The Role of the Neo-Authoritarian Bloc in Modern Conflicts
China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Belarus, Venezuela and Myanmar form an authoritarian block who collaborate in an amorphous, flexible, manner.
Taiwan
US arms sales to Taiwan on ‘pause’ due to Iran war, says acting navy chief
Hung Cao’s comments are latest blow to Taipei after Donald Trump recently cast doubt over US’s enduring supportUS arms sales to Taiwan have been “paused” to ensure the US military has enough munitions for its Iran operations, according to Washington’s …
Trump Says He Will Speak With Taiwan’s President About Arms Deal
President Trump said that he would talk to Taiwan’s president about a possible weapons sale to the self-governing democracy. Direct dialogue would anger China, which claims Taiwan as its territory and opposes contact between Taiwanese and foreign leade…
Trump Again Says He Will Talk to Taiwan’s Leader, Risking China’s Anger
President Lai Ching-te of Taiwan said he would be happy to speak with President Trump, a move that would defy U.S. diplomatic protocol and infuriate China.
Autocracy’s ‘Loyal Losers’
Even the most capable autocrats need help hanging on to power. Mediocre officials are often best for the job, according to new research.
Trump’s shifting remarks on Taiwan are perfect for China to exploit
President’s remarks about Taiwan arms deals being a ‘negotiating chip’ with Beijing have been seized on by Chinese state mediaIt has been an unsettling few days for Taiwan’s government. When Donald Trump met Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, many fear…
China condemns Conservative MP’s Taiwan trip after ambassador’s warning
China claims sovereignty over democratically governed Taiwan, and says by allowing MPs to travel there, Canada is ‘interfering in China’s internal affairs.’
Trump’s China Summit Falls Flat, Exposes Divergent Narratives And Limited Progress
The summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People on 14 May 2026 was marked by sharply divergent narratives from Washington and Beijing. Both sides brought senior officials responsible for foreign affairs, defence and economic policy, with China represented by thirteen officials and the US by eleven. Xi repeated familiar language
Trump Uses Taiwan Arms Sales as Bargaining Chip With China, in a Risky Move
The president said a potential arms deal for Taiwan was a “very good negotiating chip” in talks with Beijing. His words raise questions about the reliability of U.S. support.
Trump Discussed U.S. Arms Sales With Xi ‘In Great Detail’
The engagement between the president and the Chinese leader may have tested a decades-old U.S. assurance to Taiwan not to consult Beijing on the topic.