Francis Tuschek in TAIPEI — Beijing has issued its harshest warning in months, threatening “annihilation” against any Taiwanese forces that might use U.S.-supplied missile systems for preemptive strikes, following reports that Taiwan is considering deploying advanced missile launchers on outlying islands near China’s coast. The latest remarks came after international media reports suggested that Taiwan’s…
Richard Saunders, Macau — The U.S. military intervention in Venezuela in January 2026 — codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve — reverberated well beyond Latin America, prompting close scrutiny in Taipei and across Asia. By capturing President Nicolás Maduro and striking key targets in Caracas, Washington not only reshaped Venezuela’s political landscape but also redrew the boundaries…
Richard Saunders- Kaoshiung Brad Oliver, a former U.S. Navy engineer and communications expert, is urging Taiwan to establish an island-wide mesh network, warning that one of the first moves China would likely make in an invasion scenario is cutting off the island’s internet and cellular infrastructure. Oliver cautions that Beijing would not only target domestic…
Richard Saunders China launched large-scale live-fire military drills around Taiwan on Monday, deploying warships, fighter jets, and artillery in a multi-day operation soon after Washington approved its largest-ever arms sale to the island. The ‘Joint Sword – 2025A’ war games conducted by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) simulate a blockade of key ports, precision strikes…
Richard Sanders, Taipei US President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act, requiring the State Department to review and update guidelines for official US-Taiwan interactions at least once every five years. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung welcomed the move, calling it “a major step forward in US-Taiwan relations.” The Presidential Office said…
Richard Sanders, Taipei In a significant move to safeguard Taiwan’s democracy, Democratic Progressive Party legislators Wang Ting-yu and Wang Yi-chuan have put forth amendments to the Anti-Infiltration Act aimed at preventing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from infiltrating Taiwanese society through “united front” propaganda masquerading as free speech. The proposed changes to Article 5 of…
Richard Sanders, Phnom Penh As tensions between Taiwan and China escalate, the island nation can glean critical insights from Ukraine’s war with Russia, particularly in the arenas of defense strategies, information warfare, and civil preparedness. The ongoing crisis in Ukraine serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that arise when confronting an aggressive neighbor,…
Jake Saunders, Editor The Pentagon has announced that it has approved its first arms sales to Taiwan since US President Donald Trump took office in January. China, which views the self-governing island as part of its territory, has called the move an infringement on its sovereignty. The proposed deal will see Taipei spend $330 million…
Ed Castro US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated yesterday that Taiwan should not worry about being used as a bargaining chip in ongoing US-China trade talks. During a flight from Israel to Qatar en route to Asia, Rubio reassured that no trade deal would jeopardize Taiwan’s position or result in favorable trade treatment in…
National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu Ed Castro At an international conference in Taipei yesterday, key regional and global security figures highlighted escalating tensions between China and Taiwan, emphasizing Beijing’s ambitions to annex Taiwan and its broader goal of redefining the international order. National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu and Peter Mattis, president of the…