Day: January 19, 2026

00:00 Introduction00:12 Chinese Economy: Official 2025 Numbers05:30 Taiwan Escalation 08:27 Belt and Road Initiative

President Donald Trump will address the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday emphasizing the “hot economy” in the United States and what American leadership in the world looks like. Notably, Xi Jinping will not attend the forum.Greenland continues to dominate headlines. Trump has threatened new tariffs on European countries, prompting them to reach a deal. How are European nations reacting?An NTD contributor’s mother was abducted by police in China over her faith. More on the daughter’s urgent plea.More than 120 Falun Gong practitioners died as a result of persecution in China last year, but experts warn that the true toll could be far higher. We break down the report and what’s behind this ongoing crackdown.00:00 Intro01:10 Trump to Speak Wednesday; Bessent: U.S. Economy ‘Hot’03:22 Tensions Over Greenland Continue06:29 Trump Threatens New Tariffs Over Greenland07:35 EU Leaders Hold Emergency Meeting Over Tariffs08:25 Starmer: UK Not Planning Counter-Tariffs10:41 Europe Reacts to Trump’s Tariff Threats11:56 Importance of the Arctic to the U.S., China, Russia12:22 Regulations Slow Western Rare Earths: Nadrowski14:15 ‘Chinese Police Abducted My Mother’16:04 124+ Falun Gong Practitioners Killed in China in 202517:55 China Reports Lowest Birthrate Since 194919:46 Japan PM Seeks Election Amid Money, China Concerns

A military police command in Taipei tasked with defending sensitive government facilities is being deployed with anti-air units in response to growing threats from China.

January 16-17 saw the U.S. Navy’s guided missile destroyer USS John Finn and the specialized ocean survey and reconnaissance vessel Sears transit the Taiwan Strait again, in what appeared to be just another “routine passage.” However, the undercurrents beneath the water and in the air were far more intense than what could be seen on the surface.

China has officially raised concerns over a new U.S. military runway project in the Philippines, intensifying geopolitical tensions in one of the world’s most strategically sensitive regions. As the United States strengthens its military infrastructure under expanded defense cooperation agreements, Beijing is warning that such moves could destabilize the Indo-Pacific and escalate South China Sea rivalries.The runway project is part of broader U.S.–Philippines security cooperation aimed at improving rapid response, logistics, and regional defense readiness. However, China views the development as a direct challenge to its regional influence, particularly given the Philippines’ proximity to disputed waters and key maritime trade routes.With rising military patrols, competing territorial claims, and growing alliance networks, the Philippines is increasingly positioned at the center of great-power competition. Supporters argue the runway enhances deterrence and disaster-response capabilities, while critics fear it may turn the country into a frontline in a potential U.S.–China confrontation.In this video, we examine:• Why China is objecting to the U.S. military runway project• The strategic importance of the Philippines in the Indo-Pacific• How this development affects South China Sea tensions• What it means for U.S.–China relations and regional security• Possible diplomatic and military outcomes ahead

First laid out by US President James Monroe in 1823, his eponymous ‘Monroe Doctrine’ was based on the idea of separate spheres of influence, with the US being the dominate power in the Americas. US President Donald Trump and his cabinet have recently promoted their own corollary to this doctrine, including in a speech by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in December. This policy was on full display in the US operation in Venezuela as well as Trump’s recent refusal to rule out seizing Greenland by force. Similar foreign policy concepts were later articulated by Imperial Japan and modern-day China and used to justify their expansionist policies. That has included Chinese President Xi Jinping’s escalating threats towards Taiwan, as well as a proposal during the Obama years to divide up the Pacific Ocean into separate Chinese and American spheres of influence. In this episode, we discuss the evolution of the Monroe Doctrine, the US and China’s foreign policies, and the geopolitical implications for the Taiwan Strait and wider Indo-Pacific region.

China just posted a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus. The media calls it a win. The reality is more complicated. This episode breaks down what China’s trade numbers really mean, why exports are surging, and why this doesn’t prove the CCP beat the US in the trade war.

South Korea is reportedly preparing to establish a naval support hub in the Philippines, marking a major milestone in bilateral defense cooperation. The facility will be designed to support future Philippine Navy ships, particularly those acquired through South Korean shipbuilding programs under the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization initiative.This naval support hub will provide critical services such as maintenance, spare parts logistics, technical upgrades, and crew training. By hosting these capabilities locally, the Philippine Navy can significantly reduce downtime, increase fleet availability, and strengthen maritime security operations across its vast archipelagic waters.The initiative highlights South Korea’s emergence as a trusted defense supplier and strategic partner in Southeast Asia. With years of experience producing advanced frigates, corvettes, and offshore patrol vessels, South Korea’s involvement ensures long-term sustainment and technology transfer for the Philippine Navy.Regionally, the facility could enhance cooperative security efforts, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief operations. It also aligns with broader efforts to promote stability, deterrence, and freedom of navigation in contested waters.As geopolitical dynamics evolve in the Indo-Pacific, this partnership underscores the importance of practical defense collaboration. The Philippines gains a reliable logistics backbone, while South Korea strengthens its strategic presence and partnerships in the region.

The CCP has sunk more than $100 Billion into Venezuela. Now, with Trump in charge, the CCP fears it could lose everything. So they’re going to fight back, and Trump needs to watch out. We’re joined by Venezuelan expert Jorge Jraissati.