Central Asia & Caucasus Data

Japan’s House of Representatives on Friday passed the FY2026 budget, setting the stage for a fight in the upper house — where the government lacks a majority — as opposition parties seek to delay the budget’s passage (they can’t block it indefinitely) and deal a political blow to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The prime minister The post ‘No decision’ about Japan navy to Hormuz as Takaichi wins budget appeared first on Asia Times.

Beijing could resume restrictions on rare-earth exports and halt purchases of United States soybeans if Washington insists on “making trouble” by proceeding with new tariffs under Section 301 of the Trade Act, according to Chinese commentators and policy observers. The unofficial warnings came after the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Thursday announced the initiation The post US warned of China rare earth curbs if Section 301 tariffs expand appeared first on Asia Times.

In what has been described as a potential “major escalation” of the Trump administration’s war with Iran, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has reportedly approved a request from US Central Command to move more warships and thousands of Marines to the Middle East following Iran’s attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Citing three US The post US dispatched Marines to Mideast, feeding Iran invasion warnings appeared first on Asia Times.

The Iran war has delivered a verdict on nuclear latency – the strategy of possessing the capability to develop a nuclear weapons program while stopping short of crossing the weaponization threshold. There are significant implications for Northeast Asia, as South Korea and Japan are pursuing such a strategy amid eroding confidence in US extended deterrence. The post Iran war challenges nuclear latency strategy of Japan, South Korea appeared first on Asia Times.