Japan Leans Toward Military Action As China Talks Taiwan Takeover

PAUL’S DEFENSE BRIEF (PDB) – China sharpens its language on Taiwan as part of ‘longer-term’ strategy. China has released a series of statements, articles, and photos that analysts say signal an escalation in the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s approach to Taiwan.

A series of “explainer” articles in state media outlined how Taiwan would be governed under Chinese rule: by vetted pro-China “patriots” in a “one country two systems” regime similar to that forced on Hong Kong and Macau.

Such a proposal has long been rejected by Taiwan, particularly after Hong Kong’s crushing of the “high degree of autonomy” the regime promised.

“The aim is to belittle Taiwan’s international standing, and Hong Kong-ify and Macau-ify Taiwan, to achieve the political objective of eliminating Taiwan’s sovereignty,” said the head of Taiwan’s National Security Bureau.

The articles promised peace and economic prosperity, but also warned: “After reunification, risks of war, caused by “Taiwan independence” secessionists, will be removed and external interference will be prevented.”

Meanwhile, Japan might be ready to fight for Taiwan. Would America do the same? Japan is edging away from strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan, and toward an open commitment to its defense — especially against the scenario most analysts see as likely: a Chinese embargo or blockade rather than a D-Day-style invasion.

This is not surprising. Chinese action against Taiwan would be a tremendous indicator of Beijing’s imperial intentions toward other East Asian states.

Japan’s prime minister’s sharper rhetoric signals Tokyo’s willingness to contest a blockade and suggests prior U.S. consultations.

The question is whether Washington would align with Japan’s stance in a crisis triggered by a blockade.

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

Losing perspective: In June 2025, the Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard posted a video inspired by her recent visit to Hiroshima, Japan, one of the two cities destroyed by U.S. nuclear weapons during World War II. Gabbard’s comments are an excellent example of a U.S. high-level government official lacking understanding regarding the role and purpose of U.S. nuclear weapons in U.S. national security strategy.

New shock-and-awe movie might sharpen public concern about U.S. vulnerability to nuclear attack and defense against it. The fictional “House of Dynamite” shows U.S. trying to respond to a single bolt-from-the-blue strike. Missile defense fails. The movie should spur real-world interest in better protection.

HOMELAND SECURITY & DEFENSE

Following successful field exercises against drone incursions, Army Northern Command has formed an operational team to rapidly counter drone threats to military bases within the U.S.

POLITICS

Funding bill that would end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history is headed to House for final vote Wednesday after Senate approved it in 60-40 vote.

DEFENSE POLITICS

The emphasis on speed in the Pentagon’s newly unveiled slate of acquisition reforms may come with increased near-term cost increases, analysts say. But the new weapons-buying construct provides the military with enough flexibility to prevent runaway budget overruns in major programs.

Pentagon’s new acquisition strategy to prioritize non-traditional contractors. Massive transformation of weapons buying could benefit companies with little history of doing business with the military.

US POWER OVERSEAS

USS Gerald R. Ford, Navy’s largest aircraft carrier entered the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility enroute to Caribbean.

Since early September, the U.S. military has conducted strikes against drug-carrying vessels in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean in support of the Pentagon’s counternarcotics efforts. Here is updated list.

Venezuela prepares ‘massive deployment’ of forces in case of U.S. attack or invasion.

U.S. Marines and soldiers are once again rucking through the Panamanian jungle, for the first time in more than two decades.

CHINA THREAT

China’s stealthy GJ-11 ‘mysterious dragon’ flying-wing uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) is seen in first air-to-air video of the drone — possibly the first official imagery of any kind showing the real aircraft.

RUSSIA THREAT

Protecting Ukrainian drones. Local manufacturers are developing AI-based, camera-based, and sensor-based detectors to stay one step ahead of Russian interception.

Ukraine’s Defense Forces were forced to withdraw from positions near five settlements in the Zaporizhzhia region.

Volodymyr Zelensky said military situation in Pokrovsk remains “difficult,” with bad weather favoring Russian forces.

As NATO anti-submarine warfare exercise kicked off, top commanders said that with Sweden in the alliance, Baltic Sea is now a “lake full of NATO submarines” under unified NATO command.

MIDDLE EAST THREATS

Israeli armed forces and settlers have attacked Palestinian water sources more than 250 times in past five years, the most sustained assault on civilian water supplies in recent years.

Dozens of Israeli settlers launch arson attack in West Bank as attacks against Palestinians surge.

Israel’s longest war is leaving a trail of traumatized soldiers, with suicides also on the rise.

Israel’s minister of strategic affairs, key confidant of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and central figure in shaping Israel’s policies during Gaza war, has resigned.

NORTH KOREA THREAT

North Korea denounced recent visits of U.S. leadership and an aircraft carrier strike group to South Korea.

South Korea court issued an arrest warrant for former spy agency chief under a probe into ex-President’s declaration of martial law in 2024.

INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Turkey said all 20 people onboard a military cargo plane that crashed in Georgia on its return from Azerbaijan had died.

US MILITARY

Army may sharply reduce or halt the purchase of new piloted helicopters beginning in the second half of the decade.

Pentagon awards Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc. new indefinite delivery contract to supply combat knives for troops.

B-21 Raider is far more than just a Stealth bomber. The idea of a single-pilot B-21 is circulating in Air Force discussions about the bomber’s future.

Watch Marines’ MONSTER helicopter get fueled up mid-air by a Super Hercules.

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.

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