Microsoft abruptly cuts services to Chinese university, genomics firm
(scmp.com)
US technology giant Microsoft has abruptly suspended some services for a number of clients in mainland China, fuelling speculation about accelerating technological decoupling between the world’s two largest economies.
US technology giant Microsoft has abruptly suspended some services for a number of clients in mainland China, fuelling speculation about accelerating technological decoupling between the world’s two largest economies.
The Risk of War in the Taiwan Strait Is High–and Getting Higher
(foreignaffairs.com)
Tensions in the Taiwan Strait are growing. Even before Taiwan elected William Lai as its president, in January 2024, China voiced strong opposition to him, calling him a “separatist” and an “instigator of war.”
Tensions in the Taiwan Strait are growing. Even before Taiwan elected William Lai as its president, in January 2024, China voiced strong opposition to him, calling him a “separatist” and an “instigator of war.”
The British Airways position on various border disputes
(drewdevault.com)
Given that British Airways is the proud flag carrier of the United Kingdom I assume that this is indeed the only off-the-shelf copyrighted material included in this display, and everything else was developed in-house without relying on any open source software that might require a disclosure of license and copyright details. For similar reasons I am going to assume that all of the borders shown in this map are reflective of the official opinion of British Airways on various international disputes.
Given that British Airways is the proud flag carrier of the United Kingdom I assume that this is indeed the only off-the-shelf copyrighted material included in this display, and everything else was developed in-house without relying on any open source software that might require a disclosure of license and copyright details. For similar reasons I am going to assume that all of the borders shown in this map are reflective of the official opinion of British Airways on various international disputes.
What the hell are rare earth elements?
(hubspot.com)
Rare earths are needed for EVs, smartphones, and fighter jets, but the United States lost the industry to China. Can it win it back?
Rare earths are needed for EVs, smartphones, and fighter jets, but the United States lost the industry to China. Can it win it back?
The crisis of the 21st century is here
(noahpinion.blog)
The big news of the last couple of days is that India and Pakistan are at war.
The big news of the last couple of days is that India and Pakistan are at war.
Brace for Disorder as the Great Power Shifts Begin
(ft.com)
Brace for disorder as the great power shifts begin
Brace for disorder as the great power shifts begin
Water and War: The Indus Waters Treaty and the New India-Pakistan Flashpoint
(everymansci.com)
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed in 1960, has long stood as a testament to the possibility of cooperation between India and Pakistan, even amidst deep-seated hostilities.
The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), signed in 1960, has long stood as a testament to the possibility of cooperation between India and Pakistan, even amidst deep-seated hostilities.
China needs Taiwanese ports to take the island. Mines are the key to protecting
(aspistrategist.org.au)
If China ever makes good on decades of implicit threats to invade Taiwan, most of its ground force will have to land at ports.
If China ever makes good on decades of implicit threats to invade Taiwan, most of its ground force will have to land at ports.
Ukraine's Air Force has survived. Taiwan's almost certainly couldn't
(aspistrategist.org.au)
Ukraine’s air force has survived. Taiwan’s almost certainly couldn’t
Ukraine’s air force has survived. Taiwan’s almost certainly couldn’t
Microsoft gets twitchy over talk of Europe's tech independence
(theregister.com)
Microsoft is responding to mounting "geopolitical and trade volatility" between the US administration and governments in Europe by pledging privacy safeguards for customers worried about using American hyperscalers, and vowing to fight the US government in court to protect Euro customers' data if needed.
Microsoft is responding to mounting "geopolitical and trade volatility" between the US administration and governments in Europe by pledging privacy safeguards for customers worried about using American hyperscalers, and vowing to fight the US government in court to protect Euro customers' data if needed.
Microsoft gets twitchy over talk of Europe's tech independence
(theregister.com)
Microsoft is responding to mounting "geopolitical and trade volatility" between the US administration and governments in Europe by pledging privacy safeguards for customers worried about using American hyperscalers, and vowing to fight the US government in court to protect Euro customers' data if needed.
Microsoft is responding to mounting "geopolitical and trade volatility" between the US administration and governments in Europe by pledging privacy safeguards for customers worried about using American hyperscalers, and vowing to fight the US government in court to protect Euro customers' data if needed.
