PLA patrols, missile launches ‘new normal’ for Taiwan

PLA patrols, missile launches ‘new normal’ for Taiwan
PLA patrols, missile launches ‘new normal’ for Taiwan

“In the future, Chinese missiles may well REGULARLY overfly Taiwan,” says China expert Dean Cheng. “Thereby increasing tension, increasing pressure on the island. All of which, in the CCP’s estimation, will make Taipei knuckle under.”

‘We’re not going to take the bait:’ DoD downplays China escalation around Taiwan

‘We’re not going to take the bait:’ DoD downplays China escalation around Taiwan
‘We’re not going to take the bait:’ DoD downplays China escalation around Taiwan

The Pentagon’s top policy official also refuted reports claiming that US officials now believe China could invade Taiwan by 2024.

As China launches missiles and makes threats, Pacific nations keeping a cool head

As China launches missiles and makes threats, Pacific nations keeping a cool head
As China launches missiles and makes threats, Pacific nations keeping a cool head

“The level of distrust is the highest it has been in 50 years,” said Bonnie Glaser, China expert at the German Marshall Fund. “Both sides have an enormous stake in stopping the downward spiral, and perhaps this will be a wakeup call that they need to do so.”

As NASA’s asteroid impact mission nears, similar Chinese efforts raise eyebrows

As NASA’s asteroid impact mission nears, similar Chinese efforts raise eyebrows
As NASA’s asteroid impact mission nears, similar Chinese efforts raise eyebrows

NASA’s DART spacecraft, designed to bash into a small asteroid and push it off course, is on track to impact on Sept. 26.

It’s time for a US-EU industrial strategy on China – even if it costs industry.

It’s time for a US-EU industrial strategy on China – even if it costs industry.
It’s time for a US-EU industrial strategy on China – even if it costs industry.

“If the US and Europe are going to be on the same page when challenging China’s geopolitical goals, they must ensure that their industrial bases are, too,” write the authors of this new op-ed.

US at ‘relative disadvantage’ in biotech compared to China, report finds

US at ‘relative disadvantage’ in biotech compared to China, report finds
US at ‘relative disadvantage’ in biotech compared to China, report finds

“A successful U.S. biotechnology strategy will not be about biotechnology on its own; it will connect growth in the biotech industry to broader U.S. strategic objectives […],” according to a new CNAS report.

As Pelosi arrives in Taiwan, the big question is if China’s ‘fire’ rhetoric is just hot air

As Pelosi arrives in Taiwan, the big question is if China’s ‘fire’ rhetoric is just hot air
As Pelosi arrives in Taiwan, the big question is if China’s ‘fire’ rhetoric is just hot air

Pelosi’s visit is happening at a sensitive time for Xi. The party leadership is meeting this week at a resort in advance of the party congress due to be held this fall. Xi has made “reunification” with the island state a keystone of his rule.

New Chinese aid for Syria sets off alarms in Israel

New Chinese aid for Syria sets off alarms in Israel
New Chinese aid for Syria sets off alarms in Israel

“We have indications that Chinese experts visited in recent months some Syrian military installations that were damaged heavily during the civil war,” one Israeli defense source said.

As Pelosi’s Taiwan visit draws Chinese warnings, Gen. Milley pledges protection

As Pelosi’s Taiwan visit draws Chinese warnings, Gen. Milley pledges protection
As Pelosi’s Taiwan visit draws Chinese warnings, Gen. Milley pledges protection

“We will do what is necessary to ensure a safe, safe conduct of their visit. And I’ll just leave it at that,” Gen. Mark Milley told a small group of reporters in Sydney.

Guam needs effective missile defense now, not in 2028

Guam needs effective missile defense now, not in 2028
Guam needs effective missile defense now, not in 2028

With China menacing, Guam is waiting for a defensive makeover. But the Heritage Foundation’s Brent Sadler says there’s a more immediate solution already at sea.

With Harris’s surprise talk, US says it’s ‘stepping up’ in Pacific Islands

With Harris’s surprise talk, US says it’s ‘stepping up’ in Pacific Islands
With Harris’s surprise talk, US says it’s ‘stepping up’ in Pacific Islands

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese engaged in a very public and winning hug with Solomon Islands leader Manasseh Sogavere, who repeated his pledge that there would not be any Chinese military bases in his country.

Abe assassination could have ramifications for Japan’s defense posture

Abe assassination could have ramifications for Japan’s defense posture
Abe assassination could have ramifications for Japan’s defense posture

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he was “shocked and saddened” by the “tragic” death. “Mr Abe was a giant on the world state – a leader in the G7, the G20 and the United Nations,” Albanese said. “His legacy was one of global impact and a profound and positive one for Australia.”

Pacific powers show unity on Russia, China at NATO meeting: a sign of things to come?

Pacific powers show unity on Russia, China at NATO meeting: a sign of things to come?
Pacific powers show unity on Russia, China at NATO meeting: a sign of things to come?

China’s inclusion in NATO’s Strategic Concept isn’t necessarily groundbreaking, IISS’s Meia Nouwens tells Breaking Defense, but the “interesting part: what will come next?”

Congress must support a diversified, multi-layered approach to space missile warning

Congress must support a diversified, multi-layered approach to space missile warning
Congress must support a diversified, multi-layered approach to space missile warning

America’s adversaries are developing tools to trick or destroy current missile tracking capabilities. It’s time to get back ahead of the curve, writes Christopher Stone of the Mitchell Institute.