Donald Trumps plan om å bygge en ny generasjon «fantastiske slagskip» er en drøm som aldri vil bli virkelighet. Den springer ut av nostalgi og storhetsvanvidd, ikke av realisme og moden overveielse. Når han lover krigsskip som skal bli «hundre ganger mer slagkraftige enn dagens», beveger han seg inn i et retorisk univers hvor uvirkelige tall erstatter nøkterne analyser.
Fem dager etter at Trump lanserte planen, står militære eksperter i kø for å dømme den nord og ned.
«Det er ingen grunn til å diskutere dette, for disse skipene blir aldri sjøsatt», sier seniorrådgiver Mark Cancian ved Senter for strategiske og internasjonale studier i Washington D.C. Hans knusende dom får støtte av mange andre.
lørdag 27. desember 2025
Why Germany finds it so hard to handle China
2025 exposed Germany's dependence on China, as a source of rare earths and a market and production site for its industry. Berlin says it wants to "de-risk" the relationship. But is it serious? Or is it in too deep? Richard Walker sat down with experts Noah Barkin and Clifford Coonan to analyze Germany's options.
Cambodia Counts the Costs of Its Border Conflict with Thailand
More than two weeks into renewed frontier fighting between Thailand and Cambodia, Thai air sorties and Cambodian BM-21 rockets continue to cross the border, exacting a mounting military toll that Phnom Penh has so far kept largely out of public view.
The imbalance between the two militaries had been evident even before protracted tensions this year erupted into five days of blows along the border in July, after tit-for-tat escalations following the death of a Cambodian soldier in a disputed area in May.
Thailand’s armed forces outmatch Cambodia in size, firepower, and air capability, an asymmetry that Cambodian officials often cite in branding Thailand the “aggressor,” particularly as Thai strikes reach deeper into Cambodian territory.
The imbalance between the two militaries had been evident even before protracted tensions this year erupted into five days of blows along the border in July, after tit-for-tat escalations following the death of a Cambodian soldier in a disputed area in May.
Thailand’s armed forces outmatch Cambodia in size, firepower, and air capability, an asymmetry that Cambodian officials often cite in branding Thailand the “aggressor,” particularly as Thai strikes reach deeper into Cambodian territory.
China sealing Hainan customs borders to make full free trade port
Beijing has moved to seal Hainan’s customs borders and turn the island into a full-fledged free trade port (FTP), a move that has sharply divided Chinese and overseas analysts over its economic and geopolitical implications.
Under the new framework, the Hainan FTP will implement arrangements for zero tariffs as part of island-wide special customs operations. Manufacturers operating in Hainan will be able to import raw materials tariff-free. At the same time, products that meet a 30% local value-added threshold will be allowed to enter the Chinese mainland without tariffs.
The scheme, which kicked off on December 18, also expands Hainan’s role as a duty-free shopping hub. Luxury goods will be sold tax-free to any Hainan or foreign consumer who can show a record of overseas travel within the previous 12 months, subject to an annual spending cap of 100,000 yuan (about US$14,000) per person. That will extend policies that in the past applied mainly to travelers leaving Hainan for the Chinese mainland.
Under the new framework, the Hainan FTP will implement arrangements for zero tariffs as part of island-wide special customs operations. Manufacturers operating in Hainan will be able to import raw materials tariff-free. At the same time, products that meet a 30% local value-added threshold will be allowed to enter the Chinese mainland without tariffs.
The scheme, which kicked off on December 18, also expands Hainan’s role as a duty-free shopping hub. Luxury goods will be sold tax-free to any Hainan or foreign consumer who can show a record of overseas travel within the previous 12 months, subject to an annual spending cap of 100,000 yuan (about US$14,000) per person. That will extend policies that in the past applied mainly to travelers leaving Hainan for the Chinese mainland.
Thailand and Cambodia sign truce to halt fierce border conflict
Thailand and Cambodia agreed on Saturday to halt weeks of fierce border clashes, the worst fighting in years between the Southeast Asian countries that has included fighter-jet sorties, exchange of rocket fire and artillery barrages.
“Both sides agree to maintain current troop deployments without further movement,” their defense ministers said in a joint statement on the ceasefire, to take effect at noon local time (midnight, ET).
