Sydney Braces for Pro-Palestine Protests During Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s Visit 
Federal Judge Restores Funding for Gateway Rail Tunnel Project 
Nicaragua Ends Visa-Free Entry for Cubans, Disrupting Key Migration Route to the U.S. 
Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi Secures Historic Election Win, Shaking Markets and Regional Politics 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
Trump’s Inflation Claims Clash With Voters’ Cost-of-Living Reality 
Netanyahu to Meet Trump in Washington as Iran Nuclear Talks Intensify 
Israel Approves West Bank Measures Expanding Settler Land Access 
Bosnian Serb Presidential Rerun Confirms Victory for Dodik Ally Amid Allegations of Irregularities 
India–U.S. Interim Trade Pact Cuts Auto Tariffs but Leaves Tesla Out 
U.S. Lawmakers to Review Unredacted Jeffrey Epstein DOJ Files Starting Monday 
Antonio José Seguro Poised for Landslide Win in Portugal Presidential Runoff 
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms 
Trump Allows Commercial Fishing in Protected New England Waters 
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains 
Trump Congratulates Japan’s First Female Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi After Historic Election Victory 
China Warns US Arms Sales to Taiwan Could Disrupt Trump’s Planned Visit 
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.”
