2 state-linked firms must explain US.1 million loss investing in fashion e-commerce platform: Malaysia minister

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KUALA LUMPUR: Two Malaysian government-linked firms – including its sovereign wealth fund – have been urged to address public concerns over their recent loss-making investments in FashionValet, which is the country’s first fashion e-commerce platform. 

Khazanah Nasional and Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) – an investment management firm – came under the spotlight after Malaysia’s finance ministry earlier this week said in a written parliamentary reply that both companies had recorded a loss of RM43.9 million (US$10.1 million) from the sale of their minority investments in the e-commerce platform. 

The two sold their collective stakes in FashionValet at the end of 2023 for RM3.1 million. This marks a significant loss – or about 93.4 per cent – from the initial RM47 million investments made in 2018, local media reported. 

On Thursday (Oct 31), Malaysia’s Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil told local media that both Khazanah and PNB should explain the losses because it involves public money. 

“Since public money is involved, naturally people are asking questions. We are also starting to see content revealing what may have been going on … in the public interest, I believe they should issue a statement,” Mr Fahmi said. 

However, Mr Fahmi – who is also the Unity Government spokesman – added that the two firms should be given some time to issue a formal response. 

In 2018, Khazanah invested RM27 million while PNB invested RM20 million in FashionValet, owned by renowned fashion entrepreneur Vivy Yusof and her husband Fadzarudin Shah Anuar. 

“The total loss from the sale of FashionValet shares is negligible compared to Khazanah’s and PNB’s overall income for the relevant year,” the finance ministry said in its written reply on Oct 28. 

Following reports that FashionValet had been sold in what was described as a “fire sale” to another local investment firm NXBT Partners, the finance ministry had defended Khazanah’s initial investment into the company.

The ministry said earlier in September that the investment was in line with the sovereign wealth fund’s mandate at the time to promote local tech entrepreneurs and enable them to gain exposure in the growing e-commerce sector.

“At the same time, PNB’s investment thesis was focused on supporting fast-growing Bumiputera digital retail companies to develop into a regional retail platform for Malaysian brands.” it added.

The finance ministry also said that the COVID-19 pandemic severely affected FashionValet’s business, and that the sale to NXBT Partners was a responsible exit for Khazanah and PNB. 

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Airbus, Toshiba building the hydrogen planes of the future – Asia Times

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Airbus and Toshiba will cooperate to develop superconducting technologies for future hydrogen-powered aircraft, a potential revolutionary collaboration to curb carbon emissions and improve efficiency while switching to a sustainable long-term fuel source.

Airbus UpNext, a wholly-owned subsidiary of France’s Airbus, and Japan’s Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, a division of the electronics conglomerate, will carry out the work as per a newly signed agreement.

Airbus UpNext’s says its mission is to identify, evaluate and develop potentially disruptive aerospace trends and concepts that could yield radical technological breakthroughs such as flying “at speeds well beyond what seems feasible today” or, in this case, a new and better approach to aerial propulsion.

Airbus UpNext says it aims “to further accelerate traditional research cycles, developing proof of concepts and completing both ground and flight testing with scale and speed.” Practically speaking, this likely means within two or three years.

Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation is one of Japan’s leading suppliers of power generation and transmission equipment, and energy management technology.

Director Tsutomu Takeuchi says the company brings “expertise in superconducting technology for high current flow, motor drive technology for precise current control, and advanced rotating machinery technology for stable, high-speed operation” to the partnership.

The two sides signed the agreement last month at the Japan International Aerospace Exhibition 2024, which hosted more than 660 companies and other organizations at the Tokyo Big Sight exhibition center from October 16-19.

Airbus senior vice president Grzegorz Ombach, who heads the aerospace giant’s “Disruptive R&T” (Research and Technology) division, said, “Partnering with Toshiba presents a unique opportunity to push beyond the limitations of today’s partial superconducting and conventional electrical motors.”

Ombach and Takeuchi were joined by Kensuke Suzuki, executive in charge of new technology in the power systems division of Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation, and Ludovic Ybanez, head of the Airbus Cryoprop demonstrator project.

Cryoprop was launched last May to accelerate the development of a two-megawatt superconducting electric propulsion system cooled by liquid hydrogen. The project seeks to confirm the potential of superconducting technologies for future aircraft applications in manufacturing, maintenance, operations and safety.

