Tag: South China Sea

France increases hostilities against China in the South China Sea

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

By Paul Antonopoulos | February 25, 2021

By sending modern warships to Asia-Pacific, France proved that they have a new approach to Vietnam, a former French colony. The recent moves by Paris marks the return of the French to Southeast Asia, not as an invader like in the previous century, but as a country willing to challenge and provoke China in its own backyard. This is something that would also appeal to Vietnam as it has centuries long enmity with China that continues to this day and is far deeper compared to the relatively short-lived French colonial era of Indochina. Another point to note is that the French energy company Total is one of the most important partners for Vietnam in the oil and gas sector. The French company is currently cooperating with Vietnam and some other countries in the region to exploit resources.

France increases hostilities against China in the South China Sea

The power of example: America’s presence in Diego Garcia

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

The power of example: America’s
presence in Diego Garcia

In remarks delivered at the US State Department in early February, President Joe Biden championed the rule of law as part of “America’s abiding advantage” and spelled out his vision for a nation leading “not just by the example of our power but by the power of our example”. In its swing toward competition with Beijing, the US has made every effort to draw attention to China’s disregard for international law, while conveniently ignoring that law’s application to the US military presence on Diego Garcia and the US presentation of itself as a champion of the rules-based order.

Cold war rhetoric and the politics of empty gestures

Tina Marie (Ms. Cat)

Cold war rhetoric and the politics of empty gestures

Interesting:

Indeed, so tightly is the BBC controlled by the British state that since its earliest days its staff have been directly vetted by the British security service — MI5.

This co-ordination of the BBC with military intelligence was organised from a special office inside the BBC’s headquarters.

There was a formal procedure that all staff should be vetted by MI5 except “personnel such as charwomen [cleaners].”

The BBC agreed not to reveal the role of the British Security Services or the existence of the vetting itself.