“Any reinforcement would heighten tensions and negatively affect long-term efforts to resolve the situation,” according to the statement released on social media by Cambodia’s Defense Ministry.
The agreement, signed by Thai Defense Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit and his Cambodian counterpart Tea Seiha, ended 20 days of fighting that has killed at least 101 people and displaced more than half a million on both sides.
“Both sides agree to maintain current troop deployments without further movement,” their defense ministers said in a joint statement on the ceasefire, to take effect at noon local time (midnight, ET).
“Any reinforcement would heighten tensions and negatively affect long-term efforts to resolve the situation,” according to the statement released on social media by Cambodia’s Defense Ministry.
The agreement, signed by Thai Defense Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit and his Cambodian counterpart Tea Seiha, ended 20 days of fighting that has killed at least 101 people and displaced more than half a million on both sides.
Myanmar election: military seeks legitimacy amid war, exclusion
On Sunday December 28, Myanmar goes to the polls for the first phase of its first general election since the military coup of February 1, 2021.
After several extensions, the State Administration Council, controlled by the military (Tatmadaw), lifted the state of emergency on July 31, creating a State Security and Peace Commission and a caretaker cabinet led by Prime Minister Nyo Saw, a military-aligned figure, while Senior General Min Aung Hlaing remains the commander-in-chief and acting president.
After several extensions, the State Administration Council, controlled by the military (Tatmadaw), lifted the state of emergency on July 31, creating a State Security and Peace Commission and a caretaker cabinet led by Prime Minister Nyo Saw, a military-aligned figure, while Senior General Min Aung Hlaing remains the commander-in-chief and acting president.
On the same day, the Union Election Commission — provisioned under 2008 Constitution and set up under UEC Law of 2010 — was reconstituted to set this election process in motion. The plan now is to complete general elections by January 25, 2026, to form a civilian government before completing four years of military rule and, once again, start Myanmar’s piecemeal process of democratization.
But, given that ASEAN has refused to send observers for these elections, their credibility already stands undermined. By official admission, these elections will not take place in 15% of constituencies.
But, given that ASEAN has refused to send observers for these elections, their credibility already stands undermined. By official admission, these elections will not take place in 15% of constituencies.
Japan's growing engagement with Taiwan angers China
China has condemned a visit by a group of senior Japanese politicians to Taiwan as another example of Tokyo meddling in internal affairs. Beijing is ramping up accusations that Japan is swerving back to the militarism that led to catastrophic conflict across the Asia-Pacific region in the early decades of the last century.
Tensions between the two East Asian powers have been rising after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi responded to a question in parliament last month by saying that any "contingency" involving Taiwan would also inevitably threaten the national security of Japan.
Beijing claims the island is part of China and insists it will be "reunited" with the mainland, by force if necessary. The pressure on Taiwan has increased in recent years and there are growing fears that China will attempt to seize the island.
Analysts say that successive Japanese governments have long held the same position on the Taiwan situation, but not previously stated it. The more forthright Takaichi, however, has been more explicit and is incurring Beijing's wrath.
Tensions between the two East Asian powers have been rising after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi responded to a question in parliament last month by saying that any "contingency" involving Taiwan would also inevitably threaten the national security of Japan.
Beijing claims the island is part of China and insists it will be "reunited" with the mainland, by force if necessary. The pressure on Taiwan has increased in recent years and there are growing fears that China will attempt to seize the island.
Analysts say that successive Japanese governments have long held the same position on the Taiwan situation, but not previously stated it. The more forthright Takaichi, however, has been more explicit and is incurring Beijing's wrath.
North Korea reveals new images of its first ‘nuclear-powered’ submarine
North Korea on Thursday released new images of what it claims is its first nuclear-powered submarine, a massive vessel equal in size to some of the United States Navy’s attack subs. The pictures released by state media showed leader Kim Jong Un inspecting the guided-missile submarine at an indoor construction facility, indicating it has not yet been launched.
Building a nuclear-powered submarine has been a long-held goal for Kim, who first discussed it at a ruling party congress in 2021, but the fact its rival, South Korea, has recently being given the blessing of the Trump administration to pursue its own nuclear-powered subs appears to have added urgency to Kim’s plans.
