Tag: Information Operations (United States)

The marriage of RAND and SeaLight

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

A Caricature of Marxism and Imperialist Economism: Monism And Dualism

Slowly, but surely, I’m going through both of the following RAND publications. I just recently noticed that “Understanding and Countering China’s Maritime Gray Zone Operations” was posted over at SeaLight on the 12th of December. Ray Powell, from SeaLight, is quoted at least 14 times in the first publication. So far, I’ve seen RAND “recommend” the same tactics as they’ve deployed in the Philippines; civilian society organizations, embedded journalism, information warfare, influencers, and online trolls.

USS Beloit (LCS-29). Photo by EJ Hersom.

I’ve always known that they would try to expand their information operation to the other countries that are in ASEAN, just by following the SeaLight podcast. If not their information operation, regime change and terrorism (in Balochistan and Myanmar). I’ve also noticed that Powell has been referring to the Philippines’ “transparency initiative” as “non-violent resistance,” lately (RAND refers to it as “assertive transparency”). Ironic, considering that they’ve already succeeded in overthrowing the government of Bangladesh and are now attempting it in Cambodia, India and Pakistan. For those who don’t know about the regime change asset Gene Sharp and his neoliberal “nonviolence,” see the links on this page. Unfortunately, I don’t have as much time to dedicate to this right now due to other obligations.

Understanding and Countering China’s Maritime Gray Zone Operations | RAND

How the United States Can Support Allied and Partner Efforts to Counter China in the Gray Zone: Affirmative Engagement | RAND

RAND and SeaLight document (work in progress)

PART 2

Part 3a: RAND and SeaLight – Taiwan Relations Act

RAND and SeaLight Part 3b: Four Ways China Is Growing Its Media Influence in Southeast Asia

Growing “Cyber threats” prompt Philippine Army’s 1st 16th AF visit [Information Operations]

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

Growing Cyber threats prompt Philippine Army’s 1st 16th AF visit

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas —  Colonel Edward Rivera, 616th Operations Center, director of operations, welcomed Philippine Army Col. Windell Rebong, Command and Control Communications and Cyber Systems, deputy assistant chief, and five associates, here, July 18, for a subject-matter-expert exchange amid rising cyberattacks.

The exchange centered around maturing information warfare by strengthening interdependencies between several domains: electronic warfare, information operations and warfare, and cyber operations. 

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“This exchange was a warm, engaging and open discussion from both sides and included military, civilian, officer and enlisted of different ranks, all bringing forward their experiences in the form of vibrant discussions,” said Rebong. “It’s an honor and a privilege for a Philippine Army officer to visit a U.S. Air Force facility. [The 16th Air Force] has an expertise that all Philippine branches of service will benefit from.”

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Sixteenth Air Force (Air Forces Cyber), headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, focuses on information warfare in the modern age and ensures that our Air Force and Nation are fast, resilient, and fully integrated in competition, crisis, and conflict by incorporating Information Warfare at operational and tactical levels, capitalizing on the value of information by leading the charge for uniquely-21st century challenges in the highly dynamic, seamless, and global information domain.

Information operations, sometimes referred to as influence operations, entail disseminating false information to persuade people and gathering tactical intelligence on rivals to gain the upper hand. Traditional media and social media platforms are just two examples of the many tools and techniques that can be used to carry out information operations.

Related:

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PH gov’t encourages youth participation in SCS campaign

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

Surprisingly, I didn’t see Powell there. /s

Source

PH gov’t encourages youth participation in WPS sovereignty campaign (Translation by Google Translate)

The Philippine government anchors transparency* efforts in its vision to make the West Philippine Sea (WPS) an “intergenerational concern.”

Commodore Jay Tristan Tarriela of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS) said that the main objective of the government’s efforts is to ensure that the fight for the WPS will be continued by future generations.

Tarriela joined the third episode of the PN Conversations organized by Palawan News on September 13.

“The national government’s responsibility now for the younger generation is for us to hold the line so that the next generation of Filipinos can still be able to fight for our rights in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

The transparency effort implemented under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., is part of the government’s obligation to provide the right information to Filipinos, he added.

