Global News Podcast Taiwan to boost defence spending
23 snips
Nov 26, 2025 
Mariko Oi, an Asia correspondent specializing in regional security, discusses Taiwan's significant $40 billion defense budget aimed at countering Chinese military aggression. She highlights the focus on advanced drones and missile systems. John Donison, a field reporter in the West Bank, shares the plight of a detained Palestinian-American teenager, shedding light on the lack of justice and international concern. The conversation also touches upon Japan's missile deployment amid rising tensions and a rare flower rediscovered in Indonesia.
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Taiwan's Asymmetric Defence Shift
- Taiwan will spend an extra $40bn over eight years to bolster asymmetric capabilities like drones and missiles.
- Officials argue modern warfare requires asymmetric defence rather than conventional force parity.
Spending Scale Versus China
- Experts note Taiwan's $40bn boost is large domestically but tiny next to China's military spending.
- Analysts warn that Taiwan still faces a significant capability gap versus a potential Chinese invasion.
Japan's Moves Raise Regional Tensions
- Japan's deployment to Yonaguni and comments by its prime minister raise regional stakes over Taiwan.
- Beijing has reacted angrily, showing tensions risk escalation rather than quick de-escalation.
