Latest news for 18 August 2025

CHINA

Pinky promise.

During a Fox interview focused more on Russia-Ukraine, President Trump has indicated that China’s Xi Jinping once pledged he wouldn’t invade Taiwan during Trump’s presidency. (Guardian)

Comment: It’s possible this kind of exchange has more to do with China’s military preparedness (or lack thereof) than anything else. A former CIA director (Burns) famously suggested Xi had ordered his military to be ready for an invasion by 2027 (President Trump’s final year in office).

CYPRUS

Crossed the line.

A British politician has resigned his post as trade envoy to Turkey after visiting the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and meeting the local de-facto leader, despite the UK (along with everyone but Turkey) not recognising such a republic. (Guardian)

MALAYSIA

Second-hand.

Malaysia’s largely-ceremonial king has warned his country’s defense ministry against buying used military aircraft, citing the 1980s-era purchase of 80 accident-prone US Skyhawks as a cautionary tale. He’s urging the government to cancel its planned acquisition of old Black Hawk choppers. (Strait Times)

Comment: It’s a reminder that while US arms are mostly considered top-of-class, there’ve been lemons over the decades still shaping decisions today.

PERU

A grim record.

Peru now has four former presidents in prison at the same time (potentially a world record) after a judge ordered pretrial detention of one-time ambassador to Canada and ex-leader Martín Vizcarra (2018-2020) on corruption charges. (Bloomberg $)

MALI

French-backed coup?

The ruling junta claims it’s foiled an attempted coup, arresting two generals plus a French embassy staffer accused of orchestrating the plot on behalf of French intelligence. The French foreign ministry is denying the allegations, describing the man’s detention as a violation of diplomatic immunity. (Al Jazeera)