China’s Seaport Takeover Plan Is A Direct Threat To America

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) – China’s vast network of seaports is causing alarm. China has spent two decades patiently assembling a vast port network spanning every continent except Antarctica.

Chinese companies own or operate terminals at more than 90 deepwater ports worldwide. That includes 34 of the world’s top 100 busiest ports.

Two massive Chinese-run ports at either end of the Panama Canal have made it crystal clear that these ports pose a serious threat to the United States.

In the case of the Panama Canal, President Trump is focused on ensuring that the strategic choke point is out of Beijing’s hands.

As he said during his inaugural address, “China is operating the Panama Canal, and we didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”

But what can Trump, or the U.S., do about all the rest of them?

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s a roundup of today’s other top defense news from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

Not the President’s Daily Brief, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEFING – the PDB:    

NATIONAL SECURITY

Trump administration has designated a “non-international armed conflict” against Tren de Aragua, a narco-group based in Venezuela. In other words, it has invoked war powers to justify the targeting of these vessels and, ostensibly, other assets of the organization in the future — perhaps even inside Venezuela.

Maritime strategy is built in shipyards. U.S. must partner with allies to revitalize the industrial base.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Trump administration can deploy National Guard. An appeals court overturned a temporary restraining order that prevented Trump from deploying the National Guard to Portland, Oregon.

Coast Guard launches Operation River Wall in eastern Texas to bolster ongoing Coast Guard efforts to control, secure and defend approximately 260 miles of the Rio Grande River that makes up the U.S. border there.

House Democrats are asking DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to explain why DHS reassigned many of its cybersecurity staff to roles focused on immigration and deportation work, and how those shifts affect U.S. cyber defenses.

Kristi Noem defended a contract to spend more than $170 million on new business jets for the Coast Guard, including one that will be used for the secretary’s travel.

Civilian special agents of the Army Counterintelligence Command will receive enhanced authorities to conduct searches, execute warrants and make arrests outside of military bases.

DEFENSE POLITICS

U.S. Navy shipbuilding is ‘a mess.’ Trump wants to “Make American Shipbuilding Great Again.” And leaders at two South Korean shipyards say that, given the chance, they could do just that.

The new training facility for the Qatari Air Force hosted at a U.S. air base in the states is a ‘strategic move’ that has practical benefits for Qatar but also offers a broader signal about the solidifying ties between the two nations.

US POWER OVERSEAS

President Trump threw his support behind the trilateral AUKUS agreement today, suggesting the U.S. is moving more quickly to provide nuclear-powered subs to Australia.

These are the approximate positions of the Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of October 20, 2025.

Aircraft carrier USS George Washington returned unexpectedly to its homeport, less than three weeks after resuming its annual patrol and just ahead of Trump’s confirmed visit to Japan.

Washington and Manila kicked off a three-year-long maritime security initiative last week that aims to bolster the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) with American training programs, advisors and maintenance assistance.

U.S. launched a seventh strike on a suspected drug trafficking boat, killing three narcos.

U.S. warships operating off Venezuela’s coast are not doing so without a credible threat. This comes from the presence of the Russian-made Kh-31 high-speed air-to-surface missile.

CHINA THREAT

Trump says China ‘doesn’t want’ to invade Taiwan and reaffirms trust in Xi Jinping, whom he will meet later this month.

China’s top intelligence agency accused the NSA of carrying out a yearslong cyberespionage campaign against Beijing’s national time-service network, among the nation’s most sensitive pieces of digital infrastructure.

RUSSIA THREAT

Trump said that while he thinks it is possible that Ukraine can defeat Russia, he’s now doubtful it will happen.

Volodymyr Zelensky said that his meeting with Trump was “positive” even though he failed to secure a commitment from the U.S. to provide Tomahawk missiles.

To sell weapons, prove they worked in Ukraine, say military leaders from NATO border nations. Nordic army leaders are warning industry of a new critical requirement: they must have already proved their worth in the Ukraine war.

Ukraine and the U.S. are finalizing a deal for Kyiv to secure 25 Patriot air defense systems, a push that would boost the Ukrainian military’s ability to defend against Russian aerial attacks.

UK investigating whether Russia-backed hackers stole hundreds of sensitive military documents containing details of eight bases in the country, including two used by the U.S. military, and posted them on the dark web.

No cause for alarm: The case for a measured response to Russian air incursions. Over the past month, eyes across Europe have been trained on the sky.

MIDDLE EAST THREATS

Benjamin Netanyahu, said he is committed to disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip during a speech before the Knesset, as Palestinian officials arrived in Cairo for further peace negotiations.

As a tenuous ceasefire took hold in Gaza this month, Israel launched more airstrikes on southern Lebanon — 11 months into a ceasefire there.

A small contingent of U.S. military advisers will remain in Iraq for now to coordinate with U.S. forces in neighboring Syria combating the Islamic State group.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Unpacking the U.S.-Australia critical rare earth minerals framework won by Trump.

UK is working to ensure its uncrewed and counter-drone systems are fully interoperable with NATO frameworks, standards and data-sharing protocols.

$4B on UK Boxer-based fighting vehicles. Germany and the Netherlands are slated to get hundreds of newly developed Jackal wheeled infantry fighting vehicles.

French Army chief sees Europe facing empires, vassals, war. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and America’s use of economic force to achieve goals signal the end of a world order based on respect of sovereignty and crisis resolution through negotiation and indicate the resurgence of empires.

Madagascar’s military coup leader, who seized power this month after Gen Z-driven protests forced the former president out the country, has appointed a new prime minister.

Myanmar’s military has shut down a major online scam operation near the border with Thailand, detaining more than 2,000 people and seizing dozens of Starlink satellite internet terminals.

U.S. ARMY SPECIAL REPORT

Army may need a specialized counter-drone MOS. As drones have grown into a massive threat, so has the need for counter-drone defenses.

Army tightens standards for its basic training prep course at the heart of the recent surge in Army recruitment numbers, although it was unclear if that meant it will produce fewer future soldiers.

Army to evaluate new 2-in-1 all-weather jacket. As the military looks to get rid of “forever chemicals” in equipment and clothing, outerwear maker Gore hopes a lightweight jacket that uses a fleece lining, not a chemical coating, to block wind and weather.

END of PDB

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.

READ NEXT: Karma Hits: Woke Police Chief Finally Faces The Music