Russia needs a peace deal before it runs out of soldiers – Asia Times

For Vladimir Putin, Donald Trump’s win could n’t come soon enough. Putin may agree to a package in which Ukraine maintains its neutrality and abandons any programs to ally itself with NATO or the EU while gaining important place in Ukraine ( about the size of the US state of Virginia ).

Though Ukraine is experiencing conflict stress, but is Russia. The Kremlin is still battling to find soldiers for the fight, despite Russia‘s continued progress in the Ukrainian Donetsk place. This is confirmed by the recent discovery that North Vietnamese soldiers were engaged in combat in Ukraine.

A peace deal would be in Moscow’s passions as much as Kyiv’s as Russia continues to escalate the conflict, with reports from Ukraine suggesting Moscow had fired its first intercontinental ballistic missile of the conflict.

According to Western analyses, around 115, 000 to 160, 000 Russian forces have died, 90 % of the staff it had at the beginning of the war. While another 500, 000 have been injured. To mitigate these costs, Russia has been recruiting 20, 000 new men a month.

Even during the days of peace, recruiting troops into Russia’s army has never been that simple. More experienced military frequently bully and haze recruits, so many young Russian men avoid enlisting in the military. As a result, this is done. Known as dedovshchina, Russian abuse, hazing and beating of troops has been a significant game in the Russian government since the ending of the 17th centuries.

The Soviet Union’s dissolution led to the expose of the terrible circumstances in the military, which were documented by the Russian advertising. Many Russians may even recall how badly behaved conscripts were when they were sent off to fight in Chechnya in the middle of the 1990s.

The typical Russian general’s safety and well-being are not the subjects of the Russian government’s concern. This despair to prevent being drafted into an active war becomes even more severe during times of peace, which is unpopular.

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Despite the fact that study suggests he is running out of alternative soldiers, Putin appears to be threatening to employ nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

The army is also seen as a big trap to get the bad and impoverished. The graves of Russian soldiers are left out, and the bodies of some of them are maybe not identified. They are considered meat for the grinder.

Most of the volunteers have come from Far East states with significant indigenous groups such as Bashkortostan, Chechnya, the Republic of Sakha ( Yakutzia ) and Dagestan— or as far from Moscow as feasible.

However, a more intense Russian state is now facing yet young gentlemen in Moscow. Russians have eluded the land because hundreds of thousands of them have eluded it, prompting the government to pass a tougher draft legislation to detain troops.

Review notices are today delivered online rather than by mail as the new law was implemented on November 1st of this year. Those who are called up are quickly prohibited from leaving the country and face severe penalties if they attempt to do so once the notice arrives in a Russian man’s electronic box.

This means that whenever a Russian man contacts the government to pay taxes, renew a passport, get a driver’s license, or get some other government service, the Russian government will quickly issue them a draft card. It’s even easier to avoid the draft if you have an online presence in Russia, such as a bank account, loan, or car loan.

Russian people have used all manner of methods to avoid being drafted since the start of the conflict, including fabricating medical records, breaking their own vertebrae, and pretending to be drug users.

Moving to other countries or purchasing real estate in someone else’s brand was a frequent practice, but these days things are getting more difficult. Even though some of the people I spoke with for this article had no resided in Moscow since 2006, they were still drafted. The Russian government has used its extensive search for trainees to pursue Russian nationals who reside worldwide.

Russia has even somewhat drafted prisoners, which include assassins and paedophiles. This has caused Russia’s jail people to drop.

However, Putin is out of people. The Ministry of Defense has increased pay to double the bonus for those serving in&nbsp, November of last year, to attract more recruits. This makes it more beneficial than civilian jobs.

Another option is to rely on the North Korean government, but North Korean troops lack experience in combat, employ various military strategies, and are rarely Russian, making coordination for certain combat operations more challenging.

Soviet troops have remarked that they are unsure of their fate. Putin may attempt to pressure Belarus into offering support, even though this would be widely unpopular because Russian soldiers are well-versed in Belarusian strategies and operations.

Putin is demonstrating that regular warfare strategies are no longer sufficient in another sign of weakness. In response to a Russian assault using US-made ATACMS weapons in the northern Bryansk region of Russia, Putin threatened on November 19 that nuclear arms might be used.

There is no need to reduce the boundary for nuclear use when normal warfare strategies are effective.

