Unravelling Geopolitics Warned of This 16 Months Ago: China’s Coast Guard Targeted Commercial Shipping East of Taiwan in early June

China Coast Guard vessels off Huangyan Dao in South China Sea on July 8th, 2024.

China’s recent attempt to exercise coast guard authority over foreign commercial shipping east of Taiwan has triggered international concern and prompted Taiwan to rehearse responses to a potential maritime blockade, highlighting Beijing’s evolving form of pressure campaign against the island nation. The episode began earlier this month when China dispatched its coast guard vessels to … Read more

China Detains 2 Japanese Nationals in Rare Earth Smuggling Case, Exposing Growing Geopolitical Risks for Japanese Businesses

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara

China’s detention of two Japanese nationals over alleged attempts to export restricted rare earth-related materials has added a new flashpoint to an already deteriorating relationship between Asia’s two largest economies, underscoring how critical mineral supply chains have become increasingly intertwined with national security, industrial policy and geopolitical competition. Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said … Read more

Britain’s New U.S.-Proof Missiles For Ukraine Could Supercharge Europe’s Rearmament

MBDA One Way Effector (OWE) CROSSBOWâ„¢ missile

Britain is accelerating the development of a new generation of low-cost, long-range strike weapons for Ukraine that are designed to operate without U.S. components or data dependencies, reflecting a broader European push to strengthen strategic autonomy in the military domain amid uncertainty over future American support. Three British-developed systems, produced by defence companies MBDA UK, … Read more

China Unveils Maritime Spatial Plan to Expand Its Presence in Waters around Taiwan

China's Xiangyanghong 22 sailing in restricted waters northeast of Taiwan.

China is laying the groundwork for long-term maritime spatial planning and resource management in waters east of Taiwan, according to a state media report published on June 18th, in what can be described as another line of Beijing’s effort to actively contest the island-nation’s maritime jurisdiction. The report, published by Chinese state-affiliated outlet Yuyuan Tantian … Read more

Europe Prepares for a Future With Fewer Fighter Jets—and More AI ‘Wingmen’

Concept art of Airbus Ravenstorm drone in flight, featuring a design similar to US and Australian loyal wingman drones

European countries are increasingly shifting attention from traditional fighter jets to AI-enabled ‘wingman’ aircraft in their accelerated rearmament drive, as governments across Europe confront decades of declining combat aircraft inventories and mounting concerns over their ability to sustain high-intensity warfare without extensive U.S. support. At last week’s Berlin Air Show, a new generation of unmanned … Read more

China Expands Its East China Sea Oil and Gas Footprint, Deepening Tensions With Japan

China's jack-up rig and support vessels operating near the China-Japan East China Sea joint development zone, April 5, 2026

China is steadily expanding its oil and gas activities in the East China Sea, adding new offshore platforms, exploratory drilling operations, and geological surveys near disputed waters also claimed by Japan. The developments, which Tokyo views as part of a broader effort to establish a sustained Chinese presence across strategically important maritime spaces, come amid … Read more

US Aerospace Giant Wants to Turn Ukraine Into Europe’s Next Military Helicopter Hub

U.S. aerospace manufacturer Bell Textron has established a subsidiary in Ukraine and is pursuing a potential Foreign Military Sale of its AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters as part of a broader strategy to modernize the country’s Soviet-era rotary-wing fleet. Phil Fickes, Director of Bell Textron Ukraine, said the initiative reflects a … Read more

France Ready to Bring Rafale Production to India Under Historic Fighter Deal

France has indicated its willingness to transfer technology and support the integration of Indian-made weapons into Rafale fighter jets as New Delhi advances plans to procure 114 additional aircraft under a major “Make in India” programme, potentially marking one of the largest defence-industrial collaborations between the two countries. “Yes, we are comfortable sharing technology, and … Read more

Poland Eyes F-35 Fleet Expansion as Russia Threat Looms, Doubling Stealth Fighter Force to 64 Jets

Poland plans to acquire two additional squadrons of Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets, signaling a potential expansion of one of Europe’s most ambitious military modernization programs as Warsaw seeks to strengthen deterrence capabilities amid growing security concerns over Russia. The announcement was made by Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz during the inaugural flight of Poland’s first … Read more

Ukraine’s Robots Have Run 50,000 Supply and Rescue Missions — Now the Army Wants Them to Replace 30% of Infantry

Ukraine is increasingly integrating unmanned technologies across the battlefield, with the growing use of robotic systems underscoring that broader effort. While aerial drones have become a defining feature of their war of resistance against Russia’s ongoing invasion since 2022, the Ukrainian military planners are now increasingly turning to ground-based robots for logistics, casualty evacuation and … Read more