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.
Is China's Research Ship Near Taiwan Probing Its Defenses?
A Chinese research vessel operating near Taiwan's waters is prompting questions about whether Beijing is systematically testing Taipei's maritime surveillance and response capabilities.
Trump Says He Expects to Meet Kim Jong Un Later This Year
Trump cited a 'good relationship' with Kim Jong Un while announcing a planned meeting, but Kim Yo-jong swiftly denied any secret US-North Korea diplomatic contacts.
China's Wang Yi in Seoul as Trump Presses for New North Korea Talks
China's top diplomat met South Korean officials Wednesday as the Trump administration signals a renewed push to restart stalled engagement with Kim Jong Un.
China Robot Makers Flock to Beijing, Seeking Mass-Market Breakthrough
Chinese robotics firms crowded the Beijing World Robot Conference seeking supply-chain partnerships and investment as the sector bids to cut costs and reach mass production.
Trump Turns to Kim Jong Un as Iran Talks Stall
With Iran talks deadlocked and the IRGC rejecting Washington's backchannel claims, Trump has pivoted toward Kim Jong Un — scaling back Seoul drills to open a diplomatic lane.
Kim Jong Un Responds to Trump's Call for Talks, Bloomberg Reports
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has replied to Trump's overture for diplomatic engagement, Bloomberg reports, as Washington simultaneously cuts joint military exercises with South Korea.
Trump Calls US-South Korea Drills 'Hostile,' Echoing Pyongyang
Trump called US-South Korea military exercises 'hostile,' the same word North Korea uses for the drills, amplifying alliance jitters across Asia.
Taiwan Closes Its Biggest War Game as Beijing Eyes the Trump-Xi Summit
Taiwan concluded its largest military exercise on record as China ramps up pressure and diplomats brace for a pivotal Trump-Xi meeting that could reshape cross-strait security.
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.