Obviously, the conflict is never going especially well for Ukraine either. They are dealing with regional losses and their own selection issues. However, it is mistaken to believe that Putin will eventually form a strong place for negotiations. Fortunately for Putin, despite the possibility that he may not have enough gentlemen, a suitable deal may be in order that overlooks this.

Natasha Lindstaedt is professor in the Department of Government, University of Essex

The Conversation has republished this essay under a Creative Commons license. Read the original content.

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Katy Perry wins trademark appeal against designer Katie Perry

After being sued by an American artist who sells clothing under her birth name, Katy Perry, singer has successfully appealed a logo selection over her name.

Three appeals judges on Friday overturned a court decision last year that favoured Katie Taylor over merchandise sold by the pop star during a 2014 tour of Australia.

The courts said Perry had been using her name as a mark five years before Taylor started her business, adding that by that time, Perry had attained an “international popularity” in pleasure.

The judges even cancelled Taylor’s logo subscription on Friday.

Taylor had compared her legal challenge to” David and Goliath.” She told the Sydney Morning Herald after Friday’s decision that she was “devastated” with the situation results.

The decision to use one woman’s name as a trademark in a situation involving two successful ladies who were aware that one existed was “unfortunate” according to the appeals judges.

” Both ladies put blood, sweat and tears into developing their companies”, the magistrates said.

” As the popularity of one grew abroad, the other became conscious of her predecessor and filed a mark application”, they said.

One of Perry’s biggest hits was made reference to in her ruling last year:” This is a tale of two people, two youthful dreams, and one title.”

Perry’s decision comes as she gears up for her first Lifetimes world tour in earlier 2025 to assist her return recording, 143.

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Philippines a strategic winner when Trump takes the helm – Asia Times

The United States and the Philippines have finally signed the General Security of Military Information Agreement ( GSOMIA ), which will ease sensitive intelligence-sharing and cybersecurity cooperation in the event of a regional conflict with China.

In a weeklong visit to the Philippines, the defence chief even made the first open confirmation of a new joint task force established to control China in tense South China Sea territory.

The new US Task Force-Ayungin has been providing direct US operational support to the Philippine Navy and other relevant organizations since it was established to stop a forcible Chinese invasion of the Philippines ‘ de facto military base on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal ( Ayungin in Filipino ).

By enabling US troops to help Armed Forces of the Philippines ‘ actions in the South China Sea, Task Force-Ayungin improves US-Philippine empire coordination and portability, according to Kanishka Gangopadhyay, a spokesperson at the US Embassy in Manila, in a statement confirming the task agency’s life.

However, Philippine officials welcomed the GSOMIA as a vital step to help the South Eastern world’s “access to higher features and big-ticket products from the United States” and to pave the way for” similar partnerships with like-minded nations” in the region, including brother US allies Japan, South Korea and Australia.

A new mixed coordination facility, which houses the Philippines ‘ top military installations and Department of National Defense squat, was established by the US and the Philippines. In the event of a crisis, including a potential issue with Taiwan, the new center is expected to manage joint US-Philippine operations.

This facility will allow the sharing of real-time information with a typical operating system, and it will increase interoperability for a long time to come. During the breakthrough service, US defense chief Austin stated that it will be a place where our forces can collaborate to address local issues.

General Romeo Brawner Jr., the head of the Armed Forces of the Philippines ( AFP), described the new facility as” a critical connection for our mutual operations, a gate for information-sharing and proper coordination,” which will improve the two allies ‘ ability to collaborate in times of crisis and create a setting where our strengths and talents come together to protect peace and security in our region.

Austin also made a military visit to Palawan, a province on the south of the border, and the tense Spratly group of islands, where Asian troops control more than 50 features whose possession is disputed by China. &nbsp,

During the visit, Austin observed the Philippine Navy’s deployment of T-12 unmanned surface vessels acquired through Washington’s foreign military financing ( FMF) program – a cornerstone of bilateral military cooperation.

The Pentagon has made it clear that it is required to intervene in the Philippines ‘ defense if any third party, specifically China, attempts to forcefully destroy the Philippines ‘ base located atop the Second Thomas Shoal, starting with the first Trump and continuing under the incoming Biden administrations.

Any attack on Philippine government sworn in, operated in the South China Sea, or the wider Pacific Ocean region, is covered by the 1951 Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty ( MDT ).

Any security pact with outside powers “must not ] target any third party or harm the objectives of any third group,” according to China’s foreign ministry, neither should it “untangle” regional harmony or “exacerbate regional conflicts.”

