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PoliticsTaiwan

How Japan, South Korea and Taiwan hedge vs. US shifts

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April 29, 2026

As the Iran war reshapes global priorities, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are rethinking their defenses. DW's Rik Glauert explains why US unpredictability is turning old security assumptions into open questions.

Fighting in the Middle East, triggered by the Iran war, is reshaping security far beyond the region. This DW report explains how East Asia is adjusting as US military focus shifts. China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are rethinking defense strategies, boosting military spending and deepening regional cooperation. With China growing more assertive and Taiwan a potential flashpoint, governments along the First Island Chain are preparing for scenarios where US support may be less certain.

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