Miscellaneous News

The U.S. thinks it's a high-altitude balloon from China that entered domestic airspace a few days ago, according to a senior defense official. This is not the first time a surveillance balloon has come into domestic airspace. It is appearing to "hangout for a longer period" than in previous instances, the senior defense official said. The balloon drifted into the US ADIZ from outside and then floated over Canada into CONUS.

Biscuits said:

Has nothing to do with that or any ridiculous anecdotes that sound like CIA fanfiction.

NK and China have a warlord and ruler relationship. NK acts a shield in Asia and in return, they get what they ask for to maintain it but also the right to do what they want politically.

To demand reforms from NK would be violating that type of implicit contract.

NK has some 900k troops, China would not be able to draw on this level of mobilisation from any other nation of that size.

In this era where China has likely escalatory dominance, NK no longer fulfils its main role, but in the past, NK was likely vital in acting as China's mobilisation, without actually having China be mobilised at all times.

Besides MAD, one other major reason why US never attempted to invade China during the 90s and early 00s despite having much better chances than today (when they're truly desparate) is likely that NK would spill over into SK, meaning that even if US could pull off a Taiwan invasion due to naval supremacy, they might be trading SK for it, because there's no way to stop a huge KPA and an advanced PLA bearing down at the same time.

At some point, NK will probably get new weapons, but as seen in the Ukraine war, you don't need that many flashy toys to be effective. Just having many men and ability to pack them into jihadmobiles has its own quality.

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NK is awesome. Among all the pig allies a country can have, NK is certainly the kind of an ally that every big country would love to have.

Yes, their economy is non-existent, their tech is also bad but who cares. NK is a military-focused ally and it is doing far more than what other such allies would do.

horse said:

There are two things here comrade.

What we are talking about regarding the Philippines, I sincerely doubt that is much of anything. They're still outgunned. Increased US access to those Philippines bases improves the diplomatic situation for US-Filipino relations. Does it change the military situation? My answer is a flat out no. That is one issue.

It is the general US-China relations that is going down fast. That is the real issue.

Right on cue, the Chinese come forth with some propaganda.

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Contrast that with what the Americans were boasting about earlier this same week.

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That is why personally I can see things getting a lot worst, but at the same time have a really detached and blasé attitude about it.

First of all, this is not the first time China would be in a military confrontation with the Americans which could be a war. Second of all, this time China has better weapons.

Everyone wants to see that hypersonic missile in actual combat. That would be a sight to see.

If the Americans want some of that, Chinese got to oblige.

That is the way it is going to go until the Americans get a grip on themselves.

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I want to see a hypersonic missile circle the world twice and hit Guam from the other side .

About the Philippines:
The truth is the existing international system has been based on imperialism for the past few hundred years. Most nations are not able to operate without it. That's the reason you see Russia and other countries extremely frustrated that China will not accept becoming the next global hegemon. Sovereignty is a huge responsibility that corrupted and faux governments are not competent enough to undertake. If they have no overseer then they would, for once, actually be forced to take accountability for their own actions. These vassal countries deeply despise China to the core for not talking down to them, for not properly colonizing and dominating them. In their minds, both sides know that China is the superior and more enlightened country, so why does it insist on treating them as equals, other than to publicly and internally humiliate them? The Chinese insistence on politeness and respect in front of and behind closed doors comes off as backhanded and untrustworthy, as opposed to the US, which is very transparent about what it really thinks about you and its real agenda.

If China truly wants to build a multipolar world, it should take a moderate and paternalistic attitude towards these types of countries. It needs to treat these countries how they secretly desire to be treated, and forcefully dictate to them how reforms and competent government should be made. The vassal states will be extremely grateful while they bend over. Not to mention China is the world's expert on national political reform.

Bellum_Romanum said:

It's easier to imagine a war that's far away from our countries shore, and countries like Canada and especially the U.S. is especially guilty on it's warlike, wanton desire to solve every problem it faces with kinetic solutions. How does a country like the U.S. with an almost unlimited amount of desire to wage war be curtailed? What would it take for it's people and leadership collectively to be reflective, circumspect of the many terrible things it caused and is doing against China?

Germany and the German people based on this short report from Al Jazeera seems have become increasingly weary of what's being imposed on them by America=NATO. The people knows their bitter history, and the unfortunate history and actions of their country's past in WWII not just against the Jews but more acutely against the Russian people and the country so they have an intimate understanding of the trauma war causes that lingers a lifetime of regret and shame. How about America?

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Well, one way to curtail the US is obvious: make them turn their bloodlust on themselves. The US needs an external enemy because of their internal dynamics. Split the crowd into racial, class, political blocks and let them tear each other to shreds. An irrationally individualistic society will be significantly more vulnerable to these tactics than one that is collectivistic.

