Peru Election Results Under Scrutiny as JNE Calls for Comprehensive IT Audit 
Japan Signals Potential Shift on Arms Exports, Opening Door to Ukraine Support 
Trump Signals Possible Renewal of U.S. Strikes on Iran 
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te Visits Eswatini Amid Rising China Pressure 
Judge Rules Use of Military Lawyers in Civilian Prosecutions Is Lawful 
Oil Prices Hold Above $100 Amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions and U.S.-Iran Uncertainty 
US Gaza Coordination Overhaul Raises Concerns Over Ceasefire and Aid Efforts 
Iran Proposal on Strait of Hormuz and U.S. Blockade Faces Rejection from Trump 
Trump Expands Cuba Sanctions Targeting Key Sectors and Foreign Entities 
US to Withdraw 5,000 Troops from Germany Amid Growing Rift with European Allies 
Ukraine Drone Strikes Hit Russian Oil Port Primorsk and Naval Targets 
EU Warns of Response as U.S. Considers 25% Tariffs on Car Imports 
Russian Forces Advance Toward Kostiantynivka as Fighting Intensifies in Eastern Ukraine 
Medicare to Cover GLP-1 Weight-Loss and Diabetes Drugs Starting July 1 
Merz Downplays Rift With Trump as U.S. Plans Troop Reduction in Germany 
Australia Launches Public Hearings on Bondi Beach Shooting and Rising Antisemitism 
Several countries in South East Asia are at odds against China over its sweeping claims of sovereignty over the South China Sea even after a tribunal ruled against it. This week, the US Defense Chief reiterated that China’s claims over the waters have no basis in international law.
Speaking in Singapore, Pentagon head Lloyd Austin criticized China’s assertion of having control over the disputed waters. An international tribunal ruled against China’s claims, to which Beijing has rejected and continued to insist control over the disputed body of water. It has been five years since the ruling that Beijing has rejected.
This was Austin’s first overseas engagement to the region as the head of the US Defense Department. This also comes as Washington looks to band together allies to stand up against Chinese aggression, including over that of the South China Sea. Austin said that while the US does not seek to engage in conflict with China, the US will not hesitate to act or respond accordingly in case threats are made.
“Beijing’s claim to the vast majority of the South China Sea has no basis in international law,” said Austin in an event hosted by the think-tank International Institute for Strategic Studies. “That assertion treads on the sovereignty of the states in the region.”
Several countries that also have claims to parts of the South China Sea have also been angered by China’s attempts to assert control and intimidation. For one instance, the Philippines was angered when Chinese vessels were increasingly spotted making incursions within its Exclusive Economic Zone. Malaysia also scrambled warplanes to intercept Chinese military aircraft that was spotted approaching its airspace.
The strain on US-china relations does not stop at the South China Sea, as during the previous US administration of Donald Trump, the country pinned the blame on China for the COVID-19 pandemic. Trade issues have also contributed to the strain in relations between the US and China.
Following talks between US officials and their counterparts in China, Beijing accused Washington of making an imaginary enemy out of the Communist nation. A statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry also went on to further accuse the US of trying to bully smaller nations.
