Evening Brief: Trump Calls Leaders of Cambodia and Thailand, Pro-China Politicians in Taiwan Retain Power

· Guy D. McCardle

Trump turns up the pressure as Thailand and Cambodia teeter on the edge of war—diplomacy, firepower, and high-stakes threats all collide in Southeast Asia’s latest flashpoint.

President Trump is turning up the heat on Thailand and Cambodia as their long-simmering border dispute erupts into deadly clashes. With over 30 people killed and thousands forced to flee their homes, Trump stepped in and made it clear: stop the fighting, or face serious economic consequences.

He personally spoke with Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, pressing both to commit to a ceasefire. His message was simple but firm—peace first, trade later. Trump warned that if the violence continues, the U.S. will slap tariffs as high as 36 percent on imports from both countries starting August 1. He also threatened to pull the plug on ongoing trade negotiations, saying there would be no deal while bullets are flying.

Both countries have now signaled they’re open to ceasefire talks, but there’s hesitation beneath the surface. Some officials are calling for more than just words—they want proof that each side is serious about de-escalation.

Trump isn’t new to this playbook. He pointed to the U.S.-brokered ceasefire between India and Pakistan earlier this year as a success story. Once again, he’s using America’s economic clout as a diplomatic hammer—offering trade deals as a carrot, and steep tariffs as the stick. Whether that’s enough to put the brakes on this conflict remains to be seen, but the message from Washington couldn’t be clearer: stop the shooting, or start paying.

 

Taiwan’s Pro-China Politicians Survive Recall Vote, Hold Their Ground

The Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan’s main opposition party known for supporting closer ties with Beijing, just dodged a major political bullet. Recently, a large-scale recall vote aimed at booting roughly one-fifth of KMT lawmakers out of the legislature failed. That means the party’s pro-China bloc is still standing strong in parliament, despite growing regional tensions and pressure from opponents labeling them as sellouts.

So why did they survive? For starters, the KMT has stuck to its guns on promoting dialogue with China. While critics argue that makes them too cozy with the mainland—some even accusing them of outright collusion—there’s still a sizable chunk of voters who see diplomacy as the safer path forward. Add to that the missteps of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which pushed budget cuts and defense rollbacks that didn’t sit well with everyone. That opened the door for the KMT to scoop up disillusioned voters.

The recall effort was packaged as a patriotic, anti-communist campaign targeting politicians seen as compromising Taiwan’s sovereignty. But there wasn’t much concrete evidence behind the accusations, and voters ultimately rejected the ballot. That gave the KMT a shot of political legitimacy they badly needed.

At the heart of Taiwan’s political tug-of-war is a deep divide over how to handle China. The DPP leans toward independence and stronger ties with the U.S., while the KMT plays the long game with cross-strait engagement. Even as China ramps up the pressure on Taiwan with military drills and diplomatic snubs, enough people on the island still back the KMT’s approach to keep them in the game. For now, at least, Taiwan’s pro-China politicians aren’t going anywhere.

 

Deadly Courthouse Siege in Iran: Jaish al-Adl Strikes in Volatile Baluchestan Region

Nine people were killed and over 20 wounded in a brutal assault on a courthouse in Zahedan, Iran, on July 26, 2025. The attack took place in the restive Sistan-Baluchestan province, a region long plagued by unrest and home to the Sunni Baluch minority. The attackers, later confirmed to be members of Jaish al-Adl—a Sunni separatist group labeled a terrorist organization by both Iran and the United States—stormed the courthouse dressed as civilians and launched a coordinated two-phase assault.

They opened fire inside the building, targeted judges’ chambers, and then attacked civilians outside using small arms, grenade launchers, and possibly mortars.

Among the nine dead were three of the attackers themselves. The other victims included courthouse staff, security personnel, and innocent civilians, tragically including a woman and a child. Around 20 to 22 others were injured in the crossfire. The gun battle raged for about three hours before Iranian security forces regained control.

This attack is part of a long-running cycle of violence in southeastern Iran. Groups like Jaish al-Adl claim they’re responding to state oppression and the execution of Baluch prisoners. While the group warned civilians to steer clear of the combat zone, the high number of casualties tells you how chaotic and violent the situation became. This latest incident reinforces the dangerous instability in a region where religious, ethnic, and political tensions continue to boil just beneath the surface.

 

Night of Terror: Christian Village Massacred in Nigeria’s Plateau State

On the night of July 14, 2025, the quiet Christian farming village of Jebu in Nigeria’s Plateau State became the site of yet another horrific massacre. Armed attackers, reportedly Fulani extremists, swept in under the cover of darkness and opened fire on residents as they slept. At least 32 people were killed, including infants. Entire families were wiped out, their bodies discovered in the smoldering ruins of burned homes.

Among the dead was Weng Dachung, a local youth leader who tried to defend his community but didn’t stand a chance against the heavily armed assailants. Even the village church and farmland weren’t spared—burned to the ground along with any hope of a peaceful night.

Survivors say what happened next added insult to the carnage. Nearby military personnel allegedly stood by without lifting a finger to help and even blocked locals from rushing in to defend or rescue their neighbors. The governor of Plateau State condemned the massacre and made it clear—this wasn’t some random clash between farmers and herders, but a deliberate, coordinated slaughter of civilians.

This attack is only the latest in a string of violent assaults this year that have killed over 150 people across Plateau State. Just last month in Yelwata, another predominantly Christian area, somewhere between 100 and 200 people were killed, and about 3,000 displaced. These are not isolated incidents—they’re part of a growing wave of ethnically and religiously charged violence that’s tearing through the region. With each attack, not only are lives lost, but so is farmland, food security, and any semblance of safety for families just trying to survive.