Analysis
Pieces
ANALYSIS: Why the MATCH Act matters more than it looks
On April 3, 2026, Reuters reported that the United States had proposed a new law, the MATCH Act, designed to restrict exports of semiconductor…
FACT CHECK: field notes on 69 F-35s and $3.8 billion for the B-21
A budget line is a fact you can check; a delivery date is a promise you can only wait for. This fact check verifies…
FACT CHECK: $15.1 billion for cyberdefense, the Pentagon's new budget front
The American defense budget for fiscal year 2026 allocates $15.1 billion to cybersecurity, according to data published by MeriTalk in 2026.
DECODING: Golden Dome, the $185 billion missile shield
The Golden Dome program has just crossed a decisive milestone: an initial $25 billion in funding was granted in 2026, against a total projected…
ANALYSIS: The Pentagon locks in a historic $1.01 trillion budget
A single number captures the scale of the American budget shift for fiscal year 2026: $1.01 trillion. That is the total Pentagon budget for…
FACT CHECK: Philippine fishermen versus Chinese coast guard, what the record confirms
Ten years after an international arbitral ruling favorable to the Philippines, does the reality on the water still match what local fishermen describe? This…
ANALYSIS: Balikatan 2026, a cold read one month after the exercise
A month after the exercise wrapped up, it becomes possible to judge Balikatan 2026 without being distracted by the noise of official statements issued…
FACT CHECK: Manila sanctioned, five numbers to verify before commenting
On June 11, 2026, Beijing barred Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro from entering its territory, according to Al Jazeera.
DECODING: $282 billion, between rhetoric and reality
A single figure, $282 billion, now serves as shorthand for describing Chinese military ambition in 2026. But this shorthand, as is often the case…