US Removes Syria From Terrorism Sponsor List 
CIA Director John Ratcliffe Visits Moscow for Talks With Russian Officials 
Donald Trump’s North Korea Outreach Raises Asia Alliance Concerns 
North Korea Prepares More Troops for Russia, Seoul Says 
Trump Administration Pauses Visa Appointments Worldwide 
Israeli Strikes Kill Two in Gaza as Tensions Rise 
Trump Buys SpaceX Shares After Record IPO 
UK, France Pledge Stronger Military Support for Ukraine 
US Sailor’s Father Detained by Immigration Authorities 
Netanyahu Says Iran Tried to Kill His Son 
US Launches ‘Economic Onslaught’ Against Iran With New Sanctions 
U.S. Caribbean Vessel Strike Kills Four in Latest Anti-Drug Operation 
Dan J. Sullivan Advances in Alaska Senate Race, Setting Up Name Confusion 
Pakistan, Iran Report Progress in Talks to End U.S.-Israeli War 
New Zealand Labour Backs Social Media Ban for Under-16s 
Taiwan Foreign Minister Heads to Palau for Pacific Islands Summit Events 
Milei Pushes for Formula 1 Return to Argentina 
Add as a preferred source on Google
In the midst of conflicts over the South China Sea, there is also the matter of China’s plans to reunite Taiwan with the mainland. Following a recent speech by Chinese President Xi Jinping, an expert has said that the Chinese leader is concerned regarding the US and its support for the island nation.
China expert Isabel Hilton told BBC Radio 4 that a full-scale invasion of Taiwan by China is held back as China likely fears how the US would respond should an attack be carried out on the island nation. This follows Xi’s recent speech where he vowed to have a peaceful reunification between Taiwan and the mainland. China regards the island nation as a breakaway province and has pressured Taiwan and its democratic government to accept Chinese sovereignty.
Hilton explained that the final decision on whether China would launch a full-scale military invasion on the island nation is based on the defense capabilities of the US and its military relationship with Taiwan. Hilton also added that it is also based on how hard the US will retaliate and possibly stop the invasion from succeeding.
“It rests on a strategic ambiguity which has been maintained ever since the United States switched its democratic recognition from Taiwan to the People’s Republic,” said Hilton, who also suggested that a part of the ambiguity stems from the US being committed to the treaty of providing Taiwan with arms as it builds its own defense capabilities in the midst of rising threats from China.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen commemorated Taiwan’s National Day over the weekend, where she formally took a stand against the reunification with China. Tsai who was re-elected in 2020 for her pledge to push back against Beijing. During her speech for this year’s celebration, Tsai said that the island nation would ramp up its defenses in order to make sure that “nobody can force Taiwan to take the path China has laid out for us.”
“The more we achieve, the greater the pressure we face from China,” said Tsai, who also mentioned the recent incursions made by Chinese warplanes into Taiwan’s airspace and how it is affecting national security.