Any breakthrough would give Airbus the opportunity to accelerate the introduction of new products such as superconducting cables, motors, cryogenic power electronics and cryogenic cooling systems.

Toshiba, which has been conducting R&D on superconducting technology for nearly 50 years, announced a prototype two-megawatt superconductivity motor in June 2022. Its and Airbus’ projects have now converged.

The collaboration marks a hopeful start for the new Airbus Tech Hub Japan announced last May, which aims to create partnerships in Japan to promote research and innovation and build a next-generation aviation ecosystem. One of many established by Airbus, it will focus on aviation materials and automation as well as decarbonization.

The Tech Hub concept, supported by the governments of France and Japan, is more forward-looking and more likely to benefit Japan than the ill-fated Mitsubishi regional jet project, which was launched in 2007 and, after numerous delays, finally cancelled in 2023. It also marks another step for Japan away from reliance on America’s Boeing toward increased collaboration with Airbus.

Airbus is already working with Japanese aircraft and aircraft component makers Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and ShinMaywa, carbon fiber producers Toray and Teijin, and dozens of other Japanese companies.

On October 18, Airbus and Kawasaki Heavy Industries signed an MOU to study the feasibility of building hydrogen infrastructure at Kansai International Airport, Osaka International Airport and Kobe Airport.  

A new addition to the Airbus Hydrogen Hub at Airports program, it is part of a roll-out of hydrogen infrastructure at airports in Europe, the Asia-Pacific and North America.

The Airbus hydrogen network already includes some 215 airports and associated energy suppliers, ground service companies and airlines – including All Nippon Airways (ANA). It is beginning to develop the scale that would make hydrogen-powered flight economical.

Airbus wants to introduce the world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial aircraft by 2035 and has developed four design concepts to that end. Three of them—turbofan, turboprop and blended wing-body turbofan—use hydrogen combustion gas turbines and modified fuel injectors similar to the technology currently in use. The fourth uses hydrogen fuel cells to power electric motors.

Airbus also has R&D teams working on cryogenic fuel systems and hydrogen fuel tanks. Hydrogen has an energy per unit mass three times greater than that of the jet fuel currently in use, but a lower energy density by volume. That means hydrogen fuel tanks will be bulkier than existing jet fuel tanks, and thus, future hydrogen-powered aircraft will look quite different from today’s airplanes.

US aerospace rival Boeing is skeptical of the hydrogen push. Speaking at the Farnborough International Airshow in July, Boeing chief technology officer Todd Citron said that hydrogen’s low energy density by volume and high flammability present a design problem and a serious safety risk. “Is it safe and certifiable?” he asked, adding, “That’s a really big question.”

His critical comment came after the April announcement of a Boeing R&T Center in Nagoya to focus on digital model-based engineering and manufacturing, composite materials, sustainable aviation fuel and the use of hydrogen fuel cells to power aircraft.

Like Airbus, Boeing has been working on hydrogen-powered flight for several years. However, faced with a net US$6.2 billion loss last quarter, a strike that has shut down most of its production and a discounted stock issue to save its bleeding balance sheet, management’s focus is now more on restructuring and survival than innovation.

Indeed, keeping pace with Airbus on hydrogen-powered aircraft does not appear to be a Boeing priority. With its Hydrogen Hub at Airports implementation program, Airbus is getting so far ahead in the field that Boeing may never catch up. For its part, Toshiba has seemingly chosen the right partner to commercialize its superconducting motor technology in aviation markets.

Follow this writer on X: @ScottFo83517667

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Hongkongers to be offered HK,000 for information on tenants abusing public flat scheme

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Authorities will give HK$3,000 (US$386) to any resident who provides information about tenants abusing public housing privileges that leads to the recovery of the flat, as the government steps up efforts to prevent misuse of the scheme.

The Housing Bureau said on Wednesday (Oct 30) it would launch the “Cherish Public Housing Resources Award Scheme” in January next year.

“We will offer rewards to non-anonymous informants who provide concrete intelligence that leads to the successful recovery of abused public rental housing units by the Housing Department,” authorities said in a paper submitted to the Legislative Council.

The bureau added that participants must consent to join the scheme and authorities would conduct a preliminary review and interview to verify the accuracy of the information.

Participants can provide information through various channels including online forms and hotlines.

A scheme encouraging property management and cleaning companies to report tenants suspected of abusing flat rules has been in place since last September.

About 5,000 public flats have been taken back over the past two years, housing officials said earlier.

