标签： Asia

The Trump administration is reportedly preparing to reinterview tens of thousands of refugees admitted to the United States during President Joe Biden’s tenure, according to a CNN report published on Monday. A leaked memo dated November 21 reveals that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will initiate a comprehensive “review and reinterview process” to assess whether these refugees pose any national security or public safety risks. Approximately 235,000 refugees were admitted between fiscal years 2021 and 2025 under Biden’s policies, though the memo does not specify which individuals or countries of origin will be targeted. Notably, the USCIS has the authority to revoke refugee status without providing an appeal mechanism if deemed necessary. This move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to overhaul the U.S. refugee system, which has historically been governed by the Refugee Act of 1980. Last month, the administration announced plans to drastically reduce the annual refugee admission cap to a historic low of 7,500 in fiscal year 2026, a stark contrast to the over 100,000 refugees admitted annually under Biden. The majority of these slots are reportedly reserved for white South Africans, a decision that has sparked controversy. While the Biden administration expanded refugee admissions, it fell short of its annual caps, admitting 25,465 in 2022, 60,014 in 2023, 100,034 in 2024, and 27,308 in 2025, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Trump’s earlier suspension of the refugee resettlement program left thousands in limbo, including 12,000 individuals with approved flights and nearly 90,000 others awaiting resettlement. The U.S. refugee vetting process typically takes 18 to 24 months, though white South African farmers have been an exception, with their cases expedited. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and other officials have denied allegations of “white genocide,” calling them unfounded.

TAIPEI, Taiwan — In a significant move to bolster its defense capabilities, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te unveiled plans on Wednesday for a $40 billion special budget dedicated to arms purchases and the development of advanced defense systems. The budget, spanning eight years from 2026 to 2033, includes the creation of the Taiwan Dome, a cutting-edge air defense system designed to enhance detection and interception capabilities. This announcement follows Lai’s earlier commitment to increase defense spending to 5% of the island’s GDP, up from the current 3.3% allocation for 2026, which amounts to $949.5 billion New Taiwan Dollars ($31.18 billion).

In an op-ed published in The Washington Post, Lai emphasized that the special budget would primarily fund arms procurement from the United States, reflecting Taiwan’s strategic alignment with its key ally. Wellington Koo, Taiwan’s Minister of National Defense, clarified that the $40 billion figure represents the upper limit of the budget. The funds will be allocated toward acquiring precision-strike missiles and fostering joint development and procurement initiatives between Taiwan and the U.S. for advanced military equipment and systems.

This decision comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the region and mounting pressure from the U.S. for Taiwan to strengthen its self-defense capabilities. The proposed budget underscores Taiwan’s proactive stance in addressing security challenges and safeguarding its sovereignty.

In a tragic turn of events, Bilal Ahmed Wani, a 55-year-old shopkeeper from Indian-controlled Kashmir, set himself on fire and later succumbed to his injuries. This occurred shortly after his release from police custody, where he was detained in connection with the investigation into the deadly November 10 explosion near New Delhi’s Red Fort, which claimed at least 10 lives and injured 32 others. Wani’s son remains in custody, and his family, speaking anonymously due to fear of reprisals, attributed his desperate act to the stress and humiliation stemming from the detentions.

The blast, described by authorities as a ‘heinous terror incident,’ triggered a sweeping security crackdown in Kashmir. Police conducted extensive raids, detained numerous suspects, and questioned thousands, with hundreds still in custody. The investigation quickly focused on Kashmir, where authorities dismantled a suspected militant cell operating from the region to the outskirts of New Delhi. During the raids, police seized bomb-making materials and arrested at least seven individuals, including two Kashmiri doctors.

On November 14, a separate explosion at a police station in Srinagar, Kashmir, killed at least nine people. Authorities ruled out sabotage, suggesting mishandling of explosives as the likely cause. The ongoing crackdown in Kashmir has been described as notably severe, reminiscent of the restrictions imposed in 2019 when India revoked the region’s special autonomous status.

Wani’s family insists on his innocence, accusing authorities of using him and his relatives as scapegoats. His eldest son, Jasir Bilal Wani, remains detained, with authorities alleging his involvement in planning the attack by providing technical support to the suspected suicide bomber, Umar Un Nabi, a Kashmiri doctor. The crackdown has extended to what police term a ‘white-collar terror ecosystem,’ intensifying scrutiny of Kashmiri professionals, particularly doctors, and fueling fear within the medical community.

Analysts warn that the political disenfranchisement and heavy-handed security measures following India’s 2019 decision are exacerbating anger and alienation in Kashmir. Praveen Donthi of the International Crisis Group emphasized that a moderate approach by New Delhi would be more effective in preventing further cycles of violence. The situation underscores the deep-seated tensions and the human cost of the ongoing conflict in the region.