On Jan. 11, 2024 conservative US YouTuber Gonzalo Lira died in a Ukrainian prison, where he was held for the crime of criticizing the war, and the US and Ukrainian governments. Now, a FOIA request by Judicial Watch sheds stark light on the Biden Regime’s complete failure to stand up for a US political prisoner in a Ukrainian prison. The e-mails reveal the US Embassy was aware of threats to Gonzalo Lira’s life, which it considered “no rush.”
Tag: Diplomatic correspondence
PH: Replacement ship for Sabina Shoal now on patrol — Security Council
MANILA, Philippines — The spokesperson of the country’s security council said a replacement vessel is now actively patrolling Sabina (Escoda) Shoal, the latest flashpoint of Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea.
Replacement ship for Sabina Shoal now on patrol — Security Council
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Collin Koh is Senior Fellow at the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies which is a constituent unit of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, based in Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He has research interests on naval affairs in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on Southeast Asia.
Chinese and Philippine ships collide at Sabina Shoal, a new flash point + More
The incident, the first time in decades that Beijing and Manila have clashed over the Sabina Shoal, may derail efforts to lower tensions in the South China Sea.
Chinese and Philippine ships collide at Sabina Shoal, a new flash point (archived)
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CCG restricts repeated Philippine vessel intrusions near South China Sea reefs
Chen Xiangmiao, director of the World Navy Research Center at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Monday that the Philippines sees Xianbin Jiao as a transfer station for its resupply missions to Ren’ai Jiao, as Xianbin Jiao is located between Ren’ai Jiao and the Philippines’ Palawan Province.
Philippine media have hyped the China Coast Guard’s (CCG) presence in the Xianbin Jiao, but it is the Philippines that has sent the MRRV-9701 to the area in the first place. The Philippine ship anchored in the lagoon of the Xianbin Jiao in April, with a CCG ship arriving later in July.
Updated on 07-27-2024: SeaLight, formerly Project Myoushu
Powell’s storytelling:
Read More »China unveils evidences showing Philippine grounded warship at Ren’ai Jiao destroys coral reefs, endangers marine organism
While Manila mulls over filing a case against China with so-called “solid evidence of the damaged coral reefs caused by Chinese actions,” China, on Monday, released a report based on an unprecedentedly extensive and detailed on-site ecosystem survey around Ren’ai Jiao (also known as Ren’ai Reef), with solid evidence showing that the grounded warship has caused damage to the coral reefs and environmental pollution in the South China Sea.
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Experts warn of Philippines scheming for ‘new arbitration’ on South China Sea + More
Philippines rejects China’s accusation of environmental damage in South China Sea
China has in turn dredged sand and coral to build artificial islands in the South China Sea, which it says is normal construction activity on its territory, but which other nations say is aimed at enforcing its claim to the waterway.
A report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies last year found China’s construction activity buried more than 4,600 acres (1,861 acres) of reef.
China claims almost all of the vital waterway, where $3 trillion worth of trade passes annually, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.
Greg Poling, from the front CSIS, claims that Vietnam is also building artificial islands.
Experts warn of Philippines scheming for ‘new arbitration’ on South China Sea + More
While reiterating that the arbitral tribunal in the South China Sea arbitration exceeded its jurisdiction and made an illegitimate ruling, Chinese experts warned on Monday that the Philippines is scheming for “new arbitration” on the issue, which would undermine regional peace and stability.
Experts warn of Philippines scheming for ‘new arbitration’ on South China Sea
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Philippines should use legal, moral leverage in West Philippine Sea – expert
Ray Powell, director of the SeaLight Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation at Stanford University, said China is using an “asymmetrical” strategy through military might in asserting its claims in the region.
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He also expressed support for the Philippine government’s plan to file another case against China, this time over the environmental destruction that China has caused in the West Philippine Sea.
PH to complete environmental case vs. China in ‘few weeks’- DOJ
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s Regular Press Conference on May 20, 2024
The Office of Naval Research funded Stanford’s GKC
I’m no expert, but I had a feeling that they would back in April, at least:
Philippine Coast Guard clarifies ‘assertive transparency’ tact
Vietnamese Poachers using Cyanide and Dynamite Fishing in the Philippines’ EEZ
Philippine Coast Guard clarifies ‘assertive transparency’ tact
4 Philippine Sailors Injured, 2 Vessels Damaged in Chinese Attempt to Block Second Thomas Shoal Resupply
As a result of the incident, Powell thinks that Manila “has the right to expect a more muscular response from its partners and allies.” After last year’s incidents, both the U.S. and Australia held joint maritime and aerial patrols with Philippine military forces in the South China Sea. The Philippines expects to hold more joint patrols with not only American and Australian forces, but also with countries such as France, Canada and Japan.
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Yesterday, Philippine President BongBong Marcos vowed that the country would “push back” when its sovereignty was ignored in reference to China’s actions in the region during a speech in Australia. He further stressed that the Philippines’ stance on the South China Sea was guided by its interests, not at the “beck and call” of the United States.
BBM was at the Lowy Institute, a think tank funded by the Australian government, etc.
Related:
Philippines Budgets for a Permanent Base at Second Thomas Shoal
It’s Time to Build Combined Forward Operating Base Sierra Madre
Philippines Game Changer Analysis – Project Myoushu – South China Sea
Gabon Opposition Leader Alleges the Ousted President’s Family Arranged the Coup to Retain Power
Gabon’s opposition leader is accusing the family of the recently ousted president of engineering his removal from power as a way of retaining their control in the oil-rich Central African nation
Gabon Opposition Leader Alleges the Ousted President’s Family Arranged the Coup to Retain Power
Video via The New Tourist
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Disputed election sparks beginning of the end of 56 years of Bongo family rule
Ali Bongo’s presidency has also been marked by a distancing from France. When he first came to power in 2009, Bongo recalled Gabon’s ambassador to Paris after France’s prime minister appeared to question the legitimacy of his election.
“Ali Bongo has never stopped distancing himself from Paris,” said Glaser. “His favourite capital is London and he has very good relations with the Americans, with China and also with Muslim countries, including Morocco. In the post-colonial period, if there’s one [African] country that has truly gone global, it’s Gabon.”
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Pakistan Confirms Secret Diplomatic Cable Showing U.S. Pressure to Remove Imran Khan
After initially suggesting the cable published by The Intercept was inauthentic, Pakistani officials now claim it doesn’t reveal a conspiracy.
Pakistan Confirms Secret Diplomatic Cable Showing U.S. Pressure to Remove Imran Khan
Related:
Did the U.S. Push Imran Khan from Power? Leaked Cable Shows How State Dept. Pressured Pakistan
China Lodges Formal Complaint Over Biden Calling Xi a Dictator
The Chinese government summoned the US ambassador in Beijing to lodge a formal complaint over President Biden calling Chinese President Xi Jinping a “dictator,” The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.
China Lodges Formal Complaint Over Biden Calling Xi a Dictator
Ms. Cat’s Chronicles 