Ukraine and the ‘democratization’ of precision weapons – Asia Times
Erik Prince argues that the most important defense lesson from the Ukraine war is how profoundly the “democratization of precision weapons” transforms war and causes serious modifications in defense and foreign policy.
For Prince, an assistant to the US Pentagon under the current administration and the founder of Blackwater, robots, cruise missiles, and other precision weapons with AI that are now frequently used on any front line or insurgent causes like the Yemeni Houthis, are excellent equalizers.
According to Prince, they challenge regular US defense capabilities and cost modern armies unsustainable. In addition, Chinese mass production of missiles overpowers any US military force in the North Pacific Ocean and the points north.
Russia, a rival country in the region, adapted and defeated US high-tech weapons with a particular skill in digital warfare. Russia’s military has fared much better than it did during the Ukraine war.
In response to this wings trend, Prince urges a perfect rethink of US military plan in an appointment with Hillsdale College President Larry Arnn and in a statement to Hillsdale individuals. Following are the exams:
LA: I want to briefly discuss Ukraine. You appear to be well-versed in that, as well as in what does and is going on there. What are your thoughts on it?
EP: I believe that President Trump has the guts to send that conflict to an end. There is a 0 % chance that the Ukrainians will retake all of their property. They ought to have reached a resolution a time and a half ago.
Right then, they seem to be engaged in a war of attrition. They’ve been reintroduced to literal World War I-style, ditch warfare-style techniques, but also with the addition of precise drones and precision rockets to make it even more destructive for infantrymen trying to survive.
The Russians are utterly determined to claim Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and, I believe, Mariupol, which are regions with standard Russian tongues, and they already have Crimea. They don’t give up on that.
In a war of attrition, mathematics still matters, and I believe an imperfect harmony is preferable to a shiny battle. In terms of population, Russia has significantly more people and significantly more weapons than the Ukrainians can produce. And the defence sector in Western Europe and America is far too expensive and far beyond.
I believe that America should be given a stark reminder that our munitions don’t do so well there. They’re never in very high demand. Some of the items may work for a month or two before Russian electronic warfare discovers a way to jam the transportation, command link, or anything else to render them useless.
And the foolish officials say,” Oh, we’re degrading the Russian troops and we’re destroying all this technology.” No, the Russian military is now much better and more deadly than they were when they first started. It might take them an hour, an hour and a half to fire back with ordnance if you shot at the Russians when they went in in February 2022.
It’s more like two or three minutes today. So their period time of communication between a battery receiving the fire and a battery receiving the fire with precise positions to take up is much shorter. Yes, they’ve become a bit smarter.
LA: You anyone identify this information?
EP: A lot of it is available resource. A lot of this information is being analysed fairly well by the RUSI, the Royal United Services Institute in London. I have a ton of relationships in strange places where I interact with people and hear from first records.
But yeah, the US government has not taken the necessary lessons from [Ukraine], the motion, that the nature of war has drastically changed as a result of the use of precision and drone warfare in that battle space.
It represents a reform of perfection strike. It’s as shocking as Genghis Khan’s use of rods on horses, in my opinion.
LA: Is it accurate to say that we can’t defend our plane companies?
EP: Well, the Houthis, right, the Iranian proxy in Yemen have been firing a lot of missiles at ships, right? They claim to have shot down US ships with a billion dollars worth of US missiles, which is bad math because you’re using not one but two$ 1 million missiles to shoot down a$ 20, 000 to$ 50, 000 drone.
However, they claim to have spent a billion dollars on that, but that figure is actually$ 5 billion because, if the charges were from the 1990s when they purchased that weapon, they would have to have spent five times as much to replace it.
Any aircraft ship, whatever location is currently in danger, may be targeted by dozens and dozens of precise arms. However, it’s just a matter of arithmetic.
If the US Navy has to wage a war to protect Taiwan and you drive an aircraft carrier close to those [ Chinese ] missile batteries, they can continue to shoot missiles until they run out of them to shoot down, which causes real problems.
That is a pretty good job done by the Chinese. Our weapons cost eight to ten times as much, and we only have a limited number of them.
LA: We didn’t appear to add more quickly.
EP: [ There are ]ways]. A top professional and I were the only ones we spoke to about this. He claimed that they must shift from a government-led security specialist mentality to one centered on cars. They ought to learn” Freedom’s Forge,” which explores how American business actually influenced the outcome of World War II.