Building a nuclear-powered submarine has been a long-held goal for Kim, who first discussed it at a ruling party congress in 2021, but the fact its rival, South Korea, has recently being given the blessing of the Trump administration to pursue its own nuclear-powered subs appears to have added urgency to Kim’s plans.
fredag 26. desember 2025
China Plans To Build Six Aircraft Carriers in 10 Years: Pentagon
China aims to build six additional aircraft carriers within a decade as part of efforts to significantly bolster its naval power, the Pentagon said in a report released on Tuesday.
"The future development plans for China's aircraft carriers will be comprehensively considered based on national defense needs," Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for China's Embassy in Washington, D.C., previously told Newsweek, adding that the East Asian power's military development and improvement were not directed at any third party.
In pursuit of the ambitious goal of building "world-class" armed forces by 2049, China is undergoing rapid military modernization. With over 370 vessels, including three aircraft carriers, Beijing has the world's largest navy by hull count. Still, its aircraft carrier fleet is far behind that of its top rival: the United States, which has the world's largest with 11 carriers.
"The future development plans for China's aircraft carriers will be comprehensively considered based on national defense needs," Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for China's Embassy in Washington, D.C., previously told Newsweek, adding that the East Asian power's military development and improvement were not directed at any third party.
In pursuit of the ambitious goal of building "world-class" armed forces by 2049, China is undergoing rapid military modernization. With over 370 vessels, including three aircraft carriers, Beijing has the world's largest navy by hull count. Still, its aircraft carrier fleet is far behind that of its top rival: the United States, which has the world's largest with 11 carriers.
The Trump-class battleship faces a large obstacle in its way: Reality
On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled plans for a new “Trump-class” battleship, declaring it would be “the fastest, the biggest, and by far, 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built.” He hailed the ships as “some of the most lethal surface warfare ships,” promising they would “help maintain American military supremacy [and] inspire fear in America’s enemies all over the world.”
But there is one glaring problem: battleships have been obsolete for decades. The last was built more than 80 years ago, and the U.S. Navy retired the last Iowa-class ships nearly 30 years ago.
Once symbols of naval might with their massive guns, battleships have long since been eclipsed by aircraft carriers and modern destroyers armed with long-range missiles.
But there is one glaring problem: battleships have been obsolete for decades. The last was built more than 80 years ago, and the U.S. Navy retired the last Iowa-class ships nearly 30 years ago.
Once symbols of naval might with their massive guns, battleships have long since been eclipsed by aircraft carriers and modern destroyers armed with long-range missiles.
Cambodia blames Thailand for ‘ruthless’ bombardment amid border talks
Cambodia has accused Thai forces of carrying out “ruthless” aerial attacks against it, even as the two sides hold new talks aimed at easing their long-running border conflict. Thai fighter jets dropped dozens of bombs near the northwestern Cambodian village of Chouk Chey early on Friday morning, causing “extensive destruction to civilians’ homes, properties, and public infrastructure”, Cambodia’s state news agency cited the defence ministry as saying.
Later in the morning, Thai forces also launched artillery attacks in the Stung Bot area near the border, reported the Cambodian news agency Agence Kampuchea Presse.
Cambodia’s defence ministry condemned the attacks as “grave acts of aggression” that intentionally endangered “civilian lives and civilian infrastructure”. It said the attacks in Chouk Chey were “exceptionally ruthless and inhumane”.
The violence marks the latest flare-up since renewed clashes broke out on December 8, derailing an expanded ceasefire brokered by the United States and Malaysia in October. Fighting this month has killed at least 96 people, according to authorities on both sides, while displacing about one million people.
Later in the morning, Thai forces also launched artillery attacks in the Stung Bot area near the border, reported the Cambodian news agency Agence Kampuchea Presse.
Cambodia’s defence ministry condemned the attacks as “grave acts of aggression” that intentionally endangered “civilian lives and civilian infrastructure”. It said the attacks in Chouk Chey were “exceptionally ruthless and inhumane”.
The violence marks the latest flare-up since renewed clashes broke out on December 8, derailing an expanded ceasefire brokered by the United States and Malaysia in October. Fighting this month has killed at least 96 people, according to authorities on both sides, while displacing about one million people.
