by Thomas Röper – January 18, 2024
On the night of January 17, Russia bombed a building in Kharkov and then reported the killing of 60 French mercenaries. It now appears that they were regular soldiers of the French army
Were the mercenaries killed in Kharkov regular French soldiers?
Related:
The presence of the fighters is also used to justify Ukraine’s ever-growing demand for Western weaponry, Christelle Neant has said.
Foreign mercenaries primarily used by Kiev for ‘media purposes’ – journalist
Christelle Néant is with Donbass Insider.
Niger shifts from Western allies to Russia, seeking independent defense capabilities and economic growth after France’s withdrawal, cautiously balancing new international partnerships.
Charting a New Course: Niger Builds Ties With Russia to Escape France’s Dark Shadow
US policies pushing China, Philippines to brink of conflict
The China-Philippines maritime dispute does not, in of itself, reflect anything approaching an existential conflict. It has, however, become an increasingly dangerous proxy and potential flashpoint for underlying China-U.S. tensions in the South China Sea.
FYI, this article is full of disinformation. I’m posting it to point out that there’s an information war going on in the South China Sea (using embedded journalists, civil society activists, and various US think tanks). The Philippines plans on building a military base, on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal, to replace the BRP Sierra Madre (which is about to break apart). Marcos is also re-starting oil exploration, in the Reed Bank, which is part of the disputed territory.
Related:
US Shapes Philippines into Southeast Asia’s “Ukraine”
Why the US is Picking a Fight with China in the South China Sea
Beijing rejects tribunal’s ruling in South China Sea case
Paul Reichler, of the law firm Foley Hoag LLP, who who coordinated the Philippines’ legal team, said: “The tribunal’s ruling not only benefits the Philippines, it also benefits other states bordering the South China Sea like Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. If China’s nine-dash line is invalid as to the Philippines, it is equally invalid to those states and, indeed, the rest of the international community.”
New Year’s 2024 saw Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky announce a new strategy toward winning its war with Russia.
Why Ukraine’s 2024 Strategy Will Fail
Foreign Affairs so, yes, it has a bias. Author Mark Leonard
Still there are some points of interest. One obvious point made is the lamentable state of US diplomacy. Perhaps better acknowledged as non existent.
China’s Game in Gaza: How Beijing Is Exploiting Israel’s War to Win Over the Global South
The USG is doing a good enough job of ruining its reputation, on the international stage, but let’s blame China! 🤦🏼♀️
NAIROBI—The U.S. is seeking to base military drones along the West African coast in an urgent effort to stop the spread of al Qaeda and Islamic State in the region, according to American and African officials
U.S. Seeks Drone Bases in Coastal West Africa to Stem Islamist Advance
The Wagner Group are mercenaries but Bancroft is a private military company! 🙄
Private American military company in discussions with the Central African Republic
“As part of the reconstruction of the national army (…), we called on partners including the Russian Federation, Angola, Morocco, Guinea (…) who are helping us to train our soldiers,” he added. “The United States is also offering to the Central African Republic to train its soldiers, both on Central African soil and on American soil. ”
…
According to the French daily Le Monde , Washington offered the CAR a security agreement at the end of 2022 for President Touadéra in exchange for distancing itself from Wagner. Neither Washington nor Bangui have confirmed.
Operation Prosperity Guardian: Whose Prosperity is Being Guarded?
In the weeks to come, we will see the situation between the Houthi, international shipping, and the world’s navies further develop. The goal of Operation Prosperity Guardian is to ensure the prosperity of the world by ensuring the free flow of goods and ships through the international waterways off the coast of Yemen. If the main beneficiary of the operation is one of the largest shipping corporations in the world, then there is a question of whose prosperity is Operation Prosperity Guardian truly guarding?
Operation Prosperity Guardian: Whose Prosperity is Being Guarded?
Related:
YouTube: Operation Prosperity Guardian: Whose Prosperity is Being Guarded?
Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 
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