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| A composite Image of the Flags of China and the US, original Images from Wikimedia Commons |
September 5, 2025: US War Department submits new Strategy Proposal for the US to focus on its Homeland and Western Hemisphere instead of China
- Seems Trump is abandoning Economic and Military War with China, and focus on the US only. But what will happen to Taiwan, then?
Officials of the Pentagon, the Headquarters of the newly renamed "Department of War" of the United States (US), which was previously known as the "Department of Defense", has sent a Proposal through their latest "National Defense Strategy" Document that prioritizes the Security of the US Homeland and that of the Western Hemisphere.
This will be a big change from the previous Years where the US prioritized the focusing of the Threat from China. The Proposal has already been submitted to the US' War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and although as of now this is just a Proposal, the Administration of Donald Trump has already started showing Signs of implementing it.
US Troops have already been deployed to US Cities like Los Angeles and Washington, and to their Southern Border with Mexico. And of course, there is the latest showdown by the US with Venezuela where US Navy (USN) Warships were deployed for Patrols in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of that Country.
MY THOUGHTS:
If this Proposal is approved, then it will have a humongous Effect on the US’ Allies in Asia that has been depending on them to counter China, particularly Countries like Japan, Australia, Taiwan, South Korea and the Philippines (JATSKP).
Note that the US will likely still protect Europe against Russia, but Asian Countries will now be left on their own against China. Even the combined Military Forces of JATSKP will not be enough to match China in Terms of Conventional Forces, how much more in Terms of Nuclear Forces.
The Philippines still has a Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the US, but if the Commitment is not there, then it won’t be anywhere near as effective. It remains to be seen what the Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) Administration will do if this Proposal is adopted, but I think it will just be more of the same for this Administration.
It will continue to be Pro-US and Anti-China, supported and goaded by the Liberal, Democratic Elements within the US Military, Defense and Intelligence Services of the US Government.
SOURCE:
June 7, 2025: A Study released in January 2025 showed that US Air Bases in Asia, including Philippines are vulnerable to Attacks by China
The “Hudson Institute” Research Organization in the United States (US) released a Report earlier this Year of 2025 called, "Concrete Sky: Air Base Hardening in the Western Pacific" which says that US Military Air Bases in Asia are vulnerable to attacks by China, including those that are in the Philippines.
At the same time, China has increased the number of its Aircraft Shelters and Runways and increased protection for them, making it more difficult for the US to destroy them. China now has 134 Air Bases within 1,852 km of the Taiwan Strait, and these Bases contain 650 Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS) and 2,000 non-Hardened Aircraft Shelters (NHAS).
In contrast, the HAS and NHAS of the combined Forces of the US, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines in the same Area is only approximately less than one-half that of China, or around 1,200. The Philippines in particular has no HAS and only around 20 NHAS.
As a Result of this, the Report estimates that it will be easier or will need less Bombs and Missiles for China to destroy the US and Allied Air Shelters, only around 1,700. Vice-versa, it will be harder or will need more Bombs and Missiles for the US to take out China’s Air Shelters, almost double at around 3,100.
You can access the Report itself at the HI Website here: https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/media.hudson.org/Concrete+Sky+-+Air+Base+Hardening+in+the+Western+Pacific+-+Shugart+-+Walton.pdf
MY THOUGHTS:
This was the Report that I mentioned about a number of times before, due to one Reason or another, was not able to post about ... until now. Note that as the Report mentioned or implied, “hardening” an Air Shelter doesn’t make them Bomb or Missile-proof, it will just take more hits from them to do so.
So even if we “harden” all of our 20 Air Shelters right now and also put Missile and Gun Protection around them, China can still go out and destroy them. Remember that China produces their own Missiles, so they can make and use a lot more of them than we can, and against a determined and sustained attack, all our Air Shelters will be destroyed.
This is the Reason why despite the Fact that I think Sweden is a piece of Sh*t for denying their JAS-39 Gripen Fighter Aircraft to the Administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte (fakk you, Sweden), I still think that their Gripen is the best Fighter Aircraft choice for us because then they are not tied to fixed Air Shelters or Runways.
With the Gripens, every Highway or even Road can become their Runway and Air Shelter. We can even set it up that they take off from one Road, and then land on another so any opposing Country won’t know where to look.
And even if the F-16C Fighting Falcon Block 70 has better overall Performance than the Gripen, it is useless if they are just going to be destroyed on the Ground anyway. And at such expense, those F-16s cost a lot more than even the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge.
The F-16 of course, can also take-off and land on Roads and Highways, or do Part of what’s called as “Dispersed Operations”, but it can’t do it at the same Degree of Operational Effectiveness and Flexibility as the Gripen because that Capability isn’t as deeply embedded into its Design as it is with the Gripen.
Trade between China and Vietnam in the first eleven Months of this Year of 2024 has already reached Usd 185.4 billion, or an average of Usd 16.8 billion per Month. This is already above the Usd 171.9 billion in Trade between the two Countries for the entire Year of 2023.