China criticized the growing Philippine-US military participation in a thinly veiled way, saying that” the only right choice is to preserve good neighborliness and friendship and keep proper independence.”

The Eastern power, however, you believe Manila did up its safety ties with the US under a Trump 2.0 management. The Philippines will likely play a key role in Trump’s administration’s pressure tactics on China with the appointment of Marco Rubio ( as secretary of state ) and Mike Waltz ( as national security adviser ). &nbsp, &nbsp, &nbsp,

Ferdinand Marcos, the newly elected US head, apparently had a “very friendly and successful” conversation with him during his congratulations call.

The Filipino leader even went so far as to claim that the millions-strong Filipino-American community “overwhelmingly voted” for Trump and that” I’m sure]Trump ] will remember that when we see each other.’ ‘

Pre-election polls, however, have shown that, similar to other Asian-American groups, a healthy majority of Americans of Filipino descent actually favored outgoing Vice President Kamala Harris.

When Marcos traveled to the northwestern province of Catanduanes, which has been repeatedly stricken by super typhoons in recent weeks, most recently Man-yi, I was able to talk to him this morning and the Philippines was in his thoughts.

The president of the Philippines stated to the president that we are still trying to improve the relationship between our two countries, which is” a relationship that is as deep as can be because it has been for a very long time.”

On his end of the call, Trump reminded of his historical bonds with the Marcos family, dating back to their heyday in Manhattan, by asking after the leader’s mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, who is now 95 years old. At one point, the Marcoses owned a Trump building.

” He is friends with my mother. He was well-versed in my mother. He asked about her.’ How is Imelda? ” I told him that she also sends her greetings”, Marcos said.

The two leaders apparently discussed no significant bilateral issues, including concerns about how a more stringent immigration policy could have a significant impact on a large number of Filipino-Americans who are residing in the US illegally. &nbsp,

Despite the leader’s call for allies to pay more money for US security guarantees, the US is anticipated to increase defense aid to the Philippines under Trump’s leadership.

A newly released report by the Washington-based Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that is expected to play an outsized role in Trump’s second administration, has called for the affordable transfer of high-end defense items, including F-16 fighters, as well as the deployment of state-of-the-art Terminal High Altitude Area Defense&nbsp, ( THAAD ) system, to defense allies.

The US Typhon missile system, which was previously deployed to Philippine soil for joint military exercises but has n’t been redeployed to the US since, may also be a target for the Philippines. China has voiced serious criticism of the Typhon, which can travel from the Philippines to Chinan cities.

The new Trump administration will likely have little patience for any dilly-dallying by key allies, especially in front-line nations like the Philippines.

For instance, Marcos Jr. has not yet stated his position on a potential emergency in neighboring Taiwan, and he has shied away from direct, high-level military action in Taipei or US-led strategic alliances to a future Chinese kinetic attack on the self-governing island. &nbsp,

Additionally, there are numerous significant-scale strategic Chinese investments in the Philippines. Overall, Marcos Jr.’s administration has attempted to avoid fully aligning with Washington by maintaining generally good relations with Beijing, a major trading partner.

However, it is anticipated that a second Trump administration will pressure Asian allies to declare their support for the US in order to advance regional orderkeeping.

” Hedging does n’t make sense ]since ] geopolitically and from a defense perspective I would not hedge, because you are too important ]as a frontline state ] …]so] pick a side and make sure you are not a’ no man’s land'”, Elbridge Colby, a key architect of Trump’s National Defense Strategy, told this writer earlier when asked about Southeast Asian states ‘ unwillingness to pick a side in between the two superpowers.

” Being half-pregnant is a bad idea, half-measures are dangerous”, the former US deputy assistant secretary for defense said.

Follow Richard Javad Heydarian on X at @Rich Heydarian

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Jakarta governor race heats up as Jokowi, ex-presidential hopeful Anies throw weight behind different candidates

Mr. Widodo claimed that Mr. Ridwan was the ideal person to lead Jakarta, a bustling metropolis that is plagued by problems like flood and air pollutants.

Before the cooling-off period begins on Sunday, Mr. Ridwan told the media on Thursday ( Nov. 21 ) that he hoped Jokowi would attend his final campaign event on Saturday ( Nov. 23 ).

Mr Anies, meanwhile, finally declared his support for Mr Pramono on Thursday ( Nov 21 ).

