China's Xi Jinping says unification with Taiwan is inevitable. US President Donald Trump won't say if the US would defend Taiwan if attacked. Our hosts ask: could the US and China fight 'a war with no winners'? 0:00 Could the US and China go to war over Taiwan? 4:26 How a war could mean a global crisis 6:11 Taiwan's chips are vital to the world economy 12:29 What would a China attack on Taiwan look like? 15:37 Will the US come to Taiwan's defense? Stream the rest of Meanwhile in Asia on the CNN app: https://cnn.it/4dvlobT #China #Taiwan #Podcast
President Donald Trump’s decision to reduce U.S. participation in a scheduled military exercise with South Korea follows months of trade tensions and Seoul’s growing cooperation with China.
Trump wrote in a Truth Social post that he’s “not happy with the fact that the United States has, long ago, agreed to participate” in these joint military exercises.
Asian allies are beginning to wonder whether the United States would or could defend them in a war.
AI:As China aggressively expands its influence and footprint throughout Asia, the Trump administration has shifted its primary strategic focus toward confronting the Iranian regime. This pivot towards the Middle East has left major Asian allies questioning the reliability of American defense guarantees and whether the United States maintains the capacity or the willingness to protect them in a potential conflict.Open
Inspection teams visited 11 U.S. installations in the Pacific in May 2025 and documented issues U.S. miliitary installations.
AI:An Inspector General report has exposed severe infrastructure failures across eleven U.S. military installations in the Pacific, documenting widespread mold growth, failing plumbing, and generally deteriorating facilities during inspections conducted in May 2025. These findings highlight critical maintenance backlogs and substandard living conditions for service members stationed in Japan, adding to growing concerns regarding the readiness and welfare of troops operating within the region's strategic hubs.Open
China hit by Pacific missile backlash after doubling its nuclear warheads and losing access to a key Congo export [PLA/WeChat] Published August 12, 2026 SUVA, Fiji — China’s latest ballistic missile test in the Pacific [...]
U.S. service members and partner nations conducted joint air and missile defense training to strengthen regional security and interoperability in the Pacific as part of Exercise Tenacious Archer in Palau.
