French intelligence claims China trying to foil global sale of Rafale jets

French military and intelligence officials claim China has deployed its embassies to spread doubts about the performance of French-made Rafale jets following the aerial combat between India and Pakistan in May. The Associated Press news agency, quoting French officials, reported on Sunday that Beijing is working to harm the reputation and sales of France’s flagship […]

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Will US strikes on Iran tighten North Korea’s nuclear resolve? Why China might be worried

By Alyssa Chen Last month’s US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities could strengthen North Korea’s view that nuclear weapons are vital for its survival, deepening Pyongyang’s distrust and reinforcing its commitment to nuclear arms, security experts have warned. They added that the attacks were likely to undermine denuclearisation efforts on the Korean peninsula, a goal […]

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China says it is willing to take lead in signing Southeast Asia nuclear weapon-free zone treaty

China firmly supports establishing a Southeast Asia nuclear weapon free zone and has made clear its willingness to take the lead in signing the treaty, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday. “We stand ready to stay in communication with ASEAN countries on this matter,” Mao Ning told a regular press conference. Malaysia said […]

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Decoding PLA moves around Taiwan: 3 categories, 3 levels of signalling?

By Amber Wangin Beijing Manoeuvres around Taiwan by the People’s Liberation Army have become a routine affair, but their tempo and intensity have steadily increased in recent years. What were occasional sorties before 2020 have evolved into a well-coordinated campaign designed not only for combat training but also for strategic signalling. But not all PLA […]

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Trump to host Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff at White House

In a surprising turn of events, US President Donald Trump will be hosting Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, for lunch at the White House today (18 June). The meeting is on Trump’s official schedule and will be closed to the press. Pakistan sees this a major diplomatic win, especially […]

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Philippines says more US Typhon missiles ‘very welcome’ despite China’s warnings

By Raissa Robles The Philippine army has signalled it would welcome additional US Typhon missile systems to accelerate troop training and strengthen deterrence, despite Beijing’s repeated denunciations of the system as a destabilising force that risks fuelling tensions in the South China Sea. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Philippine Army spokesman Colonel Louie […]

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Iran leader Khamenei sees his inner circle hollowed out by Israel

Tehran : Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cuts an increasingly lonely figure. Khamenei has seen his main military and security advisers killed by Israeli air strikes, leaving major holes in his inner circle and raising the risk of strategic errors, according to five people familiar with his decision-making process. One of those sources, […]

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