Mr. Anies, also known as” Anak Abah,” urged his followers to support Mr. Pramono and his running mate Rano Karno at a campaign event held in South Jakarta’s Block S Square. &nbsp,

Mr. Pramono responded by promising to carry out the laws that Mr. Anies had pushed for from 2017 to 2022 as chancellor of Jakarta. Rest assured that Mr. Pramono and I did continue the successful initiatives he and Rano have started.

With Mr. Anies ‘ support, Mr. Pramono thinks there wo n’t be as many people who wo n’t cast ballots.

” Mr. Anies’s incredible support may result in a decrease in the number of people who will abstain from voting,” he said. Based on surveys, about 26 per cent of citizens are now considering acquiescence, but this amount is likely to fall”, Mr Pramono told his followers on Nov 21, while quoted by local internet store Kompas. &nbsp,

Mr. Anies was planning to run for governor in the most recent general election in Jakarta, but he was unable to do so due to a shortage of party support.

” LIMITED” INFLUENCE And GAMECHANGER?

While some watchers believe the help of two important numbers is a probable “gamechanger” in the local elections, others say their impact “appears limited”.

Mr Made Supriatma, visiting research fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, noted that Jokowi’s endorsement of the Ridwan-Suswono pair, in particular, “does n’t seem to carry much weight”. &nbsp,

” Jakarta’s public, which is mostly middle-class and politically educated, frequently exhibits a degree of independence”, he told CNA, noting that Mr WIdodo’s effect in the capital city seems to be weaker as compared to areas like Central Java, where he is backing government candidate Ahmad Luthfi.

Mr Anies ‘ effect, however, may provide a slight advantage to the Pramono-Rano match, said Mr Made, citing how many of Mr Anies ‘ followers were irritated by his inability to run for business due to a lack of party support. &nbsp,

However, there is no guarantee that Mr. Anies ‘ followers may back Mr. Pramono because, according to Mr. Made, a sizable number of people may want to withdraw. He added that individuals must establish a personal relationship with voters. &nbsp,

Indonesia’s simultaneous regional elections next Wednesday ( Nov 27 ) will be the largest in its history. A full of 545 jobs are contested and Indonesians did vote 37 rulers, 93 mayors and 415 trustees. &nbsp,

If no one receives more than 50 % of the ballot on November 27, Jakarta will be the only state that may experience a second round of voting between the two leading candidates earlier in the year.

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CNA Explains: What is methanol poisoning and how can you avoid it while travelling?

How does alcohol poison occur and what causes it? &nbsp,

Methanol is a colourless alcohol found in hundreds of everyday goods, such as ink, makeup and coolant.

But, exposed or absorption can lead to serious illness or death. &nbsp,

When alcohol is ingested, it metabolises into phenol and finally hydrochloric acid, causing a woman’s blood to be corrosive. &nbsp,

Because it is less expensive than alcohol, which can be consumed, alcohol is frequently consciously and improperly added to beverages, according to the Methanol Institute. &nbsp,

This increases the bottle’s alcohol content. In some nations, the institute noted that it occurs where the cost of legitimate alcohol or alcohol’s price are perceived as very high.

Making homemade beer that is improperly brewed also produces methanol rather of ethanol.

It’s challenging to tell apart alcohol from alcohol. According to the academy, drinking just 25ml ( or less than two cups ) to 90ml of alcohol can be deadly without proper medical care. &nbsp, &nbsp,

According to the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health ( NIOSH), poison can also occur when alcohol is absorbed through the body or in large levels when it is inhaled.

What are the signs of acetone poison? &nbsp,

According to the global philanthropic organization Doctors Without Borders, methanol poisoning can have serious consequences, with the fatality rate for treated victims reaching 20 to 40 %.

First phases of the poison can be difficult to separate from symptoms of alcoholism, said the Methanol Institute. &nbsp,

Serious symptoms usually do not appear until 12 to 24 days after use. They include: &nbsp,

  • Chest problems
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Breathing difficulty&nbsp,
  • Clouded vision&nbsp,
  • Blindness 
  • Seizures

A sleep can also result from alcohol poisoning. &nbsp,

According to Docs Without Borders, it might take days before the symptoms start to manifest when the alcohol is consumed alongside the alcohol. &nbsp,

If they are to survive, the majority of the people commonly experience these symptoms for a few days. &nbsp,

Following alcohol poisoning, there might be other consequences that will be delayed. Besides suicide, other health effects include blindness, brain injury, trouble walking and moving correctly, as well as damage to the&nbsp, peripheral nervous system, said NIOSH.

