UK and France plan to send 30,000 ‘peacekeepers’ to Ukraine – WSJ
Francis Tuschek Britain and France are drafting a plan to deploy up to 30,000 “peacekeepers” in Ukraine, depending on whether Moscow and Kiev reach a ceasefire, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday, citing unnamed European officials. However, that plan depends on persuading US President Donald Trump to commit to a limited American military role,…
South Africa downplays Rubio’s absence from G20 meeting
Richards Sanders President Cyril Ramaphosa has downplayed the absence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, calling it “not a train smash.” Ramaphosa insisted that the US would still follow the outcomes of the discussions. ”The United States is still represented here and they are part of the G20. The discussions that will…
Slovak PM tells EU to ‘stop crying’ over Russia-US talks
Francis Tuschek Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has criticized the EU for trying to act as “peacemakers” in the Ukraine conflict despite the bloc having “no time” for a ceasefire over the past three years. He said the EU should “stop crying” and blame itself for being excluded from US-Russia peace efforts. Fico has been one of the EU’s strongest dissenting…
Halifax Forum in Taipei: Opportunities and Challenges in Translating Dialogue into Action
台北哈利法克斯安全論壇：轉化對話為行動的機遇與挑戰 Richard Sanders, Taipei Taipei – The Halifax International Security Forum commenced a special gathering in Taipei today, under a cloud of uncertainty fueled by the potential shift in U.S. foreign policy under the new Trump administration. The opulent Mayfull Hotel is the sponsored venue for the event, providing VIP treatment and complimentary first-class accommodations…
Musk’s DOGE claims multi-trillion gap in US government spending
Richard Sanders Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) claims has uncovered a massive gap of nearly $5 trillion in US federal spending that it cannot account for. DOGE has claimed that Treasury records made some payments untraceable. Since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump on January 20, DOGE has been pressing ahead with budget…
Canadian Warship Transits Taiwan Strait, Angering China
Richard Sanders A Canadian naval frigate, HMCS Ottawa, sailed through the Taiwan Strait yesterday, marking the first such passage this year and the sixth since Canada unveiled its Indo-Pacific Strategy in 2022. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the move, praising Canada’s commitment to freedom of navigation and maintaining peace and openness in the Strait….
US State Department Removes “No Independence” Statement from Taiwan Fact Sheet
美國國務院從台灣概況說明書中刪除「不支持獨立」聲明 Richard Sanders, Taichung Washington D.C. – The United States Department of State has updated its fact sheet on U.S.-Taiwan relations, removing a key phrase stating that the U.S. “does not support Taiwan independence.” The change, made public on Thursday, has been welcomed by Taiwanese officials as a sign of strengthened support. The previous version…
China Strengthens Global Position Amid U.S. Political Turmoil
by Richard Sanders in Tainan, Taiwan In recent weeks, the Trump administration has rolled out a flurry of initiatives and controversies on the international stage, including imposing tariffs, slashing international aid budgets, and engaging in discussions with Vladimir Putin regarding the Ukraine conflict. However, the most significant long-term challenge for the U.S. remains its relationship…
The Ivatan Language: A Unique Heritage Rooted in Taiwan
Richard Sanders in Kaoshiung, Taiwan The Ivatan language, a member of the Austronesian language family, boasts a rich and complex history that traces its origins back to southern Taiwan. This fascinating language is not just a means of communication for the people of the Batanes archipelago in the Philippines; it is also a cultural treasure…