According to Director of Housing Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, the number of flats reclaimed was equivalent to a medium-sized public estate, with a construction cost of about HK$5 billion.

This article was first published on SCMP.

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Philippines baby food: Added sugars worry experts

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BBC A baby lying on an adult's shoulder in a community centre in Valenzuela City, ManilaBBC

Jennylyn M Barrios’ job as a make-up artist takes her all over Manila – precious time away from Uno, her 10-month-old son.

There simply isn’t enough time in the day to make the homemade meals her growing baby needs. But in rapidly developing Philippines, there are increasingly options for busy, working mums like her.

“If I need to make something from scratch, I need to work double time before I finish the product,” she explains.

“But for Cerelac, I just need to add hot water and prepare the mix. I feed it three times a day – for breakfast, lunch, and then for dinner. It’s easy to feed, available, affordable – all great for working mums.”

Jennylyn is one of many mums increasingly turning to commercially available baby food products in recent years: sales of instant cereals, porridges, pureed foods, pouches and snacks across South East Asia have doubled in five years.

Cerelac – an instant porridge mix – is Nestle’s biggest seller here, offering not only convenience but aspiration as well, all for an affordable price, a key consideration with a rise in cost of living.

A quick search on social media shows a slew of aspirational mums with their smiling infants extolling its virtues – including offering some of the crucial nutrients growing children need.

But while the product will be instantly recognisable to parents across the world, the ingredients here may not be.

Because along with the benefits of added micronutrients Cerelac offers both parents in the Philippines and the UK, some flavours offer something else: added sugar.

And that, in a country where parents are increasingly turning from traditional diets to convenience foods, has health professionals worried.

Cerelac box with mother feeding son the infant cereal

In the Philippines, Nestle says it follows a set of standards and guidelines from the Codex Commission – a collective established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Health Organization (WHO) consisting of food manufacturers, governments and UN agencies.

“The added sugar we have in our products are all well below the threshold prescribed by international and local guidelines who always follow the FDA, who follows Codex, and these are the experts in this field,” said Arlene Tan-Bantoto, Nestlé Nutrition business executive officer.

But WHO has called the current standards inadequate and recommends they be updated with a particular focus on avoiding sugar and salt in any food for children under three.

Yet a Unicef study of 1,600 baby foods across South East Asia found nearly half included added sugars and sweeteners.

There is, says Ms Tan-Bantoto, a simple explanation for why it is needed in Cerelac in particular: to disguise the taste of crucial nutrients like iron, which has a metallic taste, and the brain nutrient, DHA, which smells like fish.

“Micronutrient deficiency is widespread in the country and we are serious in our efforts in alleviating it,” said Ms Tan-Bantoto.

“Ninety-seven percent of babies do not meet their daily nutrient requirement, 40% of babies, zero to five, suffer from iron deficiency anaemia. And we know that to be anaemic has lifelong consequences. For instance, brain development and next poor immunity and 20% of kids zero to five are stunted. That means we fortify our products.”

At a clinic in Manila, they see first-hand the impacts of malnutrition on babies and toddlers on a regular basis – although as diets change, so too is how the cases are presenting.

“Sometimes they are underweight, some are overweight, and some are severely malnourished,” one doctor told the BBC.

It is impossible to say exactly why there has been a rise in overweight children. There are multiple factors in the rise of obesity – including a change in lifestyles and urbanisation. But nutritionists say taste preferences are developed at a young age and in some countries like in the Philippines, many foods catering to a sweet palate are started early.

It is why the added sugar in a product like Cerelac is such a concern, according to public health experts like Dr Mianne Silvestre. The most popular flavour of Cerelac in the Philippines has about 17.5g of total sugars per serving – more than four teaspoons of sugar – but that can include both naturally occurring and added sugars. Nestle says in the Philippines, it has several variants or flavours without added sugar, and also flavours with added sugar.

“We always mention that malnutrition isn’t just being undernourished, it’s also overnourished also overweight and obese children, and very difficult to diet,” explains Dr Silvestre

“Starting these babies so young on this level of sugar. It’s mind-boggling.”

But, says Ms Tan-Bantoto, Nestle is “well below the threshold prescribed by international and local guidelines” when it comes to added sugar.

Unicef Alice Nkori says a lack of local, government regulation puts parents at a distinct disadvantage.