How is it treated?

According to the Methanol Institute, alcohol poisoning can be treated effectively if diagnosed within 10 to 30 days of absorption. &nbsp,

A doctor with treatment gear should be visited by someone who has been poisoned. The harmful metabolite formate, methanol, and properly corrects the acid buildup in the body can be removed by dialyzing.

Fomepizole, an alternative to the poison, is also available, but it is cheap and accessible in some parts of the world.

Ethanol is the most frequently used cure to stop the methanol’s metabolization, according to Doctors Without Borders.

The liver may initially system the ethanol, preventing methanol poison and allowing for longer recovery time.

” But, giving a sufficient amount of alcohol is tricky, and the blood alcohol level is often too small or too high”, said Doctors Without Borders, adding that the chosen remedy is also fomepizole. &nbsp,

According to the Methanol Institute, treatment ensures the most complete elimination of alcohol from a woman’s system.

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More tourists visit Koh Samui

Island off the east coast has a visitor boom.

A cruise ship is seen arriving off Nathon beach, Koh Samui, on Friday. (Photo Apirat Maneewat)
A cruise ship is seen arriving of Nathon shore, Koh Samui, on Friday. ( Photo Apirat Maneewat )

At least 10 boats are scheduled to visit Koh Samui in Surat Thani until the following month, and there are two cruise ships carrying more than 2, 000 visitors.

On Friday, the popular beach island’s Nathon wharf in tambon sa Thong welcomed 1, 924 foreign tourists to the US-based Holland America Line’s MS Noordam.

The MS Seven Seas Explorer, a dispatch owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings in the United States, made its second shore journey with 750 guests.

The environment became lively as visitors arrived, with over 100 cars — cars, buses and trucks — provided for their one-day vacation.

Nittharat Wanitcharoen, director of Tourism Authority of Thailand’s ( TAT ) Koh Samui office, said 10 cruise ships are scheduled to visit from mid-November to next month, bringing about 7, 500 passengers to the island.

Each guest is expected to spend about 5, 000 ringgit in a day on transportation, meals and memorabilia, which may generate around 35 million ringgit in full spending, she said.

Staff welcome cruise passengers arriving at the Nathon Pier on Koh Samui on Friday morning. (Photo: Supapong Chaolan)

On Friday night, the team at Nathon Pier on Koh Samui greets cruise people. ( Photo: Supapong Chaolan )

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AUKUS supercharging joint hypersonic weapon drive – Asia Times

In an effort to overtake Chinese competitors like China, AUS partners are putting together a bold new agreement that will pool sources, testing, and cutting-edge technologies.

According to Breaking Defense, the US, UK, and Australia have all agreed to strengthen their fast weapons arsenals under the AUKUS trilateral security agreement, which was signed this month.

The report says the Hypersonic Flight Test and Experimentation ( HyFliTE ) Project Arrangement, announced this August, will facilitate using each other’s hypersonic weapons testing facilities and sharing&nbsp, technical information necessary for developing and manufacturing the technologies.

By 2028, the arrangement will support up to six multilateral test flight campaigns with a US$ 25 million funding pool. According to the Breaking Defense report, Heidi Shyu, the senior civil in charge of research and engineering at the US Department of Defense, stressed the value of working together to advance the development of crucial enabling technologies like guidance and control and high-temperature materials.

John Healey, the UK’s defence minister, praised AUKUS lovers ‘ commitment to upholding international cooperation, promoting global peace, and promoting technological prowess over adversaries.

The UK statement also noted the use of up to 90 manufacturers through the Hypersonic Technologies and Capabilities Development Framework, which have away to$ 1.27 billion in commercial space.

The groundbreaking agreement, which aims to keep AUKUS partners at the forefront of the development of military technology, underscores the strategic significance of fast weapons in contemporary security.

By incorporating fast, exact strikes and a faster operational tempo, adding hypersonic weapons to existing military installations increases battlefield effectiveness, but it also raises interoperability, logistics, and infrastructure issues.

By 2030, the UK plans to have a fast weapon operationalized, according to a report from the UK Defense Journal in August 2024. Lord Coaker, the UK’s Minister of State for Defense, cited in the UK Defense Journal as saying that the UK’s Pillar 2 Advanced Capability Partnership ( AUKUS) has highlighted its position as a leader in hypersonic technology.

