RH 4.23.26 | China: Taiwan, Cyber Power, and Rare Earth Tensions

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  In today's episode of The Restricted Handling Podcast, we're diving deep into China's military muscle, cyber dominance, and how Taiwan is staying tough despite growing international pressure. From Lai Ching-te's canceled trip to Eswatini to China's ongoing cyber power push, we're breaking down how these developments are shifting the global balance.  We kick off with an update on Taiwan, which is facing diplomatic isolation after three African countries—Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar—revoked flight permits for Taiwan's president. For the first time in history, Taiwan's leader had to cancel a trip due to Chinese interference. But don't be fooled. Taiwan is standing firm, refusing to be bullied off the international stage. We discuss how this plays into China's broader strategy of tightening its grip on Taiwan's global reach.  Next, we're looking at China's rising cyber capabilities, which are now on par with the US. The Dutch intelligence services have confirmed what we've all feared: China's offensive cyber game is no joke. The MIVD report warns that much of China's cyber espionage goes undetected, posing a massive threat to national security. How will this shift the landscape for global cyber defense? We've got all the details.  As we move into China's military dominance, the country's growing naval power is no secret. This time, the Liaoning aircraft carrier made another round through the Taiwan Strait. It's not just posturing. The Chinese military is serious about securing their claims in the South China Sea, and Taiwan is in the crosshairs. We break down what this means for regional security and the ongoing struggle between Taiwan and China.  On the trade front, rare earths are back in focus. China's rare earth exports have dropped significantly to the US, and we're diving into why that matters. The US defense industry relies heavily on these critical materials, and with China tightening the spigot, the global supply chain could face major disruptions. How will this impact the US military and global tech industries?  Finally, we're seeing China's crackdown on its tech sector and how Beijing is tightening its grip on any company trying to break free. The crackdown continues with Manus AI, a Chinese startup that attempted to relocate abroad and is now facing a full investigation by Beijing. The message is clear—if you want to thrive in China, you play by their rules.  👉 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.