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Defence
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Defence. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has come under increasing pressure to fill the State Department’s vacant post for Arctic affairs to help curb China and Russia’s influence in the region. Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

Senior Democrat urges Rubio to fill Arctic post and halt rise of China, Russia

In a letter, Raja Krishnamoorthi asks US Secretary of State to restore key US role in ‘one of the world’s most strategically vital regions’.

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Ukraine war

Ukraine’s Zelensky floats referendum on territory, as US pressure mounts

China-Japan relations

Donald Trump left facing ‘dilemma’ as China-Japan spat worsens: analyst

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China's military weapons

China’s drone carrier Jiu Tian takes flight to signal PLA swarm capacity boost

Xinhua hails ‘breakthrough in China’s large drone technology’, says Jiu Tian could also be deployed in wide range of civilian applications.

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China says its Jiu Tian aerial “drone carrier” has completed its maiden flight in the western province of Shaanxi, described as a “breakthrough” by state media. Photo: Weibo/人民日报
Mainland China

Video | China reveals radio comms with Japan over aerial encounter

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said radar activation is ‘standard practice’ for flight safety.

South Korea

Shaman rumours resurface as South Korea returns to Blue House

After Yoon Suk-yeol wasted millions on a move critics linked to fortune-tellers, the presidential office is returning to its historic home.

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Ukraine war

Member of UK armed forces killed in Ukraine ‘accident’, Britain says

It marked the first time a member of the UK military had been killed in Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion.

Ukrainian recruits train under British soldiers train at an army camp in England in February 2024. Photo: AP
Russia

Crew killed in Russian military plane crash during test flight

State media reported seven people were on board at the time of the crash.

US-China relations

US Congress unveils bill with curbs on China tech investment and biotech ties

NDAA package revives stalled measures on US outbound investment and biotech, signalling Capitol Hill’s hardened stance towards Beijing.

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United States

Rubio and Hegseth discuss Indo-Pacific security with Australian counterparts

At the talks, Rubio hailed cooperation between the US and Canberra on critical minerals, defence production and troop deployments.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at the State Department in Washington on Monday. Photo: Reuters
North Korea

Trump drops North Korea denuclearisation goal, hinting at talks with Kim

Trump strategy omits North Korea denuclearistation; Pyongyang calls goal meaningless, demands US drop ‘absurd pursuit’ of its nuclear weapons.

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North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (right) and US President Donald Trump inside the demilitarized zone separating South and North Korea in June 2019. Photo: TNS
China’s military drills

Japan keeps tabs on 4 Chinese navy ships near Okinawa after weekend stand-off

China’s ‘capabilities in long-range, unmanned combat operations mean we can neutralise any threat with precision’, commentator tells CCTV.

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Britain

UK’s bold defence plans face doubt over funding as security challenges rise

Military chiefs worry the UK will have to scale back its defence ambitions amid concerns about what the country can afford.

Ukraine war

Why more women are embracing combat roles in Ukraine’s military

Equipment such as drones has opened up new paths for women and helped them overcome resistance in the military.

Monka, an FPV drone operator from the third assault brigade, assembles an FPV drone in November, in Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine. Photo: AP
France

Drones buzz French nuclear base amid Russian hybrid warfare fears

Marines deployed electronic jammers against five suspected devices spotted hovering over the Ile Longue submarine facility.

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A nuclear submarine at the naval base in Ile Longue, western France. Photo: AFP
Ukraine war

Chernobyl safety shield damaged, UN confirms. Ukraine blames Russian drones

Despite the loss of ‘confinement capability’ at the notorious nuclear plant, IAEA officials report no radiation leaks.

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US-China relations

Trump recasts US allies as tools to counter China in security playbook: analysts

Plan urges wealthier partners to boost defence roles, align export controls and shoulder more regional responsibility.

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War and conflict

Opinion | Welcome to a world where wars don’t end and sanctions don’t work

The age of ‘distributed multipolarity’ shows that superpowers alone can no longer dictate international affairs.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
India

Can India still rely on Russia as a ‘time-tested’ defence partner?

India has to balance meeting its defence needs from Russia and managing its trade ties with the US as tariffs continue to loom.

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US Navy

Investigations reveal combat stress a key factor in costly US Navy mishaps

Reports show mission against Yemen’s Houthis took a toll on the US Navy, highlighting a friendly fire incident, loss of three jets and a ship collision.

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Australia

Aukus deal to move ‘full steam ahead’ after surviving Trump review

The Pentagon said the five-month evaluation ‘identified opportunities to put Aukus on the strongest possible footing’.

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A US Navy’s Virginia-class submarine is docked at a naval base in Western Australia in February. Photo: AFP
China-Latin America relations

China says it is working ‘with all parties’ to prevent escalation in Venezuela

Beijing’s outreach comes amid a US naval build-up and a rare phone call between Trump and Maduro.

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Washington has deployed the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford and around 12,000 sailors and Marines to the Caribbean region. Photo: Reuters
United States

New York Times sues Pentagon over restrictive press policy, free speech rights

Lawsuit alleges the new policy violates free speech and limits access to vital military information. Dozens of outlets have rejected the terms.

United States

US Institute of Peace renamed after ‘greatest dealmaker’ Trump

‘Donald J. Trump’ emblazes Washington headquarters of the US Institute of Peace in time for a peace deal signing.

Taiwan

Opinion | Why peeling back layers of strategic ambiguity will only hurt Japan

The Japanese prime minister’s remarks are merely ripples that will soon disappear, needlessly inviting the very conflict she says she wants to prevent.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
US-China relations

Bessent calls Beijing an ‘ally’ after Trump signs bill on ties with Taiwan

US Treasury Secretary tries to ease further tension after Trump signs act aimed at regularly reviewing and updating guidelines with Taiwan.

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US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks during The New York Times DealBook Summit, at the Lincoln Centre, New York, on Wednesday. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
China-Latin America relations

China unlikely to aid Maduro if US acts, but may benefit from fallout: analysts

Beijing condemns US pressure on Caracas but offers limited support, prioritising its economic interests and long-term gains.

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United States

Hegseth’s Signal use posed risk to US forces, Pentagon review finds

White House ‘stands by’ Pentagon chief Hegseth, who is also under intensifying scrutiny over US strikes in the Caribbean.

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