Inside The US Plan To Build Taiwan Into A Drone Fortress

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB): Taiwan needs “hornet’s nest” of drones to help deter conflict and provide security, says top U.S. diplomat to the democratically governed island. The de facto U.S. ambassador said drones represented “game-changing opportunity” to enhance Taiwan’s security and reinforce peace in region.

U.S. and Taiwan can anchor “democratic” drone production and strengthen the collective deterrence posture of the free world.

“Fortunately for Taiwan, drones have significantly boosted defenders, even when facing overwhelming odds,” the diplomat added, referring to the war in Ukraine. “Nothing will deter conflict more effectively than turning Taiwan into a hornet’s nest of air, surface, and subsurface drones.”

While Taiwan’s government has prioritized drones and other asymmetric systems, in May the opposition-dominated parliament passed only two-thirds of the $40 billion in extra defense spending President Lai Ching-te had asked for, earmarking funds only for U.S. arms.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY – Here’s the latest defense news from conservative national security expert PAUL CRESPO.

THE PDB – Not the President’s Daily Briefing, but almost as good – PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF:    

NATIONAL SECURITY

Strength without partners is not a strategy: Why Washington cannot afford to go it alone. U.S. has spent better part of 80 years building a security architecture designed to prevent exactly the kind of fragmentation now beginning to emerge across the Western alliance system.

HOMELAND SECURITY

Two members of Tennessee National Guard on federal anti-crime patrol shot and killed an armed man in Memphis.

DEFENSE POLITICS

Battle over Stars and Stripes. The newspaper for the American military has long taken pride in its editorial independence, and recently in its liberal bias. But under Trump administration, restrictions have been imposed, and Pentagon’s chief spokesman has vowed to rid the paper of “woke distractions.”

US POWER OVERSEAS

U.S. military suspended search for missing sailor who was aboard helicopter that went down in Arabian Sea last week.

U.S. has withdrawn most forces it deployed for recent operation against Islamic State militants in Nigeria and is now providing intelligence support at Abuja’s request.

CHINA THREAT

Trump administration working with U.S. company to challenge China’s dominance over rare earth elements. The rare metals are essential for components in smartphones, robotics, fighter, and drones.

Federal judge ordered Pentagon to give Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. reprieve from law and blacklisting that caused all of its lobbyists to drop it as a client while she considers constitutionality of the measure, in case set to test U.S.’s ability to curtail Chinese companies’ activities.

Citing China threat, Taiwan’s military has resumed “anti-communist” patriotic classes for its graduates after quarter-century gap.

IRAN WAR/DEAL

Why Iran’s unseen leader remains in the shadows. Tens of thousands of mourners gathered at Imam Khomeini Grand Mosalla for funeral and lying in state of terror master and Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following his assassination on opening day of U.S. and Israeli attacks February 28.

Iran seeks to tighten control over Strait of Hormuz. IRGC warnings force ships to turn back as Tehran uses passages from Qur’an to send messages to Gulf delegations.

Iran nuclear and military damage revealed after restricted satellite images released. Targets hit include ballistic missile infrastructure, nuclear sites, and naval bases.

European-led naval coalition for Hormuz disappears without a trace. The force, intended to safeguard Strait once it was safe to do so – appears to have foundered without any formal announcement of its demise. Up to 40 nations had expressed an interest in supporting the plan.

RUSSIA THREAT/UKRAINE WAR

Ukraine striking Russian energy infrastructure at unprecedented rate, exacerbating Russia’s growing fuel crisis.

Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s capital.

Russia has suffered as many as 450,000 deaths and 1.4 million total casualties since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, highest battlefield death toll suffered by any major power since World War II.

Ukraine’s military has denied a Kremlin claim to have taken a city in the eastern Donetsk region, saying its troops are holding out against infiltrating Russians.

Putin visits military installation, vowing to take more of Ukraine. Russian leader donned military fatigues to counter narrative that Moscow is stumbling in war after Ukrainian drone strikes set off acute fuel shortage.

“Putin’s yacht.” Prompted by heavy Ukrainian attacks on the Kronstadt naval base and nearby oil facilities in St Petersburg area, Putin is moving one of his luxurious private yachts to in the Arctic, out of Ukraine’s reach.

EUROPEAN DEFENSE

Russia threatens. Are NATO’s new borders ready?

Will outgoing PM Starmer’s plan for defense help UK hit NATO’s spending target? Starmer pledged to spend an extra $20billion to modernize Britain’s armed forces in a long-delayed defense investment plan.

NATO leaders will gather in Ankara on July 7 for two-day summit expected to mark turning point for alliance, with defense spending set to dominate the agenda.

European NATO allies have largely filled gaps left by U.S. in alliance’s defense plans, NATO’s top commander said, adding bloc was looking at workarounds to address remaining shortfalls in few areas.

Poland teams up with Spain to double multi-role tanker transport aircraft for country’s Air Force, aiming to buy Airbus A330 MRTT planes.

SPACE THREATS

NASA launches desperate rescue mission to save falling space telescope.

GAO cites growing costs for missile-warning satellites, digital engineering gaps and workforce reductions that could slow national security launches.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

French far-right leader Marine Le Pen awaits crucial appeal ruling in Paris on Tuesday that will determine whether she can run in the 2027 presidential election.

President Trump plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa Wednesday while attending NATO summit in Turkey. This, as Kyiv tries to refocus Trump’s attention on conflict with Moscow and as Trump has publicly mused about Syria’s role in Middle East.

Could existing ships operate without crew in high-risk zones like Hormuz? Some 20,000 seafarers on board some 2,000 ships, including tankers, bulk carriers, cargo ships, and cruise ships, were stranded in Persian Gulf due to Iran’s closure of Strait of Hormuz.

END of PDB

FOR MORE DETAILED, UNCENSORED, INTELLIGENCE, AND ANALYSIS FROM PAUL CRESPO, SUBSCRIBE TO HIS SUBSTACK.

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

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