Tensions in the South China Sea escalated Saturday, Sept 28, as China conducted military drills near a disputed area while the U.S. and its Asia-Pacific allies carried out joint naval exercises nearby. China’s military announced that it had conducted routine early warning and reconnaissance exercises, and patrols around Scarborough Shoal, a contested atoll within the…

The Pentagon confirmed a report on Thursday, Sept. 26, that a Chinese nuclear-powered attack submarine sank earlier this year, and in the process, it publicly acknowledged for the first time that it likely sank while docked in a river. Right now, U.S. military officials say it’s unclear what caused the submarine to sink, and they…

China announced on Wednesday, Sept. 25, that it test-fired an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) into the Pacific Ocean. The country is reportedly bulking up its nuclear arsenal, and the rare public test is sparking international concerns. The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLAARF) announced that the ICBM with a dummy warhead landed accurately in a…

This week on Weapons and Warfare, the team is on location at the AFA’s Air, Space, and Cyber 2024 Conference. Hear from Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, as they provide a progress report on the United States Air Force’s effort to restructure in the face of…

Hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. federal research funding has contributed to China’s technological advancements and military modernization, according to a new report. Republicans on the House Committee on the Chinese Communist Party found that partnerships between Chinese and American universities helped the CCP make advancements in hypersonic and nuclear weapons, artificial intelligence, advanced…

The U.S. Air Force recently conducted its annual “Reaper Smoke” training exercise, which spotlighted the contentious South China Sea, emphasizing America’s strategic focus amid escalating regional tensions. The event, held at Hurlburt Field in Florida on Sept. 5-6, saw participation from over 30 MQ-9 “Reaper” drone squadrons from across various air force units. This year’s…

In a major policy shift, China will increase its retirement age for the first time in 70 years. This change comes as the country grapples with an aging population and a dwindling pension fund. Currently, China’s retirement ages are among the lowest in the world. On Friday, Sept. 13, China’s top legislative body approved a…

It is China week in the House of Representatives and members are voting on dozens of bills related to U.S.-China policy. The legislation covering economics, military, education and more has received extraordinary bipartisan support.  Here are a few examples of legislation:  The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office certification Act passed 413-3.  A motion recognizing…

China is giving Cambodia two warships. The gifts are seen more as a payment by most in the international community though — payment to Cambodia for letting the Chinese navy set up shop in the Gulf of Thailand. Cambodia’s Defense Ministry said the People’s Liberation Army Navy, the official name of China’s naval forces, would…

Ghosts and sharks often top the list of things people fear. It is unclear if defense contractor Anduril had this in mind when naming its advanced extra-large autonomous undersea vehicle, but the name’s attention-grabbing nature earned the Ghost Shark a feature as the weapon of the week. Ghost Shark is a product of a 2022…