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: Weapons
China Rejects Draft Pentagon Report on Nuclear Missile Silos
China’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, rejected a draft Pentagon report on Chinese missile silos near the border with Mongolia and told Washington to cut its own nuclear arsenal first. The U.S. assessment estimated that China had likely loaded more than 100 ...
U.S. Approves $11 Billion in Arms Sales to Taiwan: Taipei
Washington has approved $11 billion-worth of arms to Taiwan, Taipei said Thursday, announcing one of the largest weapons packages for the island as it seeks to deter a potential Chinese invasion. While Washington is traditionally Taiwan's biggest arms supplier, remarks by ...
Chinese Weapons a Trigger in Thai-Cambodia Conflict: Report
Thai airstrikes against Cambodian military facilities on Monday reportedly targeted Chinese-made rockets. Reuters reported a Thai military official saying the strikes were preceded by surveillance showing the presence of Chinese rockets that could hit civilian targets. The Thai military calculated that the ...
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, ...
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, ...
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 ...
Chinese-Made Weapons Used in the UAE’s Genocide in Sudan
The United Arab Emirates is reportedly funneling increasing amounts of Chinese-made weapons to its proxy Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in Sudan. The group has repeatedly been accused of staging a genocide in Sudan. A new report from the Wall ...
U.S. Navy Fighter Jet and Helicopter Crash in South China Sea
The U.S. Navy said a Navy fighter jet and a helicopter crashed in South China Sea on Sunday. The separate incidents happened about 30 minutes apart in waters that China says fall under its sovereignty using what it calls the “nine-dash line.” “All personnel involved are ...
U.S., Australia Sign Rare Earths Deal as Trump Promises Submarines
By Danny Kemp with David Williams in Sydney U.S. President Donald Trump signed a deal on rare earth minerals Monday with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and said Washington's key ally would get its coveted nuclear-powered attack submarines. ...
Indonesian J-10C Plan: Interoperability and Strategic Independence
The Indonesian J-10C plan has sparked a broader debate about how Jakarta maintains its strategic independence while ensuring all systems are aligned and interoperating smoothly. The rumor started with a line that sounded casual enough: Indonesia’s new Chinese-made J-10C fighter ...
Indonesia Confirmed 42 Chinese J-10C Jets Buy in $9 Billion Deal
Indonesia confirmed the purchase of 42 Chinese-made J-10C “Vigorous Dragon” fighter jets, ending months of speculation about the deal. “They will be flying over Jakarta soon,” Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin said Wednesday at the ministry’s headquarters, announcing the agreement reached ...