As the Trump-Xi meeting approaches, former US Ambassador to China Burns expressed hope that Trump will defend the obligation to provide defensive military equipment to Taiwan. Drawing on his experience serving in China, Burns emphasized the competitive nature of US-China relations and called on Trump not to remain silent on human rights issues.
Iranian President Pezeshkian apologized on the 7th for airstrikes against neighboring countries, suggesting poor military communication may be responsible. He announced that a provisional committee has approved halting such attacks unless Iran is attacked by these countries. Earlier, he emphasized that Iran will never surrender.
Escalating Middle East tensions have disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, hampering crude oil exports. Kuwait has begun reducing production due to depleted storage capacity. International oil prices surged on the 6th, with Brent crude breaking through $90 per barrel. Qatar warned that a multi-week disruption of Persian Gulf energy exports could push prices to $150 per barrel. The US and China are attempting to stabilize prices and ease energy supply tensions.
The International Maritime Organization's Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez reported on the 6th that a vessel attack in the Strait of Hormuz resulted in 4 seafarers killed and 3 seriously injured. Recent attacks in the region have cumulatively caused 2 deaths and 1 missing person, with approximately 20,000 seafarers trapped in the Persian Gulf area. Dominguez emphasized that seafarers must not be attack targets and called for measures under international law to ensure maritime safety and freedom of navigation.
Escalating Middle East conflict has roiled global energy markets. U.S. crude futures surged 35.63% this week, marking the largest single-week gain since 1983, while Brent crude jumped approximately 28%, the biggest weekly increase since April 2020. On Friday, WTI crude rose 12.21% to $90.90 per barrel and Brent climbed 8.52% to $92.69 per barrel. Markets fear continued conflict will severely disrupt global oil and natural gas supplies.
The United States and Israel conducted coordinated airstrikes against Iran on February 28, resulting in the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei. Zineb Rib, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute's Center for Middle East Peace and Security, analyzed the military operation's implications for Middle Eastern affairs and questioned the validity of China's "East Rising, West Declining" narrative, suggesting this event may alter the trajectory of international power dynamics.
International oil prices surged today amid growing concerns that Middle East tensions could disrupt crude supply. London's Brent crude futures rose 8.5% to $92.69 per barrel, with weekly gains of 27.9%. New York's West Texas crude also posted significant increases. Geopolitical risks continue to drive energy prices higher as markets assess potential supply disruptions from the region.
President Trump stated he must personally participate in selecting Iran's next supreme leader. White House spokesperson Lee Witt indicated that US intelligence agencies are reviewing a list of candidates. This occurs amid continued US-Israel military operations against Iran, with the US asserting that Iran should not be led by a "radical terrorist regime" in America's best interest.
Taiwan's Chungshan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) has upgraded its collaboration with U.S. defense contractor Kratos to develop an AI-powered loyal wingman aircraft. The new unmanned vehicle will feature an XQ-58A stealth airframe, an F124 engine identical to Taiwan's IDF fighter, and integrate CSIST's self-developed AESA radar, infrared detection, and advanced AI control systems. The partnership benefits from the U.S. accelerated defense technology transfer policy announced in October last year.
The Legislative Yuan passed referral of the Executive Yuan's "Special Act for Strengthening Defense Resilience and Asymmetric Warfare Procurement" (NT$1.25 trillion) and the KMT caucus version "Special Act for Strengthening National Defense and US Military Procurement" to the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Committee. The committee comprises 8 opposition seats and 7 DPP seats this session. The executive version had faced multiple blockades by opposition parties.
Taiwan's National Science and Technology Council unveiled the "AI New Ten Major Constructions - High-Speed Quantum Computing National Strategy" yesterday. Quantum computing has the potential to surpass supercomputer limits but could also break current encryption systems, posing cybersecurity and national security risks. The technology has become a focus of global military competition. Taiwan will showcase superconducting quantum bit chips and cryogenic control modules, advancing quantum computing from research toward practical applications.
After nearly a week of military operations between the US, Israel, and Iran, President Trump claimed Iran's navy lost over 30 vessels with severely damaged missile and drone capabilities. Trump urged Iranian diplomats to seek political asylum and called for the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, military, and police to surrender or face dire consequences, marking a significant escalation in US-Iran tensions.
The Executive Yuan and KMT versions of the Special Defense Conditions Act were referred to the Legislative Yuan for review. Defense Minister Ku Li-hsiung stated that the KMT version sets a NT$380 billion ceiling without an 'N+' concept and includes items already in the public budget. The implementation timeline would effectively block five major military purchases including HIMARS, potentially creating significant gaps in defense resilience and joint combat capabilities.
Twenty-four U.S. states filed a lawsuit on the 5th with the International Trade Court to block the Trump administration's 10% global tariffs imposed under Section 122. Led by states including New York, California, Oregon, and Arizona, the suit represents the latest legal challenge to Trump's trade policy. The action reflects significant state opposition to the tariff measures.
The Israeli military announced it conducted strikes against more than 400 targets within Iranian territory today, continuing its military operations. The US military subsequently issued a warning that it will respond if Iran launches attacks against civilians in the Middle East region. The developments reflect ongoing tensions in the region, with all parties maintaining heightened vigilance against potential escalation of conflict.