Geopolitics
[ The Jerusalem Strategic Tribute ] Can America Regain Global Leadership? A View From Singapore
Can America regain global leadership? The question reflects the shock and dismay with which foreign policy establishments in North America and Europe greeted and viewed Donald Trump’s election as the 45th president of the United States. They came to regard what Trump said and did in office between 2017 and 2021 as a repudiation of…
Read More[ Reuters ] U.S., Britain believe Iran attacked Israeli-managed tanker off Oman
“Upon review of the available information, we are confident that Iran conducted this attack, which killed two innocent people, using one-way explosive UAVs,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement, adding there was “no justification” for the attack. “We are working with our partners to consider our next steps and consulting with…
Read More[ Frontline ] What Is the Fatemiyoun Brigade and Why Does It Make the Taliban Nervous?
In the new FRONTLINE report Leaving Afghanistan, correspondent Najibullah Quraishi investigated how Afghanistan’s neighbors — particularly Iran, through its proxy militia, the Fatemiyoun — are looking to fill the void as America withdraws. Quraishi spoke to Taliban leaders and former fighters who claimed Iran is mobilizing the Shia Fatemiyoun within Afghanistan. In return, a Sunni Taliban leader…
Read More[ SCMP ] China pledges support for Taliban in Afghanistan, but demands end to ETIM ties
Foreign Minister Wang Yi tells delegation there is no room for links with terror group it blames for Xinjiang attacks Taliban spokesman says meeting in Tianjin covered political, economic and security issues as well as peace process China has pledged support for the Taliban’s role in Afghanistan’s reconstruction, while demanding that it cuts ties with the East Turkestan…
Read MoreThe lack of leadership in the UN exposed by the Myanmar crisis
As the monsoon season hits Myanmar, floods turning the plight of the Burmese facing the double threat of both persecution by the military-rules regime and COVID-19 virus into a hellish triple threat. Despite the obvious problem with the military overthrowing the election results, and mandating a one year postponement of a re-election (which there is…
Read More[ USNI News ] Two Iranian Warships Spotted Near English Channel
Two Iranian warships are nearing the English Channel, according to satellite photographs reviewed by USNI News. The ships are thought to be headed to the Baltic Sea to represent Iran in a July 25 naval parade off the coast of St. Petersburg to commemorate the 325th anniversary of the Russian Navy
Read More[ The Geopolitics ] The Philippines’ Maoist Guerillas Vow to Resist ‘Imperialist China’
…although the network holds deep historical and ideological affinities with Chinese Maoism, they now view contemporary China as a capitalist and imperialist power that is actively violating Philippine sovereignty using a variety of coercive economic and military means, thus making the Chinese state an adversary to be resisted. The recent 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC)…
Read More[ The Guardian ] Pakistan detains five Chinese trawlers for alleged illegal fishing
Pakistan has detained five Chinese trawlers on suspicion of illegal fishing near its strategic port city of Gwadar, as a wave of protests swept across the region led by fishers concerned about losing control of their fishing grounds to China. The Chinese trawlers, loaded with fish, were taken into custody by the Pakistan Maritime Security…
Read More[ Nikkei Asia ] US does not support Taiwan independence: Kurt Campbell
U.S President Joe Biden’s point man on Asia is “astonished” by China’s determination to play the leading role on the global stage and will “step up” its engagement in Southeast Asia to hold back such a trend. But the administration does not support Taiwan independence and understands the sensitivities involved, Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell said…
Read More[ Reuters ] Indonesia, Thailand consider booster shots amid doubts over Sinovac vaccine
But the challenges facing Southeast Asia are much bigger. Many countries in the region rely heavily on Chinese vaccines due to tight supplies of Western products, and have low vaccination rates of less than 10%. They are also battling a record-breaking surge in new cases and deaths, led by the highly contagious Delta variant, while…
Read More