Then you visit an automotive supplier or manufacturer who has an understanding of a complicated legislature in quantity. And they are expected to lower prices annually rather than increase them. There is a lot of electrical production capacity and know-how that can produce excellent weapons at an increasingly affordable price.
What does this mean for the United States ‘ method in LA? The Navy, the Air Force, and some men are all involved in strength forecast in the modern United States, which might begin with the First World War.
What does it mean for the future of our defense and foreign policy if those large aircraft carriers carry all of those planes but are dangerous, cheap, and can be killed by something less cheap?
EP: That submarines have more significant roles in terms of scattered heat power, dispersed combat power, and fight projection power into submarine, semi-submersible, or other more difficult-to-kill vessels. Innovation counts, as does thoughts.
Curiously enough, remember that when President Ronald Reagan decided to build two battleships, he actually removed them from storage and returned them to complete combat service in the 1980s.
They were essentially impervious to present missiles because they were designed to withstand 15 and 16-inch gun hits, which was an oddity. Any of these boat weapons, drones, or other such weapons had flimsyly fall off a ship.
Also a water movement missile, which is intended to break a ship’s hull, was so powerful that it wouldn’t have mattered. But perhaps you return to a really old technology.
LA: Some of them are also present.
EP: Yes, they’re still in store. That’s a lot of material to try to rust ahead.
Singapore leads move to set out guidelines for flying taxis, drones in Asia
SINGAPORE: A set of rules are being developed for flying cars and robots in Asia, which industry experts believe will be a significant advance in terms of the expansion of this technology.
It might also encourage more businesses to enter the market and offer solutions like drone-based food and medicine sales, they added.
Singapore is currently working on these guidelines for civil aviation authorities in the area, which will cover unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, as well as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL ) aircraft, better known as air taxis.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore ( CAAS ) released a request for comments on the guidelines on Wednesday ( Apr 2 ) until Apr 23.
These research materials were created by CAAS in collaboration with 23 different officials in the Asia Pacific, including Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and China.
The International Civil Aviation Organization did receive the components in September after being released in July.
According to CAAS director-general Han Kok Juan,” they assist authorities in ensuring people and aircraft safety and security while supporting the growth of new technology that has the potential to change how we live, shift, and work.”
They “help provide greater regulation clarity and regulatory alignment across various jurisdictions,” according to investors and companies, and this will help reduce confusion and governmental price.
Regulation QUESTIONS ARE ABOUND
The global eVTOL aircraft market is still profitable; it was worth S$ 6 billion ( US$ 4.47 billion ) last year and is expected to be worth S$ 5 billion in 2030.
Are Trump Asia tariffs a ‘full-frontal assault’ on China?
Company analyst
Getty ImagesOn Wednesday, US President Donald Trump laid out tariffs on nearly all of America’s buying companions, and he had strong words for Beijing.
Trump said in his almost hour-long speech on Wednesday that he had a tremendous respect for President Xi Jinping of China and a great respect for China, but they were taking a lot of our lives.
Trump cited countries and territories on a chart that he claimed had created trade barriers for US goods as” China, first row, 67 %.” That includes money deception and trade barriers, as well as taxes paid to the USA.
He continued,” We will be charging ] them a 34 % discount reciprocal tariff.” In other words, they demand payment from us, we demand payment, and we demand less. How then can anyone get annoyed?”
The China’s Commerce Ministry then declared the action to be” a typical example of punitive abuse” and pledged to take “resolute measures to protect its rights and interests.”
Trump was also accused of “turning industry into an oversimplistic tit-for-tat game,” according to state news agency Xinhua.
According to researchers, Beijing has a compelling reason to be upset.
First of all, the most recent statement adds to the 20 % increase in Chinese products already in effect.
Second, it has” slammed the door shut” on how China rejigged its supply stores to get around the taxes imposed on Beijing during Trump’s second term by imposing hefty tariffs on various South East Asian nations like Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos.
In the ten nations and territories that received the highest taxes, there were five Eastern countries.
China’s fees are rising in value.
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has increased taxes by 20 % and has imposed new tariffs on Chinese imports.
These taxes will increase to 54 % in less than a week, with the exception of lower tariffs on goods like cars, metal, and aluminum.
