Diplomacy
Statecraft and back-channel dynamics — the State Department, Pentagon press desk, allied diplomatic posture, UN action, and the public statements that signal private decisions.
Taiwan Strait Deterrence: The Case for Statecraft Alongside Force
As military postures harden across the Taiwan Strait, an emerging analysis argues that deterrence geometry alone cannot prevent miscalculation — diplomacy must carry its share.
Zelenskyy Warns Egypt of Food Supply Threat From Russian Black Sea Strikes
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warned Egypt that Russian strikes on Black Sea shipping lanes are threatening food supplies for millions, seeking broader Arab-world support.
Taiwan Presses Jakarta on Chinese Naval Exercise East of Island
Taipei is seeking an explanation after Indonesia joined China in a naval exercise east of Taiwan, a rare ASEAN alignment that sharpens pressure on the island during Han Kuang drills.
Ukraine Offers Russia Black Sea Truce as Food Supply Fears Mount
Kyiv has proposed halting attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea, with mounting food supply disruption adding urgency to the diplomatic overture toward Moscow.
Zelensky Halts Black Sea Tanker Strikes After Vance Demand
Ukraine has stopped drone strikes on tankers using Russia's Black Sea oil ports after a direct demand from US Vice President JD Vance, the FT and Jerusalem Post reported Wednesday.
Typhoon Dolphin Floods Central China, Inundates Parts of Beijing
Typhoon Dolphin swept through central China on Monday, flooding portions of Beijing as the storm pushed unusually deep into the country's interior, Reuters reported.
Syria and Russia Seal Deal on Two Key Mediterranean Bases
Syria and Russia finalized an agreement on Tartous and Hmeimim after 18 months of talks, securing Russia's only Mediterranean military foothold under post-Assad governance.
Germany's China Trade Deficit Grows as Beijing Cuts European Imports
Germany's trade gap with China widened as Beijing's push for domestic manufacturing reduces demand for German industrial exports, Reuters reported Sunday.
Zelensky Meets Vucic in Belgrade as Serbia's Balancing Act Draws Fire at Home
Ukraine's president held his first-ever talks in Serbia on Saturday, discussing EU ties, energy and security—a symbolic warming that is already being criticized inside a country that still won't sanction Moscow.
Zelensky to Make First-Ever Serbia Visit, Testing Russia's Balkan Ally
Ukraine's president will visit Belgrade for the first time on August 8, meeting Vucic to talk EU, energy, and trade—a symbolic move on a country long in Moscow's orbit.
Trump and Zelenskyy Reach Common Ground, Patriot License Announced
Trump offered Zelenskyy a license to manufacture Patriot air defense interceptors, as the two leaders found common ground at the White House on Ukraine's war with Russia.
Senate Advances Graham Bill for Harsher Sanctions on Russia and Iran
The Senate advanced the bipartisan Graham bill Tuesday night, targeting Russia and buyers of Russian and Iranian energy with penalties significantly beyond current U.S. sanctions.
Zelenskyy Meets Trump at White House, Pushes Joint Patriot Production
Zelenskyy called his White House meeting with Trump 'good,' with talks focused on joint Patriot missile production inside Ukraine to strengthen air defenses.
Trump Administration Pursues North Korea Talks Amid Nuclear Expansion
Washington is pursuing diplomatic engagement with Pyongyang as North Korea accelerates its nuclear weapons programs, deepening a dilemma decades in the making.
Trump to Host Netanyahu and Zelenskyy as Two Wars Converge
President Trump will meet separately with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy as both the Iran and Ukraine conflicts reach what officials describe as critical stages.
Zelenskiy to Meet U.S. Senators as Congress Eyes New Russia Sanctions
Zelenskiy is scheduled to meet U.S. senators as Congress prepares a Russia sanctions vote, while Pentagon aid disbursement timelines add urgency to Ukraine's diplomatic push.
Trump's Saudi Nuclear Deal Draws Fire Over Nonproliferation Risks
Foreign Policy warns Trump's emerging civil nuclear pact with Saudi Arabia would dismantle decades of U.S. counterproliferation policy at a dangerous moment in the Middle East.
17 Missing After Vietnamese Cargo Ship Sinks Near Fiery Cross Reef
The Khoi Nguyen 18, carrying 62 crew, sank in bad weather near the disputed Spratlys. China deployed six ships and a helicopter; 46 people have been rescued.
Kim Yo Jong Blasts ASEAN Over Denuclearization Call as Pyongyang Vows Steady Nuclear Buildup
North Korea's most powerful official condemned ASEAN's denuclearization call while state media signaled Pyongyang will steadily expand its nuclear arsenal, deepening regional tensions.
Taiwan Strait Helicopter Flight Lays Bare Beijing's Invasion Calculus
A South China Morning Post analysis of a PLA helicopter's Taiwan Strait transit reveals how Beijing is rehearsing the operational mechanics of a potential invasion campaign.
Trump Conditions Nuclear Deal on Saudi Arabia Joining Abraham Accords
President Trump said he will not move forward with a nuclear agreement until Saudi Arabia normalizes relations with Israel under the Abraham Accords framework.
Zelenskyy Says Trump Now Understands Who Is Blocking Ukraine Peace
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said Friday that Donald Trump has come to understand which parties are preventing an end to the war in Ukraine, a notable diplomatic signal from Kyiv.
China Adds 14 EU Entities to Export Control List Over Russia Sanctions
China's Commerce Ministry blacklisted 14 European defense and technology firms Friday, hours after the EU added 14 Chinese companies to its twenty-first Russia sanctions package.
Russia May Be Helping China Prepare for War Over Taiwan, Report Says
The Economist reports Russia may be sharing Ukraine battlefield lessons with China, potentially accelerating Beijing's military preparations for a conflict over Taiwan.
Rubio Says 'New Ideas' Needed for Ukraine Peace After Lavrov Talks
Secretary of State Rubio met Russian FM Lavrov in the Philippines and warned that ending the Ukraine war will require fresh diplomatic approaches, with no quick deal expected.
Russia Vows Support for North Korea's Nuclear and Military Buildup, Lavrov Says
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has pledged Moscow's backing for North Korea's nuclear and military expansion, deepening a security partnership that has alarmed the US and its allies.
Australia's Wong Calls on Region to Respond to South China Sea Aggression
Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Indo-Pacific partners to define their collective response to China's South China Sea conduct, framing silence as a strategic choice with consequences.
Canada, Australia Confront China Over South China Sea Aggression
Australia and Canada issued sharp warnings over China's South China Sea behavior Wednesday, with Canberra vowing it will not be intimidated as it expands its defense and nuclear capabilities.
Trump to Submit Saudi Nuclear Pact to Congress Within Days Amid Safeguards Concerns
The Trump administration plans to send a Saudi civilian nuclear cooperation agreement to Congress within days, Reuters reports, despite unresolved non-proliferation safeguards questions.
UK PM Burnham Approves British Bases for US Strikes on Iran
New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has approved the use of UK bases by the United States for "defensive" strikes on Iran, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday.