Until 1914, without the UN or the League of Nations, the world was governed by spheres of influence. There was one, Europe, and a single influential state, the United Kingdom, which based its control of trade on its colonial empire.

China has once again demonstrated that it considers Taiwan its own and is prepared to confront any force that attempts to intervene. In a further show of force, the Chinese military has deployed its navy, air force, and missile corps around the island to carry out the most extensive military maneuvers to dateThe exercises, codenamed "Mission Justice 2025," are intended to send a warning to separatist forces, days after the United States announced an $11 billion arms sale to Taiwan. The sale sparked outrage in Beijing, which sanctioned US defense companies and announced it would take "forceful measures" in response. On the second day of the exercises, which began on Monday, Beijing showcased new assault ships and multiple rocket launchers, while state media released images promoting China's technological and military superiority and its ability to seize Taiwan by force if necessary. As part of the exercises, destroyers, frigates, fighter jets, and bombers have been deployed to conduct simulated attacks and assaults against maritime targets, as well as anti-aircraft and anti-submarine operations in the north and south of the island, with the aim of testing air-sea coordination capabilities and integrated blockade and control. Beijing's Foreign Ministry has called the exercises "severe punishment for separatist forces seeking independence by force." The Chinese military's Eastern Theater Command described the military exercises as a "shield of justice": "All those who conspire for independence will be annihilated upon encountering the shield!" the post read. "Iron Walls"

Also, and for the first time, the Chinese military admitted that the maneuvers were aimed at deterring foreign intervention. "Any external force that attempts to intervene in the Taiwan question or interfere in China's internal affairs will run headlong into the iron walls of the Chinese People's Liberation Army," China's Taiwan Affairs Office said in a statement on Monday. Taiwan has confirmed live-fire impacts and noted that the shells, fired by long-range artillery deployed in China's Fujian province, landed near its 24-nautical-mile limit. In its latest report, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense noted that between 6:00 a.m. Monday and 6:00 a.m. Tuesday, it detected 130 Chinese warplanes around the island—the second-highest daily number recorded—as well as 14 military vessels and eight official ships. For all these reasons, Taiwanese Defense Minister Wellington Koo denounced China for "ignoring international norms" and resorting to military "intimidation," which poses risks to air routes and commercial shipping.

]]>

Donald Trump claimed that during his first term, he warned Vladimir Putin that if Russia invaded Ukraine, he would "bomb the hell out of Moscow." This is revealed in a leaked audio recording, recently released by CNN, in which the former US president boasts of having made the threat during a private dinner with donors before last year's presidential elections. "I told Putin, 'You go into Ukraine, I will bomb the hell out of Moscow. I have no choice,'" Trump says in the recording. According to the president, the Russian leader responded with disbelief, but ultimately "believed me 100%."

]]>

After weeks of uncertainty over tariffs imposed on a long list of countries—including long-standing trade and diplomatic partners—US President Donald Trump suspended them again for three months, with one exception: China. The US administration sees China as the greatest enemy to defeat and has increased tariffs on Chinese products. up to an unusual 145%, that Beijing has responded with a 125% surcharge..

]]>

For the second day in a row, the Chinese military has intensified its military exercises targeting Taiwan. Around the island, warships and military aircraft were seen, as well as live-fire simulations of attacks against strategic targets in Taiwan, such as ports and energy facilities, according to the Chinese military. In recent years, China has repeated this type of intimidating military maneuvers around Taiwan, often with live fire. At one point peak voltage for this type of exercise in 2021, the government of Taiwan has already warned that it fears Beijing may launch a full-scale invasion in 2025., which is when he estimated that the Chinese armed forces would be ready for such an operation.

]]>