Beijing has also been the subject of numerous other Trump business scandals.
The President signed an executive order before on Wednesday to close a prohibition against receiving low-value goods from China.
Without paying taxes or inspections, this had made it possible for Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu to send packages with a retail value under$ 800 ( £617 ) to the US.
According to norms data, near to 1.4 billion supplies entered the US as a result of the clause in the previous fiscal year.
The removal of the provision could result in lower US market competition for some Taiwanese companies.
Getty ImagesThis is a worrying image for Beijing when taken all together, according to Deborah Elms of the Hinrich Foundation consultancy.
” I don’t believe the new levies are primarily designed to target China. However, the numbers fast become eye-watering when the United States stacks taxes against China in particular.
” There will have to be retaliation from China and the Chinese.” They won’t be able to sit back and watch this, she said.
struck the supply network
Trump also imposed high tariffs on Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, ranging from 46 % to 49 %.
According to purchase company SPI Asset Management, Stephen Innes described this as” a full-frontal abuse on Beijing’s extended supply chain.”
Vietnam and other countries on the margins of what is shaping up to be the most violent rebalancing of US trade policy in a era, he continued. This is not “tit-for-tat,” it is” corporate containment via price warfare.”
Laos and Cambodia, two of the poorest nations in the region, are largely dependent on Chinese funding in supply chain infrastructure. Both nations are expected to suffer a lot from the higher tariffs.
Vietnam’s biggest dealing partner is China. During Trump’s second word, it was one of the main recipients of US-China conflicts.
Trump’s levies in China in 2018 caused some companies to reevaluate where they put their goods. Some people made the decision to relocate their factories to Vietnam.
This has resulted in a rise in exports from Vietnam to the US, with Chinese businesses that have moved their output it to contribute to that number.
Getty ImagesFormer US trade negotiator Stephen Olson told the BBC,” Vietnam was clearly targeted ] by Trump ] because of its role as a conduit for China’s circumvention of previous tariffs.
China is Vietnam’s largest provider of merchandise, accounting for more than a third of goods, despite the US still being the country’s largest exporter, according to the most recent official data.
Foreign companies lag behind almost one in every three new opportunities in Vietnam last year, too.
The new levies on South East Asia did remain “prohibitive” for China, according to Pushan Dutt, a professor at the INSEAD business school.
In the previous Trump administration, their businesses had deftly reacted to taxes by moving supply chains to [South East Asian Nations ] because China has a problem with desire. He continued,” This lock has been slammed shut.”
Trump’s income on the area will have an effect on US businesses that produce goods in South East Asia.
For example, American companies like Nike and Apple, which are both tech giants, have sizable factories in Vietnam.
According to a recent survey conducted by the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, the majority of US companies that anticipate staff layoffs if taxes are imposed.
away of” Hard options”
Given that it has only a few days before the new tariffs are effective, what does China do to counteract them?
Mr. Olson stated that he anticipates Beijing to implement taxes and other methods that will make it more difficult for US companies to conduct business in China.
Beijing will have to make” strong options” in the days to come, according to Professor Dutt.
Exporting to different locations “provokes de-industrialization in these locations,” and political leaders there are unlikely to agree. That requires China to eventually unlock domestic requirement and the Chinese home, he continued.
China may also try to form relationships with other Asian countries that have experienced tariff abuse as a result of the taxes.
Former China Communist Party member Wang Huiyao, who works for the Center for China and Globalization think tank, urged Asian nations to “work up to go through this tough time and fight protectionism.”
The US might eventually lose all of its control and become more isolated, he added.
Some conversations are currently taking place. The primary economic dialogue between China, South Korea, and Japan has just taken place.
They agreed to accelerate up the progress of the free trade agreement, which was first proposed over a decade ago.
The new levies might offer them a stronger motivation to do so.
Beijing may experience some temporary problems as the negotiations with Washington progress.
In the end, Mr. Olson said,” The US and China are headed for a negotiating tables where they’ll try to reach some sort of great deal on a wide range of problems.”
” I anticipate that didn’t happen very soon, and I’m hoping things will get worse before things get better,” he continued.
