Podcasts about South China Sea

Last time we spoke about the climax of the battle of Lake Khasan. In August, the Lake Khasan region became a tense theater of combat as Soviet and Japanese forces clashed around Changkufeng and Hill 52. The Soviets pushed a multi-front offensive, bolstered by artillery, tanks, and air power, yet the Japanese defenders held firm, aided by engineers, machine guns, and heavy guns. By the ninth and tenth, a stubborn Japanese resilience kept Hill 52 and Changkufeng in Japanese hands, though the price was steep and the field was littered with the costs of battle. Diplomatically, both sides aimed to confine the fighting and avoid a larger war. Negotiations trudged on, culminating in a tentative cease-fire draft for August eleventh: a halt to hostilities, positions to be held as of midnight on the tenth, and the creation of a border-demarcation commission. Moscow pressed for a neutral umpire; Tokyo resisted, accepting a Japanese participant but rejecting a neutral referee. The cease-fire was imperfect, with miscommunications and differing interpretations persisting.    #185 Operation Hainan Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. After what seemed like a lifetime over in the northern border between the USSR and Japan, today we are returning to the Second Sino-Japanese War. Now I thought it might be a bit jarring to dive into it, so let me do a brief summary of where we are at, in the year of 1939. As the calendar turned to 1939, the Second Sino-Japanese War, which had erupted in July 1937 with the Marco Polo Bridge Incident and escalated into full-scale conflict, had evolved into a protracted quagmire for the Empire of Japan. What began as a swift campaign to subjugate the Republic of China under Chiang Kai-shek had, by the close of 1938, transformed into a war of attrition. Japanese forces, under the command of generals like Shunroku Hata and Yasuji Okamura, had achieved stunning territorial gains: the fall of Shanghai in November 1937 after a brutal three-month battle that cost over 200,000 Chinese lives; the infamous capture of Nanjing in December 1937, marked by the Nanjing Massacre where an estimated 300,000 civilians and disarmed soldiers were killed in a six-week orgy of violence; and the sequential occupations of Xuzhou in May 1938, Wuhan in October 1938, and Guangzhou that same month.  These victories secured Japan's control over China's eastern seaboard, major riverine arteries like the Yangtze, and key industrial centers, effectively stripping the Nationalists of much of their economic base. Yet, despite these advances, China refused to capitulate. Chiang's government had retreated inland to the mountainous stronghold of Chongqing in Sichuan province, where it regrouped amid the fog-laden gorges, drawing on the vast human reserves of China's interior and the resilient spirit of its people. By late 1938, Japanese casualties had mounted to approximately 50,000 killed and 200,000 wounded annually, straining the Imperial Japanese Army's resources and exposing the vulnerabilities of overextended supply lines deep into hostile territory. In Tokyo, the corridors of the Imperial General Headquarters and the Army Ministry buzzed with urgent deliberations during the winter of 1938-1939. The initial doctrine of "quick victory" through decisive battles, epitomized by the massive offensives of 1937 and 1938, had proven illusory. Japan's military planners, influenced by the Kwantung Army's experiences in Manchuria and the ongoing stalemate, recognized that China's sheer size, with its 4 million square miles and over 400 million inhabitants, rendered total conquest unfeasible without unacceptable costs. Intelligence reports highlighted the persistence of Chinese guerrilla warfare, particularly in the north where Communist forces under Mao Zedong's Eighth Route Army conducted hit-and-run operations from bases in Shanxi and Shaanxi, sabotaging railways and ambushing convoys. The Japanese response included brutal pacification campaigns, such as the early iterations of what would later formalize as the "Three Alls Policy" (kill all, burn all, loot all), aimed at devastating rural economies and isolating resistance pockets. But these measures only fueled further defiance. By early 1939, a strategic pivot was formalized: away from direct annihilation of Chinese armies toward a policy of economic strangulation. This "blockade and interdiction" approach sought to sever China's lifelines to external aid, choking off the flow of weapons, fuel, and materiel that sustained the Nationalist war effort. As one Japanese staff officer noted in internal memos, the goal was to "starve the dragon in its lair," acknowledging the limits of Japanese manpower, total forces in China numbered around 1 million by 1939, against China's inexhaustible reserves. Central to this new strategy were the three primary overland supply corridors that had emerged as China's backdoors to the world, compensating for the Japanese naval blockade that had sealed off most coastal ports since late 