ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 10, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 10, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Taiwan Raises Military to High Alert Ahead of Mainland China’s Military Drills
• New Treaty with Nauru Makes Australia Sole Security Guarantor, Locking out China
• France President Macron to Gather Political Parties and Negotiate "Government of General Interest"

Taiwan Raises Military to High Alert Ahead of Mainland China’s Military Drills

On December 9, 2024, Taiwan raised its alert level as China reserved seven airspace areas and deployed nearly 90 navy and coast guard ships in a broad region east of its Zhejiang and Fujian provinces near Taiwan. Taiwan considers these moves as a precursor to military exercises in the coming days. China is likely responding to Taiwanese President Willian Lai’s state visit to Hawaii and Guam last week. China did not reveal any details about the upcoming military drills but reiterated the importance of maintaining Chinese territorial integrity. In response to China’s planned drills, Taiwan has initiated combat-readiness drills at strategic locations nationwide, and the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) has been closely monitoring China Coast Guard vessels in waters around Taiwan.

New Treaty with Nauru Makes Australia Sole Security Guarantor, Locking out China

Australia and Nauru signed a treaty on December 9, 2024, which enshrines Australia as the country's only security guarantor, while providing AUD 140 million (USD 8.9 million) in financial support and a banking partnership to the island nation. Australia has been pursuing arrangements with Pacific island nations to box out Chinese influence in the region, and has now scored another victory with a deal that gives it veto power over engagements by third parties in "security and key critical infrastructure sectors" in Nauru. In exchange, Nauru will receive direct financial support. The Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) also simultaneously announced that it would begin providing services in 2025, making up for the impending loss of Bendigo Bank (currently the country's only banking provider).

France President Macron to Gather Political Parties and Negotiate "Government of General Interest"

Following the collapse of the Michel Barnier government, French President Emmanuel Macron will gather most political parties on December 10, 2024, in an attempt to work out a "Government of General Interest." Representatives of parties other than La France Insoumise (LFI) and Rassemblement National (RN), which Macron seems to view as too extreme to accept centrist compromises, will be present at the gathering. An issue will be how to proceed with a national budget, which did not achieve parliamentary approval last week. A new prime minister, and a new budget, will need greater support from at least one side of the Assemblee Nationale in order to proceed. A decision on a new PM and a new coalition is likely to occur this week, though with the political situation uncertain the timeline could extend beyond.