Latest news for 13 March 2026

SERBIA

Yeah, we did that.

Responding to leaked pics, President Vucic has confirmed his country has indeed bought Chinese missile systems, and plans to buy more. (Euractiv)

Comment: The criticism levelled Serbia’s way mostly argues either a) it’s a worry for Serbia’s neighbours (who are mostly NATO members), and/or b) regardless where the missiles come from, any buildup is bad for the volatile Balkans region.

CANADA

Arctic moves.

Prime Minister Carney has announced an additional $25.7B to beef up defence infrastructure in the Arctic, including to improve three NORAD (joint with the US) bases, plus build four new operational support bases. (CBC)

CHINA

Unity or uniformity?

Beijing has approved a sweeping new “ethnic unity” law that all school kids must learn Mandarin. Critics argue it harms ethnic minorities. (BBC)

Comment: Always focused on control, Xi likely sees language as a way to reduce the longer-term risks of separatism in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia.

UNITED STATES

You’re my best fwend.

The number of Americans with favourable perceptions of historic allies Canada (80%) and the UK (76%) remains high, but has still dropped to historic lows. Meanwhile, Japan and Italy now occupy the top two spots. (Gallup)

INDONESIA

Bigger the better.

There are plans to expand a security pact between Australia and Indonesia into two separate trilateral deals, one to include Papua New Guinea and one with Japan. Just last month, Australia and Indonesia signed a security treaty that deepens their intelligence sharing and commits them to consult if one is threatened. (Reuters)

MOROCCO

Arms at the ready.

Morocco has become Africa’s biggest importer of major weapons, according to the latest numbers by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. (SIPRI)