated, high-tech swarms. The corrected version specif...

Japan and Vietnam Strengthen Cooperation on Critical Minerals and Economic Security

Japan and Vietnam Strengthen Cooperation on Critical Minerals and Economic Security

Japan and Vietnam have agreed to accelerate public-private cooperation on critical minerals, with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi emphasizing economic security as a top priority in their bilateral relationship. This agreement follows talks between Prime Minister Takaichi and Vietnamese President To Lam in Tokyo. The two nations issued a joint statement highlighting an increasingly complex geopolitical environment and pledging deeper collaboration across defense, economic security, and investment. Japan is actively seeking stronger ties with Vietnam amidst economic and political pressures from China, including restrictions on rare earth exports. The collaboration also aims to bolster Vietnam's energy supply network and includes considering concrete projects to strengthen critical mineral supply chains.

Germany Bans Chinese Drones and Vehicles from Military Installations Citing Data Security Concerns

Germany Bans Chinese Drones and Vehicles from Military Installations Citing Data Security Concerns

Germany's Bundeswehr has implemented an immediate ban on off-the-shelf Chinese drones, including DJI models, from all military installations, ordering units to ground existing devices. Additionally, soldiers owning cars manufactured by Chinese brands such as BYD, Geely, and NIO must park them outside base perimeters and enter on foot. This decision follows documented findings by Germany's Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) indicating that data was being siphoned from drones used by the armed forces. A parallel incident in Norway, where Chinese-made Deepal rental vehicles recorded sensitive military exercise footage, further underscored the urgency. This move aligns Germany with a growing coalition, including Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, which have taken similar measures to restrict Chinese technology in sensitive military contexts.

Taiwan Receives Second Batch of U.S.-Made F-16V Block 70 Fighter Jets

Taiwan Receives Second Batch of U.S.-Made F-16V Block 70 Fighter Jets

Taiwan's Air Force has received three additional U.S.-made F-16V Block 70 fighter jets, marking the second batch of a total order of 66 aircraft. The jets, with tail numbers 6729, 6731, and 6732, arrived at Chihang Air Base in Taitung County on November 8. This delivery brings the total number of F-16V Block 70 jets received by Taiwan to five, following the arrival of the first two aircraft on October 2, 2026. The F-16V Block 70 fighter jets are manufactured by Lockheed Martin at its Greenville, South Carolina facility. Taiwan's purchase is part of the 'Peace Phoenix Soaring' program, with a budget of approximately $7.7 billion allocated from 2020 to 2026. The U.S. State Department approved the potential sale of these 66 F-16C/D Block 70 fighter jets to Taiwan on August 20, 2019, with an estimated total package value of $8 billion.

Taiwan Reports Chinese 'Area Denial' Drills Involving Aircraft Carrier in Western Pacific

Taiwan Reports Chinese 'Area Denial' Drills Involving Aircraft Carrier in Western Pacific

Taiwan's Ministry of Defence, through Minister Wellington Koo, has reported that China is conducting 'area denial' drills in the Western Pacific. These exercises involve the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and other naval formations. Taiwan National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu previously detailed the deployment of over 100 Chinese naval and coast guard ships operating around Taiwan, in the South China Sea, and extending into the Pacific. Additionally, Taiwan's defense ministry noted a significant increase in Chinese air force aircraft in the vicinity of the island. China, which considers democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory, frequently dispatches its military assets into the airspace and waters surrounding Taiwan. These drills are perceived as part of an Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) strategy, designed to restrict the movement and access of foreign forces, potentially complicating any intervention by the U.S. and its allies in a hypothetical conflict over Taiwan.

The Latest: Hegseth says bipartisan impeachment push is about ‘policy disagreements’

The Latest: Hegseth says bipartisan impeachment push is about ‘policy disagreements’

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is condemning the impeachment effort against him as “a political spectacle, a personal manifesto driven by ego and resentment.”