When it was announced in 2023 that the African Union would become a full member of the G20, I darkly joked on a podcast that the AU’s entry into the body could very well mark the moment the G20 lost its status as one of the most important global coordination forums. Mark my words, I said, soon The Economist will be like “Uhhh, the G20 is OVER – it’s the ...
Category: Military
Why China Is Watching Trump’s Venezuela Campaign Closely
By Tom Harper Donald Trump’s campaign against Venezuela escalated recently with the U.S. president announcing that the country’s airspace should be considered “closed.” This is a move that has preceded U.S. military interventions in the past, perhaps most notably in Iraq ...
Tokyo Says Chinese Jets Locked Radar Onto Japan Fighters
By Kyoko Hasegawa Chinese military aircraft locked radar onto Japanese fighter jets southeast of Okinawa's main island, Japan's defence ministry said on Sunday. Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have soured following remarks by new Japanese ...
After Review, Pentagon Confirms Submarine Sales to Australia
The Pentagon said Thursday it has endorsed the tripartite AUKUS security pact with the United Kingdom and Australia, which would involve Canberra's acquisition of at least three Virginia-class nuclear submarines within 15 years. The administration of Donald Trump said earlier this ...
Japan Mulling Export of Weapons System to Philippines
Japan is reportedly preparing to export a command and control system to the Philippines. Designed by Mitsubishi Electric, the system would collect and analyze data about ships and planes passing through the area, and issue instructions to deployed military units. The transfer is aimed at improving cooperation ...
Amid a Global Arms Boom, China Confronts Delays, Scrutiny, and a Rare Drop in Defense Sales
Sales by the world's top 100 arms makers reached a record $679 billion last year, as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza boosted demand, researchers said Monday, but production issues hampered deliveries. The figure was 5.9 percent higher than the year before, ...
Taiwan’s President to Propose $40 Billion in Extra Defense Spending
By Joy Chiang Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said Wednesday his government will propose $40 billion in additional defense spending over eight years, as the democratic island seeks to deter a potential Chinese invasion. Taiwan has ...
Chinese Nationals’ Role in Africa’s Illicit Weapons, Mining, and Money Flows
There's mounting evidence from the United Nations and others that Chinese organized crime syndicates are moving more of their operations from countries in Southeast Asia to Africa. These groups are contributing to a surge in illicit crypto mining, scam centers, illegal wildlife trafficking, ...
China Escalates Pressure on Japan and the Philippines With Coordinated Military Moves
China put on a major show of military force across its maritime periphery over the course of three days beginning on Friday in a bid to send a warning to its rivals in both Japan and the Philippines. Beijing deployed ...
China’s New Aircraft Carrier Enters Service in Key Move to Modernize Fleet
By Peter Catterall China's third aircraft carrier entered service this week, state media said on Friday, marking a key milestone in President Xi Jinping's drive to modernize the military. The Fujian joins China's fleet ...
Chinese Warships Gather in Gulf of Aden for Naval Handover Ceremony
Six Chinese warships recently converged in the Gulf of Aden for a handover ceremony as one task force group relieved another to conduct patrols as part of the multinational anti-piracy operations. China has been an active participant in this initiative ...
Israeli Military Suspends Use of Popular Chinese SUV Over Spying Concerns
The Israel Defense Force (IDF) reportedly recalled 700 Chinese-made vehicles, mostly the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, used by senior officers in response to concerns that the cameras on the SUVs could be used to spy, according to two separate Israeli media reports.
Philippines and Canada Seal Troop Pact, Expanding Manila’s Web of Defense Ties Amid China Tensions
The Philippines and Canada signed a visiting forces agreement on Sunday, allowing Canadian troops to conduct joint exercises, deepening defense ties amid rising tensions with China in the South China Sea. The pact follows similar deals Manila signed with New Zealand, ...
China Denounces Philippines’ Joint Sea Exercises With U.S. and Allies, Calling Them a Threat to Stability
The People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command on Saturday accused the Philippines of undermining regional peace and stability for organizing joint naval exercises with Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. Spokesperson Tian Junli accused Manila of acting as a "troublemaker" for its part ...