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Threat Status Indo-Pacific Region

The U.S. national security community is increasingly focused on threats emanating from the Indo-Pacific. Threat Status at The Washington Times delivers daily and big-picture coverage of the region — from China's expanding military to high-stakes economic and technology developments and the plight of democracy among America's allies.

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U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro speaks during a news conference at the Department of Justice, Dec. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

Feds move to shut down Chinese cyberscam factory

- The Washington Times

The federal government has seized a Chinese-run online scammers’ marketplace, blocked more than $50 million in laundered cryptocurrency, slapped sanctions on the operators and sent a strike force to Madagascar to help close 13 scam compounds.

Philippine's Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro talks to the media as he attends the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's annual defense and security forum, in Singapore on May 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim, File)

War of words between China and Philippines over South China Sea claims

- Associated Press

China on Wednesday accused the Philippines of “stirring up trouble” after harsh words from Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro Jr. over Beijing’s increasingly aggressive pursuit of maritime claims in the South China Sea.

The United States of America buying computer chips from China illustration by Linas Garsys / The Washington Times

How we can stop relying on China for chips

As President Trump’s summit with his Chinese counterpart approaches, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has sent a direct and important message to Apple: Do not buy memory chips from China.

Spectators wave Chinese flags as military vehicles carrying JL-2 submarine-launched missiles roll during a parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the founding of Communist China in Beijing, Oct. 1, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

Congress urged to bolster counterintelligence

- The Washington Times

U.S. counterintelligence agencies are ill-suited to confronting new and increased foreign threats from China, Russia and other adversaries, a panel of experts told the House intelligence oversight panel on Wednesday.

U.S. President Donald Trump, left, poses with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for a photo in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Feb. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

Kim summit offers more risk than reward for Trump

- The Washington Times

A high-profile summit reuniting President Trump and Kim Jong-un would check a lot of boxes for Mr. Trump, who has openly pined for a Nobel Peace Prize. But don’t expect any substantive breakthroughs or concessions, experts say: The North Korean leader doesn’t need Mr. Trump this time around.

President Donald Trump speaks after arriving on Air Force One, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Trump dismisses Chinese spying concerns

- The Washington Times

President Trump appeared to dismiss U.S. national security concerns over large-scale Chinese intelligence collection, espionage and cyberattacks in a recent exchange with reporters noting similar U.S. practices.

YJ-17, hypersonic anti-ship missiles, pass during a military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan's World War II surrender, held in front of Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) ** FILE **

China working on AI-powered hypersonic missiles

- The Washington Times

The Chinese military is studying the use of artificial intelligence to boost the capabilities of its hypersonic missiles in defeating U.S. missile defenses, according to an Air Force think tank report.

China is watching our moves in Iran. Illustration by Alex Hunter of The Washington Times

A history of ‘relentless retaliation’

- The Washington Times

America has an important tradition of applying the maxim of “relentless retaliation” when it comes to our counterterrorism operations, and it needs to follow through with this policy in the case of Iran.