“If you go to other countries in Europe… they will have regulations that control what is sold out there and also make sure that companies put out what is they’re clear on what is in the content and at the front of the pack, it’s easy for the families and consumers to understand what is good for them and what is unhealthy,” she points out.

And it is not just what is in the product – or on the packaging – which needs regulating, she adds. “We conducted a digital scan… and what we saw is that families are bombarded 99% on what is on social media,” Ms Nkori said. “There’s a need for us to regulate what is coming out or being pushed out there in social media, especially targeted to children.”

Chiara Maganalles or Mommy Diaries PH on social media films a post with her family

Chiara Maganalles – or Mommy Diaries PH as she’s known on social media – has 1.6 million Facebook followers. In a lively YouTube video for Nestle’s “Parenteam” educational platform, she tells tens of thousands of subscribers about the benefits of Cerelac.

She’s been promoting the product for years, and for her, it is a win-win.

“I mean with my first kid… I did feed her Cerelac first because it’s convenient… It suits our budget… because of the nutritional content as well, it says that it’s fortified with iron,” she said.

Influencing has also transformed Chiara’s life – she’s now able to support her family from the money she makes from brand deals.

But critics say paid partnerships can look like trustworthy expert advice compared to conventional advertising methods. And what Chaira recommended – feeding Cerelac several times a day – goes even against what Nestle told the BBC.

Ms Tan-Bantoto described it as a “complementary” food to a baby’s diet, which should not be taken “the whole day”.

“At least give one bowl,” she said, for the nutritional value.

Nestle says it recommends one serving of infant cereal each day along with a diverse diet of foods, like fruits, vegetables, and meat daily. The company says the information is shared on its product labels, but promotional material on e-commerce sites and its educational platform suggest meal plans with Cerelac products up to three times a day.

Imee Marcos talking to the BBC in the Philippines Senate

The demand for regulation in the Philippines does have some star power. The sister of the current President and daughter of former President Ferdinand Marcos Snr – Imee Marcos – is sponsoring a bill that would prohibit manufacturers of baby food from adding sugar in their products.

A failure to comply could lead to a hefty fine, and imprisonment of producers and manufacturers for one to five years.

“I’m very hopeful that it will see the light of day. There’s so many bills and the food lobbies, the huge multinationals that purvey all these foods are immensely powerful and until today I haven’t even had a hearing,” Senator Imee Marcos told the BBC.

For its part Nestle says it is listening to concerns, and is phasing out added sugar in baby food – but that balancing the nutritional profile and composition of the product with taste takes time.

The company’s bestseller is due to get a sugar-free variety, with plans to completely eliminate all added sugar in the next “two to three years”, Ms Tan-Bantoto said.

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How Japan’s youngest CEO transformed Hello Kitty

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Getty Images Hello Kitty turns 50.Getty Images

Hello Kitty, arguably Japan’s best loved creation, is celebrating her 50th anniversary.

But all has not always been well at Sanrio, the Japanese company behind the character. The business has been on a spectacular journey of financial peaks and valleys.

She has been ranked the second-highest grossing media franchise in the world behind Pokémon, and ahead of the likes of Mickey Mouse and Star Wars.

Underscoring Hello Kitty’s global fame, Britain’s King Charles wished her a happy birthday during the state visit to the UK by Japan’s Emperor and Empress in June.

In recent years though the firm had been struggling to make money, as interest in Hello Kitty waned.

Two previous surges in Sanrio sales, in 1999 and 2014, were both driven by the character’s popularity. But these jumps in demand for the firm’s products were not sustainable, says Yasuki Yoshioka of investment company SMBC Nikko.

“In the past, its performance had many ups and downs, as if it was on a rollercoaster ride,” Mr Yoshioka says.

Sanrio Tomokuni Tsuji took over the top job at Sanrio in 2020.Sanrio

Then, in 2020, Tomokuni Tsuji inherited the role as Sanrio’s boss.

He is the grandson of the firm’s founder, Shintaro Tsuji, and was just 31 at the time, making him the youngest chief executive of a listed Japanese company.

His grandfather then became Sanrio’s chairman.

Under the younger Mr Tsuji’s leadership, Sanrio changed its marketing strategy of its stable of other characters.

“It is not about lowering Hello Kitty’s popularity but it is about boosting others’ recognition,” he says.

This resulted in Hello Kitty losing the position of Sanrio’s most popular character.

According to a poll of customers, that spot is now held by Cinnamoroll – a blue-eyed white puppy with pink cheeks, long ears and a tail that looks like a Cinnamon roll.