China under pressure to retaliate as US tariffs hit harder and faster than expected
Shein and Temu reportedly made up 30 % of the total size of the more than 1 billion boxes that China imported into the US in 2023, according to a report from the US parliamentary committee on China.  ,
According to US Customs and Border Protection statistics, roughly 1.36 billion Chinese goods entered the nation in 2024.  ,
Analysts anticipate that the move may be particularly problematic for smaller sellers who operate through Foreign e-commerce platforms, which directly target US consumers and consumers. This business model relies on ultra-fast, low-cost shipping to devalue US retailers.  ,
These items are subject to customs delays, compliance challenges, and higher shipping costs as a result of the new regulations.
Exporters will likely see their packages being stopped at the border for a very long time as a result, according to Guo, adding that it will undoubtedly slow down the ( parcel screening ) process. They originally didn’t really care about this, which may cause a bigger pain.
According to EIU’s Su, who claims that the new levies may “ultimately possibly be passed on to US buyers half after part of the price is absorbed by US retailers, Chinese companies that already have “razor-thin” profit margins would have little space to bear extra costs.  ,
Some Chinese companies have used free trade agreements and integrated production chains to avoid US tariffs over the years by rerouting shipments through Southeast Asian nations.
However, because nations in the region are also facing significant US tariffs today hitting both ends of this supply chain, that exit route will likely no longer be a” cost-effective solution.”  ,
Rerouting Chinese imports may crash in nations like Vietnam, where they were originally partially rerouted and are now suffering greatly, according to Josef Gregory Mahoney, professor of politics and international relations at East China Normal University.
In the months to come, Mahoney said, Taiwanese companies will probably make moves to new markets.  ,
Tariffs on India: Can Trump’s sweeping global duties spark a manufacturing boom?
Getty ImagesDonald Trump’s broad tariffs have impacted global commerce, but disruption frequently leads to new opportunities.
Starting 9 April, Indian goods will face tariffs of up to 27% (Trump’s tariff chart lists India’s rate as 26%, but the official order says 27% – a discrepancy seen for other nations too). Before the tariff hike, US rates across trading partners averaged 3.3%, among the lowest globally, compared to India’s 17%, according to the White House.
India “presents an opportunity” in textiles, electronics, and machinery” with the US imposing even higher tariffs on China ( 54 % ), Vietnam ( 46 % ), Thailand ( 36 % ), and Bangladesh ( 37 % ), according to the Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative ( GTRI ).
Great export tariffs for China and Bangladesh give Indian textile manufacturers more room to grow in the US market. If Taiwan’s system and plan help are strengthened, India can tap into package, testing, and lower-end chip production, despite Taiwan’s dominance in electronics. Even a 32 % tariff-driven limited supply chain transition from Taiwan might benefit India.
The industries that are dominated by China and Thailand are mature for tariff-driven transfer, especially in the fields of technology, cars, and products. According to a word from GTRI, India can make money by attracting purchase, expanding production, and increasing exports to the US.
May India be able to capitalize on the occasion?
Higher taxes have raised costs for businesses that are dependent on global value chains, putting strain on India’s ability to compete in foreign markets. India has a major trade deficit despite growing imports, largely driven by services. India accounts for only 1.5 % of global exports. Trump has consistently referred to India as a “tariff ruler” and a “big offender” of trade ties. With his fresh taxes, there is a concern that Indian imports will be less aggressive.
ReutersNevertheless, Ajay Srivastava of GTRI believes that the US’s mercantilist price regime could spur India’s benefit from global supply chain adjustments.
India may improve its ease of doing business, invest in shipping and equipment, and uphold policy balance to fully exploit these options, according to the statement. If all of these requirements are met, India is well-positioned to become a major international hotspot for manufacturing and exporting in the upcoming years.
That’s much simpler to say than to do. Places like Malaysia and Indonesia may be better positioned than India, according to Biswajit Dhar, a business professional from the Delhi-based Council for Social Development think pond.
” We may have some lost ground in the garment industry then that Bangladesh is subject to higher tariffs, but the reality is that we have treated the industry as a twilight sector and made no investments.” How may we really benefit from these tax changes without expanding our ability? says Mr. Dhar.
Since February, India has ramped up efforts to win Trump’s favour – pledging $25bn in US energy imports, courting Washington as a top defence supplier and exploring F-35 fighter deals. To ease trade tensions, it scrapped the 6% digital ad tax, cut bourbon whiskey tariffs to 100% from 150% and slashed duties on luxury cars and solar cells. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s Starlink nears final approval. The two countries have launched extensive trade talks to narrow the US’s $45bn trade deficit with India.
