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Taiwan proposes a record $35B defense budget for 2027 as China’s military pressure grows

Taiwan proposes a record $35B defense budget for 2027 as China’s military pressure grows

Taiwan's government has proposes a record-high defense budget of over 1 trillion Taiwan dollars, or $35 billion, for next year
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China, Indonesia agree to boost military ties, work closer on minerals, energy and tech

China, Indonesia agree to boost military ties, work closer on minerals, energy and tech

By Stanley Widianto and Stefanno Sulaiman JAKARTA, Aug 21 (Reuters) - China and Indonesia agreed on Friday to boost military ties and to work closely on minerals, energy and technology, as Jakarta seeks to balance ties with both Beijing and Washington amid economic and geopolitical tensions,
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U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Warns Against Exclusive Middle-Power Alliances

U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Warns Against Exclusive Middle-Power Alliances

Elbridge Colby, the U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, has issued a strong caution against the formation of exclusive 'middle-power alliances' that aim to exclude the United States. Speaking in Manila on August 10, Colby urged regional partners to increase their defense spending and align more closely with American priorities. He emphasized that Washington seeks 'partners, not protectorates,' and dismissed the concept of middle-power alliances as a 'delusion' based on a 'faulty understanding' of international relations. Colby reiterated his stance, previously expressed in mid-July and in a New York Times interview, that such strategies risk allies 'wasting valuable time, money and political capital on a distraction.' He also underscored that access to the U.S. defense industrial base is 'a privilege, not a right.' These remarks have intensified discussions among U.S. allies regarding how to navigate their dependence on Washington during the Trump administration without shifting towards Beijing.
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U.S. Prepares to Compel Netherlands to Ban ASML Chip Machine Sales to China

U.S. Prepares to Compel Netherlands to Ban ASML Chip Machine Sales to China

The United States government is reportedly preparing to compel the Netherlands to prohibit ASML, a Dutch company and the world's sole manufacturer of advanced lithography machines, from selling almost any chip-making machines to China. This move, reported by NU.nl, aims to impede China's advancements in artificial intelligence and supercomputers, which the U.S. government believes also curbs the development of the Chinese military. The U.S. is pushing for the Match Act, a bill currently before the U.S. Congress, which would mandate allies to adopt U.S. export policies for sensitive technologies. If enacted, this bill would ban ASML from selling its older DUV machines to China, which are currently permitted, and prevent the company from maintaining previously delivered machines. Failure by the Netherlands to enforce this ban could result in U.S. sanctions.
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Taiwan Proposes Record 18% Defense Spending Increase for 2027 Amid Rising Chinese Threat

Taiwan Proposes Record 18% Defense Spending Increase for 2027 Amid Rising Chinese Threat

Taiwan's government has proposed an 18% increase in defense spending for 2027, bringing the total to T$1.1225 trillion ($31.41 billion), which would exceed 3% of its Gross Domestic Product for the first time. This significant budget hike, announced after a cabinet meeting, is aimed at bolstering Taiwan's military capabilities, particularly in areas like drones and missiles, to counter the growing military and political pressure from Beijing. The proposal comes as China, which considers Taiwan its own territory, has intensified its military presence around the island, including daily operations in its waters and skies, and new tactics such as coastguard 'law enforcement' patrols off Taiwan's east coast. Taiwan recently concluded its annual Han Kuang military drills, simulating various battle scenarios, including a potential Chinese maritime blockade. The proposed budget also includes funds for veterans and the Coast Guard, which plays an auxiliary role in protecting Taiwan's maritime areas.
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US will impose 'toughest sanctions in history' on Iran, Bessent says

US will impose 'toughest sanctions in history' on Iran, Bessent says

By Kanishka Singh and Jana Choukeir WASHINGTON/DUBAI, Aug 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. will impose "the toughest sanctions in history" on Iran, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday, a focus on economic measures he suggested would lessen the need for new major military operations against
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Non-Aligned Movement's Diminished Relevance in a Multipolar World

