In this episode of The President’s Daily Brief: A major military buildup is underway as Japan races to construct a “missile archipelago” designed to counter China’s expanding power near Taiwan. South Korea scrambles fighter jets after Chinese and Russian warplanes enter its air-defense zone, underscoring tighter coordination between Beijing and Moscow. New reporting claims Israeli operatives conducted both open and covert surveillance on U.S. and partner officials at a joint base involved in Gaza planning. And in today’s Back of the Brief — UAE-backed separatists tighten their grip on southern Yemen, threatening to split the already troubled country.