Defense & Deterrence: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urged Asian allies to raise defense spending and warned against any “hegemon” dominating the Indo-Pacific, while softening his China rhetoric at Singapore’s Shangri-La Dialogue and notably avoiding direct mention of Taiwan. Cross-Strait Security: Taiwan’s President Lai said the goal is to deter conflict through stronger defense and economic resilience, citing China’s political pressure, military intimidation, and “united front” tactics. Military Posture & Taiwan Link: Reporting based on satellite imagery says China is building dozens of nuclear launch pads and hardened facilities near its missile silos in Xinjiang, raising second-strike concerns as regional tensions intensify. Arms Sales Flashpoint: New details on a proposed U.S. Taiwan weapons package highlight Patriot interceptors and an integrated battle command system, while the Pentagon’s earlier pause amid the Iran war continues to spark questions. NGO & Sovereignty: Taiwan NGOs quit the GlobalGiving fundraising platform after it adopted “Chinese Taipei,” calling the move a concession that could invite further Beijing pressure. Governance & Appointments: A KMT lawmaker proposed limits on acting leadership appointments at independent agencies to protect the legislature’s ratification role. Czech-Taiwan Ties: Czech Senate President Milos Vystrcil is set to visit Taiwan to deepen cooperation and highlight shared democratic values.