US-South Korea Alliance Faces a Test beyond Political Rhetoric 
RECAP: Asia Sentinel Stories for August 2026 
Taiwan’s Habit of Releasing Soldiers’ Full Names Seems Risky We have selected seven of the most interesting and important news stories covering global relations from the past few weeks. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. Brussels agrees on tougher China trade policy, as Beijing vows retaliation
The European Commission agreed on a tough new approach to trade relations with China in May, at a rare Beijing-focused debate among Brussels’ leadership. The trade-focused orientation debate is seen internally as the firing of a starting gun ahead of an intense period for China policy.
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2. Russian leader Vladimir Putin arrives in China just days after Donald Trump’s visit
Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Beijing for a visit aimed at deepening the two sides’ comprehensive partnership, four days after the Chinese capital hosted US President Donald Trump.
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3. China slams ‘provocative acts’ after driving Dutch warship away from Paracels
China’s military said that it had used measures including electronic interference to drive away a Dutch warship near the disputed Paracel Islands, and in a rare move accused the Dutch navy of triggering “miscalculation”.
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