US Lawmaker Urges Taiwan Legislature to Fast-Track Bill for Homegrown Drones
Frank Williams, Vientiane-Visiting US Representative Young Kim on Friday pressed Taiwan’s Legislative Yuan to quickly approve funding for the purchase of domestically produced drones, saying the island must strengthen its defenses against security threats from China. The Cabinet has put forward a draft law that would authorize up to NT$210 billion (US$6.5 billion) for the…
Beijing Protests After NZ FM Tells Chinese-Born MP to “Go Back to Your Own Country”
Frank Williams, Honiara China has formally protested to New Zealand’s Foreign Ministry over remarks by Foreign Minister Winston Peters directed at a Chinese-born Green Party MP during a heated parliamentary debate. The Chinese Embassy in Wellington announced the protest on Thursday, one day after the exchange, citing “negative China-related remarks.” China’s ambassador to New Zealand,…
India Pushes for Self-Reliant Drone Hub Amid Global Conflicts, Eyes Broader Partnerships Including Potential Taiwan Ties
Richard Sanders New Delhi – Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has repeatedly underscored the pressing requirement to develop a comprehensive domestic drone manufacturing ecosystem, aiming to secure strategic independence, bolster military readiness, and position the country as a leading global centre for indigenous unmanned systems. Drawing lessons from ongoing geopolitical turbulence, including the Russia-Ukraine war…
Russian Man Arrested in Khabarovsk on Treason Charges for Alleged Spying for New Zealand Intelligence
Francis Tuschek, Khabarovsk Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) has arrested a 55-year-old man in the Far Eastern city of Khabarovsk on charges of high treason, accusing him of voluntarily contacting and providing sensitive information to New Zealand’s Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS). The case, announced on July 27, 2026, is described by Russian sources as the…
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…
