Aussies Contemplate F-35

A 28 April 2008 story from The Australian reports a confidential report to Australian Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon is expected to suggest the F-35 multi-role aircraft to replace a mix of F-18 Hornets and the aging F-111 attack bombers after 2010.

China is likely to become the predominant air power in Asia in the next 30 years.

U.S. Troops in Taiwan?

A 23 April 2008 Taipei Times article reports at least the suggestion that U.S. Marines might be stationed at the American Institute in Taiwan headquarters in Neihu, Taipei City.

U.S. military forces have been absent from Taiwan since 1979.

U.S. Shipped Nuclear Fuses to Taiwan

The Pentagon announced today that it had accidentally shipped four electrical fuses for MK-12 nuclear warheads to Taiwan, according to a 26 March 2008 NY Times story.
The U.S. claimed that the shipment should have contained helicopter batteries, and that the fuses have been returned unopened.

US, China Energy Dispute

The United States and China are each seeking concessions from the other for reduction of greenhouse-causing emissions, according to a 4 December 2007 story from Bloomberg. Delegates from 187 countries have met in Bali for a two-week conference to create a timeline for replacing the 1997 Kyoto Accord.

China claims that its developing industrial status should preclude acceptance of any mandated limit, while the U.S. says emissions limits will handicap its competitiveness.

The United States uses more energy than any other country, followed by China. The Kyoto Accord set no goals for China, and was not ratified by the U.S.

Japan Considers Stealth Fighter Program

Improvements on Japan's F-15 fleet are being led by Mitsubishi, according to a 26 November 2007 story by Flight International. Tokyo plans on ordering new fighter aircraft, and has requested information about the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Boeing F-15 and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, and the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Japan is most interested in the F-22, which incorporates stealth technology, but the U.S. is refusing to release information. This has resulted in a Japanese study of stealth technology. This might ultimately develop plans for the first indigenous fighter in almost 30 years. Some suggest the study might actually be designed to force the U.S. to release the desired F-22 information.

Pictures of the ATD-X were leaked to the press in August. It bears a strong resemblance to the F-22.

Chinese Toys Recalled

Aqua Dots, craft beads that fuse together when sprayed with water, were recalled 7 November 2007 by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Two US children have been hospitalized and are in comas after ingesting the beads, which apparently release gamma hydroxy butyrate.

Gates in China

Defense Secretary Robert Gates arrived in China 4 November 2007. According to the NY Times, he is expected to discuss Chinese ties to Iran, a US to China telephone hotline, and the recent PRC ASAT test.