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October 29, 2025
 

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PLA

Unitree robot dogs climb a flight of stairs during a demonstration in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, on March 21.
WORLD / Science & Health
Oct 28, 2025
Robot dogs and AI drone swarms: How China could use DeepSeek for war
A review of research papers, patents and procurement records gives a snapshot of Beijing's systematic effort to harness artificial intelligence for military advantage.
A Chinese H-6K bomber flies over Tiananmen Square during a military parade in Beijing on Sept. 3. Chinese state media reported on Sunday that a group of such bombers recently flew near Taiwan to practice "confrontation drills."
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 27, 2025
Ahead of Trump-Xi meeting, China says bombers flew near Taiwan
Without specifying a date, Chinese state television said that units from the Eastern Theater Command had conducted combat-oriented training.
Wang Huning, China's No. 4 official, attends a high-level meeting on industrialization and agricultural modernization, on the sidelines of the China Africa Forum in Beijing in September last year.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Oct 26, 2025
No. 4 China official says peaceful 'reunification' with Taiwan is best path forward
The comments were made at an event in Beijing to mark the 80th anniversary of the island's "restoration" to Chinese rule.
Visitors look at airborne weapons displayed at a booth of Aviation Industry Corporation of China at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Zhuhai Airshow, in Zhuhai, China, in November 2018.
ASIA PACIFIC / ANALYSIS
Oct 16, 2025
Russian training could help Chinese paratroopers play key role in a Taiwan invasion
Leaked documents indicate that Russia is training and equipping Chinese units to potentially airdrop onto the island to clear a path for follow-on forces.
Taiwan's flag is carried across the sky during National Day celebrations in Taipei on Friday.
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 11, 2025
China issues bounty for Taiwan PsyOps unit for 'separatism'
Chinese police offered rewards of $1,400 for information about 18 people it said were Taiwanese military psychological operations officers.
The Jingei, the third of the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Taigei-class submarines, was commissioned in March last year. It is equipped with lithium-ion batteries, enabling it to have a longer diving time and cruising distance than older models with lead-acid batteries.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Oct 8, 2025
With nuclear sub proposal, Japan faces array of political and tech challenges
An expert panel has called for Japan’s next-generation subs to be able to operate longer and strike targets from farther way, a shift from current policy.
U.S. President Donald Trump takes part in a welcoming ceremony with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing in November 2017.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics / FOCUS
Oct 6, 2025
China hawks grow queasy over Trump’s push for deals with Beijing
As Trump pursues a trade pact with the U.S.’s biggest economic and strategic rival, advocates of a tougher China policy fear they’re being sidelined inside the administration.
A member of the Chinese People's Liberation Army stands as a DF-17 hypersonic missile is displayed during a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing on Sept. 3.
ASIA PACIFIC
Oct 5, 2025
The missiles threatening Taiwan
China is transforming parts of its east coast into a platform for potential missile strikes against Taiwan and the nearby seas as it eyes taking the democratic island.
U.S. President Donald Trump is welcomed by Chinese leader Xi Jinping during an arrival ceremony in Beijing in November 2017.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 30, 2025
Xi pushes Trump to 'oppose' Taiwan independence in major shift
Any change in wording will fan concerns that Washington’s position on the self-ruled democracy is becoming a trade war bargaining chip.
A DJI drone at a technology and industry trade fair in Berlin
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 27, 2025
Drone maker DJI loses lawsuit to exit Pentagon's list of firms with Chinese military ties
The world's largest drone maker said it was disappointed that the judge upheld the listing and was evaluating its legal options.
Soldiers participate in a military exercise in Miaoli County, Taiwan, in July 2022. While China may desire to unify the island, military, geographic, political and economic factors make a successful invasion unlikely.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 23, 2025
Taiwan isn’t as susceptible to invasion as one would think
The island’s coastline is remarkably unsuited for amphibious operations and an invasion would demand a fleet comparable in size to that used by the Allies on D-Day.
A demo of Taiwan's “Beyond 5G LEO Satellite,” the island's first communication experimental satellite program made by the Taiwan Space Agency, is displayed during an event in Taipei in July.
ASIA PACIFIC / FOCUS
Sep 20, 2025
Taiwan running out of time for satellite communications, space chief says
Wu Jong-shinn says the "clock is ticking" for Taiwan to launch its own satellites to secure communications during a potential conflict with China.
Visitors look at a model of the China's Fujian aircraft carrier at the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, China, last November.
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 16, 2025
China offers latest hint that newest aircraft carrier could soon enter service