However, India was unable to leave the price war.
India may be concerned because there was a possibility that continuing trade negotiations would protect it from bilateral tariffs. According to Abhijit Das, former mind of the Centre for WTO Research at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, imposing these taxes right now is a significant setback.
Getty ImagesOne upside: pharmaceuticals are exempt from reciprocal tariffs, a relief for India’s generic drug makers. India supplies nearly half of all generic medicines in the US, where these lower-cost alternatives account for 90% of prescriptions.
Exports in important industries like technology, executive products, automotive components, industrial machines, and marine products could suffer, yet. Given the significant investments made through India’s flagship “production-linked incentives” ( PLI ) schemes to boost local manufacturing, it would be especially troubling for electronics.
” I’m concerned about the capacity of our producers because many of them are small producers who will struggle to withstand a 27 % tax increase, making them unprofitable.” The problem only gets worse as the firm costs go up, and the trade infrastructure keeps getting worse. According to Mr. Dhar,” we’re at a big disadvantage.”
Some people believe that Trump’s bargaining chip in India’s trade negotiations is these taxes. The most recent statement from the US Trade Representative reveals Washington’s dissatisfaction with India’s business practices.
The report, which was made public on Monday, highlights India’s tight import regulations for dairy, pork, and fish, which require non-GMO certification without any supporting evidence from science. Additionally, it criticizes India’s slow acceptance of genetically modified products and stent and implant prices.
India has been placed on the” Priority Watch List” due to concerns over intellectual property rights, which the report cites insufficient patent privileges, and lack of business secret laws. The record also has concerns about limiting dish policies and mandates for data localization, which further strain trade ties. Washington is concerned that India’s regulatory strategy is extremely in line with that of China. US exports could increase by at least$ 5.3 billion annually if these obstacles were removed, according to the White House.
Being in the middle of business negotiations just makes our risk worse, according to the author. This isn’t just about business exposure; it’s the whole package, according to Mr. Dhar. Additionally, expanding your opportunities and gaining a competitive advantage over Vietnam or China takes period.
Moderate and severe trauma injury cases up 22% in Singapore from 2021 to 2023
NATIONAL ROADMAP
A federal plan is currently being developed to eradicate the common causes of these accidents. The action is being led by KKH and NUH.
Police and knowledge are two of the roadmap’s main focus points, according to Alternative Assistant Professor Raj Menon, director of the NUH’s National University Center for Trauma.
One of the main topics we were addressing at the meeting was” for instance, one of the things we were talking about at work was simple things like removal, calling an ambulance, calling 995 when you get into an injury in the first place,” he told CNA’s Singapore Tonight program.
It’s also about teaching how to treat injuries while they are occurring to the personnel on the ground and the directors. This helps to lower the cost of the accidents that are occurring.
He noted that there is no single answer to this, but rather a “whole-of-government, whole-of-society technique.”
Adj Asst Prof Menon cited Adj Asst Prof Menon’s recommendation that drivers and vehicle individuals adhere to health regulations and measures, such as wearing seatbelts.
According to Dr. Ronald Tan, senior analyst at KKH’s section of emergency medicine, the common denominator among neonatal stress cases is that they are “highly preventable.”
He suggested that kids put window grilles in high-rise apartments to prevent children or other people from escaping the windows.
” We really want to make it clear to everyone that protection is always preferable to treatment,” Dr. Tan, who also serves as the KKH Injury Prevention Workgroup, said.” We want to make that safety mindset known to everyone.”
At Tuesday’s event, Professor Kenneth Mak, the Ministry of Health’s director-general of health, stated to reporters that more can be done also as injury prevention efforts are in progress.
The Road Safety Council and state partners gathered at the meeting, such as the Health and Manpower Ministries.
In the end, we aim to enhance security at this meeting in the fields of neonatal, workplace, and road safety, Prof. Mak continued.
We can minimize all avoidable injuries by sharing knowledge and best practices and working together, according to the statement.
Chinese barges would loom large in a Taiwan invasion – Asia Times
Is China prepared to invade Taiwan in a manner similar to D-Day?
