Taiwan's government looks set to accept an opposition-written defense law it publicly dislikes, a sign the ruling party is picking its battles ahead of year-end elections.

• Parliament, controlled by the opposition KMT, passed a bill to boost homegrown defense and build up a drone industry.
• The Cabinet had until today to sign off, and it is expected to go along with it despite calling the result deeply regrettable.
• Blocking the law would hand the KMT and its allies a campaign weapon before the year-end elections.
• The Cabinet has already put a big defense package into its extra budget, including coastal surveillance drones, so the new law overlaps with plans in motion.
• Premier Cho Jung-tai has spent the week defending his refusal to sign eight other bills, calling the countersignature a constitutional safeguard rather than a veto.

Outlook: Expect the drone law to take effect while the fight over the other eight bills keeps escalating into the election season.