Taiwan’s Drone Defense Program Lags, Audit Finds
Jake Sanders, Zamboanga Programs to develop remote-controlled drone defense systems have fallen significantly behind schedule and suffer from critical shortcomings that leave them exposed to advanced Chinese drone technologies and satellite navigation networks, according to the National Audit Office’s fiscal 2026 general financial statements. The Air Force contracted the National Chungshan Institute of Science and…
China Coast Guard Uses Water Cannons on Philippine Ships Near Scarborough Shoal Amid ASEAN Talks
Jake Sanders, Zamboanga China Coast Guard vessels fired water cannons at two Philippine government ships in the South China Sea on Friday, marking the third confrontation between the two sides this week. The incident occurred as foreign ministers from ASEAN and partner countries gathered in Manila for their annual meetings, where tensions in the disputed…
Taiwan needs to bolster resilience
Richard Sanders, Kampot Amid escalating U.S.-Iran hostilities, Tehran’s strategic deployment of naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz highlights growing threats to global energy routes. From Taiwan’s viewpoint, these tactics underscore the need to reduce dependence on vulnerable maritime chokepoints and prepare for broader economic disruptions. Iran has effectively used naval mines to restrict access…
Pentagon concealing true casualty numbers in Iran war – NYT
Frank Williams, Ho Chi Min City The US State Department has issued a worldwide security warning urging Americans to exercise increased caution amid fears of further escalation in Washington’s renewed war with Iran. “Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation,” it said on Saturday,…
Trump Accuses China of Stealing 220 Million US Voter Files as Xi Visit Looms
Steve Ray –Washington – China has firmly rejected US President Donald Trump’s explosive allegation that Beijing orchestrated the theft of 220 million American voter records to interfere in the 2020 presidential election. In a prime-time national address on Thursday, Trump claimed Chinese intelligence agencies had illicitly obtained vast databases containing names, addresses, phone numbers, and…
Russian-Chinese Naval Drills in Yellow Sea Raise Regional Security Concerns Amid Taiwan Tensions
Richard Saunders, Kampot The Russian Pacific Fleet announced on Monday that Russian and Chinese warships carried out live-fire exercises in the Yellow Sea as part of the annual Joint Sea-2026 naval drills, highlighting deepening military ties between Moscow and Beijing that are increasingly watched with unease from Taipei. The sea phase of the exercises brought…
Taiwan Unveils Homegrown Quadruped Robot Program to Target $4 Billion Global Market
Richard Saunders, Phnom Penh Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) is collaborating with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) and leading domestic firms to develop indigenous four-legged robots, aiming to secure a foothold in the rapidly expanding global robot dog market, projected to exceed US$4 billion by 2035. The initiative seeks to capitalize on Taiwan’s…
Chinese Submarine Missile Test Raises Regional Concerns
Richard Saunders, Siem Reap A Chinese nuclear-powered submarine launched a long-range ballistic missile carrying a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean on Monday, marking Beijing’s first such test since 2024. PLA Navy spokesman Wang Xuemeng described the launch as “a routine part of annual training,” adding that China had notified relevant countries in advance. He…
US Envoy Urges Drone Expansion in Taiwan Amid Rising Tensions with Beijing
Jake Saunders, Manila The top American diplomat in Taiwan has urged the island to become a “hornet’s nest” of drones, calling unmanned systems a vital deterrent against potential Chinese aggression. Speaking at a drone forum in Taichung, Raymond Greene, director of the American Institute in Taiwan, described UAVs as a “game-changing opportunity” to bolster Taiwan’s…
Taiwan’s New Integrated Air Defense Network Set for Year-End Completion, Deployment Eyed for 2027
Frank Williams, Okinawa Taiwan’s military is on schedule to finish its next-generation integrated air defense intelligence system by the end of this year, with plans to deploy the advanced network as early as next year pending approval of additional funding, a military source said. The system merges two major domestic initiatives: the Huanzhan Project (寰展計畫),…