Sanrio is also no longer just about cute characters.

If Hello Kitty is Japan’s ambassador of cute, then angry red panda Aggressive Retsuko – or Aggretsuko – channels the frustrations of an ordinary working woman.

The character, which is popular among Gen Zers, first appeared in a cartoon series on Japan’s TBS Television before it became a global hit on Netflix.

Another unconventional character is Gudetama, or “lazy egg”, who is living with depression and fires out cold one-liners that reflect dark realities of life.

Sanrio Sanrio characters.Sanrio

As well as diversifying its characters, Sanrio boosted its overseas marketing and is now tackling counterfeits more rigorously.

“We are now using artificial intelligence to detect fake products and to make removal requests,” says Mr Tsuji.

For its marketing strategy, collaborations with major brands – including Starbucks, Crocs and the LA Dodgers baseball team – have been key, he added.

“In addition to our own promotion, by collaborating with global brands, we are trying to have our characters in the market throughout the year without many breaks.”

Getty Images Hello Kitty throws out the first pitch before the MLB game between the New York Mets and the Los Angeles Dodgers.Getty Images

In a society that puts so much emphasis on seniority, Mr Tsuji’s surname was crucial to his ability to make major changes at Sanrio.

Almost a quarter of listed companies in Japan, like car makers Toyota and Suzuki and camera firm Canon, are managed by members of the family that founded them.

The reason is cultural, according to Professor Hokuto Dazai of Nagoya University of Commerce and Business.

In Japan, home to the world’s oldest continuous monarchy, “there is strong recognition of families and family businesses,” he says.

The master-servant relationship from the samurai period has transitioned into the relationship between founding families and their employees, and “historically commoners never fought over the top job”.

“It is also because Japan has a smaller pool of professional executives to choose from,” says Professor Dazai.

“Firms tend to look for their next boss internally, including founding family members.”

Getty Images King Charles talks with Emperor Naruhito of Japan during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace.Getty Images

Still, “it would be a lie if I said there was no pushback” from other managers and employees in the company, Mr Tsuji says.

He also says he clashed with his grandfather over how to run the company.

“But one day I realised that I was being arrogant, trying to convince someone 60 years senior,” he says.

“After about a year, my grandfather told me to run the company as I see fit – that he will leave it up to me.”

The new boss’s revamp of the business has been paying off so far.

Within two years of the younger Tsuji becoming chief executive, Sanrio was profitable again, in what analyst Mr Yoshioka calls “a beautiful V-shaped recovery”.

Its share price has risen tenfold since 2020 and the company now has a stock market valuation of more than a trillion yen ($6.5bn; £5bn).

Getty Images A general view of the SANRIO gift gate store in Shanghai.Getty Images

Away from the boardroom and stock market, there was also an intriguing incident earlier this year.

While Hello Kitty’s true identity is relatively well-known in Japan, some overseas fans were shocked by comments from a Sanrio executive in July.

Speaking on US television, retail business development director Jill Koch told viewers that “Hello Kitty is not a cat” and is in fact a British schoolgirl.

Her comments sparked a flurry of social media posts, with fans expressing their shock and confusion about the revelation.

“Hello Kitty is Hello Kitty and she can be whoever you want her to be – she can be your sister, your mother, it can be another you,” Mr Tsuji says.

Pushed on whether he has any idea why his grandfather decided not to make her Japanese, Mr Tsuji concludes: “London is an amazing city and it was the envy of many Japanese girls, so that may be one of the reasons they decided that she’s from London.”

It may not be the definitive answer her fans are looking for – but after all, Hello Kitty was created 14 years before the younger Tsuji was even born. Half a century since her creation, it is possible that the beloved character’s origin story will continue to be shrouded in mystery for years to come.

Find out more on Business Daily on the BBC World Service. You can listen again via the World Service website or download the BBC Sounds app.

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Ukraine’s decentralized warfare: the battle of the common person – Asia Times

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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine offers an unprecedented case study on the democratization of warfare, particularly in three critical domains: drones, cyberattacks and influence operations.

The accessibility of technology has empowered ordinary citizens to participate directly in modern warfare, reshaping how wars of the future will be fought.

Ukrainian civilians have demonstrated methods that could be followed by citizens in other countries facing similar threats. Military analysts and scholars must understand these trends to prepare for future conflicts, which are likely to incorporate similar decentralized strategies.

