https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/25/japan-to-install-missiles-near-taiwan-are-china-tensions-set-to-spike This article discusses the tension between several countries to maintain support through peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Australia and Germany issued a joint statement emphasizing the importance of preventing unilateral changes to the status quo. Taiwan was more than welcoming to this statement and shared its commitment to democracy and freedom. This strait is a tenacious topic… Read more »
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3338769/china-japan-military-tensions-what-lies-ahead-2026 This article discusses the joint naval activity from navies of the Philippines, Japan, and the US in the South China Sea. The drills they implemented included warships, aircraft patrols, and communication exercises.These efforts were to improve coordination between these allied forces and occurred within the Philippines Exclusive Economic Zone to strengthen regional security and allied foreign influence. This military… Read more »
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/cambodian-pm-says-thailand-occupying-territory-after-trump-brokered-ceasefire-2026-02-18 In an interview with Reuters in Washington, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet accused Thai forces of occupying Cambodian territory despite a December ceasefire that followed renewed border clashes last year. He said troops from Thailand remained inside areas Cambodia considers its sovereign land, calling it a violation of territorial integrity. Bangkok denied reinforcing positions, saying deployments comply with the… Read more »
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/2/16/dozens-of-australian-isil-relatives-freed-from-syrias-roj-camp Thirty-four Australian relatives of suspected ISIL fighters were briefly released from the Roj camp in northeastern Syria before being returned due to what officials described as “technical” or procedural coordination problems with authorities in Damascus. Camp officials said the group, comprising 11 families, had been handed over to relatives and transported by bus toward Damascus for departure to Australia…. Read more »
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-says-civilians-sent-drones-north-korea-harming-inter-korean-ties-2026-02-18 South Korea’s Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said three civilians sent drones to North Korea four times between September 2025 and January 2026, straining already fragile inter-Korean relations. The drone launches occurred after President Lee Jae Myung took office. Two drones reportedly crashed in North Korea, while two others returned to Paju after flying over Kaesong. Authorities are investigating the… Read more »
https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/21/politics/china-nuclear-arsenal-new-technology The article reports that U.S. intelligence believes China is developing a new generation of nuclear weapons and conducted a covert explosive test in June 2020 at the Lop Nur site despite its self‑imposed moratorium on nuclear testing. Analysts think China wants to modernize its arsenal to include advanced delivery systems and possibly low‑yield tactical weapons. Expanded nuclear capabilities could… Read more »
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/24/world/asia/china-japan-export-ban.html China has placed new export restrictions on 20 Japanese companies connected to the defense sector, raising tensions over Taiwan. China’s Commerce Ministry said it will block exports of “dual-use” goods, which can be used for both civilian and military purposes, to companies including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the National Defense Academy of Japan. Another 20… Read more »
The article reports that South Korea will attend the inaugural meeting of the US-led “Board of Peace” in Washington as a non-member observer. According to South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kim Yong-hyun, former ambassador to Egypt, will represent Seoul at the February 19 meeting on behalf of the foreign minister. The government has not yet decided whether to formally… Read more »
The article “Australia bans a citizen with alleged links to militant IS group from returning from Syria” discusses the Australian government’s decision to prevent one of its citizens, suspected of having ties to the extremist organization Islamic State (IS), from returning home from Syria. Australian officials argued that allowing the individual to re-enter the country could pose a national security… Read more »
The article “Despite differences, China’s Xi and Germany’s Merz seek to deepen ties in turbulent times” explains how Chinese President Xi Jinping and German opposition leader Friedrich Merz discussed strengthening economic and political relations despite existing disagreements. The meeting took place during a period of global uncertainty caused by economic instability, geopolitical tensions, and conflicts affecting international trade. Both leaders… Read more »