Japan gov’t greenlights record $58bn defence budget amid regional tension
Japan’s cabinet has approved a record defence budget proposal of more than 9 trillion yen ($58bn) for the coming fiscal year, reflecting a push to strengthen military and coastal defences amid rising tensions in East Asia.
The plan still requires parliamentary approval by March and forms part of a broader 122.3 trillion yen ($784bn) national budget for the fiscal year beginning in April 2026. The increase marks the fourth year of Japan’s five-year effort to increase defence outlays to 2 percent of gross domestic product.The spending increase comes as Tokyo voices growing concern over China.
The plan still requires parliamentary approval by March and forms part of a broader 122.3 trillion yen ($784bn) national budget for the fiscal year beginning in April 2026. The increase marks the fourth year of Japan’s five-year effort to increase defence outlays to 2 percent of gross domestic product.The spending increase comes as Tokyo voices growing concern over China.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in November that Japan’s military could become involved if China were to take action against Taiwan, the self-governing island claimed by Beijing – comments that caused outrage in Beijing, which hit back with diplomatic and economic measures against Japan.
Taiwan’s opposition launches ‘symbolic’ campaign to impeach president
Taiwan’s opposition parties have moved forward with an impeachment campaign to remove President William Lai Ching-te and Premier Cho Jung-tai from office, in what observers say is the latest sign of deepening political polarisation within the self-ruled island.
The Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) began impeachment proceedings on Friday against President Lai and Premier Cho, who they accuse of violating the constitution and the legislative process. Legislators with the KMT, TPP, and two independents had enough seats to initiate proceedings on Friday, but they are still short of the two-thirds majority of lawmakers needed to pass an impeachment vote scheduled for May 19.
Observers say that while the impeachment proceedings are unlikely to clear further hurdles in Taiwan’s Constitutional Court, they offer the opposition a symbolic way to protest their displeasure at Lai’s presidency and Cho’s premiership.
The Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) began impeachment proceedings on Friday against President Lai and Premier Cho, who they accuse of violating the constitution and the legislative process. Legislators with the KMT, TPP, and two independents had enough seats to initiate proceedings on Friday, but they are still short of the two-thirds majority of lawmakers needed to pass an impeachment vote scheduled for May 19.
Observers say that while the impeachment proceedings are unlikely to clear further hurdles in Taiwan’s Constitutional Court, they offer the opposition a symbolic way to protest their displeasure at Lai’s presidency and Cho’s premiership.
Will China come to Venezuela’s rescue?
As Venezuela and the United States teeter on the brink of war, China has been vocal in condemning US actions. In Beijing’s view, Washington’s escalation – which includes seizing Venezuelan oil tankers, striking alleged drug-smuggling boats and imposing a blockade off the Venezuelan coast – is a textbook example of American unilateralism, infringing on another country’s sovereignty and violating the United Nations Charter.
During a December 17 call with his Venezuelan counterpart, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi voiced opposition to US “unilateral bullying” and expressed his support for Venezuela’s right to “defend its sovereignty and national dignity”.
Yet, Beijing has failed to offer Caracas anything beyond rhetoric. China is clearly wary of falling into a geopolitical trap and its inaction demonstrates the limits of its influence in Latin America.
Read more
During a December 17 call with his Venezuelan counterpart, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi voiced opposition to US “unilateral bullying” and expressed his support for Venezuela’s right to “defend its sovereignty and national dignity”.
Yet, Beijing has failed to offer Caracas anything beyond rhetoric. China is clearly wary of falling into a geopolitical trap and its inaction demonstrates the limits of its influence in Latin America.
Read more
China sanctions 30 US firms, individuals over Taiwan weapons sales
China has sanctioned a group of United States defence companies and senior executives over weapons sales to Taiwan, the latest move against Washington’s support for the self-governed island that Beijing claims as its own. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the measures on Friday, targeting 20 US defence firms and 10 individuals. It said the sanctions are retaliation for the US’s newly announced $11.1bn weapons package for Taiwan, one of its largest ever for the territory.
“Any provocative actions that cross the line on the Taiwan issue will be met with a strong response from China,” said a statement from the ministry, urging the US to cease “dangerous” efforts to arm the island.
