News and analysis on China: PLA activity, Taiwan, the South China Sea, US-China relations and Beijing’s global strategy.
Nine PLA sorties cross the Taiwan Strait median line, a Marine-linked killing roils Okinawa, and Seoul blames North Korean mines for a DMZ blast.
The Marine Corps will send NMESIS ship-killing launchers to Yonaguni, 110 km from Taiwan, for Keen Sword, days after a $404M Kongsberg launcher deal.
China’s Southern Theater Command warns Manila over Scarborough as Taiwan logs ships only and an Okinawa murder case advances.
Air Force awarded Boeing $2.38B for 22 F-15EX jets at the fiscal-year deadline; totals now 120 sold, with plans near 267–269 as F-15C/D replacements.
China presses the Philippines near Scarborough as Taiwan logs ships but no aircraft, North Korea fires an IRBM, and Okinawa arrests a U.S. Marine.
The Pentagon’s new Autonomous Warfare Command, Britain’s Ukraine data deal and Russia’s jet drones show AI and autonomy reshaping the battlefield.
China’s unmanned maritime systems: parade XLUUVs, the AJX002 minelayer, a Shanghai UUV mothership, Zhu Hai Yun and gliders, with unverified claims flagged.
China’s ground robots: rifle-armed robot dogs in PLA drills, wheeled logistics UGVs, Taiwan landing roles and the Unitree dual-use row, with claims flagged.
China’s unmanned air fleet: the GJ-11 flying wing, parade wingmen, the Jiutian swarm mothership and WZ-7 flights near Taiwan, with unverified claims flagged.
The Navy awarded Raytheon up to $24.4B for SM-6 interceptors—more than 1,900 missiles over five years—as Iran-war stockpile drains and Pacific demand rises.
The first Columbia-class missile submarine is tracking to a 2028 delivery after delays, with a $29.5B order for five more boats and a strained workforce.
Two B-21 Raiders are flying, a new Utah plant is open and Ellsworth gets the first jet in 2027, while the Pentagon weighs a fleet far bigger than 100.
The Army’s $1.2 billion PrSM Increment 2 order follows the missile’s Iran-war debut, a disputed strike and stockpile gaps, as it turns toward ship-hunting.
Taiwan says 15 of 21 Chinese aircraft detected after 9:12 a.m. crossed the median line in a ‘joint combat readiness patrol’; overnight count was nine.
China’s expulsion of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli from the party and military raises new doubts about PLA cohesion and readiness for a Taiwan conflict.
Why U.S. strategy puts the Indo-Pacific first: China as the pacing challenge, and how alliances, forward bases and distributed forces aim to deter war.
Taiwan began flight tests of its first MQ-9B SkyGuardian drone at Hualien as 12 of 15 PLA aircraft crossed the median line in the latest window.
Taiwan detected eight PLA aircraft sorties and seven navy ships in 24 hours, with seven aircraft crossing the median line, as the U.S. praised Hsiao’s Italy visit.
Beijing protested to Italy and the EU after Taiwan’s vice president attended the Ventotene democracy conference on Sept. 11, 2026, a rare Europe trip.
China’s foreign minister told Qatar’s prime minister on Sept. 8, 2026, that pressure by force cannot resolve the U.S.–Iran conflict, per Beijing’s account.
Adm. Samuel Paparo and PLA Gen. Yang Zhibin met in Victoria, Canada, on Aug. 31, 2026, their first in-person talks, weeks before the Trump–Xi summit.
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Japan Security Brief: Keen Sword, China Pressure, Budget
GHOST-R: The Space Force’s New Watchers for Geosynchronous OrbitWe use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site, you consent to cookies.
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