For example, if the United States were to engage in a conflict with China over Taiwan, civilians most likely would play active roles both in defending online and in supporting operations on the physical battlefield.

Cyber warfare: the IT Army’s pioneering role

On June 20, 2024, the IT Army of Ukraine – a decentralized group of volunteer hackers – claimed to have launched against Russia’s banking system a distributed denial-of-service attack that it described as the “largest DDoS in history.”

That attack temporarily crippled several Russian banks, causing significant financial disruptions and showcasing the effectiveness of decentralized cyber tactics.

In a hybrid warfare landscape the IT Army has become a key player, operating across both physical and cyber battlefields and redefining modern warfare.

The IT Army was initially formed in early 2022 following a call to arms by Ukraine’s Minister of Digital Transformation Mykhailo Fedorov, who saw the potential of mobilizing civilian hackers to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.

The IT Army’s primary tactic – DDoS attacks, which flood networks with excessive traffic – is accessible and effective, democratizing cyber warfare by enabling individuals worldwide to participate without extensive technical knowledge.

The impact of the IT Army has drawn attention from Russian officials. In March 2024, Dmitry Gribkov, an aide to the Russian Security Council, warned Western nations that supporting the IT Army was akin to “opening Pandora’s box.”

Gribkov alleged that hacking experts were being trained in Ukraine and the Baltic states for cyber operations targeting Russian infrastructure, reflecting the Kremlin’s growing concerns about Ukraine’s ability to inflict pain on Russia.

The IT Army’s cyber offensive has inflicted significant and lasting damage, with economic losses estimated to exceed $1 billion. In early 2024, DDoS attacks on Russian companies doubled overall compared with the year-earlier figures.

The Russian energy sector in particular suffered a tenfold increase in such attacks, which weakened critical infrastructure supporting Russia’s war effort.

The IT Army has also collaborated with Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) to conduct synchronized DDoS attacks and drone strikes, helping knock out Russian telecom networks and CCTV systems. That reduces the visibility of Ukrainian drone operations and thereby increases their success rate.

Encouraging global participation, the IT Army utilizes social media to share tools, instructions, and targets, allowing ordinary people to contribute to cyberattacks. This open-call structure taps into a global volunteer base, including participants from Europe, the US and other regions.

These actions showcase a new type of warfare, one that merges military and civilian resistance and bridges the gap between traditional soldiers and online combatants.

Countering Russian disinformation: NAFO and civilian influence operations

The Ukrainian defense effort has also been characterized by resilience and adaptability in information warfare. The North Atlantic Fella Organization (NAFO), formed in response to Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion, has become a formidable force against Russian disinformation.

Using humor and memes to counter propaganda, NAFO – a leaderless, decentralized group – engages online audiences to keep the global spotlight on Ukraine and challenge Russian narratives. The group’s humorous approach, exemplified by Shiba Inu dog avatars, has proven remarkably resilient, making it difficult for Russian trolls to undermine its efforts.

A NAFO dog avatar. Image: Emerging Europe

Supporting Ukraine’s information frontlines, NAFO has been instrumental in fighting Russian trolls and countering disinformation campaigns. NAFO gained popularity by using Shiba Inu memes to mock Russian propaganda, making Russia’s accusations against them seem absurd. One ongoing joke within NAFO is that members are “real Shiba dogs employed by the CIA,” which deflects accusations while adding levity to their messaging.

Early in the invasion, NAFO’s success was clear when it forced Russia’s top diplomat in Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, off X (formerly Twitter) following a heated exchange with a cartoon dog. This flexible and decentralized approach has allowed NAFO to respond quickly to changing narratives in the fast-paced realm of information warfare.

The Kremlin’s discomfort with NAFO’s influence is evident, with RT labeling NAFO as a “vast pro-Ukrainian bot army.” Even Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman criticized the group in July 2023. The Economist described NAFO’s approach as “a remarkably successful form of information warfare,” while Jamie Cohen, a media studies professor, characterized NAFO as “an actual tactical event against a nation-state.”

