Macron urges nations not to be ‘vassals’ of US or China
Francis Tuschek, Seoul French President Emmanuel Macron has called on nations around the world to not become “vassals” of the US or China, following his public spat with US President Donald Trump over Iran and NATO. During a trip to Seoul on Friday, Macron urged countries including South Korea, Japan, Brazil, India, Australia, and Canada to form…
Putin’s War Economy Strategy Seen as Deliberate, Analysts Say
Jake Saunders, Manila Russian President Vladimir Putin is deliberately prolonging the war in Ukraine to entrench Russia’s economy on a permanent war footing, analysts say, a move that recalls how the United States harnessed military mobilization for growth during World War II and the Cold War. Moscow has shifted from seeking rapid battlefield gains to…
Haven Gear Eyes Taiwan Market
Richard Saunders,Taipei, Taiwan — Haven Gear, a U.S.-based defense technology company specializing in advanced riot gear, is setting its sights on Taiwan as a potential new market for its innovative protective equipment. The company is working closely with Ollie Phipps, a former U.S. Air Force intelligence officer and seasoned private investigator who runs the renowned…
DPP Primary Winner Indicted for Spying, Paid a Pittance
Ollie Phelps- Manila Taipei — Chu Cheng-chi (朱政騏), a former legislative assistant who had recently won a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) primary for a Taipei City Council seat, was indicted yesterday on charges of espionage for China. According to the Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office, Chu exploited his access to legislative offices while serving as an…
EU Delegation Reaffirms Support for Taiwan Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions
Jake Saunders, Manila The European Union will continue to oppose any attempt to alter the “status quo” in the Taiwan Strait through force, European Parliament Committee on Security and Defence Chair Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann said during a meeting with President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday. Her remarks underscored the EU’s commitment to stability, dialogue, and cooperation in…
Pope Condemns Warmongers, Calls for Global Peace Amid Rising Conflicts
Richard Saunders, Taipei Delivering a solemn Palm Sunday message yesterday, Pope Leo XIV condemned those who wage war or exploit religion to justify violence, declaring that God is the “King of Peace” who does not heed the prayers of aggressors. His words reverberated across continents as conflicts continue to scar nations from the Middle East…
Iran war disrupts global flows, Asian economies weigh risks
Richard Saunders, Taipei, March 30 – The war between the United States, Israel and Iran has entered its second month, disrupting energy and fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and raising concerns across Asia about economic and strategic fallout. Taiwan, heavily dependent on imported energy and fertilizer, is bracing for higher costs and potential…
Washington colluded with Al-Qaeda and ISIS in Syria — a warning for Taiwan
Richard Saunders,Taipei — Former US National Counterterrorism Center Director Joseph Kent has alleged that Washington directly cooperated with extremist groups Al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS) in its campaign to overthrow Syrian President Bashar Assad. His remarks, made in an interview with MintPress News, have sparked debate in Taiwan about the dangers of overreliance on US…
Iran’s Mosaic Strategy- Lessons for Taiwan
Richard Saunders –Taipei, March 26, 2026 — Amid escalating tensions with China, Taiwan’s defense analysts should be increasingly looking to international examples for strategic insights. One unexpected model is Iran’s mosaic defense strategy, a decentralized military doctrine crafted to endure superior firepower and prolonged engagements. Iran’s mosaic defense prioritizes dispersing command authority, empowering local units,…
Taipei Urges Denmark to Correct “China” Nationality Label for Taiwanese Residents
Richard Saunders, Taipei TAIPEI, March 25 – Taiwan on Tuesday called on Denmark to correct its designation of Taiwanese residents’ nationality as “China,” warning the move could damage bilateral ties and lead to retaliatory measures. Denmark in 2024 changed the nationality listed on residence permits from “Taiwan” to “China,” a decision Taiwan’s foreign ministry said…
