US, Philippines, Japan Hold Joint Drills in China-Claimed Waters

Unprecedented U.S.–Philippines drills are underway in the South China Sea—at China’s doorstep. Several countries, including Japan, are joining for the first time, marking a major expansion of allied military presence across the Indo-Pacific.

Tensions are rising in the Taiwan Strait—the island has detected Chinese warships and aircraft operating near key military bases.

China is ramping up military spending again—for the 31st year in a row. In response, countries across Asia and beyond are increasing defense spending to deter China.

FBI director hails the capture of a Chinese hacker extradited to the United States from Italy. What is the hacker accused of stealing from U.S. university researchers at the height of the pandemic?

China is ramping up its efforts to root out high-ranking officials on corruption charges. Is the Chinese regime weeding out bad apples, or is Communist Party leader Xi Jinping more concerned about his grip on power?

Are the viral Labubu dolls hiding a dark secret? A new report finds they are made with cotton harvested through forced labor. The president of Victims of Communism joins us to unpack what parents should know.

1. U.S.–Philippines Drills Expand, Japan Boosts Deterrence
2. U.S. Marines Down Drones Using MADIS System in Drills
3. U.S.–Philippines Drills Signal Focus on Taiwan Strait
4. Filipino Defense Chief Not Surprised by China’s Move
5. Philippines: Beijing Moves When Rivals Are Distracted
6. Intensified China Military Activity Near Taiwan
7. China Defense Spending Up 31st Straight Year: Report
8. U.S. Arms Deliveries to Europe Delayed Amid Iran War
9. FBI Hails Capture of Chinese Hacker as ‘Historic Win’
10. Unexplained Deaths Among Chinese Scientists: Report
11. Beijing Ramps Up Anti-Corruption Campaign
12. Xi Jinping Uses Corruption Cases to Sideline Rivals
13. New DeepSeek Release Fails to Shake AI Market
14. VOC President on Viral Labubu Dolls and Forced Labor
15. Labubu Toys Tied to Forced Labor in China: Patterson
16. Can U.S. Regulations Block Xinjiang Cotton Imports?
17. When Cheap Goods Come at a Human Cost
18. Rights Concerns Loom Over Expected Trump–Xi Talks
19. Why Washington Misread China’s Path: Patterson