NAFO has further demonstrated its influence by helping suspend the screening of “Russians at War,” a pro-Russian documentary by ex-RT employee Anastasia Trofimova, in Canada. The group’s efforts highlighted the broader dangers of Russian influence operations and underscored NAFO’s capacity to effectively counter these narratives. In the digital age, anyone with an internet connection can join NAFO, making it an accessible and powerful counterbalance to Russian troll farms, which have been influencing global opinion since the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

Volunteer-driven military tech supply chains

On the physical battlefield, Ukrainian civilians have also taken on a critical role in providing drones, which are essential to Ukraine’s defense strategy. Lieutenant Colonel Pavlo Kurylenko emphasized this reliance, stating, “We’re only holding back the Russians with crowdfunded drones.” He noted that FPV (first-person view) drones, many of which are supplied by volunteers, are a crucial element preventing Russian breakthroughs on all fronts.

Demand for drones far exceeds supply, and Ukraine has depended heavily on volunteers to manage drone supply chains since the start of the invasion. Dzyga’s Paw, a fund that has supported over 100 military units, has played a key role in delivering essential tech supplies.

Former tech professionals from the fund have coordinated drone operations for Ukrainian forces, building robust tech supply chains for the military. Volunteers have also devised innovative solutions, such as using Google Meet to livestream drone footage, providing commanders with real-time battlefield intelligence.

Despite the efforts of volunteers, Ukraine still faces challenges due to limited access to Chinese-made drones. Kostyantyn Mynailenko, a commander in the Liut Brigade’s aerial reconnaissance unit, said, “The Russians have many more drones than us. They have a stable supply chain sourced directly from China, whereas we must order our Chinese drones indirectly through Europe.” This procurement gap has made Ukraine heavily reliant on volunteers to source Chinese drones for nearly two years.

The future of decentralized warfare

The Russo-Ukrainian War has vividly demonstrated the power of decentralized, civilian-driven warfare, establishing a model that will likely shape future conflicts. Through the democratization of drones, cyberattacks, and influence operations, Ukraine has mobilized ordinary citizens and volunteers, showing that advanced military capabilities can be built from the grassroots level. With crowdfunded drones, volunteer hackers, and online influence campaigns, Ukraine has effectively empowered civilians to play an active role in defense.

This new approach, blending traditional military tactics with the contributions of individual citizens and decentralized networks, has proven highly resilient and adaptable. As military analysts and strategists examine the implications, it’s clear that the integration of citizen-driven support will become an increasingly crucial component in modern warfare.

Carl von Clausewitz’s concept of “small wars” has evolved – from irregular units gathering intelligence and disrupting enemy operations, to “armed” citizens engaging in digital battles through drones, memes, and cyberattacks.

Ukraine’s experience has provided an invaluable case study for countries worldwide, showing that in a digitized world, anyone with an internet connection can contribute to the national defense. The democratization of warfare is not new, but technology has reshaped and expanded its possibilities, redefining how wars will be fought in the future.

This piece is an excerpt from a report presented by the author at the UK Parliament on October 9, on behalf of the Henry Jackson Society, titled “Military Lessons for NATO from the Russia-Ukraine War: Preparing for the Wars of Tomorrow.” The original report includes extensive footnoting to show the sourcing of facts and quotations.

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Thai Airways cancels Taipei flights as Taiwan prepares for Typhoon Kong-rey

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Financial markets shut, offices and schools closed

Status of Typhoon Kong-rey on Thursday morning. (Image: Zoom.Earth)
Status of Typhoon Kong-rey on Thursday morning. (Image: Zoom.Earth)

Thai Airways International suspended three flights to and from Taipei on Thursday and one on Friday due to the approach of Typhoon Kong-rey.

Flights TG634 (Bangkok-Taipei), TG636 (Bangkok-Taipei) and TG635 (Taipei-Bangkok) were cancelled on Thursday, with flight TG637 (Taipei-Bangkok) suspended on Friday, the national carrier announced on its Facebook page.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Passengers with bookings on these flights are advised to contact Thai Airways Customer Service at 662-356-1111 for assistance with rebooking or further information,” the airline stated.

In preparation for the typhoon, Taiwan has shut down, with all cities taking a day off, financial markets closed, and hundreds of flights cancelled.

The storm is expected to make landfall on the east coast around 2pm (1pm Thailand time), according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.

At one point a super typhoon, Kong-rey slightly weakened overnight but remained powerful as the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane bringing gusts over 250 kilometres per hour and heavy rainfall, according to Tropical Storm Risk.

Taiwan’s weather administration labelled the storm a “strong typhoon”, the most powerful storm level for Taiwan, adding it would be the biggest typhoon in size to hit the island since 1996.

