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Pentagon presses Japan, Australia on role in possible Taiwan conflict
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The Pentagon is reportedly pressuring Indo-Pacific allies Japan and Australia to clarify what roles they would play in the event of a war with China over Taiwan.
Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s policy chief, raised the question during recent meetings with Japanese and Australian defense officials, the Financial Times first reported.
While the United States has long urged Indo-Pacific allies to increase defense spending as China escalates its military activity around Taiwan, this push for specific wartime commitments is a new development — and reportedly caught foreign officials off guard.
Australia responded by stressing it would not commit troops in advance of any conflict.
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Elbridge Colby, the Pentagon’s policy chief, raised the question during recent meetings with Japanese and Australian defense officials, (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
«The decision to commit Australian troops to a conflict will be made by the government of the day, not in advance,» Defense Minister Pat Conroy told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. «We won’t discuss hypotheticals.»
Australia and the U.S. are currently leading a major joint exercise in Sydney involving 30,000 troops from 19 countries.
Pentagon officials have cited NATO’s efforts to boost European defense spending as a model for what Asian allies should consider. At the same time, Colby has advised European allies to prioritize threats closer to home rather than focus on the Indo-Pacific, sources told Fox News Digital.
«Some among our allies might not welcome frank conversations,» Colby posted on X in response to the report.
«But as the department has made abundantly and consistently clear, we at DOD are focused on implementing the president’s America First, common-sense agenda of restoring deterrence and achieving peace through strength. That includes urging allies to step up their defense spending and other efforts related to our collective defense.»
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The question of allied commitments is further complicated by the U.S. policy of strategic ambiguity, under which Washington does not explicitly state whether it would defend Taiwan if China invades.
«As Secretary Hegseth said, the Department of Defense is focused on preventing war, with a strong shield of deterrence,» Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell wrote on X in defense of Colby’s approach. «That requires strength — but it is a simple fact that our allies must also do their part. We do not seek war. What we are doing is ensuring the United States and its allies have the military strength to underwrite diplomacy and guarantee peace.»
Former President Joe Biden had repeatedly said the U.S. would defend Taiwan, only for White House staff to later walk back those comments and insist that U.S. policy has not changed.
President Donald Trump has maintained the tradition of ambiguity, refusing to publicly declare how he would respond. However, new audio obtained by CNN revealed that Trump told donors last year he threatened both Russia and China with military force.
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth review an honor guard in Tokyo. The U.S. has asked Japan to clarify how it would assist in a potential conflict with China. (Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
«With Putin I said, ‘If you go into Ukraine, I’m going to bomb the [expletive] out of Moscow,’» Trump said. «‘I’m telling you. I have no choice.’ And then [Putin] goes, like, ‘I don’t believe you.’ But he believed me 10%.»
«I said the same thing to [Xi],» Trump added. «I said, ‘If you go into Taiwan, I’m going to bomb the [expletive] out of Beijing.’ I said, ‘I have no choice. I’ve got to bomb you.’»
At other times, Trump has criticized the cost of defending Taiwan and argued the island should dedicate 10% of its budget to defense.
Wargaming simulations suggest Japan would be the most crucial ally to the U.S. and Taiwan, as South Korea has not authorized American forces to launch combat operations from its territory. Australia does not permit permanent foreign military bases, but the U.S. is expanding its rotational presence at Australian facilities.
«Japan is always critical, and when I say critical, like we can’t win the war without them,» Mark Cancian, defense expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies who regularly briefs lawmakers on China wargames, told Fox News Digital.
«Their forces are important, but our ability to use our bases in Japan is critical,» he said, adding that other U.S. bases in the Indo-Pacific like Guam were too far away to serve as a hub.
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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (R) meets with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles (L) at the Pentagon in February. Australia has declined to say how it would respond to a potential war with China. (Getty Images )
Whether Japan allows the U.S. to center its wartime operations on its territory would be a critical question certain to come up in preparations for a wartime contingency.
The U.S. and Japan have practiced moving forces down the Japanese Ryukyu island chain, the closest of which is only 80 miles off the coast of Taiwan.
