Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
U.S. Justice Department Orders Intensified Probe Into Antifa and Domestic Extremist Groups 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
U.S. Expected to Expand Travel Ban to More Than 30 Countries 
California Launches Portal for Reporting Alleged Misconduct by Federal Immigration Agents 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
IMF Deputy Dan Katz Visits China as Key Economic Review Nears 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Israel Receives Body of Deceased Hostage as Rafah Crossing Reopening Hinges on Final Returns 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
The Pentagon announced this week that Washington has approved the potential sale of anti-tank mine systems to Taiwan worth $180 million. The new potential sale comes amidst increased tensions in the region between the democratically-governed island and China.
The Pentagon said on Wednesday that the State Department has approved the possible sale of Volcano anti-tank mine-laying systems to Taiwan worth $180 million. The Volcano mine-laying system makes use of prepacked mine canisters that contain multiple anti-tank mines that are dispersed when ejected from the canister. Northrop Grumman and Oshkosh Corporation are the main contractors of the potential sale.
The potential sale follows the recent increased diplomatic, political, and military pressure China has sought to assert on Taiwan, which Beijing views as its territory. Tensions between the two flared earlier this year following the visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan despite China’s threats and opposition.
Beijing deployed its largest fleet of aircraft across the median line on the Taiwan Strait, which it also claims to be its territory but also serves as the de facto maritime border between China and the island nation. On Tuesday, Taipei announced that the mandatory military service would be extended from four months to one year.
The Taiwanese defense ministry said that the sale of the Volcano anti-tank mine systems would take effect in a month, and the system will help boost Taiwan’s “asymmetric warfare” capability to make its forces more agile.
“The Chinese Communist Party’s frequent military activities near Taiwan have posted severe military threats to us,” said the ministry in a statement. The United States is Taiwan’s largest supplier of arms.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen announced the extension of military service in Taiwan on Tuesday. In remarks after a national security meeting, Tsai said the island nation wants peace but needed to be able to defend itself.
“As long as Taiwan is strong enough, it will be the home of democracy and freedom all over the world, and it will not become a battlefield,” Tsai told a news conference following the announcement of the military service extension that she described as a decision that was “incredibly difficult.”
