Written by Lexi Dean | March 25, 2024 Prabowo Subianto Indonesia’s election results were confirmed this week, officially recognizing Prabowo Subianto as the country’s new President. Mr. Prabowo will take over at the end of Joko Widodo’s term in October. The campaign that won him the election emphasized commitment to democracy and promise to continue... Continue Reading →
Chinese President Xi Jinping hailed the past successes of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at a forum in Beijing; he also delivered sharp criticism against those who seek economic decoupling. The forum also saw the Chinese announce easing of investment restrictions as a way to attract more international trade.
Around Monday, September 25, Filipino divers severed a Chinese ball-buoy-barrier near the entrance of the contested Scarborough Shoal. The buoy’s placement is part of China’s policing strategy to block Filipino boats from fishing near the shoal. Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, responded, “what the Philippines [has] done is nothing but a farce that entertains itself. China will continue to safeguard the territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests of Hangman Island.”
The Asian Games marked the first time that President Assad visited China since 2004. This visit carries special significance as Syria reenters the Arab fold as relations with its neighbors improve. The improvement of relations with both China and neighboring Arab states will likely open economic opportunities for the war-torn nation. “We believe that President Bashar Al-Assad’s visit will further develop trust and cooperation in various fields between the two countries,” noted Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning.
On September 14, the Taiwan Aerospace & Defense Technology Expo (TADTE) returned to Taipei for the first time in four years. Despite the robust international presence at the expo, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense drew the spotlight featuring numerous advanced weapon systems with a new attack drone taking center stage.
Written by Cameron Chambers February 11, 2023 Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have risen in the past month, with both North and South Korea engaging in nuclear saber-rattling. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, speaking to his defense and foreign ministries, put on the table the policy option of creating a nuclear weapons program. This comes... Continue Reading →
Written by Cameron Chambers February 5, 2023 Tensions between the U.S. and China continue to rise given this week's spy balloon incident which saw a Chinese high-altitude balloon cross the continental U.S. China has responded to the sighting by stating that the balloon's purpose was for meteorological purposes and that China did not have operational... Continue Reading →
Written by Camden Hanley September 26, 2022 A group of CCP officials have been charged and sentenced to jail on various counts of corruption. This anti-corruption campaign has been ongoing since Xi Jinping entered office in 2013. Corruption within the CCP was rampant and needed to be quelled, but many observers claim that those charged... Continue Reading →
Written by Camden Hanley October 3, 2022 This week US VP Kamala Harris visited South Korea to meet with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. The trip “underscored that the United States is committed to defending [South Korea] …and welcomed [their] close co-operation.” The two leaders criticized North Korean proactive nuclear rhetoric and ballistic missile launches.... Continue Reading →
Written by Camden Hanley October 24, 2022 This week the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held their 20th Party Congress. A Party Congress is a large meeting held every five years where, among other things, the people who will be on the Politburo Standing Committee (PBSC) for the next five years are revealed. Those who are... Continue Reading →