Colby’s push for defined allied roles comes on the heels of his initiation of a review of the AUKUS security pact, which aims to supply Australia with U.S.-built nuclear-powered submarines.
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The Pentagon recently defended Colby after reports emerged that he had temporarily halted military aid to Ukraine — an order quickly reversed by Trump.
Under the AUKUS agreement, Australia would purchase several Virginia-class submarines in the early 2030s, while a new class of submarines would be jointly developed by the U.S., U.K., and Australia. Production in Australia is expected to begin in the 2040s. However, the U.S. is already struggling to produce enough submarines for its own Navy.
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Cuomo opponents slam his re-entry into NYC mayor race, say city wants to move on from ex governor
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The Democratic, Republican and independent candidates for New York City mayor don’t often agree on much, but they appear to be in lock-step over the view that New Yorkers want someone different than former Governor Andrew Cuomo to run the Big Apple.
Zohran Mamdani and Curtis Sliwa, the Democratic and Republican nominees for New York City mayor, were quick to respond to Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that he will stay in the race as an independent after the former governor of New York lost his Democratic primary a few weeks ago. While blasting Cuomo, the pair also used the opportunity to slam incumbent independent mayoral candidate Eric Adams, who, on Monday, said Cuomo «had his opportunity» already, but New Yorkers no longer buy his message.
«Andrew is a double-digit loser in the primary. He lost by 12 points. He had his opportunity. He spent $25 million to get his message out. New York has heard it. He did not sell it,» Adams said at a Monday press conference. The comments followed a separate press release his campaign put out Sunday amid rumors Cuomo would be re-joining the race as an Independent, saying that Cuomo’s «political double-dealing» was the reason why New Yorkers have «lost trust» in him.
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Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s opponents in the NYC mayoral race all expressed criticism that New Yorkers want someone new to lead after he announced his decision to re-enter the race as an Independent after losing his Democratic Party primary election a few weeks ago. (Getty Images)
«I welcome everyone to this race, and I am as confident as I have been since three weeks ago on primary night when we faced Andrew Cuomo,» Democratic Party nominee Mamdani said at a Monday press conference following Cuomo’s announcement. «We did so because of the fact that while Andrew Cuomo and Eric Adams trip over themselves to make deals in back rooms with billionaires, we are focused on fighting for working New Yorkers. I think he’s struggling to come to terms with what [Cuomo’s primary loss] meant.»
Mamdani added that while Cuomo may have envisioned himself as becoming the next mayor, the Democratic primary results showed NYC’s «hunger for a new kind of politics.»
«I understand that it is difficult for the former governor to come to terms with [his loss] because it is a repudiation of the politics that he has practiced that he has known for so many years, and it is that same politics that we are turning the page on.»
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during the New York City Democratic Mayoral Primary Debate at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in the Gerald W. Lynch Theater in New York City, June 12, 2025. (Vincent Alban/Reuters)
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Sliwa, the GOP’s nominee in the NYC mayoral race, also took the opportunity Monday following Cuomo’s announcement he would be re-entering the race to slam not just Cuomo, but Adams as well, telling Fox News Digital the two are working eagerly to «cling to relevance.»
«Andrew Cuomo lost his primary and hides in the Hamptons. Eric Adams skipped his and fled to Fort Lauderdale. Now they’re both running as independents to cling to relevance,» Sliwa said Monday. «I’m the only candidate with a major party nomination, a 50-year record of serving New Yorkers, and a real path to victory. While they play musical chairs on a sinking ship, I’m out campaigning in NYC, listening, leading, and fighting to win it for the people. Let the voters decide this November.»
Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa speaks during an anti-migrant rally and protest outside of Gracie Mansion on August 27, 2023, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
In response to the criticism, a campaign representative for Cuomo zeroed in on Adams’ comments.
«This is a primary that the mayor didn’t participate in because he knew he’d lose,» Rich Azzopardi told Fox News Digital. «The governor got 36,000 more votes three weeks ago than the mayor got four years ago, when he was at the height of his popularity and people actually wanted to give him a chance.»