Why US and China economic own goals give Europe an unlikely chance of glory
(politico.eu)
Washington and Beijing are trading tariff blows. The EU could come out on top ― if it can rise to the challenge.
Washington and Beijing are trading tariff blows. The EU could come out on top ― if it can rise to the challenge.
How Severe Are China's Food Security Challenges?
(csis.org)
Food security is critical to the well-being and stability of all countries. Decades of economic growth have enabled considerable strides in increasing access to food across China, but this growth has also generated new demographic demands and environmental strains. Global shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine, U.S.-China tensions, and the effects of climate change have left Chinese policymakers anxious about China’s food security issues.
Food security is critical to the well-being and stability of all countries. Decades of economic growth have enabled considerable strides in increasing access to food across China, but this growth has also generated new demographic demands and environmental strains. Global shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic, war in Ukraine, U.S.-China tensions, and the effects of climate change have left Chinese policymakers anxious about China’s food security issues.
Rethinking the World Without the US
(lemonde.fr)
The United States is no longer a reliable country. For some, this is nothing new. The Iraq War, launched in 2003 – resulting in over 100,000 deaths, lasting regional destabilization, and the return of Russian influence – had already shown the world the wrondoings of American military hubris. But the current crisis is new because it challenges the very core of the country’s economic, financial, and political power.
The United States is no longer a reliable country. For some, this is nothing new. The Iraq War, launched in 2003 – resulting in over 100,000 deaths, lasting regional destabilization, and the return of Russian influence – had already shown the world the wrondoings of American military hubris. But the current crisis is new because it challenges the very core of the country’s economic, financial, and political power.
'Invasion' barges, cable cutters and surprise naval drills: how China tests USA
(theguardian.com)
In the space of just five weeks, China held live-fire drills on the doorsteps of Australia, Taiwan and Vietnam. It tested new landing barges on ships that could facilitate an amphibious assault on Taiwan. And it unveiled deep-sea cable cutters with the ability to switch off another country’s internet access – a tool no other nation admits to having.
In the space of just five weeks, China held live-fire drills on the doorsteps of Australia, Taiwan and Vietnam. It tested new landing barges on ships that could facilitate an amphibious assault on Taiwan. And it unveiled deep-sea cable cutters with the ability to switch off another country’s internet access – a tool no other nation admits to having.
Washington Takes Aim at DeepSeek and Its Chip Supplier, Nvidia
(nytimes.com)
Two months after DeepSeek, China’s artificial intelligence star, rattled Washington and shook Wall Street, U.S. officials are taking steps to crack down on the Chinese start-up and its support from America’s leading chip maker, Nvidia.
Two months after DeepSeek, China’s artificial intelligence star, rattled Washington and shook Wall Street, U.S. officials are taking steps to crack down on the Chinese start-up and its support from America’s leading chip maker, Nvidia.
Europe's Markets Are Winning from Ebbing of 'America First' Trade
(bloomberg.com)
Europe’s long-sluggish financial markets are being shocked into life as Donald Trump’s drive to reshape global trade and security undermines America’s decades-long dominance.
Europe’s long-sluggish financial markets are being shocked into life as Donald Trump’s drive to reshape global trade and security undermines America’s decades-long dominance.
China suspended exports of rare earth minerals
(nytimes.com)
China has suspended exports of a wide range of critical minerals and magnets, threatening to choke off supplies of components central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world.
China has suspended exports of a wide range of critical minerals and magnets, threatening to choke off supplies of components central to automakers, aerospace manufacturers, semiconductor companies and military contractors around the world.
China has stopped exporting rare earths to everyone, not just the U.S.
(msn.com)
China is exploiting a highly lopsided advantage it has in global trade as it hits back against President Donald Trump’s tariffs: rare earths.
China is exploiting a highly lopsided advantage it has in global trade as it hits back against President Donald Trump’s tariffs: rare earths.
Trump Could Dethrone the Dollar
(foreignaffairs.com)
The U.S. dollar has been the dominant currency in global trade and finance for more than seven decades. Over that time, little has ever truly threatened its position.
