U.S. Shifts Strategy Toward Economic Pressure With Venezuelan Oil Quarantine 
Kosovo Heads to Early Parliamentary Election Amid Prolonged Political Deadlock 
California Drops Lawsuit Over Federal Funding Cuts to High-Speed Rail Project 
US Airstrikes Target Islamic State Militants in Northwest Nigeria Amid Rising Security Concerns 
Zelenskiy to Meet Trump in Florida as Ukraine-U.S. Peace Framework Nears Completion 
Argentina Congress Approves 2026 Budget Under Milei, Marking First Legislative Passage Since 2023 
White House East Wing Ballroom Plans Face Scrutiny Ahead of January Hearing 
Kim Jong Un Oversees Missile Test Amid Rising Korean Peninsula Tensions 
Canada Announces $2.5 Billion Economic Aid Package to Support Ukraine’s Financial Stability 
Democratic Governors Urge Trump Administration to Lift Halt on East Coast Offshore Wind Projects 
Kim Jong Un Signals Continued Missile Development as North Korea Plans Five-Year Military Modernization 
Hanwha Signals Readiness to Build Nuclear-Powered Submarines at Philly Shipyard for U.S. Navy 
Mark Carney Reaffirms Canada’s Support for Ukraine as Peace Talks With Russia Gain Momentum 
Bolsonaro Undergoes Phrenic Nerve Block Procedure After Surgery-Related Complications 
FBI to Permanently Close Hoover Building, Relocate Headquarters to Reagan Building 
U.S. Prioritizes Economic Pressure With Venezuelan Oil Quarantine as Sanctions Intensify 
Palau Agrees to Accept Up to 75 U.S.-Transferred Migrants in Deal Tied to Increased American Aid 
Taiwan has showcased its locally-produced drones, which the island says is the key to its “asymmetric warfare” capacity to make its forces more prepared in the event of an invasion by China. This comes amidst increased Chinese military activity close to the island.
On Tuesday, the Taiwanese military-run National Chung-shan Institute of Science and Technology unveiled the latest models of its locally-produced drones. This included the Albatross II surveillance drone and combat drones that are equipped with global positioning satellites. An attack drone with loitering munitions capable of cruising toward a target before plummeting and detonating on impact was also among the drones that were displayed.
NCSIST chief Art Chang said the ongoing war in Ukraine has turned the attention onto drones and that NCSIST partnered with Taiwanese companies to build a “national team” to develop military drones.
The Taiwanese military announced a partnership with companies aiming to manufacture 3,000 drones next year. NCSIST Aeronautical Systems Research Division director Chi Li-pin said the armed forces should increase their use of drones in their strategies.
“I hope our national troops can familiarize themselves with this weapon of asymmetric warfare and use them boldly,” Chi told reporters at the NCSIST facility in Taichung.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has touted the idea of “asymmetric warfare” to make Taiwanese forces more mobile and harder to attack.
China views Taiwan as its breakaway province and has opposed any interaction between the island’s democratic government and other foreign governments. Taiwan has repeatedly rejected China’s claims of sovereignty over the island.
Last week, the US Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he plans to meet with Tsai in the US this year as the Taiwanese presidential office said it was still working on the “transit” plans for an overseas visit. McCarthy confirmed his intention to meet with Tsai to reporters but noted that the decision to meet with Tsai was not going to be an attempt to appease China and that he would not rule out a visit to the island.
“China can’t tell me where I can and can’t go,” McCarthy reportedly said. McCarthy’s Democratic predecessor Nancy Pelosi visited the island last year, leading to increased military drills by China.