Azzopardi also pointed to an email Cuomo sent to supporters Monday noting he «made mistakes in the primary,» such as being too comfortable with polling that showed he was the front-runner. The email also spoke to Mamdani, but did not directly address Sliwa.
«I do not believe that New York City voters affirmatively voted for a socialist form of government that is hostile to business and economic growth, and I do believe that Zohran Mamdani poses a serious threat to the future of the city we love. I will give it my all to stop him,» the email from Cuomo stated.
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«I also believe that all of us who love New York City must be united in running the strongest possible candidate against Zohran Mamdani in the November general election for mayor. Our common goal must be to run the strongest candidate against Mr. Mamdani. That is why I have accepted the proposal put forth by former Governor David Paterson and candidate Jim Walden that, in mid-September, we will determine which candidate is strongest against Mamdani and all other candidates will stand down, rather than act as spoilers and guarantee Mamdani’s election.»
On Monday, incumbent mayor Adams slammed the proposal mentioned by Cuomo in his email to supporters, which seeks to get the rest of the campaign field to pledge to consolidate around the strongest non-Mamdani candidate.
«This proposal that was put out. It was Andrew’s proposal. He uses people to put things out that he really would like to come later and say, ‘OK, I endorse what an independent person is doing,’» Adams said Monday.
INTERNACIONAL
Donald Trump empieza a tomarle el gusto al fútbol: ya piensa en cómo sacar rédito político del Mundial, tras su show con el Chelsea
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El presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, observa a los jugadores del Chelsea FC celebrar con el trofeo tras ganar la final de la Copa Mundial de Clubes de la FIFA 2025. Foto EFE
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Benjamín Netanyahu reafirmó que el futuro de Gaza debe excluir a quienes “buscan la destrucción de Israel”
El primer ministro israelí, Benjamín Netanyahu, reafirmó este lunes en un video compartido en su cuenta de X que desea “un futuro real para la Franja de Gaza”, lo cual, según él, implica que el gobierno de ese territorio palestino esté conformado por “personas que no busquen la destrucción de Israel y que quieran vivir en paz” con este país.
“Tendremos que encontrar una solución que permita a los palestinos actuar por sí mismos, si no buscan la destrucción de Israel, y que permita a Israel conservar los poderes necesarios para garantizar nuestra seguridad”, insto, en un mensaje de más de ocho minutos.
Hasta ahora, la única información conocida sobre el plan que Israel tiene para la Franja es la creación de una “ciudad humanitaria”, anunciada la semana pasada por el ministro de Defensa israelí, Israel Katz, que pretenden construir sobre las ruinas de Rafah y donde planean concentrar a toda la población gazatí. Organismos como la ONU y principales defensores de derechos humanos han denunciado que Israel pretende establecer un campo de concentración en Gaza.
Respecto a un posible acuerdo de alto el fuego, que aún no se concreta tras más de 21 meses de ofensiva en Gaza, Netanyahu se limitó a afirmar que su compromiso es “la victoria” y el rescate de los 50 rehenes (aunque las autoridades israelíes estiman que solo 20 siguen con vida) que Hamas mantiene en la Franja.
En sus palabras: “Permítanme decirles hoy que el exfuncionario de mayor rango de nuestro aparato de seguridad dijo, el primer o segundo día de la guerra en Gaza, que teníamos que acostumbrarnos a la idea de que no veríamos a ninguno de los rehenes con vida. Yo pensaba lo contrario. Creía que la aplicación contundente de la presión militar y diplomática aseguraría su liberación, y tengo la intención de completar ese plan.”
Netanyahu también respondió a las críticas que lo acusan de estar condicionado por el ala más derechista de su coalición, lo que, según sus detractores, lo habría llevado a rechazar el plan de la administración Biden para el “día después” en Gaza. Esa propuesta implicaba entregar el control del enclave a la Autoridad Palestina, una idea que el primer ministro israelí rechazó tajantemente.
“Es otra falsedad. No me preocupa mi supervivencia política, sino la supervivencia y el futuro de mi país”, afirmó. “He dedicado mi vida a asegurar el futuro del único Estado judío del mundo”.
