RH 3.4.26 | China: Iran Tensions, PLA Moves, AI Boom & Naval Power

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast  https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  In today's episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, we dive deep into some of the biggest stories shaping global politics and security. From China's reactions to the recent US-Israel strikes on Iran to its growing naval power and the booming AI industry.  We start with the escalating situation in Iran, where US airstrikes took out Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other top officials. While we've heard the standard condemnation from China, things are getting more interesting. Beijing is not only voicing its outrage but also making moves to protect its national interests. China's evacuating its citizens from Iran, and with Iran being one of China's top oil suppliers, it's clear that Beijing's worried about more than just diplomatic fallout. We break down the delicate balance China is trying to maintain between supporting its ally and keeping its energy supply chains intact.  Next, we shift focus to China's military activities, particularly its ever-present shadow over Taiwan. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has been upping the ante in the region with regular air sorties and naval movements. With the PLA continuing its pressure campaign, Taiwan finds itself caught between defense spending debates and looming deadlines for crucial arms deals with the US. How will Taipei navigate this high-stakes game?  But we don't stop there — let's talk the South China Sea. China is flexing its muscles once again, conducting naval patrols and sending bombers over Scarborough Shoal. This isn't just business as usual; it's China reminding the world that it has strategic dominance in this contested region. We explore the growing tension as multinational patrols from countries like the US, Japan, and Australia become a common sight — and how China continues to assert itself.  In the world of tech, China is all in on AI. Humanoid robots, embodied intelligence, and space technology are front and center at the National People's Congress, and we dive into how AI is rapidly reshaping the landscape of Chinese industry. But there's a twist — the electric vehicle sector, once a bright spot, is now facing financial struggles. Smaller EV makers are drowning in debt, and even BYD, China's top EV producer, is slashing prices just to stay competitive. How will China balance growth and stability in this fast-evolving sector?  And last but definitely not least, we tackle China's growing naval dominance. With new Type 096 submarines entering the fleet, the US Navy is on high alert. These submarines are stealthy, quiet, and capable of striking US targets from afar. The underwater arms race is on, and China's serious about challenging the US's undersea dominance.  This episode is packed with insight, analysis, and some good old-fashioned geopolitical tension. So whether you're a military expert, a policy junkie, or just someone interested in global affairs, this episode has something for you.  👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast  https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Save a few hours of your time getting ahead of the news cycle at restrictedhandling.com.