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…

Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry called for a police investigation after a diplomatic note from China regarding the South China Sea dispute was leaked. The note, published by a Filipino media outlet, accused Malaysia of encroaching on areas claimed by China’s controversial 10-dash line and demanded a halt to oil exploration near Sarawak. Malaysia expressed concern over…

The United States and the Philippines reached an agreement that will allow Afghan nationals who assisted the United States military in war to stay in the Philippines while they wait for visa processing and resettlement in the U.S. The U.S. government will cover the refugees’ food, housing, security, medical and transportation costs. The Afghan refugees are…

Tensions escalated in the South China Sea on Monday, Aug. 19, when Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships collided near Sabina Shoal, a disputed area in the Spratly Islands. Both sides blamed each other for the incident, which resulted in damage to at least two Philippine vessels. The Philippines accused China of engaging in “aggressive…

Things are heating up in one of the coldest places on the planet. For the better part of July and into early August, some of the most elite special operations forces in the U.S. military participated in Operation Polar Dagger.  The exercises test the most highly trained U.S. personnel in one of the planet’s most…

The Philippine Navy condemned recent actions by Chinese fighter jets over the disputed Scarborough Shoal as “coercive, aggressive and deceptive.” During an incident on Aug. 8, Chinese aircraft reportedly dropped flares dangerously close to a Philippine Air Force patrol plane, escalating tensions over the strategic South China Sea territory, which both nations claim. Philippine Rear…