NYT: “One of the U.S. officials, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters, said that Admiral Holsey had raised concerns about the mission and the attacks on the alleged drug boats.” https://t.co/qQXtQCLt4z via @NYTimes

Another big day @OlliSuorsa

Beijing hosted separate ministerial-level meetings yesterday with Tim Cook, Ray Dalio, Steve Schwarzman, and possibly others. They’re playing for keeps in terms of transmitting their preferred narrative to people who are in touch with President Trump and his advisors.

US may seek more stakes in strategic companies to counter China, Bessent says https://t.co/SR3c0fNUYa

Senate Democrats on Thursday turned the NDAA bill into the collateral damage of a fierce shutdown battle, blocking the legislation as they pressed for an agreement that includes their domestic priorities.

In the coming weeks, expect Trump's new National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy to drop. Teaser: Western hemispheric defense will play a very prominent, perhaps historic role. And yes, competition vs China will still be in there as well. https://t.co/DjOjZWCWIX

So, now President Trump wants to lead our allies to pushback against Chinese economic coercion. Is there enough trust left in our alliances to build a coalition?

Big day @OlliSuorsa

By the way, "poisonous shrimp" strategy is long passe in Singapore. This island has currently adopted what was called "dolphin" defense posture instead.

President Trump is all but ignoring the shutdown for parts of the government he favors — keeping paychecks flowing for military service, for example — while targeting “Democrat programs” for layoffs or closures.

Russ Vought estimates more than 10k federal workers would be fired as a result of the shutdown. His statement comes as a judge blocks the administration from laying off federal workers during the shutdown. https://t.co/QbWiTHoPVr

China's sanctions against US-linked Hanwha units seen as warning gesture, analysts say https://t.co/p9I3h46p5t

ASML sees significant China demand drop, ASML on Wednesday warned that it expected a significant fall in demand from China next year https://t.co/hklz06GPAI

#ICYMI Last week, we released episodes on the US Indo-Pacific strategy and the ongoing government shutdown. We’ll be taking a quick break as we head out for a research trip, but we’ve got lots of content lined up for the rest of the year. Stay tuned!

Reuters: U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Tuesday said it depended on China whether additional 100% tariffs on its exports to the United States kick in on November 1 or sooner, but acknowledged it might be hard for Beijing to find an off-ramp. https://t.co/XsWVB5xSqN

If Bessent’s view reflects what he actually believes about US leverage, then we’re probably looking at a fundamental asymmetry in how both sides assess their respective vulnerabilities. Beijing has been framing its latest tactic as “rare earth supply shock vs. incremental chip

A Dutch seizure of Chinese-owned computer chip maker Nexperia came after rising U.S. pressure on the company, a court ruling released on Tuesday showed, underscoring how the firm has been caught in the crossfire between Washington and Beijing.

The WSJ reported that Trump privately discussed with the senior officials about sending a message that the U.S. wants to de-escalate trade tensions with China - Trump aims to de-escalate trade tensions with China — after threatening 100% tariffs, he and senior officials

The United States and China on October 14 will begin charging port fees on ocean shipping firms that move everything from holiday toys to crude oil, making the high seas a key front in the trade war between the world's two largest economies

China has pledged to hit back if President Trump carries out a threat to impose tariffs of 100 percent on all Chinese goods.