Tag: taiwan
86 articles
Taiwan Approves $7.57 Billion Drone Funding in Hedgehog Strategy Boost
Taiwan's parliament has greenlit a whopping $7.57 billion drone funding package as part of a broader strategy to bolster its defenses, despite analyst warnings that the compromise could create uncertainty for local manufacturers. The approved budget allocates $40 billion annually for six years, falling short of President Lai Ching-te's request for immediate access to a larger special budget.
China Targets Taiwan's Representative Offices to Expand Influence
China's influence game is heating up - instead of winning over new diplomatic allies, it's now targeting Taiwan's representative offices, pressuring them to close, relocate or rebrand to enforce its One China principle. This strategic shift comes as Beijing finds it tougher to sway Taiwan's remaining formal diplomatic partners.
Taiwan Boosts Defense Budget to $35 Billion Amid China Threat
Taiwan is stepping up its defense game with a record $35 billion budget, a bold move that shows its commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and deterring potential threats. This massive 18% increase is a clear signal of the island's determination to bolster its defenses and protect its people.
Indonesia's China Exercise Exposes Non-Alignment Strategy Gaps
A simple "routine passing exercise" between Indonesia and China has sparked a heated diplomatic debate, revealing potential gaps in Indonesia's non-alignment strategy. The August 12 encounter, which included communications and formation manoeuvring, was downplayed by Jakarta as a mere courtesy call, but its implications are being closely watched.
Taiwan's Intelligence Archive Releases Expose Reputational Risks
Taiwan's recent release of intelligence archives has sparked a public reckoning, exposing reputational risks for hundreds of individuals, including serving and former officials, with far-reaching consequences. A sitting legislator has already withdrawn from a senior party election, and the controversy is reshaping public perception of intelligence officers.
Australia's Taiwan Dilemma Exposes Maritime Security Gaps
As US Senator Tammy Duckworth warns, China may opt for a stealthier approach to controlling Taiwan, imposing an economic blockade by 2028 rather than launching a full-scale invasion, highlighting a pressing concern for Canberra. This looming threat exposes gaps in maritime security, raising questions about how access to Taiwan's maritime approaches can be safeguarded without sparking conflict.
AI Agents Compromise Taiwan's Nuclear Safety Agency in Near-Autonomous Attack
In a chilling near-autonomous attack, AI agents breached Taiwan's Nuclear Safety Agency, compromising 85 government accounts and extracting over 2,500 sensitive personnel records in just four days. The sophisticated operation was uncovered by Israeli cybersecurity firm Dream, which revealed a treasure trove of stolen data, including user credentials and internal network information.
Hackers Deploy AI for Near-Autonomous Attack on Taiwan Government
In a chilling first, hackers unleashed a near-autonomous AI-driven cyber attack on the Taiwanese government, extracting over 2,500 personnel records with alarming ease. This groundbreaking attack was able to adapt and evolve mid-operation, all without human intervention.
Taiwan Bolsters Airport Defense with M1A2T Abrams Tanks
Taiwan's military takes airport defense to the next level with the deployment of powerful M1A2T Abrams tanks at Taoyuan International Airport, simulating a tough response to potential airborne threats. The move is part of the Han Kuang 42 exercise, showcasing Taiwan's bolstered defenses.
Taiwan's Drone Procurement Stalls Amid Budget Impasse
Taiwan's drone procurement plans are in limbo due to a budget deadlock, with President Lai Ching-te warning of an unprecedented impasse that could leave the island without new combat drones by 2026. This stalemate may put Taiwan at a significant disadvantage compared to other states rapidly building up their drone arsenals.
Taiwanese USVs Showcase Autonomous Teaming with AI Software
Imagine a fleet of unmanned ships working together like a well-oiled machine, covering vast areas with ease - in fact, five of these autonomous USVs could search an area up to 8.3 times larger than they could alone. Recently, two Taiwanese USVs equipped with Shield AI's Hivemind software successfully demonstrated this capability, detecting and escorting a crewed vessel out of a designated area off southern Taiwan.
Lawmakers Face AI-Enabled Cyberattacks in Simulated China-Taiwan Conflict
Lawmakers faced a chilling reality check in a simulated China-Taiwan conflict, where AI-enabled cyberattacks were unleashed with devastating potential. In a high-pressure tabletop exercise, they got a glimpse of how artificial intelligence could escalate a future crisis.
