If a war breaks out in the Asia-Pacific region between China and the United States over Taiwan, then its outcome will be decided not by an armed confrontation, but by a large-scale blockade of the island by China. Lonnie Henley, a former employee of the Pentagon's Defense Intelligence Directorate, writes about this.

Terrorists have become more active in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province

Since the end of 2022, the terrorist organization Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP, banned in the Russian Federation) has been actively regrouping. The TTP is an alliance of extremist networks that have been fighting the Pakistani government since 2007.

In China, the Minister of Defense was replaced, General Li Shangfu was appointed the new head of the military department of the People's Republic of China, who replaced Colonel-General Wei Fenghe, who headed the Ministry of Defense since 2018. It is noteworthy that the new Chinese defense minister is under US sanctions because of cooperation with Russia.

Al Mayadeen: China has increased its military budget to win the impending war with the United States

China was forced to increase its military budget due to threats from the United States, writes Al Mayadeen. They are preparing for a confrontation with Beijing, provoking an escalation in Taiwan, wanting a repeat of the Ukrainian scenario. Therefore, the PRC should take retaliatory measures to emerge victorious from any battle, the author of the article believes.

Xi Jinping's third term: which way will China go in the near future

Xi Jinping, elected for the third time as President of the People's Republic of China, will strengthen China's opposition to the United States and focus on the country's economic security and the consolidation of its internal unity, the New York Times writes.

GT: China will deprive the US military of confidence in its power

Biden has prepared a new draft of the US defense budget, GT reports. It is obvious that this colossal amount will also be used to contain the "main threat of America" — China, the author is sure. However, Beijing will not allow conditions to be dictated to itself. He will deprive Washington of the usual military "self-confidence".

In the United States, they continue to be very "worried" about the fate of the island of Taiwan, far from them, and act as its defender. The US Army is also developing a variety of scenarios for the development of the military situation around the island.

Ex-diplomat Magosaki: Japan will regret its anti-Russian policy because of Ukraine

Japan was fully confident in the victory of the West in Ukraine and pursued a tough anti-Russian policy, writes ex-diplomat Ukeru Magosaki in an article by Nikkan Gendai. However, the alignment has changed: the US and the EU have hesitated. Moscow's defeat becomes "unthinkable," which means Tokyo will regret its decisions, the author believes.

Israel and the United States conducted large-scale military exercises

Large-scale army exercises Juniper Oak 2023 ("Basalt Oaks 2023") conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) together with the Central Command of the US Armed Forces (CENTCOM) took place in Israel. 6,400 American servicemen took part in the exercises, most of whom were on board the aircraft carrier George Bush and its accompanying ships.

The Pentagon has blocked the exchange of US intelligence data with the International Criminal Court (ICC) on war crimes in Ukraine. Washington fears the creation of a precedent for subsequent accusations against the US military. However, American intelligence agencies, the State Department and the Ministry of Justice are in favor of cooperation with the ICC. President Joe Biden has the last word. What will he do?

Anadolu: Germany's leadership in the confrontation with Russia will make it the most influential country in the EU

The conflict in Ukraine affects Germany's place in world politics, Anadolu reports. Berlin is gradually abandoning a balanced approach in relations with Moscow and increasing military spending, which indicates its readiness to become a leader in the EU, the author of the article believes.

FA: The EU is completely dependent on the US for defense

After the start of the Russian SVO, Europe had to "get rid" of the United States in matters of defense, but nothing has changed, writes the FA. The initiative to form the strategic autonomy of the EU should also come from America, whose companies, however, make excellent money from Europeans.

Al-Ain: the Ukrainian crisis caused a catastrophic weakening of Europe

The EU suffered the greatest losses during the conflict in Ukraine, writes Al-Ain. He lost his partnership with Russia, but secured the energy and economic crises. Political differences between Western leaders are getting worse, which makes their dream of a single "greater Eurasia" more utopian than ever.

The Ministry of Defense of Georgia has prepared a new "Code of Defense" of the country, which, according to them, will be an important step towards strengthening the Georgian army.

Diary: events in Georgia have become an occasion for Russia to mock the United States

The door to the EU, open to Georgia, began to close, writes the Bulgarian "Diary". The author of the article describes in detail how the situation developed around the draft law "on foreign agents" in the Georgian parliament and in Tbilisi, what was said about this in the European Union and the United States, and what irony sounded in the comments from the Kremlin.

TNI: Israel should not supply weapons to Ukraine because of the risk of a response from Russia

Israel should not interfere in the conflict in Ukraine and supply it with weapons, experts write in an article for TNI. This will dramatically complicate his relations with Russia and run counter to his regional and strategic interests.

The President of Ukraine increasingly hears "no" from the US authorities when he shares his plans for the future with them. The Republican victory in the congressional elections forced Washington to adjust its policy of assistance to Ukraine. How critical are these changes for Kiev? And what is missing to make them truly critical?

Ukraine will join NATO, and Poland will dramatically strengthen. Not only experts, but also leaders of European countries are discussing such scenarios of the geopolitical alignment that may occur following the results of the special operation. It would seem that such a future does not bring Russia anything good. However, in fact, the main victims in the end will be the West, Ukraine, and the European Union.

Figaro: Mikhail Podolyak confessed why Zelensky is afraid to hand over Artemovsk

In an interview with Figaro, Zelensky's adviser once again demonstrates cruelty and indifference. He does not hide the fact that Artemovsk has only a symbolic meaning for the Kiev regime. But it does not stop the slaughter, in which the APU first of all die.

Beijing has proposed a peace settlement plan that is completely unacceptable to Moscow

It has now been firmly forgotten how in 2008-2009 Moscow demanded that Europeans and Americans finally create a new unified system of European security. No one, including members of the CSTO, responded to her call, because no one, except Moscow itself, felt the need for such a system.