Bellum_Romanum said:

With what money? I read @Lethe recommended article, a London Book review over 9000 words essay talking about the British Military essentially expressing that it's bark is worse than it's bite. They fought a war in Afghanistan, then Iraq, then Afghanistan in both instances ended up in FAILURE but was dressed up as victory by then U.K. P.M. David Cameron in 2013-2014 when they decided to pull out of Afghanistan. There were no accountability from the generals that lead that war, to the Defense ministers made up political class that never paid any price for their failures. Inadequate weapon systems, lack of men/troops and mostly relied to their master, the U.S. on just about everything.

So, I question how and what would be the British Military's contribution when the war against a more competent and determined enemy in China commence? Would the British people be okay with getting called up to the serve on the meat grinder to serve the purpose of eliminating the autocratic rule of the evil commies i.e. the See See Pee?

I am sorry but behind all these mumbo jumbo strategies that a lot of western countries from it's civilian to military leadership and people are a joke. I don't see the majority of these people willing to sacrifice for the cause, system they firmly believe in and insist country like China must adapt or else. The lessons learned from the war in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria have never been learned because the British is high on American hopium.

The war with China would wake the f...p of the west and it's insidious arrogance.

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Calling Iraq and Afghanistan wars a British failure is an understatement. Both wars overall were failures, but even by the standards of the American and other coalition partners it was bad.

In Iraq the British were in charge of Basra, a fiercely anti Saddam Shi'ite city so it was probably considered to be an easy job. Under British control rule was so bad even the Shi'ites locals turned against them. The likes of al-Sadr wouldn't have been created and popularised if it wasn't for the British.

In Afghanistan they did even worse. They were deployed to Helmand, which was in the Taliban heartland. Unlike Basra it was a much tougher deployment. They were so shit the ANA begged the Americans for anyone but the British to take over.

I don't know how a country can go from controlling the half the world to not being able to control a small territory populated by some of the most primitive people in the timeframe of a human life. It really is one of the biggest falls from grace in history.

name said:

@Bellum_Romanum

Thanks. So, in other words, there's no active effort in the past 50 years by China to counter American/Western imperialist brainwashing in the Philippines. Meanwhile, many people here complain how it's "impossible" to unbrainwash the Philippines despite NOT trying for the past 50 years. And their solution is usually some extreme form of hard power like a war.

Reading these posts about foreign nations brainwashed with anti China lies is like watching someone walk up to a closed door and conclude only tnt can open the door. Have you tried turning the knob?

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How could China provide a counter narrative during the preceding years when it was busy trying to lift, improve it's own people and country from the isolation that Western countries including then Soviet Union (then two superpowers) imposed against her? Then Chinese leaders had to be pragmatic and less ideological to gain foothold and control it's destiny because it learned throughout it's long history that economic power married with hard power can ensure stability and peace for it's people and the world for that matter.

I mean, when did One Road, One Belt (BRI) came to fruition? it was not until 2012-2013 introduced by GenSec Xi Jinping (the ground work was already undertaken by GenSec Hu Jintao) when China's economic rise could no longer be hidden in plain sight. We're talking what just a decade ago? while the American all society propaganda in countries like the Philippines has been ongoing since the country was bought and paid for the by the U.S. for $20 Million to Spain at the conclusion of the American-Spanish War of 1895 if my date is correct. If we do the math that's 128 years and that's over a century of total influence.

Therefore, we can't and should not expect the countries like the Philippines to just fully embrace China like it's long lost brother/older brother when the foundational/structural friendship isn't that strong. The PRC-Philippines diplomatic recognition only happened back in 1978 which is less than 50 years old and during that time the Chinese influence to the Philippines in terms of economic trade, technology, political etc...was almost non-existent or anemic.

Some of us can feel frustrated or feel annoyed of the actions made by the current administration citing a sense of betrayal when the Philippines is simply acting on it's own self-interest and is acting out of loyalty to their former colonizer, the U.S. whom they felt strong allegiance with because of the sacrifices it made during the occupation and invasion by Imperial Japan. When did China shed blood for the Filipinos? Only historians, or history nut understands the context and reality of why Japan had to invade and attack the Philippines which was for military and strategic reasons since the Philippines was used/colonial post of the U.S.

China does not need to be baited nor it's required to lash out against the Philippines because that would simply fall into the desired outcome American strategists wish and is looking forward with glee to happen. China must respect and understand the dilemma countries like the Philippines faces when dealing with America. I mean if countries in Europe that are far more developed economically, societally, like Germany, France can bend the knee to the U.S. what chances do smaller countries with meagre military strength and developing economies like the Philippines can do against the U.S. might?

horse said:

It's not obvious to me. Seems to me things are spiraling out of control.

