On Monday, May 17, a satellite photo by Planet Labs revealed what could be a new Chinese nuclear-powered attack sub with a new stealthy propulsion system and launch tubes for cruise missiles.
Additionally, on Monday, May 17, images were released of a senior Chinese military delegation, headed by Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Gen. Wei Fenghe, landing in Iran for a visit in late April. While little information has been released about the engagement there are troubling trends, particularly concerning arms transfers; drone, dual-use, and missile technologies; and cyber and intelligence capabilities. Western policymakers are looking for ways to counter these advancements as nuclear talks between the P5 + 1 and Iran have stalled.
Also on Monday, May 17, the United States Air Force said in a statement that it had conducted a successful test of a hypersonic weapon, which flew at five times the speed of sound. The test was conducted on May 14 off the coast of Southern California when a B-52 bomber released an Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, read the statement.
On Thursday, May 18, a United States' intelligence assessment reported that North Korea appeared to be preparing for a possible intercontinental ballistic missile test within the next 48 to 96 hours, just as President Joe Biden is scheduled to travel to Asia. Biden set off for South Korea on Thursday and will held meetings with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol before traveling to Japan on Sunday where he is meeting with the leaders of Japan, Australia and India. North Korea has conducted a number of ballistic missile tests this year, and US military and intelligence agencies assess Pyongyang may also be preparing for its first underground nuclear test in nearly five years.
On Saturday, May 20, the United States announced another tranche of military and economic support is headed to Ukraine. The latest package includes 18 155 mm howitzers, 18 tactical vehicles to tow those howitzers, three AN/TPQ-36 counter-artillery radars, and additional field equipment and spare parts. The new military aid will include $20 billion of weapons and combat equipment. The $40 billion will also include more than $8 billion in general economic support for Ukraine, nearly $5 billion in global food aid, and more than $1 billion in support for refugees. Another $3.9 billion is being allocated for US troops in Europe, including the deployment of a Patriot missile battery. The legislation provides $500 million to refill the US critical munitions stockpile and $600 million to fast track missile production and expand domestic critical mineral access.
On Monday, May 23, President Biden indicated that he would use military force to defend Taiwan if it were ever attacked by China, dispensing with the “strategic ambiguity” traditionally favored by American presidents and repeating even more unequivocally statements that his staff tried to walk back in the past. At a news conference with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan during a visit to Tokyo, Mr. Biden suggested that he would be willing to go further on behalf of Taiwan than he has in helping Ukraine, where he has provided tens of billions of dollars in arms as well as intelligence assistance to help defeat Russian invaders but refused to send American troops.