At this current rate, the Bilateral Trade could hit an historic high of Usd 200 billion for the Year 2024. Agricultural Products are Vietnam's main Export to China, consisting of Products like Durian, Bird's Nest, Sweet Potatoes, Dragon Fruits, Longans, Rambutans, Mangoes, Jackfruits, Watermelons, Bananas, Black Jelly, Mangosteens, Lychees and Passion Fruit.
Meanwhile, Trade between the Philippines and the United States (US) from January to October of this Year of 2024 has been an anemic Usd 19.2 billion only, or around nine times less than that of the Trade between China and Vietnam.
So in the End, Vietnam’s alliance with China has been a lot more economically beneficial for them than the Philippines’ alliance with the US, around nine times as much. Vietnam, of course, has a Trade Deficit with China, meaning they are importing more than they are exporting to China.
But the Philippines also has a Trade Deficit with the US, and Vietnam’s exports to China at Usd 55 billion is almost eight times that of the Philippines’ exports to the US which is only at Usd 7.8 billion.
And also the importing of Goods also benefits an Economy in many Ways as local Companies and People are employed when these are transported during Distribution and stored at Warehouses. Local People and Businesses are employed when selling them, and whatever profit that comes out of it also ends up with the Local People and Businesses ...
SOURCES:
December 6, 2024: TikTok appeal rejected by US Court, could be banned there in early 2025
A Federal Court in the United States (US) recently rejected the appeal of the TikTok Application or “App” to overturn a Law which required it to be sold to US Companies or be banned there by early next Year of 2025.
TikTok said that they will now take the fight to the US Supreme Court, but it remains to be seen if they will be banned or not while their Case is in the SC. Actually, this Government of Bong Bong Marcos (BBM) was already eager to ban the App before because of its ownership by a Chinese Company, but was hesitant to do so because of its popularity.
But if the US does ban the App in their Country, then I am sure the Philippines will follow right away because they will use that as justification, and the Country is now, of course, a subservient Dog of the US.
TikTok isn’t and won’t be easily replaced by other Apps because of its unique Algorithm (which means a set of Instructions or Rules designed to perform specific Tasks or solve Problems) which allows ordinary People to have a better chance of going Viral in their Platform.
This Algorithm is actually a “Trade Secret”, which is why China will not allow the Company to be sold to other Nationalities. So either the ownership of TikTok by China stays, or it will be banned in the US.
Here is the Link to the Article at the “BBC News” Website: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2ldnq5095xo.amp
September 3, 2024: US losing Ground to China in most of SEA
Here is a nice, long Article on the “Foreign Affairs” Website talking about how the United States (US) is losing Ground to China in most Countries in South East Asia (SEA) in Terms of Influence. I suggest everybody read it, you can find the Link below. In the meantime, here are some selected Excerpts from the Article itself:
* “In the Poll this Year, the Majority of Respondents picked China over the United States when asked whom ASEAN should align with if forced to choose between the two. This was the first time Respondents picked China since the Survey began posing this question in 2020.”
* “In its 2020 Survey—the first Year that the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute asked Respondents “If ASEAN were forced to align itself with one of the Strategic Rivals, which should it choose?”—50.2 percent chose the United States, compared with 49.8 percent who chose China, when responses are adjusted (as they have been since the 2022 poll) to ensure that the responses of each Country are represented by equal proportion. In 2023, 61 percent of Respondents chose the United States compared with 39 percent who chose China, although the United States fared below the overall average in Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, and Thailand. In the 2024 Survey, however, China edged past the United States as the Region’s choice of alignment Partner: 50.5 percent of Respondents chose China, and 49.5 percent chose the United States.”
* “Breaking down this Year’s result by Country shows that since the 2023 poll, the United States has lost the most ground to China among Respondents in Laos (a 30 percentage point decline), Malaysia (a 20 percentage point decline), Indonesia (a 20 percentage point decline), Cambodia (an 18 percentage point decline), and Brunei (a 15 percentage point decline). The United States has also lost ground in Myanmar and Thailand (10 and 9 percentage point declines, respectively).”
* “Western Media Outlets often carry Reports about the Debt Traps associated with China’s Belt and Road Initiative. But BRI Projects are generally welcomed in Southeast Asia for the growth and development potential they offer the recipient Country. One high-ranking Diplomat from the Region pronounced it a Model for how to win “Hearts and Minds.” In January, I traveled to Laos, where the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Retreat was taking place in Luang Prabang, the Country’s Cultural and Spiritual Center. There were no Signs of competition for Influence between China and the United States; Chinese Influence alone pervaded People’s daily Lives. Residents of Luang Prabang spoke positively of the boost to local Businesses since April 2023, when a BRI-affiliated Railway running through the City and connecting Laos to China opened fully.”