Following the emergence of photos and videos of large new Taiwanese ships designed for land-to-sea defense operations, that has undoubtedly been the voice of some of the monitoring. The fact that China conducted a two-day military exercise in the Taiwan Strait on April 1, 2025, has only heightened these concerns.
The intriguing thing about these musings about a possible conflict involving China, which has one of the most advanced militaries in the world, is that they are supported by references to technology that was first used by the Allies on June 6, 1944, in particular the Mulberry Harbours, floating piers, on the beaches of Normandy.
Using the World War II case, as an analyst on the history and geography of the Mulberry Harbours, allegedly reveals a lot more than it does, in terms of the current political situation. In fact, the proper situation in China and Taiwan is radically different from what the new Chinese ships are technically similar to their historical predecessors.
On the Pacific before, concern?
Perhaps the most urgent safety concern for countries in the Asia-Pacific area is the possibility of a Taiwanese invasion of Taiwan, an area that the Chinese Communist Party considers to be part of its territory.
During the presidency of President Xi Jinping, Beijing has been ratcheting up the violent language against the government in Taipei. Taiwan’s label as a rogue or separatist province is, for some, a clear indicator of an intention to enter and place the island within the boundaries of Taiwanese sovereignty, even though one reading of Xi suggests that his rhetoric is part of a strategic plan to burnish Chinese power worldwide.
The Trump administration showed early signs that the country’s national security was in danger, even though Washington’s intentions regarding Taiwan’s protection are still ambiguous, much like the president’s best policy positions toward Beijing.
Any Chinese invasion of Taiwan would imply attempting an incredibly difficult military operation that is generally speaking a risky proposition, aside from the geopolitics. Seaborne invasions frequently resulted in higher deaths or even complete failure.
For instance, the Gallipoli landings in World War I on Turkey’s coastline caused the largely Australian and New Zealand forces to withdraw after a large casualty and little territorial gain. The island-hopping by American forces to stop Japan’s advance in World War II achieved corporate objectives, but at a higher cost to the population.
The administrative challenge of continuing to cone troops and supplies to support a push out from the bridgehead is not just the fights on Day 1. The boats come into play at that point.
About those boats from World War II…
Winston Churchill, the prime minister of the United Kingdom, was skeptical that a takeoff on the Flemish coast would help the United States launch a top against Nazi Germany. The administrative puzzle was Churchill’s and his generals ‘ primary concern.
They argued that German would sometimes sabotage European ports or keep control of them, and that ports would not allow the raising of tanks, weapons, soldiers, and other necessities.
By designing a series of floating bridges that were fixed to superior anchors, The Mulberry Harbours addressed the issue. Boats may dock at these bridges and unload the required cargo.
An inner circle of masonry caissons that were dragged across the stream and sunk into position, as well as an external breakwater for scuttled ships, protected the piers. The Mulberry Harbours incorporated innovative wharf design with improvisation.
Although the technology has advanced, the idea of an operating need for administrative assistance of a beachhead breakout is still present in today’s images of Taiwanese invasion barges.
However, any invasion’s landscape is completely unique. The Mulberry Harbours participated in a continent-conquering war from an area during World War II. However, a Taiwanese invasion of Taiwan would be the opposite of moving from a globe to an area.
Chinese characteristics, tremendous power politicians
Even though Mulberry Harbours were inventive, they were only the start of a longer political approach.
The exchange of US military would through Operation Bolero over the Atlantic culminated with the D-Day war. Simply put, the United Kingdom turned into a sizable inventory, primarily for US military and products.
The Mulberry Harbours made it possible for these people and weapons to cross the English Channel. The prediction of US power over the Atlantic Ocean and Europe was completed with this move. I interpret this as a pics moving from its southern waters to distant waters in another region of the world.
China’s estimate is incredibly diverse. Ships undoubtedly did aid an invasion of the Taiwan Strait. However, China recognizes Taiwan as a part of its close lakes and wants to protect those waters from international competition.
Beijing believes that since World War II, the US has a military presence merely off its coast, adding another group of far-off US waters to its global reputation.
China is surrounded by a US defense base in Okinawa, Guam, and the Philippines, from its point of view. By imposing a blockade on Taiwan, China could stifle its ambitions, and it could also close a gap in the network.
