Tensions between Iran and the United States intensified this week after the US military shot down an Iranian drone that it said approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in an aggressive manner in the Arabian Sea. The incident came as both sides exchanged sharp warnings and cautious signals about a possible return to nuclear diplomacy, underscoring the fragile balance between confrontation and negotiation in the region. According to US officials, the drone was intercepted

A United States Navy fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone after it approached an American aircraft carrier operating in the Arabian Sea, according to US Central Command, marking the latest escalation in a period of heightened military tensions across the Middle East. The incident occurred as the unmanned aircraft moved toward the USS Abraham Lincoln with what officials described as unclear intent, despite attempts by US forces to deter it. Military authorities said the drone “ag

Uncertainty continues to surround Washington’s approach toward Tehran as President Donald Trump sends conflicting signals on whether the United States is moving closer to military action or renewed diplomacy with Iran. Speaking ahead of his first Cabinet meeting of 2026, the president indicated he was open to communication with Iranian leaders, even as the US expanded its military presence in West Asia and senior defense officials stressed readiness to act on presidential orders.

Amid escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait, the United States State Department has urged China to halt its recent military activities near Taiwan, warning that the drills are unnecessarily heightening regional instability. The call followed a two-day military exercise conducted by China around Taiwan, which included missile launches and the deployment of fighter jets, naval vessels, and coast gua

Chinese President Xi Jinping used his annual New Year’s Eve address to reaffirm Beijing’s long-standing position on Taiwan, declaring that reunification with the self-governing island was inevitable. Speaking in Beijing on Wednesday, Xi said that bringing Taiwan under China’s control was “a trend of the times” that could not be stopped, reiterating a pledge that has become a central pillar of his leadership. The speech came just one day after the conclusion of large-scale

Taiwan experienced a moderate 5.1 magnitude earthquake on Thursday, briefly shaking buildings across the capital city of Taipei. According to reports citing the island’s weather administration, the quake struck off the eastern coast, with its epicentre about 18 km from Hualien city at a depth of nearly 31.6 km. While the tremor was noticeable enough to cause concern among residents, officials confirmed that there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage. Taipe

Tensions between Japan and China intensified further after a coordinated air patrol by Chinese and Russian military aircraft passed close to Japan and South Korea, prompting both Tokyo and Seoul to scramble fighter jets. According to Japan’s defence authorities, seven Russian aircraft and two Chinese aircraft briefly entered South Korea’s Air Defence Identification Zone, raising fresh concerns over the scale and frequency of joint operations by Beijing and Moscow in the Asia Pacific regio

China has firmly rejected Japan’s claims regarding recent aerial encounters, escalating a diplomatic dispute that has widened to include political, economic, and regional security dimensions. A spokesperson for the Chinese navy, Colonel Wang Xuemeng, stated that Japanese aircraft had repeatedly approached Chinese vessels as they carried out previously announced carrier-based flight training east of the Miyako Strait. According to Wang, the operations were routine and transparent, and China

Tensions between China and Japan escalated sharply this week after Beijing delivered a series of unusually forceful warnings against any potential Japanese involvement in the Taiwan Strait. China’s defence ministry declared that Japan would face what it called a crushing defeat at the hands of the People’s Liberation Army if Tokyo attempted to intervene militarily in a Taiwan conflict. The warning, issued on Friday, followed a similar statement from China’s foreign ministry a day earlie

Oil prices jumped to their highest levels in five months while Asian markets tumbled on Monday, following coordinated airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Iran's key nuclear facilities. The escalation has sparked fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East, with particular concern over the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz a strategic waterway that handles nearly 25 percent of global oil trade and 20 percent of liquefied natural gas mov

In a dramatic escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict, the United States launched a series of powerful airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. President Donald Trump declared it a “spectacular military success,” stating that Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities had been “completely and totally obliterated.” This marks the first direct U.S. military action in the ongoing regional standoff

As the Israel-Iran conflict escalates, its effects are rippling beyond diplomacy and military affairs, directly impacting global trade and oil prices. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime passage that connects the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea, is once again at the center of attention. In 2023, nearly 21 million barrels of oil passed through the strait daily, representing about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption. Any disruption in this corridor could cause dramatic shifts in

Organizers of the Fongshan Marathon in southern Taiwan have issued an apology after mistakenly awarding Type 95 automatic rifle-shaped trophies, firearms used by China’s People's Liberation Army, to race winners. The incident, which sparked controversy, was acknowledged by the organizers on Sunday, according to the Taipei Times. The marathon took place in Kaohsiung's Fongshan District, with routes passing through three military institutions: the Military Academy, the Fongshan Ar

China has announced a 7.2% increase in its defence budget for 2024, raising military spending to $249 billion as the country continues its aggressive modernization efforts amid escalating regional tensions. The budget, which was revealed in a draft report submitted to the National People's Congress (NPC) by Premier Li Qiang, underscores China’s strategic focus on military expansion in the Taiwan Strait, South China Sea, and its border with India. This increase follows China’s

Xi Jinping's Recent Speech and Military Drills Chinese President Xi Jinping's New Year's speech included a stern message about Taiwan, emphasizing that China's reunification with the island is inevitable and unstoppable. To underline this position, China’s military, specifically the People's Liberation Army Navy, conducted a series of military drills near Taiwan's Kinmen and Matsu islands. These islands, which are closer to mainland China than to Taiwan, a

In his New Year's Eve address, Chinese President Xi Jinping reiterated his stance on Taiwan, declaring that "no one can stop the reunification" of Taiwan with mainland China. This declaration comes amidst heightened tensions, as Beijing has intensified military pressure on the island through numerous air force and naval drills in recent years. Taiwan, a democratic nation, stands in contrast to China’s communist government, with Beijing viewing Taiwan as an integral part of