Here is the Link to the Article on the “Foreign Affairs” Website: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/america-losing-southeast-asia
July 30, 2024: “China-Philippines ties may improve, as long as US stops interfering” Article at GT
Philippine Political Observer Herman Tiu Laurel wrote an Article for the Chinese “Global Times (GT)” News Publication recently titled, “China-Philippines ties may improve, as long as US stops interfering”. Here are some selected Excerpts from that Article:
* “It should be noted that Tensions between China and the Philippines began in early 2023, when retired US Air Force Colonel Raymond Powell, with the help of the US Office of Naval Research, conceived a "Cognitive Warfare" Operation known as "Project Myoushu."”
* “The Modus Operandi was to provoke Deterrent or Police Action from the China Coast Guard. Philippine Coast Guard Vessels or privately hired Ships attempted to smuggle prohibited Materials or violate Fish Sanctuaries, which are restricted for Conservation Purposes. These Philippine Vessels also transported Western and Filipino Media to film, report, and denounce China's actions as "Bullying."”
* “Powell, the Chief of the US Project Myoushu, openly admits that the Aim of his operation is to exact reputational costs on China and generate international support for the Philippine Cause. However, both Efforts have failed. According to the State of Southeast Asia 2024 survey, compiled by the Singapore-based ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in April, over half of Southeast Asians now prefer to align with China rather than the US. ASEAN Member Countries are critical of the Philippines' unilateral and disruptive Activities.”
Here is the Link to the Article at the GT Website: https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202407/1317027.shtml
May 20, 2024: South China Sea Troublemaker Cartoon, May 20, 2024
The Chinese News Publication “China Daily” recently released this Cartoon recently with the Title, “South China Sea Troublemaker”. It shows the United States (US) as a large Shark swimming under the South China Sea (SCS), with its Fin above the Water but covered by a Boat labeled as “Philippines”.
The Cartoon of course is implying that it is the US that is using the Philippines as Cover or Bait while it swims to spread trouble in the SCS, and I agree with it entirely. The US thru their Filipino Fans is constantly using Propaganda to goad the Philippines against China, because they need our Country to help defend Taiwan.
China on the other Hand needs the SCS because much of their Trade and Oil pass thru there, something which the US will definitely try to block in case a War breaks out between them and China over Taiwan ...
Here is the Link to the China Daily Website containing the original Cartoon: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202405/20/WS664a8e92a31082fc043c7e96.html
February 21, 2024: US grooming Asia for War with constant Military Exercises
The Peace Activist and Political Analyst KJ Noh told the Russian Press recently that the United States (US) is "grooming" Asia for their War against China by constantly conducting Military Exercises and "normalizing" Aggression. Here are Excerpts of what he said:
"Remember, it's not just five Aircraft Carriers. It's at least five to ten Attack Submarines, plus 30 Service Combatants, including Aegis Destroyers and three to 500 Planes, [including] F-18s and F-35s. So it's an extraordinary projection of firepower, and it has a very, threatening Message.
This also serves to normalize aggressive Shows of Force. It’s like grooming Asia for War and, of course, there’s the ratchet effect from that Normalization … It just signals that the escalation is coming.
Their Time is running out on Taiwan, their Advantages are ticking down and so I think they want to pivot rapidly. China is a war that both Parties can get behind as opposed to Ukraine, which they consider to be a tough slog because so many Republicans are opposed [to it]."
Here is the Link to the Article at the Sputnik International Website: https://sputnikglobe.com/20240221/us-grooming-asia-for-war-with-military-exercises-1116896877.html
January 21, 2024: Africa is the latest Hotbed for De-Dollarization and the switch to the Chinese Yuan Currency
And the slow but sure march towards De-Dollarization continues as some African Countries are now continuing to ditch the United States (US) Dollar and moving more towards making Business Transactions using the Chinese Yuan.
In Zambia, South Africa and Kenya for example, there are already Bank of China (BOC) Branches where one can Deposit and Withdraw the Yuan Currency. Here are some Quotes from the Article about the Topic:
* "Charlie Robertson, Head of Macro Strategy at FIM Partners, an Asset Management Firm, said ever since the West imposed its stringent Financial Sanctions on Russia, China had been determined to accelerate the use of the Renminbi to reduce its vulnerability to similar Sanctions that could stem from a possible invasion of Taiwan."
* ""It makes perfect sense to trade in Renminbi with your largest Trading Partner, which is China for most of the Continent. So further adoption is a No-Brainer."
* "In Nigeria, Politicians are reportedly working to revive a 2018 Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement with the Chinese Central Bank. In August, South Africa's largest Lender, Standard Bank, and the largest Chinese State-owned Bank, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, renewed a long-standing Partnership that facilitates Renminbi use across 15 African Markets."
Here is the Link to the Article at the Yahoo Finance Website: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/chinese-yuan-gives-us-dollar-093000096.html
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