U.S.-Taiwan Ties: Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung is set to open a new Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Phoenix, Arizona, after stops in Guatemala and Belize, with a clear push for a “China-free” supply chain and deeper business links. Defense & Deterrence: The Pentagon plans to station two representatives inside Taiwan’s defense ministry through 2028, signaling closer policy and capability coordination. Taiwan also received its first two new-build F-16C Block 70 jets, a long-delayed step in fighter modernization. Local Politics: Major party leaders fanned out across Taiwan ahead of the Nov. 28 local elections, with President Lai campaigning in Taipei for DPP mayoral candidate Puma Shen. Rights & Policing: Taipei LGBTQ+ groups protested a rare gay bar raid that detained 51 people, alleging excessive enforcement and discriminatory remarks; Taiwan’s corrections agency also reported a drop in drug-offense incarceration as more eligible cases shift to community treatment. Regional Security: Japan lodged a strong protest with the U.S. after a Marine was arrested in Okinawa over an alleged robbery and murder—an incident that could inflame local concerns about U.S. forces. Cross-Strait/Tech: Taiwan’s Institute for Information Industry and partners unveiled AI tech that turns old photos and voice stories into personalized dementia-care videos after a proof-of-concept trial.