1937. The first and most iconic was the Burma Road, a 717-mile engineering marvel hastily constructed between 1937 and 1938 by over 200,000 Chinese and Burmese laborers under the direction of engineers like Chih-Ping Chen. Stretching from the railhead at Lashio in British Burma (modern Myanmar) through treacherous mountain passes and dense jungles to Kunming in Yunnan province, the road navigated elevations up to 7,000 feet with hundreds of hairpin turns and precarious bridges. By early 1939, it was operational, albeit plagued by monsoonal mudslides, banditry, and mechanical breakdowns of the imported trucks, many Ford and Chevrolet models supplied via British Rangoon. Despite these challenges, it funneled an increasing volume of aid: in 1939 alone, estimates suggest up to 10,000 tons per month of munitions, gasoline, and aircraft parts from Allied sources, including early Lend-Lease precursors from the United States. The road's completion in 1938 had been a direct response to the loss of southern ports, and its vulnerability to aerial interdiction made it a prime target in Japanese planning documents. The second lifeline was the Indochina route, centered on the French-built Yunnan-Vietnam Railway (also known as the Hanoi-Kunming Railway), a 465-mile narrow-gauge line completed in 1910 that linked the port of Haiphong in French Indochina to Kunming via Hanoi and Lao Cai. This colonial artery, supplemented by parallel roads and river transport along the Red River, became China's most efficient supply conduit in 1938-1939, exploiting France's uneasy neutrality. French authorities, under Governor-General Pierre Pasquier and later Georges Catroux, turned a blind eye to transshipments, allowing an average of 15,000 to 20,000 tons monthly in early 1939, far surpassing the Burma Road's initial capacity. Cargoes included Soviet arms rerouted via Vladivostok and American oil, with French complicity driven by anti-Japanese sentiment and profitable tolls. However, Japanese reconnaissance flights from bases in Guangdong noted the vulnerability of bridges and rail yards, leading to initial bombing raids by mid-1939. Diplomatic pressure mounted, with Tokyo issuing protests to Paris, foreshadowing the 1940 closure under Vichy France after the fall of France in Europe. The route's proximity to the South China Sea made it a focal point for Japanese naval strategists, who viewed it as a "leak in the blockade." The third corridor, often overlooked but critical, was the Northwest Highway through Soviet Central Asia and Xinjiang province. This overland network, upgraded between 1937 and 1941 with Soviet assistance, connected the Turkestan-Siberian Railway at Almaty (then Alma-Ata) to Lanzhou in Gansu via Urumqi, utilizing a mix of trucks, camel caravans, and rudimentary roads across the Gobi Desert and Tian Shan mountains. Under the Sino-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact of August 1937 and subsequent aid agreements, Moscow supplied China with over 900 aircraft, 82 tanks, 1,300 artillery pieces, and vast quantities of ammunition and fuel between 1937 and 1941—much of it traversing this route. In 1938-1939, volumes peaked, with Soviet pilots and advisors even establishing air bases in Lanzhou. The highway's construction involved tens of thousands of Chinese laborers, facing harsh winters and logistical hurdles, but it delivered up to 2,000 tons monthly, including entire fighter squadrons like the Polikarpov I-16. Japanese intelligence, aware of this "Red lifeline," planned disruptions but were constrained by the ongoing Nomonhan Incident on the Manchurian-Soviet border in 1939, which diverted resources and highlighted the risks of provoking Moscow. These routes collectively sustained China's resistance, prompting Japan's high command to prioritize their severance. In March 1939, the South China Area Army was established under General Rikichi Andō (later succeeded by Field Marshal Hisaichi Terauchi), headquartered in Guangzhou, with explicit orders to disrupt southern communications. Aerial campaigns intensified, with Mitsubishi G3M "Nell" bombers from Wuhan and Guangzhou targeting Kunming's airfields and the Red River bridges, while diplomatic maneuvers pressured colonial powers: Britain faced demands during the June 1939 Tientsin Crisis to close the Burma Road, and France received ultimatums that culminated in the 1940 occupation of northern Indochina. Yet, direct assaults on Yunnan or Guangxi were deemed too arduous due to rugged terrain and disease risks. Instead, planners eyed peripheral objectives to encircle these arteries. This strategic calculus set the stage for the invasion of Hainan Island, a 13,000-square-mile landmass off Guangdong's southern coast, rich in iron and copper but strategically priceless for its position astride the Indochina route and proximity to Hong Kong. By February 1939, Japanese admirals like Nobutake Kondō of the 5th Fleet advocated seizure to establish air and naval bases, plugging blockade gaps and enabling raids on Haiphong and Kunming, a prelude