Consider these factors as the Pentagon dissects AUKUS
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Philippine Forces Land on Contested South China Sea Feature
China seizes disputed reef in the South China Sea + More

Financial Times: China seizes disputed reef in the South China Sea (archived)
It comes as the Philippines and its ally the US are conducting Balikatan, their largest annual military exercise, which will include coastal defence and island seizure drills. They will be held from next week on the Philippine territory closest to the Spratlys.
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Trump wants US to ‘partner’ with Russia to weaken China: Divide-and-conquer strategy
Syria Today, Iran Tomorrow, and Inevitably China
The collapse of the Syrian government in mid-December 2024 represents a pivotal moment for U.S. geopolitical strategies in the Middle East and beyond.
Western Media Urges Public: Believe Our Lies, Not Your Own Eyes
- The West has spent years accusing China of “genocide” in its western region of Xinjiang despite producing no evidence to substantiate such claims;
- China has since opened up Xinjiang to international tourism where people from around the globe including the West can see for themselves there is no “genocide;”
- The collective West now seeks to reassert control over the narrative by questioning travel vloggers reporting back from China regarding their experiences;
Western Media Urges Public: Believe Our Lies, Not Your Own Eyes (archived)
Sources:
Read More »The 4 Key Strengths of China’s Economy — and What They Mean for Multinational Companies
China’s hybrid “state capitalist” system, driven by centralized planning and fierce competition, has led to dominance in critical technological fields and emerging markets. Western multinational corporations are advised to adopt a pragmatic approach to capitalize on four key strengths of China’s economy: its innovation ecosystem, its investment in the Global South, its ultra-competitive markets, and its vast consumer base. Those who fail to engage risk losing global revenue and strategic opportunities.
The 4 Key Strengths of China’s Economy — and What They Mean for Multinational Companies
South China Sea: Philippines’ anti-ship missile base puts Scarborough Shoal in cross hairs (more information)
What the article left out is; to shoot far, the Philippine military needs to see far. However, the Philippines don’t have any over-the-horizon (OTH) radar, military satellites, AWACS planes or other long-range ISR capabilities, to make use of the full range of the BrahMos missile. Without it the missile is limited to the range of its available ISR assets, which are measured in just dozens of kilometers.
However, if a BrahMos missile is ever launched against a long-range Chinese target, it will be easy to guess who would have supplied the essential Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) information and target identification to the Philippine military.
South China Sea: Philippines’ anti-ship missile base puts Scarborough Shoal in cross hairs
Even if the Philippines lacks the advanced communications, intelligence, and targeting systems needed to maximise the BrahMos’ capabilities, it could still leverage US support in these areas, Koh said, citing the sinking of Russia’s Moskva warship by Ukraine in 2022, which he said was achieved thanks to “targeting support provided by Kyiv’s allies, chiefly the Americans”.
The flagship of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet, the Moskva became the largest warship lost in combat since the second world war when it was hit by two Ukrainian Neptune anti-ship missiles in April 2022. US officials later told the media that the Pentagon had provided intelligence that led to the ship’s sinking.
For the Philippines, the BrahMos missiles are “significant game changers” [🙄], according to security strategist Chester Cabalza, president of the International Development and Security Cooperation think tank in Manila.
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However, Don McLain Gill, an international-studies lecturer at De La Salle University in the Philippines, questioned whether the BrahMos purchase alone would deliver robust deterrence against China.
“It will be crucial for the BrahMos to be supplemented by efficient intelligence, surveillance, target-acquisition and reconnaissance, which is critical to track targets and ensure they can be used by command,” he said, warning Manila must invest further to maximise the missiles’ deterrent value.
Previously:
Philippines Builds First BrahMos Anti-Ship Missile Base Facing South China Sea
The InfoOp Continues in the Pacific Islands
Full video: Why Should We Care About the Pacific Islands?
John Hennessey-Niland currently works with ASPI on ‘soft power’ in the Pacific Islands.
Maintaining U.S. Credibility in the Pacific Islands (PDF)
Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI):
ASPI funding (Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, United Kingdom, United States, Netherlands, New Zealand, Amazon, Microsoft, Twitter, Facebook, Google, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Thales Australia, American Chamber of Commerce, Center for Strategic and International Studies, German Marshall Fund, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace)
Australian think tank ASPI found linked to prison labor, human trafficking
Read More »Year of the Dragon: Silk Roads, BRICS Roads, Sino-Roads
Pepe Escobar
China, Russia and Iran will take the fight towards a more equal and just system to the next level, Pepe Escobar writes.
Year of the Dragon: Silk Roads, BRICS Roads, Sino-Roads
Previously:

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