Non-Aligned Movement's Diminished Relevance in a Multipolar World

The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), formalized at the Belgrade Conference in 1961 with key figures like Nehru, Nasser, and Tito, aimed to establish a 'third path' in international relations, distinct from both NATO and the Warsaw Pact. Its core objective was to maintain independent stances on global issues, avoiding alignment with any major power bloc. However, NAM's influence has significantly declined, particularly after the Cold War, as globalization and the rise of market-based economies and democratic principles reshaped the international landscape. The movement has struggled to achieve effective cohesion due to divergent interests among its member states. Many countries, seeking security and economic advantages, have opted for alignment with the United States. Despite ongoing conferences, such as those held in Tehran (2012), Venezuela (2016), Azerbaijan (2019), and Uganda (2024), NAM's contemporary relevance has waned in the face of evolving concepts of strategic autonomy and a changing international pol...
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U.S. State Department Pressures Allies to Choose Sides in Global AI Race Against China

U.S. State Department Pressures Allies to Choose Sides in Global AI Race Against China

The U.S. State Department is reportedly preparing a letter to the 35 signatories of its AI Opportunity Statement, including key allies like Japan, Australia, and South Korea, informing them that they cannot align with both Washington's 'Pax Silica' coalition and Beijing's competing AI framework. According to Reuters, the draft letter warns that countries attempting to hedge their bets will be excluded from the U.S.-led group. The U.S. argument is that "to be part of everything is to be part of nothing," and this move is explicitly designed to limit China's access to essential chips, AI models, and critical minerals necessary for its AI development. This ultimatum comes as the global competition for AI dominance intensifies.
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Speculation Mounts Over Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth's Job Security Amid Iran War Deadlock, Raising Questions for US-China Defense Ties

Speculation Mounts Over Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth's Job Security Amid Iran War Deadlock, Raising Questions for US-China Defense Ties

Speculation is growing that Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth is at increasing risk of losing his job, according to multiple anonymous sources familiar with the matter. These sources indicate that President Trump is losing patience with Hegseth due to the ongoing deadlock in the Iran war and a series of negative media reports. Concerns about the welfare of the crew on the USS Abraham Lincoln, which has been at sea for nine months reportedly facing food shortages and poor sanitary conditions, were also cited. The uncertainty surrounding Hegseth's position comes at a sensitive time for U.S.-China defense relations, which have shown signs of improvement since President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in Beijing in May. Sources familiar with engagements between the two countries' armed forces suggest that relations are currently the best they have been in over a decade, with contact at almost all levels during President Trump's second term.
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U.S. Navigates Strategic Interdependence in AI Competition with China

U.S. Navigates Strategic Interdependence in AI Competition with China

The U.S. is engaged in a complex artificial intelligence (AI) competition with China, characterized by strategic interdependence rather than outright containment. Historically, Washington has focused on controlling access to critical components of the AI technology stack, such as advanced chips, computing power, and sophisticated semiconductor equipment, to maintain its technological lead. However, the nature of this competition is evolving from a focus on technology stacks to a broader contest between entire AI ecosystems. While the initial phase of the AI revolution emphasized scale through data, GPUs, and computing power, the current frontier competition increasingly relies on advanced capabilities like reasoning, reinforcement learning, synthetic data, and expert evaluation. This shift means that organized intelligence used to train AI is becoming a more scarce strategic resource than mere computation. The U.S. strategy aims to preserve its technological advantage while acknowledging the risks of compl...
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President Trump Adopts 'Low-Key' Strategy Towards Iran, Focusing on Economic Pressure and Diplomacy

President Trump Adopts 'Low-Key' Strategy Towards Iran, Focusing on Economic Pressure and Diplomacy

President Trump has adopted a 'low-key' strategy concerning Iran, shifting away from immediate military escalation while maintaining pressure through sanctions, economic measures, and a naval blockade. This approach follows the expiration of a 60-day deadline for a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran, during which President Trump had previously warned of being 'locked and loaded.' Despite the lack of a formal peace agreement, President Trump indicated that Washington is 'semi-negotiating' with Tehran, a characterization disputed by Iranian officials. The strategy centers on three elements: economic pressure, the naval blockade, and continued diplomatic contacts. The U.S. has sanctioned over 1,000 individuals, vessels, and aircraft linked to Iran and is considering additional measures against Chinese entities involved in Iranian oil transactions. The Strait of Hormuz has become a central bargaining chip, with Iran linking its reopening to U.S. concessions on sanctions and compensation for war-related damag...
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Why Trump can’t rekindle the spark with Kim Jong Un

Why Trump can’t rekindle the spark with Kim Jong Un

The president badly wants a meeting with the North Korean leader. But it’s not clear what they have to talk about.