Micah McCartney

Taipei

Journalist at Newsweek

Asia security, economics reporter @Newsweek. Views are my own. Retweets ≠ endorsements. 📩 tips to [email protected]

Articles

US Ally Confronts 'Illegal' Chinese Ship Swarm in Disputed Waters: Video

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Micah McCartney

The Philippines has released footage showing its coast guard responding Wednesday to reports of "illegal swarming" by dozens of ships belonging to China's so-called Maritime Militia. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Philippine Coast Guard via email for comment.
Kim Jong Un quietly advances North Korea's nuclear program

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Micah McCartney

North Korea has begun work on a new facility at its main nuclear complex, according to the head of the United Nations-backed atomic watchdog. The facility, which reportedly resembles a suspected enrichment plant just outside of the capital of Pyongyang, could eventually provide fissile material to expand the country's nuclear arsenal.
China goes on diplomatic offensive as Israel-Iran war distracts America

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Micah McCartney

As Israel and Iran exchanged missile fire on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Central Asian countries to deepen cooperation under China's "Belt and Road" infrastructure initiative—marking the latest step in what analysts call Beijing's diplomatic offensive—and highlighted in a recent podcast by the China-Global South Project (CGSP). Newsweek reached out to the Chinese embassy via email with a request for comment.
Satellite image hints at North Korea's biggest military factory

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Micah McCartney

North Korea has begun work on what could become the country's largest military production facility, according to analysis of satellite images captured by Planet Labs. The planned site is expected to dwarf the nearby weapons-producing machine factory—where leader Kim Jong Un recently praised efforts to modernize the nation's defense industry.
Xi Jinping breaks silence on Israel-Iran conflict as China warns citizens

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Micah McCartney

Chinese President Xi Jinping has broken his silence on the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran, expressing deep concern a day after Beijing urged its nationals to leave Iran amid waves of Israeli bombardment. His statement, delivered Tuesday on the sidelines of a summit in Kazakhstan, came just hours before President Donald Trump appeared to signal impending American military involvement—prompting criticism that such action would violate his "no new wars" campaign pledge.
'Confrontation' in South China Sea as US Ally Challenges Beijing

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Micah McCartney

A standoff occurred between the Chinese and Philippine coast guards off the Philippine province of Palawan, according to ship-tracking data shared by a maritime analyst on Tuesday. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Philippine coast guard via email for comment outside of office hours. Why It MattersTensions are running high between Beijing and Manila over China's expanding activities within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, hundreds of miles from Chinese shores.
China touts weapons capabilities as Iran's defenses collapse

1 week ago | newsweek.com | Micah McCartney

The collapse of Iran's air defenses in the face of Israeli attacks has prompted influential Chinese commentators to say it could have fared better if it had been supplied with Chinese weaponry. Chinese fighter aircraft proved themselves in combat for Pakistan during its recent confrontation with India, with Pakistani forces claiming to have shot down Indian jets. "Iran's biggest mistake was not purchasing weapons from China," wrote "Former HR himself," a Weibo account with two million followers.
US ally secures military access to contested South China Sea

2 weeks ago | newsweek.com | Micah McCartney

Japan's ratification of an agreement allowing reciprocal military visits with the Philippines puts the U.S. allies on a course for greater security cooperation amid regional tensions with China. Newsweek reached out to the Japanese and Chinese Foreign Ministries via email for comment.
Vietnam Reshapes Country Amid Radical Government Cuts-What To Know

2 weeks ago | newsweek.com | Micah McCartney

By Micah McCartney is a reporter for Newsweek based in Taipei, Taiwan. He covers U.S.-China relations, East Asian and Southeast Asian security issues, and cross-strait ties between China and Taiwan. You can get in touch with Micah by emailing [email protected]. Micah McCartney China News ReporterNewsweek Is A Trust Project Member Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Read original🎙️ Voice is AI-generated. Inconsistencies may occur.
Map shows where Hegseth wants US military on China's doorstep

2 weeks ago | newsweek.com | Micah McCartney

U.S. defense chief Pete Hegseth on Wednesday stressed the role of regional partners in the Pentagon's bid to counter an increasingly assertive China. "The Indo-Pacific is our priority theater, and China is our pacing threat,' he said while making the case for the defense budget requested by the Trump administration for the next fiscal year.