Administration forecaster Gene Huang said that Kong-rey would head towards the Taiwan Strait as a much-weakened storm after hitting the east coast. He urged people across the island to stay indoors due to high winds.

“The size of the storm is very large, and the winds are high,” he said.

Warnings for destructive winds exceeding 160 km/h have been issued in the eastern county of Taitung, whose outlying Lanyu island recorded gusts above 260 kph before some of the wind-barometers there went offline.

Up to 1.2 metres of rainfall is expected in eastern Taiwan with destructive winds along coastal areas, according to the administration.

Taiwan’s Defence Ministry has put 36,000 troops on standby and evacuated 1,300 people from high-risk areas, the government said.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, the world’s largest contract chipmaker and major supplier to companies like Apple and Nvidia, reported that it has activated routine typhoon alert preparation procedures at all its factories and construction sites.

“We do not expect significant impact to our operations,” it said in an emailed statement.

According to Taiwan’s Transport Ministry, 298 international flights had been cancelled, along with all domestic flights and 139 ferry services to and from outlying islands.

Taiwan’s high-speed railway, which connects major cities on its populated western plains, continued to operate with a reduced service.

The government has warned people to stay away from the mountains and the coast.

Kong-rey is forecast to graze China along the coast of Fujian province on Friday morning.

Subtropical Taiwan is frequently hit by typhoons. The last one, Typhoon Krathon, killed four people earlier this month as it passed through the south of the island.

A Thai Airways International plane. (File photo)

A Thai Airways International plane. (File photo)

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Thai Airways cancels Taipei flights as typhoon strikes

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In: South-East Asia

Financial markets shut, offices and schools closed

Status of Typhoon Kong-rey on Thursday morning. (Image: Zoom.Earth)
Status of Typhoon Kong-rey on Thursday morning. (Image: Zoom.Earth)

Thai Airways International suspended three flights to and from Taipei on Thursday and one on Friday due to the approach of Typhoon Kong-rey.

Flights TG634 (Bangkok-Taipei), TG636 (Bangkok-Taipei) and TG635 (Taipei-Bangkok) were cancelled on Thursday, with flight TG637 (Taipei-Bangkok) suspended on Friday, the national carrier announced on its Facebook page.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. Passengers with bookings on these flights are advised to contact Thai Airways Customer Service at 662-356-1111 for assistance with rebooking or further information,” the airline stated.

In preparation for the typhoon, Taiwan has shut down, with all cities taking a day off, financial markets closed, and hundreds of flights cancelled.

The storm is expected to make landfall on the east coast around 2pm (1pm Thailand time), according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.

At one point a super typhoon, Kong-rey slightly weakened overnight but remained powerful as the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane bringing gusts over 250 kilometres per hour and heavy rainfall, according to Tropical Storm Risk.

Taiwan’s weather administration labelled the storm a “strong typhoon”, the most powerful storm level for Taiwan, adding it would be the biggest typhoon in size to hit the island since 1996.

Administration forecaster Gene Huang said that Kong-rey would head towards the Taiwan Strait as a much-weakened storm after hitting the east coast. He urged people across the island to stay indoors due to high winds.

“The size of the storm is very large, and the winds are high,” he said.

Warnings for destructive winds exceeding 160 km/h have been issued in the eastern county of Taitung, whose outlying Lanyu island recorded gusts above 260 kph before some of the wind-barometers there went offline.

Up to 1.2 metres of rainfall is expected in eastern Taiwan with destructive winds along coastal areas, according to the administration.

Taiwan’s Defence Ministry has put 36,000 troops on standby and evacuated 1,300 people from high-risk areas, the government said.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, the world’s largest contract chipmaker and major supplier to companies like Apple and Nvidia, reported that it has activated routine typhoon alert preparation procedures at all its factories and construction sites.

“We do not expect significant impact to our operations,” it said in an emailed statement.

According to Taiwan’s Transport Ministry, 298 international flights had been cancelled, along with all domestic flights and 139 ferry services to and from outlying islands.

Taiwan’s high-speed railway, which connects major cities on its populated western plains, continued to operate with a reduced service.

The government has warned people to stay away from the mountains and the coast.

Kong-rey is forecast to graze China along the coast of Fujian province on Friday morning.

Subtropical Taiwan is frequently hit by typhoons. The last one, Typhoon Krathon, killed four people earlier this month as it passed through the south of the island.

A Thai Airways International plane. (File photo)

A Thai Airways International plane. (File photo)

Continue Reading