The sanctioned companies include Boeing’s St Louis branch, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, L3Harris Maritime Services and Lazarus AI.
The measures freeze these companies’ assets in China and bar domestic organisations and individuals from working with them, according to the ministry. They also seize the China-held assets of sanctioned individuals and ban them from entering China.
“Any provocative actions that cross the line on the Taiwan issue will be met with a strong response from China,” said a statement from the ministry, urging the US to cease “dangerous” efforts to arm the island.
The sanctioned companies include Boeing’s St Louis branch, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, L3Harris Maritime Services and Lazarus AI.
The measures freeze these companies’ assets in China and bar domestic organisations and individuals from working with them, according to the ministry. They also seize the China-held assets of sanctioned individuals and ban them from entering China.
Asia’s year in review: Who had it best — and who had it worst — in 2025
What a year this has been. Understandably for many, it could not be over soon enough.
From the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs to natural and man-made disasters across Asia. To new leaders breaking glass ceilings and old leaders whisked off to The International Criminal Court, or even sentenced to death in absentia. Missiles fired across borders. Terrorist attacks in South Asia and the Pacific. Enduring corruption challenges and real estate woes. And people scammed and enslaved.
As 2025 comes to a close, we look back and see who had it bad and who had it good. The year saw a growing tsunami of cybercrime sweeping across the globe, emanating from Southeast Asia. Criminal gangs largely operating out of Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia defrauded billions of dollars from victims worldwide.
From the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs to natural and man-made disasters across Asia. To new leaders breaking glass ceilings and old leaders whisked off to The International Criminal Court, or even sentenced to death in absentia. Missiles fired across borders. Terrorist attacks in South Asia and the Pacific. Enduring corruption challenges and real estate woes. And people scammed and enslaved.
As 2025 comes to a close, we look back and see who had it bad and who had it good. The year saw a growing tsunami of cybercrime sweeping across the globe, emanating from Southeast Asia. Criminal gangs largely operating out of Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia defrauded billions of dollars from victims worldwide.
How China Turned a Desert Green
China's active forest expansion has continued at pace amid a long-running push that began half a century ago. Its Three-North Shelterbelt Program started in 1978 and is now also known as the “Green Great Wall” project—spanning 13 provinces across northern China—to combat desertification and soil erosion in drought-prone areas.
A year after the initiative was launched, China designated March 12 as its national day of tree planting. The Chinese government says that from 1982-2021, its citizens planted approximately 78 billion trees in the country.
China’s overall forest coverage has risen to nearly 25 percent, according to official statistics, in a demonstration of decades of afforestation and land restoration efforts. The work contributes to carbon uptake as part of Beijing’s broader climate mitigation strategy and supports jobs in forestry‑related sectors, officials say.
A year after the initiative was launched, China designated March 12 as its national day of tree planting. The Chinese government says that from 1982-2021, its citizens planted approximately 78 billion trees in the country.
China’s overall forest coverage has risen to nearly 25 percent, according to official statistics, in a demonstration of decades of afforestation and land restoration efforts. The work contributes to carbon uptake as part of Beijing’s broader climate mitigation strategy and supports jobs in forestry‑related sectors, officials say.
tirsdag 23. desember 2025
Trump’s new battleship plan could transform the US Navy – or sink it
President Donald Trump’s announcement of a new class of battleships bearing his name puts a fresh spotlight on a US naval shipbuilding program that has fallen short on delivering the new warships on time and on budget in recent years, something Trump himself pointed out in his speech from Mar-a-Lago on Monday.
“We make the greatest equipment in the world, by far, nobody’s even close. But we don’t produce them fast enough,” Trump said, as he announced he would meet soon with top US military contractors to ramp up production for the new battleships and other weapons programs.
But at least in the battleship plan, the Navy would seem to be swimming upstream, with construction of the vessels themselves and some of the weapon systems the service says would be aboard.
“We make the greatest equipment in the world, by far, nobody’s even close. But we don’t produce them fast enough,” Trump said, as he announced he would meet soon with top US military contractors to ramp up production for the new battleships and other weapons programs.
But at least in the battleship plan, the Navy would seem to be swimming upstream, with construction of the vessels themselves and some of the weapon systems the service says would be aboard.
Abonner på:
Kommentarer (Atom)