China, of training, doesn’t just keep an eye on its nearby waters. It has also established a military base in Djibouti, established an ocean-going defense army, and expanded its Belt and Road Initiative to include areas of economic and political acclaim across the Indian, Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic waters.
Chinese invasion boats may be deployed very early in the country’s transition from close to distant waters. Likewise, once the United States had secured its Caribbean, Atlantic, and Pacific near lakes, the Mulberry Harbours were deployed.
a component of a procedure
An interesting way to examine the new Chinese war barges and consider the size of geopolitics are traditional comparisons and technical issues.
China-Taiwan tensions are just another contemporary example of a local theater being a part of a larger world process of energy projection, just like the World War II case. So, the similarities to Mulberry Harbours are not with the technologies itself but rather with its function in a system of traditional political change.
The recent resurgence of the war barge technology may indicate the start of a new conflict.
Ironically, China would be using Mulberry Harbour-style technology to secure its place in the eastern Pacific at the same time as the Trump presidency is questioning the proper price of the US presence in Europe, which was established through World War II and, at least in part, through the use of Mulberry Harbours.
Utah State University’s recognized professor of social science is Colin Flint.
This content was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the text of the content.
Woman who sued doctor for negligence over her childbirth loses suit
SINGAPORE: A person who sued her doctor for negligence after suffering injuries following the birth of her child lost her situation against the physician.  ,
In a decision made on Thursday ( April 3 ), Justice Choo Han Teck determined that Dr. Khoo Chong Kiat’s care of Ms. Cherissa Cheng, who was in her first pregnancy, was not a negligent doctor.
Ms. Cheng, 32, was tear-related, which caused her to spend months excreting faecal matter from her vagina, yet after Dr. Khoo stitched the wound to heal.
Dr. Khoo, 51, works as a top consultant obstetrician and gynecologist at the CK Khoo Clinic for Women & Laparoscopy at the Royal O&G.
Ms. Cheng filed a lawsuit against Dr. Khoo and Royal Clinics of O&, G for clinical negligence, alleging that Dr. Khoo obviated her informed consent before carrying out a number of procedures related to the pregnancy.  ,
She requested damages for pain and suffering, the effects on her quality of life, and the loss of her and her father’s potential profits.
The case was heard in a legal trial that commenced this year on February 4.  ,
Ms. Cheng was female when she consulted Dr. Khoo in September 2019.
She allegedly told Dr. Khoo that her mother had labored for a long time because her womb wasn’t dilating at her first consultation, and she finally received an emergency caesarean section. Although she expressed doubts about natural delivery, Dr. Khoo assured her that delivery may be possible normally.
At around 12:05 am, Ms. Cheng was admitted to Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital for labor to get induced on May 2, 2020.  ,
Dr. Khoo informed Ms. Cheng that she consented to an incident C-section at 9.25 am on May 3, 2020.  ,
However, Dr. Khoo then informed her that he wanted to” try something” to see if Ms. Cheng was continue having healthy babies. According to Ms Cheng, he therefore performed a second cervical sweep, or physically widening, Ms Cheng claims. Dr. Khoo contests this, claiming that all he did was have an genital exam.  ,
Dr. Khoo even incisioned Ms. Cheng’s stomach to aid in labor, and then applied pressure to her abdomen.  ,
On May 3, Ms. Cheng delivered her child via biological delivery at around 10.35 am.
According to Ms. Cheng, Dr. Khoo’s activities amounted to power.  ,
After being discharged, Ms. Cheng noticed intestinal problem pouring from her womb. She informed Dr. Khoo and went see him on May 6.  ,
According to Ms. Cheng, Dr. Khoo claimed there were cracks in the lace he had performed and that there was an abnormal connection between her urethra and vagina.
About six months after the birth of her child, Ms. Cheng had surgery to heal her wounds.
She claimed that she experienced challenges bonding with her baby as a result of the incident and post-partum melancholy and post-traumatic stress disorder.  ,
Dr. Khoo responded to Ms. Cheng’s assertions that he had “provided enough description” regarding the use and benefits of the cervical sweep and that it was not typical practice to obtain consent.  ,
Dr. Khoo argued that since these were regular procedures for natural vaginal deliveries, it was not a good idea to obtain formal consent before making an incision and applying pressure.  ,
Both sides produced professional testimony who gave their views on the processes.  ,
Before moving forward with it, Dr. Khoo’s testimony that he had explained the purpose and procedure to Ms. Cheng was accepted.  ,
He noted that frequently there were many methods and regular steps in medical treatments.
