Showing 1 - 10 of 62
US readiness for war -- watch its Navy missile policy
News, Peter Apps, Published on 19/04/2024
» In October 2022 a US destroyer and supply ship pulled alongside each other in San Diego harbour to attempt something the Pentagon had never tried before -- reloading missiles on a US warship at sea rather than tied up alongside a pier.
Iran, Israel is a panto crisis, not a real war
News, Gwynne Dyer, Published on 17/04/2024
» Ayatollah Khamenei, Iran's "Supreme Leader", is embarrassed and humiliated by the complete failure of his drone and missile attack on Israel, but does US President Joe Biden have the empathy to feel sorry for his old adversary in his time of trouble?
Russian moves block UN probe of North Korea
Oped, Published on 05/04/2024
» In a classic under-the-political radar ploy, Russia has vetoed a UN committee investigating North Korean nuclear missile and banking sanctions violations. The low-profile but highly significant sanctions committee regularly monitors illicit actions by Pyongyang to develop, improve and implement the regime's nuclear weapons and offensive missile programmes.
French space war games point to orbital arms race
News, Peter Apps, Published on 25/03/2024
» As a UN-led military force moved in to protect the independent nation of Mercury from rival Arnland in French war games this month, the most critical battle was playing out not on land, at sea or in the air, but in orbit.
Lao Asean chair: better comfort level
Oped, Kavi Chongkittavorn, Published on 06/02/2024
» The outgrowth of the latest Asean foreign ministers' retreat in Luang Prabang last week palpably shows a better comfort level between the host and their colleagues. Such a casual atmosphere generated better outcomes without politicising or dragging on contentious issues. Most importantly, Vientiane's diplomatic finesse is highly visible in its third chairmanship in approaching Asean-related issues and challenges: the thinking is less is more with clear-cut priorities. If this trajectory continues, the Lao chair will be lauded.
North Korea's launches still making a splash
Oped, Published on 27/12/2023
» There they go again again! North Korea's reclusive communist regime ended the year with a provocative intercontinental ballistic launch, flying near Japan and splashing down in the Pacific. The ominous firing of a powerful Hwasong-18 rocket came a month after Pyongyang put a spy satellite into orbit.
Red Sea crisis presents US, allies with tough choices
News, Peter Apps, Published on 25/12/2023
» As the Pentagon asked allies to provide warships for an international task force to protect Red Sea commercial shipping from mounting drone attacks from Yemen last week, one of the United States' closest partners appeared to be holding back.
Kim Jong-un marks spy satellite victory
News, Published on 30/11/2023
» North Korea got lucky. After two previous failures earlier this year to launch a spy satellite, the Pyongyang regime successfully sent a satellite into orbit.
North Korean missile test snubs dialogue
Oped, Published on 21/07/2023
» North Korea's unannounced launch of another ballistic missile early this week became a ho-hum event, given the rash but predictable actions by Pyongyang. After all, we have seen this bellicose stunt many times before and thus have become dangerously numb and nearly indifferent to its ultimate threat and consequence.
UN slams Russia but war slogs on
Oped, Published on 01/03/2023
» Now a year after Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, the UN General Assembly firmly and sternly rebuked Russia's brutal war against a sovereign country. With a thumping majority of 141 in favour, only 7 against and 32 abstentions, the assembly again issued a non-binding resolution demanding Russia's military withdrawal from Ukraine and calling for a "comprehensive, just and lasting peace".