Peter Dutton

Article by my @YLSChina colleague arguing China is taking advantage of the lack of current US policy clarity to surge ahead on AI development. prosyn.org/P4iEf1R

Japan May Give Philippine Navy a Major Boost … “through a transfer of up to six Abukuma-class destroyer escorts, which will be available after their replacement by new Mogami-class frigates beginning in 2027.” maritime-executive.com/article/japan-…

Unmanned Minesweeping System Enters Royal Navy Service … “One of the capabilities…is a system-of-systems called SWEEP - an uncrewed surface vehicle that tows a combination of three sophisticated minesweeping systems on small pontoon floats.” maritime-executive.com/article/royal-…

In the tariff deal, Japan agreed to a special investment fund of $550 billion under the personal control of the President, with the U.S. government retaining 90 percent of the profits. … Wait, what??? maritime-executive.com/article/u-s-ja…

“Chinese Carrier…Sea Legend will start a new Arctic route…delivering cargo from east to west in just 18 days” versus typical 30-50 days from China to northern Europe. Just one trip planned this summer. maritime-executive.com/article/chines…

Chinese companies are looking to invest in Norway's far north port of Kirkenes to secure a position along the western end of the Arctic sea route. But there are obvious security concerns, given China's "limitless" partnership with Russia. nrk.no/tromsogfinnmar…

"The White House’s Office of Management and Budget has suggested the US cut all its support for the UN and other international organisations, while halving its contributions for other humanitarian assistance." ft.com/content/01222c… via @ft

Looks like a couple of Bohai Ferries are doing an exercise off of Dongshan Island, at the southern end of the Taiwan Strait. They headed down from their usual Yellow Sea routes a few days ago.

"One senior western official...said China was expanding its presence in the institutions of the multilateral world order . . . and then using that influence to slowly turn them to their own world view.” ... Shoutout to @CourtneyFung ft.com/content/e28902… via @ft

Microsoft “Digital Escorts” Could Expose Defense Dept. Data to Chinese Hackers ... SERIOUSLY!!!??? propublica.org/article/micros…

US embassy in China warns exit bans risk straining bilateral relations ... One of the reasons I simply do not travel to China anymore. It's a shame, but there it is... ft.com/content/ea5939… via @ft

@ryanl_hass at @BrookingsInst spoke to The Monitor, making the case that negotiations are the only viable option for the U.S. and China. open.substack.com/pub/uscnpm/p/t…

American Allies Want to Redraw the World’s Trade Map, Minus the U.S. … as our traditional allies and partners band together without us. nytimes.com/2025/07/13/wor… via @NYTimes

Pentagon strikes investment deal with US critical minerals producer ... The deal includes an offtake agreement under which the DOD will guarantee the purchase of all magnets produced by the facility for the next 10 years and a price floor for neodymium-praseodymium.…

"Jamie Dimon warned European leaders they have a competitiveness problem and that they are currently 'losing' the battle to rival the US and China.  'Europe has gone from 90 per cent US GDP to 65 per cent over 10 or 15 years.'" ft.com/content/cccbe8… via @ft

"To be constructive, future dialogue should accept political competition as a factor in AI development – and seek avenues by which that competition can promote alignment, safety, and development." therepublicjournal.com/web-exclusives…

"Sho-2Go’s key innovation was to thoroughly disperse and conceal air and naval forces in protected positions, preserving them from initial US attacks, and then concentrate these forces in asymmetric kamikaze strikes against US landing fleets at the critical moment of invasion."…

Taiwan Rolls Out ‘Overkill’ Drone … “The system allows operators to manually guide it toward high-value targets like Chinese destroyers and is capable of bypassing air defense systems with precise, low-profile strikes. thedefensepost.com/2025/07/04/tai… via @defensepost

Finnish President Signs off on Anti-Mine Treaty Withdrawal…citing deteriorating security environment. … While concerns about the principles of distinction and humanity remain, necessity in national self-defense is paramount in this case. thedefensepost.com/2025/07/05/fin…

All good stuff!