Taiwan Aims to Export Drone Ecosystem Beyond Hardware
Taiwan is taking a bold step in the drone industry by focusing on exporting not just drones, but the entire ecosystem that makes them reliable and efficient in various applications. By prioritizing a non-red supply chain, the country aims to offer a trustworthy alternative to Chinese-dominated drone markets.
China-Linked Malware Resurfaces in Taiwan with Advanced Backdoors
Meet Daxin, a sneaky kernel-mode rootkit that's been upgraded with advanced backdoors, allowing it to hijack legitimate connections and evade detection by blending into normal network activity. This China-linked malware has a unique trick up its sleeve, monitoring incoming TCP traffic to carry out encrypted communications undetected.
Taiwan Bolsters Air Defense with Anti-Drone Nets on Skyguard Guns
Taiwan is stepping up its air defense game by equipping its 24 GDF-006 Skyguard systems with anti-drone nets, a clever move to protect against small, first-person-view drones. The innovative geodesic lattice frames and netting will help safeguard these twin-barreled 35 mm anti-aircraft cannons from direct attacks.
Beijing Intensifies Campaign to Isolate Taiwan
Beijing's campaign to isolate Taiwan has taken a more sinister turn, with everyday obstruction and procedural meddling making it increasingly costly for Taipei to engage with the world. From botched visas to high-profile exclusions, China's tactics are raising the stakes and making Taiwan's isolation a harsh reality.
China Escalates Coercion Against Taiwan Amid US Trade Truce
Within weeks of Xi's warning to Trump, Beijing seems to have put its words into action, ramping up diplomatic pressure on Taipei with a series of aggressive moves. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's attempted trip to Eswatini was nearly derailed when three African countries rescinded overflight clearances at China's request.
China Escalates Maritime Pressure on Taiwan with Coast Guard Patrols
China's increased maritime presence, including coast guard patrols and survey ships, is heightening tensions with Taiwan and threatening the stability of the region and international shipping routes. This bold move has sparked concern from diplomatic missions, who warn it could have far-reaching consequences.
KMT Budget Cuts Stifle Taiwan's Drone Defense Push
Taiwan's bid to bolster its drone defense has hit a roadblock after the Kuomintang-led legislature slashed a special military budget from $40 billion to $25 billion, stripping out crucial domestic programs and a plan for 200,000 small drones. This cut threatens to leave Taiwan vulnerable, undermining its goal of becoming a formidable "hedgehog" that can defend itself against threats.
Blackfield Ransomware Targets Nidec with $2 Million Extortion Demand
Nidec Corporation revealed that its Taiwanese subsidiary was hit by a Blackfield ransomware attack, prompting swift emergency measures to contain the breach and prevent further damage. The hackers are now demanding a whopping $2 million in extortion, threatening to leak sensitive data if their demands aren't met.
The Gentlemen Ransomware Gang Exposes Advanced Tactics
Meet The Gentlemen, a notorious ransomware gang that's made a name for itself with sophisticated tactics, ranking among the top 10 ransomware actors in just a few months. Since February 2026, they've been wreaking havoc across industries and geographies, with a strong presence in Brazil, China, Indonesia, Taiwan, and Thailand.
US Defense Base Exposes Strategic Vulnerability
With US President Donald Trump invoking the Defense Production Act, the Department of Defense can now collaborate with private providers to speed up supply chains and address critical bottlenecks. This move comes as global alliances shift, with North Korea's recent endorsement of China's "One China" principle raising questions about the region's future dynamics.
WhatsApp Targeted in VBScript Campaign Installing ManageEngine RMM Tool
Malicious actors are using WhatsApp to trick victims into downloading and executing a Visual Basic Script (VBScript) file, disguised as a business or financial document, which ultimately installs a legitimate Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tool. The campaign has been detected in multiple countries worldwide, with Malaysia being the hardest hit.
Cyber Trust Erodes as AI, Tools Enable New Attacks
Trust is crumbling in the digital world as hackers exploit AI and tools to launch devastating attacks, turning trusted platforms into malware delivery mechanisms. The latest threat: hijacked Google Ads and AI developer tools used to funnel over 2,000 victims to malicious download pages.