He claimed that it would be absurd for doctors to require their assent for each individual work during a medical procedure.  ,
The prosecutor argued that Dr. Khoo may have taken note of the tear and its maintenance process, but that his version of events was untrue.
Never intended as a sleeve against possible litigation, medical notes and reports are prepared to “document crucial facts about health administration.” Because many events frequently occur together in clinical practice, it is difficult for doctors to take historical notes of every move of every treatment they go through throughout the day.  ,
Given Ms. Cheng’s exhaustion, he determined that Dr. Khoo had not been careless in applying stress to her belly to ease her labor.  ,
Because the baby’s head was unable to inflict such a tear, according to Justice Choo, it was improbable that Dr. Khoo’s exertion caused the break.  ,  ,
In order to repair Ms. Cheng’s pull, the judge determined that Dr. Khoo took the necessary precautions.  ,
According to Justice Choo, it is obvious that Dr. Khoo was not careless because a respectable body of clinical mind supported his diagnosis, cure, and treatment of Ms. Cheng, referring to Dr. Khoo’s experts ‘ analysis of the risks and advantages of the medical procedures in his situation and produced a justifiable mind.  ,
He determined that Dr. Khoo’s handling of Ms. Cheng’s labor and delivery did not constitute battery.  ,
Justice Choo rejected Ms. Cheng’s S$ 36, 000 ( US$ 26, 800 ) claim for loss of earning capacity and noted that there was no loss at all.  ,
Ms. Cheng’s manager at the funeral home clarified that her termination was caused by the restructuring of the business rather than by her medical condition.
The judge noted that Ms. Cheng had been offered a redesigned role but had rejected it and was able to make the same or higher salaries in other positions as her.  ,
She left those positions because she realized the roles were “boredom,”” not as meaningful,” or” not a good fit” for her, not out of any disability or long-term effects from the injury sustained during her delivery. She is now a homemaker, but she acknowledges that she can work and has been searching for a new job, according to the judge.  ,
Justice Choo argued that these additional costs would have been paid for even if she had not suffered the injury while giving birth.  ,
Justice Choo claimed,” I find that Ms. Cheng has failed to prove her case, and the action has been dropped.”  ,
Malaysia suspends search for long-missing flight MH370
More than a decade after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 disappeared, the country’s transport minister reported that the most recent search for the plane has been suspended because it is” not the time.” Transportation Minister Anthony Loke stated in a voice memo he sent to AFP on Thursday ( Apr 3Continue Reading
Free parking at four airports during Songkran
Over the holiday season, Thailand’s flights anticipate 3 million people, off 20 % from last year.
PUBLISHED: 3 Apr 2025 at 13: 52
During the Songkran festival, Airports of Thailand Plc ( AoT ) will provide free parking at four airports, with more than 3 million travelers expected, an increase of 20 % over the previous year.
Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, and Phuket are the four flights.
Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the chancellor of travel, pleaded with all transportation organizations on Thursday to prepare for a rise in passenger numbers during the Songkran holiday season’s 11- to 17-day time.
He emphasized that people traveling by land, road, water, and air should be in safe and comfort.
According to Mr. Suriya, over 3 million people were expected to travel by weather during the time frame. To ensure reliability, convenience, and security for travellers, AoT has been asked to combine efforts with organizations that offer services at its terminals.
Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, Phuket, and Hat Yai, according to AoT leader Kerati Kijmanawat, who claimed all six flights were able to purchase the business were jointly drafting management programs with all relevant events to maximize effectiveness and ease congestion during Songkran.
Carriers have been instructed to set up more check-in bars and properly organize personnel, he said.
From 00.01 am on April 12 to evening on April 16th, parking is free at four terminals: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, and Phuket.
1.86 million of the 3 million expected passengers will be international (up 21 % from the same period last year ), while the remaining 1.14 million will be domestic (up 20 % ), according to Mr. Kerati.
The six airports are expected to handle 18,030 flights during the time, which is a 20.7 % increase over the same period last year, including 7 588 domestic flights ( including 442 international and 7 588 domestic ).