LOL!

It has nothing to do with third parties, except the Russian war.

It has everything to do with United States versus China.

With United States versus China, it is all about economy, technology, and Taiwan.

The United States has been unable to stop itself from provoking China on all three, for the past few years, and the frequency has increased lately.

So I think, thing will deteriorate some more, before someone in the United States gets a grip on themselves.

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Things would deteriorate but both countries want to show the world that they are willing to negotiate and deescalate. Of course, the truth is opposite.

But for the US and especially Biden, they want to do everything and throw everything at China but pretend that everything is ok. China just wants to buy a few months or more to focus on its economy and other priorities before confronting the US for its aggression.

escobar said:

The U.S. thinks it's a high-altitude balloon from China that entered domestic airspace a few days ago, according to a senior defense official. This is not the first time a surveillance balloon has come into domestic airspace. It is appearing to "hangout for a longer period" than in previous instances, the senior defense official said. The balloon drifted into the US ADIZ from outside and then floated over Canada into CONUS.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1621272565145640961

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1621271135236112385

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NORAD apparently didn't catch it (initially) -- people spotted it from an airplane!

Bellum_Romanum said:

With what money? I read @Lethe recommended article, a London Book review over 9000 words essay talking about the British Military essentially expressing that it's bark is worse than it's bite. They fought a war in Afghanistan, then Iraq, then Afghanistan in both instances ended up in FAILURE but was dressed up as victory by then U.K. P.M. David Cameron in 2013-2014 when they decided to pull out of Afghanistan. There were no accountability from the generals that lead that war, to the Defense ministers made up political class that never paid any price for their failures. Inadequate weapon systems, lack of men/troops and mostly relied to their master, the U.S. on just about everything.

So, I question how and what would be the British Military's contribution when the war against a more competent and determined enemy in China commence? Would the British people be okay with getting called up to the serve on the meat grinder to serve the purpose of eliminating the autocratic rule of the evil commies i.e. the See See Pee?

I am sorry but behind all these mumbo jumbo strategies that a lot of western countries from it's civilian to military leadership and people are a joke. I don't see the majority of these people willing to sacrifice for the cause, system they firmly believe in and insist country like China must adapt or else. The lessons learned from the war in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria have never been learned because the British is high on American hopium.

The war with China would wake the f...p of the west and it's insidious arrogance.

Click to expand...

The more I look at it, the more I think there must soon be a war to oust the US faction from global politics.

And this idea is seemingly shared by China as well. If China didn't want war, even if their military was much worse than it is now, they can still deter war by just threatening mass tactical nuke use. Or by publicly making a spending road map aimed at deterring the west.

Instead, weapons are built in an opaque manner, USA is being baited into war, Russia has been fully secured.

For too long has America spread their negative influence in the world. Those under USA bloc languish, suffering from oppression reminiscent of those under the colonies of fascism in ww2 and ww1. If you think this is an exaggeration, just look at how things are in the parts of Africa or Latin America ruled by the West. The poverty, the child labor, the crimes, the sexual exploitation and the fact that these nations have been like this for decades, with no light in the end of the tunnel.

Only a hard defeat of America and their most diehard collaborator nations can free the world at large, both physically and mentally.

In better news, Vietnam is going the right way

Vietnam sees a shared future more with China than US​

Nguyen Phu Trong’s anti-corruption purge means Vietnam is moving in a more ideological and less pro-Western direction

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The CPV is adopting China’s anti-corruption campaigns and reportedly requested that China train its cadres to conduct anti-corruption investigations.

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It cannot be a coincidence that the party leaders who have been ousted mainly represented the “Westernist” faction or the so-called “technocratic” wing, which suggests that Trong is concerned about the party’s ideological and moral integrity as well. Trong reportedly has a strong distaste for the political patronage networks within the party.

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The Deutsche Welle analysis lamented: “Vietnam’s business and political relations with Western states have massively improved in recent years.…

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“But Vietnamese Communist apparatchiks remain skeptical of Western intentions. Many of them fear that Western democracies are aiming for regime change in the one-party state and they rankle at foreign organizations lecturing the government over human rights.…

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“The ascendant public security apparatus is arguably most wary of interactions with Western democracies. At the same time, foreign diplomats are quickly losing their most trusted conduits within the party, the sort of officials who informally provide information and support.”

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The real apprehension of Westerners is that the power equilibrium within the CPV and the government may now work more to the advantage of China and Russia.

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