Tarriela believes that the right information will also awaken Filipinos’ sense of patriotism, particularly among the youth.

The government’s transparency could also raise awareness among the international community about the situation in the WPS.

The limited information given during the previous administration under former president Rodrigo Duterte made it easy for China to spread disinformation, Tarriela said. In contrast, the current administration supported the concept of having “many voices with one message.”

“We recognize that our fight in the West Philippine Sea cannot be met by us alone,” he said.

National Youth Commission (NYC) Commissioner-at-Large Karl Josef Legazpi, a Palaweño himself, shares the view on the need to emphasize that the future of younger generations is at stake in the fight for sovereignty.

“But the waters that belong to us are gradually being taken from us—we want to convey to you what is happening. Our future is at stake,” he said.

NTF-WPS is actively working with various partner agencies, including the state information arm, Philippine Information Agency** (PIA). Director General Jose Torres, Jr.***, also joined Tarriela in the forum, believing in the role of the youth in the fight over the WPS.

Torres emphasized that the youth’s use of technology plays a significant role in fighting misinformation and disinformation about WPS.

“The young people play a great role and challenge when it comes to the West Philippine Sea. As young people, we need to stand up for our country and truth,” he said.

The PN Conversations is a Palawan News initiative that provides a platform for in-depth discussions on pressing issues faced by the community, such as WPS.

Notes on page 2:

How the Philippines ‘covertly’ reinforced the BRP Sierra Madre

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)
Source

China reveals Philippine Personnel secretly resupplying BRP Sierra Madre by posing as Fishermen

Personally, I think that these “Secret” Operations are being done by the Naval Special Operations Command (NAVSOCOM) of the Philippine Navy (PN) as this seems to fall under their Area of Responsibility.

Remember that the NAVSOCOM Troops were also the ones that were involved in an Altercation with the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) earlier this Month.

PH NAVSOCOM trains with the U.S. Navy SEALs:

Original source
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PH: American analyst cautions against calling Ayungin incident an accident

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)
Source

MANILA — China’s hostile actions near Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal on June 17 were “clearly not an accident and misunderstanding,” an American maritime security expert on Sunday said as he urged the Philippine government to be careful in its efforts to de-escalate the situation in the West Philippine Sea.

Former United States Air Force officer Ray Powell said China may see the de-escalation as an opportunity to reposition in its favor, just as it did after the 2012 standoff when it seized Scarborough Shoal, locally called Panatag Shoal and Bajo de Masinloc.

American analyst cautions against calling Ayungin incident an accident

Source

Powell’s not giving up, until he gets his war!

Related:

This Was No “Accident”

Psychologically traumatized victims trapped in abusive relationships will often blame themselves for their abusers’ violence. This was hauntingly expressed in the 1987 Suzanne Vega hit single, “Luka“–sung in the voice of one such domestic violence victim:

…

I have advocated for Manila to consider requesting formal consultations with the U.S. under Article III of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty: The Parties, through their Foreign Ministers or their deputies, will consult together from time to time regarding the implementation of this Treaty and whenever in the opinion of either of them the territorial integrity, political independence or security of either of the Parties is threatened by external armed attack in the Pacific.

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It also pulls the rug out from under President Marcos’ eloquent Shangri-La speech, which he gave before a global audience just three weeks ago in Singapore: “In our solid legal footing and through our clear moral ascendancy, we find strength to do whatever it takes to protect our sovereign home to the last square inch, to the last square millimeter … As President, I have sworn this solemn commitment from the very first day that I took office. I do not intend to yield. Filipinos do not yield.”

Previously: Philippines secretly reinforced Sierra Madre and China’s latest actions not an armed attack

See more about the Scarborough Shoal standoff, here: Debunking: Biden to warn Beijing against meddling in South China Sea 🤦🏼‍♀️

See more about Ray Powell, here: Updated 06-12-2024: Philippines Game Changer – Project Myoushu Analysis