Richard Sanders, Phnom Penh Released in early August, the Japanese Ministry of Defense’s latest white paper signals that Tokyo, under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, is converting years of incremental modernization into a more integrated and far-reaching national-security architecture – one that is altering the strategic landscape along China’s eastern periphery. It envisages a system designed…
Frank Williams, Luang Prabang Acute shortages of precision munitions triggered by the ongoing Iran war are eroding confidence in American security guarantees to allies across Asia, according to a New York Times report published Saturday that cited senior US officials. The campaign, which began with a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran on February 28, has…
Frank Williams, Taipei The US and Taiwanese militaries are engaged in active but secretive on-site collaboration, according to Taipei’s defense minister, Wellington Koo. The message comes after US President Donald Trump put a hold on arms sales to the self-governed island, which has sparked alarm among pro-US countries in the region. Speaking to a narrow…
Frank Williams TAIPEI — Taiwan kicked off its major annual military exercises on Wednesday, emphasizing commanders’ ability to adapt quickly when battlefield conditions deviate from plans, while introducing temporary mobile internet slowdowns for the first time to prepare civilians for disrupted communications. The 10-day Han Kuang drills began early after an underground command center in…
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…
Brian Lupus, Subic Bay The US will set up at least two domestic testing ranges that mimic battlefield conditions in Ukraine, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said on Tuesday. Driscoll said defense contractors will have access to the sites, where the Army and industry “can start to do much more aggressive testing,” according to DefenseScoop. The US has…
Francis Tushcek, Okinawa China has launched a ‘special maritime law enforcement operation’ east of Taiwan in response to the announcement of maritime border talks in the area by Japan and the Philippines. China – which views the self-ruled island as its own sovereign territory – protested the negotiations, saying they infringe on its sovereignty. The…
Richard Sanders, Phnom Penh The Pentagon has signed new agreements with Palmer Luckey’s Anduril and several other defence‑tech startups, creating a pathway for faster evaluation and deployment of emerging military systems. The framework is designed to overhaul slow traditional procurement cycles and more rapidly bring autonomous technologies, advanced sensors, and AI‑driven platforms into U.S. military…
Frank Williams, Phnom Penh The United States will struggle to defend itself against advanced missile systems developed by China and Russia, senior Pentagon officials told lawmakers as they called for funding for the proposed Golden Dome missile defense program. President Donald Trump unveiled the initiative shortly after taking office in January 2025, proposing a large-scale…
Richard Saunders, Phnom Penh Israeli defense companies are discreetly reestablishing ties with Taiwan after a 25-year hiatus, adopting a stealth approach shaped by security concerns and regional sensitivities. The renewed cooperation offers Israel a fallback option should its relationships in the Middle East deteriorate further. The partnership recalls earlier decades when Taiwan operated Israeli-made Gabriel…