Hegseth delivers Panama Canal ultimatum to China

Dave Sullivan The United States has vowed to “take back” the Panama Canal from Chinese influence and has launched a series of military deployments and joint exercises with Panama to reinforce that commitment, according to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Pentagon chief attended the inauguration of a new US-financed dock at the Vasco Nunez de Balboa Naval…

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The Politics of Numbing

The greatest danger of China’s manoeuvres around Taiwan isn’t invasion – it’s the creeping apathy they’re cultivating in all of us. China’s relentless military exercises around Taiwan are the perfect example of what we might call the ‘politics of numbing.’ These drills, like the recent ‘Strait Thunder-2025A,’ are a little part sabre-rattling as part of…

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Lithuania Grows Cold on Taiwan

Lithuania, once Taiwan’s loudest cheerleader in Europe, is now sending a somewhat chilling message: promises alone won’t sustain alliances. The new Lithuanian government, led by Gintautas Paluckas, is expressing openly frustration with Taiwan’s perceived lack of follow-through on bold economic commitments. High expectations for semiconductor investments, technology transfers, and trade breakthroughs have fizzled into what…

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Trump threatens China with extra 50% tariff

Francis Tuschek President Donald Trump has threatened to slap an additional 50% tariff on all Chinese imports, unless Beijing recalls its proposed retaliatory 34% levy hike in another escalation of the trade war that has wiped trillions of dollars from stock markets. Last week, the US president rolled out sweeping tariffs ranging from 10% to…

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UK touts hypersonic missile test

Richard Sanders UK scientists have collaborated with the US and private firms to successfully test hypersonic missile propulsion, the British Defense Ministry said in a statement on Sunday. Hypersonic missiles are projectiles that can travel at speeds at least five times the speed of sound, velocities that make them either extremely difficult or impossible to…

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Cambodia Celebrates Completion of China-Renovated Naval Base Amidst U.S. Concerns

Richard Sanders, Phnom Penh Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet officially inaugurated the newly renovated Ream Naval Base on Thursday, a project funded and executed by China. His remarks come in response to U.S. criticism regarding China’s influence over this strategic facility, which is situated on Cambodia’s southern coast, close to the contested South China Sea….

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Philippines Alarmed by Espionage Arrests of Citizens in China

Richard Sanders On Saturday, the Philippine government voiced deep concern over the recent arrest of three Filipino citizens in China on allegations of espionage. Officials believe these detentions may be a retaliatory measure following Manila’s intensified efforts against suspected Chinese spies. According to a report from the state-run China Daily, Chinese authorities claim the individuals…

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China hits back at US with 34% import tariffs

Richard Sanders China will impose a 34% tariff on all imports from the US starting April 10, the country’s Finance Ministry announced on Friday. The decision follows US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 34% levy on Chinese goods in the latest escalation of a tariff war. Beijing’s announcement comes after the Ministry of Commerce…

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US embassy staff in China banned from dating locals – AP

Richard Sanders Washington has banned its diplomatic personnel in China, as well as their family members and contractors with security clearances, from engaging into any sort of “romantic and sexual relations” with Chinese citizens, AP reported on Thursday, citing four people with direct knowledge of the matter. The policy was reportedly enacted by departing US Ambassador Nicholas…

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he White House labeled Taiwan a country when Trump announced tariffs. The issue? It isn’t one

nMy artin Haffmer Associate Editor In the complex landscape of international relations, few issues stir as much debate and contention as the status of Taiwan. The recent announcement by former President Donald Trump regarding tariffs on Chinese goods inadvertently thrust Taiwan into the spotlight, with the White House labeling it a “country” during the announcement….

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