The U.S. dollar has been the dominant currency in global trade and finance for more than seven decades. Over that time, little has ever truly threatened its position.
The Taliban Hands over Bagram Air Base to the United States
(medium.com)
In a surprising development with significant geopolitical implications, the Afghan Taliban has reportedly handed over control of Bagram Air Base to the United States.
In a surprising development with significant geopolitical implications, the Afghan Taliban has reportedly handed over control of Bagram Air Base to the United States.
Germany may pull gold reserves from New York
(cnbctv18.com)
Germany is considering the removal of its gold reserves stored in New York due to concerns over US President Donald Trump’s policy unpredictability, Yahoo News reported, citing German publication Bild.
Germany is considering the removal of its gold reserves stored in New York due to concerns over US President Donald Trump’s policy unpredictability, Yahoo News reported, citing German publication Bild.
Open Source Is Geopolitical Now
(openpioneers.com)
Open source software powers most of the modern world - from the Linux servers running our internet to the Android phones in our pockets. Once seen purely as a software development model, open source is now a geopolitical topic. Governments and companies alike recognize that whoever controls key technologies gains strategic advantage.
Open source software powers most of the modern world - from the Linux servers running our internet to the Android phones in our pockets. Once seen purely as a software development model, open source is now a geopolitical topic. Governments and companies alike recognize that whoever controls key technologies gains strategic advantage.
Trade, Tariffs, and Tech
(stratechery.com)
Pretend, if you can, that the last week didn’t happen (a tall order for the Stratechery demographic, I know), and imagine another scenario: China invades Taiwan. What happens then?
Pretend, if you can, that the last week didn’t happen (a tall order for the Stratechery demographic, I know), and imagine another scenario: China invades Taiwan. What happens then?
German conservatives sound alarm over gold reserves held in US
(politico.eu)
Can the United States be trusted with Germany’s gold?
Can the United States be trusted with Germany’s gold?
China unveils a powerful deep-sea cable cutter that could reset the world order
(scmp.com)
A compact, deep-sea, cable-cutting device, capable of severing the world’s most fortified underwater communication or power lines, has been unveiled by China – and it could shake up global maritime power dynamics.
A compact, deep-sea, cable-cutting device, capable of severing the world’s most fortified underwater communication or power lines, has been unveiled by China – and it could shake up global maritime power dynamics.
Europe's Nuclear Trilemma:Difficult and Dangerous Options for Post-US Deterrence
(foreignaffairs.com)
Over the first months of Donald Trump’s presidency, it has become increasingly clear to European leaders that remaining reliant on the United States to underwrite the continent’s security would be a dangerous gamble.
Over the first months of Donald Trump’s presidency, it has become increasingly clear to European leaders that remaining reliant on the United States to underwrite the continent’s security would be a dangerous gamble.
The Tectonics Behind the Myanmar Quake
(nautil.us)
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday afternoon local time near the country’s second-largest city, Mandalay. The quake caused extensive damage across Myanmar and also toppled a skyscraper under construction in Bangkok, Thailand, more than 600 miles away. After the quake, the Myanmar military junta declared a state of emergency in six regions and confirmed more than 100 people killed and many hundreds injured, while Thai officials reported at least seven deaths and scores of people missing.
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on Friday afternoon local time near the country’s second-largest city, Mandalay. The quake caused extensive damage across Myanmar and also toppled a skyscraper under construction in Bangkok, Thailand, more than 600 miles away. After the quake, the Myanmar military junta declared a state of emergency in six regions and confirmed more than 100 people killed and many hundreds injured, while Thai officials reported at least seven deaths and scores of people missing.
To counter China's coercion of Taiwan, we must track it better
(aspistrategist.org.au)
The threat of a Chinese military invasion of Taiwan dominates global discussion about the Taiwan Strait. Far less attention is paid to what is already happening—Beijing is slowly squeezing Taiwan into submission without firing a shot.
The threat of a Chinese military invasion of Taiwan dominates global discussion about the Taiwan Strait. Far less attention is paid to what is already happening—Beijing is slowly squeezing Taiwan into submission without firing a shot.