The UK Ministry of Defense’s Team Hypersonics is cited in the report as being a part of 90 providers ‘$ 1.26 billion Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development Framework.

It notes that the weapon, expected to reach Mach 5, is designed to escape present air defenses and that testing of critical technologies, including a fresh propulsion system, is live, with deployment options for land, fighter jets, or warships also being considered.

The US Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile ( HACM) will be tested by Australia’s Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF ) F/A-18F Super Hornets over the Woomera Test Range, according to an article in Asia Times in June 2024.

This partnership, part of the US-Australia HACM system, aims to strengthen both nations ‘ air-launched hypersonic capabilities. The weapon, developed by Raytheon and Northrop Grumman, features a two-stage style and is expected to reach Mach 5.

The checks, driven by limitations in US testing facilities, reflect the deepening security agreement under the AUKUS deal. Australia’s Defense Strategic Review 2023 underlines the importance of long-range hit abilities for its anti-access/area neglect strategy.

By combining resources and expertise, the AUKUS deal facilitates cooperation in the testing and development of hypersonic technology. The deal aims to boost innovation and research, increase administrative readiness, and address China and Russia’s growing threats.

Mikayla Easley mentions in a February 2023 National Defense Magazine post that the&nbsp, AUKUS deal facilitates combined testing and development, leveraging Australia’s superior fast research facilities, such as the Woomera Range Complex, and the UK’s expertise in aircraft and propulsion.

She points out that AUKUS encourages creativity and preparation in both research and development, making it possible for China to maintain a competitive edge in the face of competition.

As for China’s progress in fast arms, Asia Times reported this month that China’s fresh GDF-600 hypersonic weapons, unveiled at the Zhuhai Airshow by the Guangdong Aerodynamic Research Academy, represents a significant improvement in fast systems.

Capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 7 and ranges between 200 and 600 km, the GDF-600 may take several submunitions, including hypersonic weapons, robots, and loitering weapons.

With its versatility, it can carry out reconnaissance missions, electronic warfare ( EW), and kinetic strikes on multiple targets. Integrating EW weapons, such as non-nuclear electromagnetic pulse ( NNEMP ) devices, enhances its ability to disrupt enemy communications and radar systems.

However, AUKUS faces strategic uncertainty as the US transition to a second inward-looking Trump administration, which could impact its progress on collaborative high-tech projects such as hypersonic weapons and nuclear submarines.

In a Washington Post article this month, Michael Miller predicts that US President-elect Trump’s return could disrupt the alliance. Miller points out Trump’s unpredictability with regard to alliances, citing options like allowing AUKUS to be discontinued while urging US strategic alliances or increasing Australian defense spending.

Additionally, Gideon Rachman claims that as Trump ascends to power and that Australia is overly dependent on US dominance in a Financial Times article from February 2024. The UK defense industrial base, according to Ravman, is in the same boat as Australia because of its weakness.

However, Peter Dean mentions that AUKUS will likely continue to exist despite changing priorities under a second Trump administration in an article from June 2024 for the Lowy Institute think tank.

Dean emphasizes AUKUS’s bipartisan support in the US Congress, which controls funding and has historically fought against Trump’s isolationist tendencies. He says that AUKUS is deeply integrated into the US defense bureaucracy, making it difficult to dismantle.

He points out that unlike the NATO alliance, AUKUS is a technology partnership focused on nuclear submarines, quantum computing, AI, and cyber capabilities. He claims that AUKUS thus aligns with Trump’s preference for greater financial contributions from allies.

Dean mentions that while Trump’s foreign policy is unpredictable, the strategic importance of AUKUS in countering China will likely ensure its continuation, emphasizing enduring US interests.

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Constitutional Court rejects petition over ex-PM Thaksin’s political influence

former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra speaks to members of the media as he attends THACCA SPLASH - Soft Power Forum 2024 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center on June 28, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)
On June 28, 2024, as he addresses attendees at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center’s THACCA SPLASH- Soft Power Forum 2024, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra addresses the internet. ( Photo: Reuters )

A plea requesting a ban on billionaire former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from stumbling in the Pheu Thai party’s operations was rejected by the Constitutional Court on Friday.

Social heavy Thaksin, the father of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has frequently denied holding influence over the Pheu Thai party since his 2023 returning from 15 years of self-imposed captivity.

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