Tag - defense

 
 

DEFENSE

With the wars in Ukraine and Gaza claiming America’s attention and the world undergoing a broader geopolitical reconfiguration, China might see a window of opportunity in forcing its claim on Taiwan.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 21, 2024
A Taiwan crisis is coming
Already, Xi Jinping has been stepping up intrusions into Taiwan's air defense zone and encircling the island with warships.
A member of the Ukrainian State Emergency Service attends a transfer ceremony of special vehicles from Japan to Ukraine in Kyiv on Nov. 20, 2023.
JAPAN / Politics / ANALYSIS
Feb 23, 2024
An ominous portent emerges for Japan as Ukraine war enters third year
There are growing indications that the once-durable coalition of partners backing Kyiv’s war effort is crumbling — an ominous sign for Japan.
Then-Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada (right) poses with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles after they signed a deal to simplify procedures for joint technical studies on defense equipment in Singapore in June.
JAPAN
Feb 23, 2024
Japan and Australia to conduct joint study on underwater drones
The project is intended to contribute to future interoperability of unmanned underwater vehicles between the two nations.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump holds a campaign rally ahead of the Republican caucus in Las Vegas on Jan. 27.
COMMENTARY / World / Geoeconomic Briefing
Feb 22, 2024
How East Asia should prepare for a possible Trump comeback
Questions over defense funding and military support could potentially return to the fore for U.S. allies.
Iranian ballistic missiles in Tehran. Iran's hard-line clerical rulers have steadily sought to deepen ties with Russia and China, betting that would help Tehran to resist U.S. sanctions and to end its political isolation.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 22, 2024
Iran sends Russia hundreds of ballistic missiles, sources say
An Iranian military official said there had been at least four shipments of missiles and that there would be more in the coming weeks.
A Ukrainian serviceman with the call sign "Skorpion" prepares to fire a multiple launch rocket system toward Russian troops near a front-line, at an undisclosed location in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Feb. 4.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 22, 2024
Ukraine outnumbered, outgunned and ground down by Russia
Heavy casualties at the hands of Russian forces have been compounded by dreadful conditions on the eastern front.
A Houthi military helicopter prepares to land on the Galaxy Leader cargo ship in the Red Sea in November.
COMMENTARY / World
Feb 21, 2024
Why Beijing won’t fight the Houthis
Whether they target Chinese vessels directly or not, attacks on Red Sea shipping by Houthi rebels threaten to undermine China’s economic recovery.
The Japan Pavillion is seen at the Singapore Airshow on Wednesday.
BUSINESS / FOCUS
Feb 21, 2024
At top airshow, Japanese firms explore defense export opportunities
They are offering a diverse and sophisticated range of products following a revision of guidelines on defense equipment and technology transfer.
Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Tuesday
WORLD / Politics
Feb 21, 2024
Russia may launch nuclear weapon into space this year, U.S. tells allies
Moscow is said to be developing a space-based capability to knock out satellites using a nuclear warhead, in violation of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty.
Filipino fishermen aboard their wooden boats sail past a Chinese coast guard ship near the China-controlled Scarborough Shoal, in disputed waters of the South China Sea on Feb. 15.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 20, 2024
Philippines joint air patrol with U.S. to 'protect territory'
China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of commercial shipping annually.
The European Union is looking to conclude a security and defense partnership agreement with Japan amid China's maritime assertiveness.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 20, 2024
EU to seek security and defense pact with Japan amid China's assertiveness
The two sides will explore increasing cooperation across wide areas including maritime security, intelligence sharing and coping with hybrid attacks
The Royal Australian Navy vessel HMAS Toowoomba is docked at Changi Naval Base in Singapore on May 4, 2023.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Feb 20, 2024
Australia to more than double size of naval surface fleet
Revamp of country's military capabilities come in the face of growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific, China's rise and concerns over its navy's aging fleet.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers a speech as she visits Cafe Kyiv, in Berlin on Feb. 19.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 20, 2024
Von Der Leyen seeks new EU term with pivot on defense sector
Her candidacy, which was widely expected, comes as the EU faces a change in leadership with a possible surge in far-right and populist forces.
ASML engineers walk past a High NA EUV tool at ASML’s headquarters in Veldhoven, Netherlands, on Nov. 20, 2023.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 20, 2024
Dutch say China seeks military advantage from ASML tools
Netherlands-based ASML, Europe's largest tech firm, dominates the world market for lithography systems, needed by computer chipmakers.
Sadayuki Sakakibara, head of a Defense Ministry expert panel, speaks during its meeting at the ministry on Monday.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 20, 2024
Japan's $290 billion defense spending plan insufficient: experts
The spending plan is already much larger than in past years to address security threats.
A Ukrainian serviceman carries a Leleka reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine, on Feb. 15
WORLD / Politics
Feb 19, 2024
Drone warfare and AI risks among talking points at Munich defense forum
The technologies help to partly neutralize a larger military's advantage, as seen in the Ukraine-Russian war, but they are ultimately double-edged swords.
Ukrainian police officers and rescue workers clear away the rubble of a destroyed house after a Russian rocket attack in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, on Saturday.
WORLD / Politics
Feb 19, 2024
Ukraine’s allies are gaming out a world where the U.S. retreats
NATO members are beginning to doubt the U.S. will maintain its traditional role of protecting Europe as part of the alliance.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara (right) shakes hands with Australia's Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles during their meeting at the Defense Ministry in Tokyo in October.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 18, 2024
Australia wants Japan to collaborate with AUKUS on defense tech
Canberra wants to 'work more closely' with Tokyo on technological developments but not nuclear-powered submarines.
A model of the next-generation fighter jet set to be built by Japan, Britain and Italy is seen at the DSEI defense event in London last September.
JAPAN / Politics
Feb 18, 2024
Japan looks to limit third-country defense exports to next-gen fighter jet
Tokyo plans to limit — at least for now — exports of finished defense equipment co-developed with others to the jet being built with Italy and Britain.
Defense Minister Minoru Kihara (left) and Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki hold talks at the Okinawa Prefectural Government office in Naha on Saturday.
JAPAN
Feb 18, 2024
Defense minister meets Okinawa governor over U.S. base transfer
The meeting came over a month after the central government started construction work on a part of the new base for relocation.

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