Taiwan defense
China's Growing Nuclear Arsenal: Potential for Taiwan Strait Blackmail Following Russia's Ukraine Playbook
Oct 15, 2025 11:42 pm CST
China's expanding nuclear capabilities, including its newly developed "nuclear triad," raise concerns about potential nuclear blackmail tactics in a Taiwan conflict scenario. Military experts warn Beijing may adopt Russia's Ukraine playbook of nuclear threats to deter Western intervention, potentially altering US defense calculations regarding Taiwan.
Taiwan Becomes World's Largest Russian Naphtha Importer Despite Ukraine Alliance and US Ties
Oct 01, 2025 06:01 pm CST
Taiwan has emerged as the world's biggest importer of Russian naphtha, a crucial petroleum derivative for semiconductor manufacturing, importing $1.3 billion worth in early 2025 despite declaring itself a Ukraine ally. This comes as the US imposes tariffs on India, the second-largest importer of Russian petroleum products, raising questions about Taiwan's strategic relationships with both Russia and the United States.