Según Netanyahu, permitir que la Autoridad Palestina gobierne Gaza equivaldría a repetir los errores del pasado. “Pensar que después de derrotar a Hamas vamos a entregar Gaza a la Autoridad Palestina —que enseña a sus niños que Israel debe ser destruido, que tiene campamentos suicidas en jardines de infantes, que nombra plazas en honor a asesinos en masa de judíos y que paga sueldos a presos palestinos según cuántos judíos mataron— es absurdo”, sostuvo. “Eso se llama ‘pagar por matar’. Cuantos más judíos asesines, más cobras. ¿Y esa gente va a gobernar Gaza? Sería repetir el ciclo una y otra vez”.
Para reforzar su argumento, citó el rechazo mayoritario dentro de la sociedad israelí a la creación de un Estado palestino. “Después de la masacre en Gaza, si usted le pregunta al público israelí si quiere un Estado palestino, va a ver cifras increíbles, como un 80% en contra”, dijo. Recordó que en una votación reciente en la Knéset, 99 de los 120 legisladores votaron en contra de esa opción.
“¿Por qué? Porque ya tuvimos un Estado palestino: fue un Estado de Hamas en Gaza, una base avanzada de Irán para intentar aniquilar Israel. Nadie va a querer repetir eso”, concluyó. Según él, la única alternativa posible es una fórmula que permita a los palestinos autogobernarse sin amenazar la existencia de Israel, al tiempo que el Estado judío conserve las herramientas necesarias para garantizar su seguridad.
El primer ministro Benjamín Netanyahu también rechazó las afirmaciones de los ex jefes de seguridad Ronen Bar, del Shin Bet, y Herzi Halevi, jefe del Estado Mayor de las Fuerzas de Defensa de Israel (FDI), quienes aseguraron haberle advertido en julio de 2023 sobre la inminencia de un conflicto en Gaza y que él ignoró esas alertas.
“Es exactamente lo contrario”, afirmó Netanyahu. Según explicó, existen conversaciones grabadas con todo el gabinete que prueban que esos funcionarios sostuvieron todo lo opuesto. “Afirmaron que no habría guerra en Gaza, que Hamas estaba disuadido, que quería trabajadores y beneficios económicos. Dijeron una y otra vez que no había peligro de un ataque inminente de Hamas. Convencieron al gobierno de que no había de qué preocuparse”, relató.
El primer ministro agregó un dato contundente para reforzar su argumento: “El ataque comenzó a las 6:29 de la mañana del sábado. Seis horas y media antes, a la medianoche, ya estábamos recibiendo muchas señales de inteligencia de que se estaba preparando un ataque. No me llamaron. No despertaron al comandante en jefe. Porque si yo hubiera recibido esa llamada, habría actuado de otra forma. Y eso no ocurrió”.
Por eso, Netanyahu calificó como “completamente falso” lo que dijeron los exjefes de seguridad que ya no están en funciones, responsabilizándolos de minimizar la amenaza que finalmente desencadenó el conflicto.
Por otro lado, este lunes el periódico israelí The Jerusalem Post informó, citando a dos fuentes cercanas a las negociaciones, que Israel entregó a los mediadores un tercer mapa con el despliegue de sus tropas en Gaza.
En esta propuesta más reciente, Israel mostró mayor disposición a flexibilizar la ubicación de sus fuerzas entre los corredores de Morag y Filadelfia, en el sur de la Franja, zonas que actualmente controla.
Por su parte, Hamas ha manifestado que no firmará ningún acuerdo de alto el fuego que permita la liberación de los rehenes si las tropas israelíes no se retiran completamente de la Franja y no se da un fin definitivo a la ofensiva.
El grupo palestino también exige que las agencias de la ONU retomen la distribución de la ayuda humanitaria, en lugar de la polémica Fundación Humanitaria para Gaza (GHF, por sus siglas en inglés), cuyos complejos han sido escenario de la muerte de centenares de palestinos desde finales de mayo, debido a disparos mientras esperaban recibir comida, según el ministerio de Sanidad gazatí, controlado por Hamas.
(Con información de EFE)
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