PDB Afternoon Bulletin | October 20th, 2026: British Fighter Jets Enter the Fight Against The Houthis & China Sends Bombers Toward Taiwan

It's Tuesday, the 20th of October. Welcome to the PDB Afternoon Bulletin. I'm Mike Baker, your eyes and ears on the world stage. All right, let's get briefed. First up, the war against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen is expanding. Britain is sending fighter jets to defend Saudi Arabia as a Houthi missile attack kills 73 Saudi-backed government soldiers in Yemen. Later in the show, nearly 60,000 American and Japanese troops launch major military exercises near Taiwan, deploying advanced missiles as China expands its naval patrols and sends bombers toward the island. Well, 2022. It's really shaping up. But first, today's afternoon spotlight. Britain is getting more deeply involved in the war against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis, announcing today that British fighter jets will begin flying defensive missions over Saudi Arabia. The move comes as Houthi missile and drone attacks continue to batter the kingdom. And it follows a Houthi missile strike inside Yemen that's left at least 73 government soldiers dead and more than 200 wounded. The British Ministry of Defense says Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jets will be deployed to protect Saudi cities and critical infrastructure from incoming missiles and drones. The aircraft will operate in a strictly defensive capacity with London, insisting that they will not conduct offensive strikes against Houthi positions inside Yemen. Britain will also deploy an A400M military transport aircraft to help move equipment around Saudi Arabia, along with additional military advisers to assist in the fight against Houthi. Britain will also deploy an A400M military transport aircraft to help move equipment around Saudi Arabia, along with additional military advisers to help move equipment around Saudi Arabia. The British Defense Secretary, Wes Streeting, called the continuing Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, quote, absolutely despicable. Well, that's a very British thing to say, pointing specifically to the targeting of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. and skin the upgrade that they deserve. Welcome back to the PDB Afternoon Bulletin. As Chinese vessels expand their patrols around Taiwan, American and Japanese troops are rehearsing for the possibility of those waters becoming a war zone. Nearly 60,000 troops are taking part in a major joint exercise, deploying advanced missiles and testing how Allied forces would coordinate and operate if under attack. The exercise, known as Keen Sword 27, began Monday and will run through October 29. Approximately 45,000 Japanese troops and 12,000 American service members are participating, with seven additional countries joining portions of the training. Much of it centers on Japan's southwestern islands, including Yonaguni, just 68 miles east of Taiwan. At that distance, Japan cannot assume that a Chinese attack on Taiwan would remain somebody else's problem. Fighting that close could threaten Japanese territory, shipping routes, and airspace. As a result of that geography, Tokyo has spent recent years strengthening its southwestern defenses with longer-range missiles and interceptors. Japan also faces security challenges from North Korea and Russia, but China's expanding military activity around Japanese islands and across the Pacific is a key concern. We've discussed here on the PDB how Chinese Coast Guard vessels have been conducting increasingly regular patrols east of Taiwan. Taiwanese officials believe Beijing could be rehearsing elements of a maritime blockade. China could use Coast Guard vessels, maritime militia, and other assets to restrict access to Taiwan's ports while calling it routine law enforcement. A persistent presence off Taiwan's Pacific-facing east coast could also threaten routes for supplies and outside assistance. Randall Shriver, the chairman of the congressionally appointed U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, issued a warning in Taipei today that the patrols are advancing Beijing's claim of sovereignty. He called them, quote, an extension of legal warfare and political and information warfare, warning that the approach is, quote, highly destabilizing if China continues putting that law enforcement role into practice. The pressure also extends overhead. Just this afternoon, Taiwan and Beijing are facing an extension of legal warfare and political and defense ministry reported another Chinese Joint Combat Readiness Patrol involving 27 military aircraft, including nuclear-capable H-6 bombers. So, how are American and Japanese forces preparing? Well, I'm glad you asked. Japan has deployed its new Type 25 land-to-ship missile to Yonaguni for the first time. Its reported range is approximately 620 miles, putting mainland China well within reach. No test firing is planned, but the Japan-China alliance has been working on a deployment that demonstrates how Tokyo could threaten hostile ships approaching its southwestern territory. American forces have also brought in the Nemesis system, that's the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System, to Yonaguni for the exercise for the first time. The mobile, ground-based system allows Marines to target enemy warships in nearby sea lanes. But those Marines, of course, also need protection. So, American forces have deployed the Mattis system to Yonaguni for the first time. And the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction for the exercise, also for the first time, providing short-range air defense against threats including drones and aircraft. On another nearby island, they've positioned HIMARS, the mobile rocket artillery system, widely known for its use in the Ukraine war. Keen Sword 27 includes amphibious landings, air and missile defense operations, minesweeping, intelligence gathering, logistics, resupply, and casualty evacuations. Now, to avoid outright aggression or retaliation, Japan's chief of the joint staff says the exercise does not target a particular country. At the opening ceremony, a Japanese admiral said, It's essential to be fully prepared and cooperate with our allies and partners to prevent the crisis. But the reality is that Tokyo has acknowledged that a Taiwan conflict could draw Japan in. About a year ago, Japan's prime minister said Chinese military action against Taiwan could justify Japanese involvement. Which, of course, triggered diplomatic and economic tensions with Beijing. Washington remains Taiwan's principal arms supplier, of course, and most important international security partner, despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations. President Trump has approved significant weapons sales to Taiwan and supported military training, although a proposed $14 billion package, well, that has yet to be approved. After meeting Chinese President Xi Jinping in May, Trump called those sales, a quote, very good negotiating chip. And that, my friends, is the PDB Afternoon Bulletin for Tuesday, the 20th of October. If you have any questions or comments, and I hope you do, just reach out to me at pdb at thefirsttv.com. And to listen to the show ad-free, well, that's easy to do. Just become a premium member of the President's Daily Brief by visiting pdbpremium.com. I'm Mike Baker, and I'll be back tomorrow. Until then, stay informed, stay safe, stay cool. I have a quick message for you. The next one on the list, right? And that's why today's episode is brought to you by Quo. That's Q-U-O, the business phone system built so that you never miss a call. 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