Taiwan

China dismisses US claims of military pressure on Taiwan as a distortion, accusing Washington of "malicious intentions" while urging the US to handle Taiwan-related issues with caution.

Despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the US is Taiwan's most important arms supplier and international backer.

Xi Jinping told Taiwan's opposition leader that China "won’t tolerate" independence, as military tensions rise around the island during talks on cross-strait relations.

From Israel to Ukraine and Taiwan, today’s conflicts are redefining the rules of warfare – and the technologies that drive it

Taiwan has demonstrated swift support for Operation Roaring Lion. The goal is clear: Taiwan wants to learn from Israel’s national security policy and to align itself with the United States.

"This is a moment for China to exercise influence," said a senior Taiwan security official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence matters.

Taiwan, which faces a rising military threat from China, has complained of repeated delays to weapons ordered from the US, the most important international backer and arms supplier to the island.

Deliveries of Taiwan’s delayed F-16V fighter jets are set to begin this year, as production reaches full capacity following earlier setbacks.

With a price tag of about $14 billion, the arms deal would be the largest ever for the democratically governed island, which faces steadily rising military pressure from China.

The war with Iran is is a direct strike at China’s energy lifeline - and a pivotal move in the defining power struggle of the 21st century.