A U.S. congressional delegation met with Taiwan's new president on Monday and promised weapons the self-governing island ordered in the face of threats from China were on their way.
Why it matters: The visit, led by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Michael McCaul (R-Tex.), comes days after the Chinese military held drills around the democratically run island it claims is its territory in protest at the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te.
The Biden administration is still assessing whether an Israeli strike that killed at least 45 displaced Palestinians at a tent camp in Rafah on Sunday is a violation of President Biden's "red line," two U.S. officials told Axios.
Why it matters: Biden threatened earlier this month to suspend the delivery of some U.S.-made offensive weapons if Israel entered population centers in Rafah, the city in southern Gaza viewed as Hamas' last stronghold.
An Israeli airstrike killed at least 35 Palestinian civilians at a tent camp for displaced people in the city of Rafah, according to health authorities in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
Why it matters: This is the deadliest incident in Rafah since Israel began its offensive in the city in early May. It took place just days after the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to immediately halt military operations in Rafah.
China flaunted a robot dog strapped with a gun during its largest-ever military exercise with Cambodia, producing images reminiscent of dystopian movies.
Why it matters: China and the U.S. are racing to dominate robotics and other smart machinery. Defense officials from both powers believe unmanned technologies will be decisive in future wars.