Observers say that a commissioning ceremony could come as early as next month, though training for carrier-based aircraft must still be conducted.
Sailors aboard the U.S. Navy's guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn conduct a small boat operation during a "Maritime Cooperative Activity" with the Maritime Self-Defense Force's Osumi tank-landing ship and the Philippine Navy's Jose Rizal frigate in the South China Sea on Saturday.
ASIA PACIFIC / Politics
Sep 14, 2025
Beijing denounces joint U.S.-Japan-Philippines patrol of South China Sea
China criticized the joint trilateral exercises, alleging that Manila has “frequently colluded with non-regional countries” to organize the patrols.
The U.S. Navy's guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins sails in the Pacific Ocean last November.
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 13, 2025
China condemns sailing of U.S. and British warships through Taiwan Strait
The Chinese military said the U.S. destroyer USS Higgins and British frigate Richmond were engaged in "trouble-making and provocation."
Chiu Chui-cheng, the Cabinet-ranked head of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, takes part in an interview in Taipei in May.
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 13, 2025
In U.S., Taiwan minister warns of 'domino effect' if China takes island
Chiu Chui-cheng, head of Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, said Beijing "has been actively preparing for war," pointing to stepped-up Chinese military activity.
A Chinese Navy ship speeds past a Philippine fishing boat while the Philippine, Australia and Canadian navies conduct a joint drill near Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on Sept. 2.
ASIA PACIFIC
Sep 10, 2025
Manila working on new protocols for dealing with Beijing in South China Sea
As tensions heat up in the waterway, the Philippines is updating its existing rules of engagement as part of a whole-of-government approach.
The 3rd Multi-Domain Task Force conducts the first Typhon midrange missile system live-fire exercise outside of the continental United States on July 16, successfully sinking a maritime target during the Talisman Sabre exercises in Australia's Northern Territory.
JAPAN / ANALYSIS
Sep 10, 2025
High-tech U.S. missile systems come to Japan amid policy shifts and China concerns
Long wary of such a move, Tokyo’s acquiescence — and its own planned missile deployments — highlights a gradual but monumental shift in defense policy.
China’s massive parade in Beijing on Wednesday showcased military power, historical revisionism and calls for a new world order, signaling Xi Jinping’s ambition to elevate China’s global leadership.
EDITORIALS
Sep 5, 2025
China looks to the past to signal its future
At last weekend’s SCO summit, Xi urged members to oppose hegemonism and embrace true multilateralism.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un view a military parade in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square on Wednesday, marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II.
COMMENTARY / World
Sep 4, 2025
Divide the dictators, President Trump — don’t unite them
Xi's objectives here are clear: first, to elevate China's national prestige; second, to strengthen alliances among authoritarian leaders; and third, to rewrite history.
Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell
Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.
At first summit with Trump, Takaichi pledges 'new golden age' for alliance
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi raises her fist as U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech in front of U.S. Navy personnel on board the U.S. Navy's USS George Washington aircraft carrier at the American naval base in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, on Tuesday.
Trump arrives in Japan for security and trade talks in test for Takaichi
U.S. President Donald Trump is welcomed by Emperor Naruhito upon his arrival at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Monday evening.
Japanese firms keep expanding in Germany's North Rhine-Westphalia
A Nishiyama Seimen employee works at its factory in Sapporo.
Bear kills another person in Japan in record year for fatal attacks
Police investigate the scene of a bear attack that killed one person and injured three others on Friday in the village of Higashinaruse in Akita Prefecture.
Hawks aim to bring energy from Japan Series blowout to Koshien
Hawks players celebrate victory over the Tigers at Mizuho PayPay Dome Fukuoka on Sunday.
Spanish artist and Japanese writer duos diversify the manga talent pool in Japan
"Menheim” is a dark fantasy manga with a story that centers on a girl’s quest to find a cure for her ill brother.
Japan’s youth are apathetic toward the climate crisis. Could anime change that?
“Future Kid Takara,” a series of anime shorts to be aired on NHK Educational TV in November, attempts to educate children about climate change.
Loss to Wallabies doesn't dampen Japan’s optimism
Japan's Michael Leitch controls the ball during the match against Australia on Saturday.
Stars align for Kim-Trump meeting — but any talks will be on N.K. leader’s terms
A South Korean soldier stands next to a TV broadcasting a news report about a possible summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump, at the main railway station in Seoul on Wednesday.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Mamoru Iwai, stationmaster of Keisei Ueno Station, says that, other than earthquake-proofing, the former Hakubutsukan-Dobutsuen (Museum-Zoo) Station has remained untouched.
Inside Tokyo's 'phantom' stations — and the stories they tell
By Alex K.T. Martin

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