Fibers are starting to snap and the solutions brought by governments always include adding more tension to the frayed rope.
China heads more toward Maoism. A nation headed at warp speed into its past already has its future known.
Taiwan wrestles with itself, seeking endorsement and recognition from other nations while chaotic governance at home makes its next election uncertain. But, two things grow stronger every day in Taiwan: military and resolve. That’s a problem for some countries, one in particular.
If Taiwan isn’t the last straw, Korea could be. North Korea launched a missile for the first time in a long time. That wouldn’t have happened without backing.
The de facto consensus among the US, China, and everyone caught in between is simple: Make the rope snap ASAP by piling on as much load as possible. Even the strategy to improve Lockheed Martin’s F-35 program comes in the form of complaint. The F-35s are ready to go. A dance floor will magically appear in the Pacific once Washington finishes playing with the bubble wrap.
China
China could use force: Pentagon | Taipei Times
Report warns of Chinese subs in Arctic region | Taipei Times – Reuters & AFP
China’s Belt And Road Initiative A Vision, Says Britain | NDTV
China’s Xi Jinping causes alarm with mass student trips to the country | CNN
China Installed Its Top Cop to Steer Interpol. Then He Disappeared. | WSJ
Amid criticism, China’s Xi says Belt and Road project can be ‘shared by the world’
In a trade deal with China, the US may get an empty shell – commentary | CNBC
What Chinese spies want from Americans | Fox News
China Exploits Fleet of U.S. Satellites to Strengthen Police and Military Power | WSJ
Made in China, Exported to the World: The Surveillance State | NY Times
Why China’s rise may call for ‘a new world order’ | CNBC
Taiwan
Big Trouble, Little Taiwan: Why Taipei Is Moving Toward a Confrontation | National Interest
Two US warships sail through Taiwan Strait in challenge to China | The Guardian
Sentences prove ‘one country, two systems’ flawed: MAC | Taipei Times
Military told to boost asymmetric might | Taipei Times
Counter-policy urged as China targets teachers | Taipei Times
Taiwanese man faces 5-year prison sentence for live-streaming jet takeoff | Taiwan News
China tries to bully Taiwanese students out of food market in Hungary | Taiwan News
Taiwan on front line in defending democracy: Tsai | Taipei Times
Tsai presides over Port of Taipei drills | Taipei Times
Amended rules allow 635 naturalizations in two years | Taipei Times
US Senate reaffirms TRA commitment | Taipei Times
US representatives support WHA bid | Taipei Times
DPP, Sunflower movement damaged Taiwan, Ma says | Taipei Times
Two US warships transit Taiwan Strait | Taipei Times
Hong Kong
Hong Kong ‘Umbrella movement’ leaders sentenced | Taipei Times
Korea
North Korea presented US with $2 million bill for care of Otto Warmbier | CNN
North Korea launches ‘barrage’ of short-range projectiles into the Sea of Japan: Officials | ABC
North Korea Confirms Kim Jong Un Ordered Rocket-Launch Drill | Bloomberg
North Korea launches “multiple short-range projectiles,” South Korea says | NK News
Military
Search effort closing in on missing Japanese stealth fighter | CNN
Trump’s acting defense secretary called F-35 fighter jet program ‘f—-d up’ | CNN