to broader southern expansion that would echo into the Pacific War. Now after the fall campaign around Canton in autumn 1938, the Japanese 21st Army found itself embedded in a relentless effort to sever the enemy's lifelines. Its primary objective shifted from mere battlefield engagements to tightening the choke points of enemy supply, especially along the Canton–Hankou railway. Recognizing that war materiel continued to flow into the enemy's hands, the Imperial General Headquarters ordered the 21st Army to strike at every other supply route, one by one, until the arteries of logistics were stifled. The 21st Army undertook a series of decisive occupations to disrupt transport and provisioning from multiple directions. To sustain these difficult campaigns, Imperial General Headquarters reinforced the south China command, enabling greater operational depth and endurance. The 21st Army benefited from a series of reinforcements during 1939, which allowed a reorganization of assignments and missions: In late January, the Iida Detachment was reorganized into the Formosa Mixed Brigade and took part in the invasion of Hainan Island.  Hainan, just 15 miles across the Qiongzhou Strait from the mainland, represented a critical "loophole": it lay astride the Gulf of Tonkin, enabling smuggling of arms and materiel from Haiphong to Kunming, and offered potential airfields for bombing raids deep into Yunnan. Japanese interest in Hainan dated to the 1920s, driven by the Taiwan Governor-General's Office, which eyed the island's tropical resources (rubber, iron, copper) and naval potential at ports like Sanya (Samah). Prewar surveys by Japanese firms, such as those documented in Ide Kiwata's Minami Shina no Sangyō to Keizai (1939), highlighted mineral wealth and strategic harbors. The fall of Guangzhou in October 1938 provided the perfect launchpad, but direct invasion was delayed until early 1939 amid debates between the IJA (favoring mainland advances) and IJN (prioritizing naval encirclement). The operation would also heavily align with broader "southward advance" (Nanshin-ron) doctrine foreshadowing invasions of French Indochina (1940) and the Pacific War. On the Chinese side, Hainan was lightly defended as part of Guangdong's "peace preservation" under General Yu Hanmou. Two security regiments, six guard battalions, and a self-defense corps, totaling around 7,000–10,000 poorly equipped troops guarded the island, supplemented by roughly 300 Communist guerrillas under Feng Baiju, who operated independently in the interior. The indigenous Li (Hlai) people in the mountainous south, alienated by Nationalist taxes, provided uneven support but later allied with Communists. The Imperial General Headquarters ordered the 21st Army, in cooperation with the Navy, to occupy and hold strategic points on the island near Haikou-Shih. The 21st Army commander assigned the Formosa Mixed Brigade to carry out this mission. Planning began in late 1938 under the IJN's Fifth Fleet, with IJA support from the 21st Army. The objective: secure northern and southern landing sites to bisect the island, establish air/naval bases, and exploit resources. Vice Admiral Nobutake Kondō, commanding the fleet, emphasized surprise and air superiority. The invasion began under the cover of darkness on February 9, 1939, when Kondō's convoy entered Tsinghai Bay on the northern shore of Hainan and anchored at midnight. Japanese troops swiftly disembarked, encountering minimal initial resistance from the surprised Chinese defenders, and secured a beachhead in the northern zone. At 0300 hours on 10 February, the Formosa Mixed Brigade, operating in close cooperation with naval units, executed a surprise landing at the northeastern point of Tengmai Bay in north Hainan. By 04:30, the right flank reached the main road leading to Fengyingshih, while the left flank reached a position two kilometers south of Tienwei. By 07:00, the right flank unit had overcome light enemy resistance near Yehli and occupied Chiungshan. At that moment there were approximately 1,000 elements of the enemy's 5th Infantry Brigade (militia) at Chiungshan; about half of these troops were destroyed, and the remainder fled into the hills south of Tengmai in a state of disarray. Around 08:30 that same day, the left flank unit advanced to the vicinity of Shuchang and seized Hsiuying Heights. By 12:00, it occupied Haikou, the island's northern port city and administrative center, beginning around noon. Army and navy forces coordinated to mop up remaining pockets of resistance in the northern areas, overwhelming the scattered Chinese security units through superior firepower and organization. No large-scale battles are recorded in primary accounts; instead, the engagements were characterized by rapid advances and localized skirmishes, as the Chinese forces, lacking heavy artillery or air support, could not mount a sustained defense. By the end of the day, Japanese control over the north was consolidating, with Haikou falling under their occupation.Also on 10 February, the Brigade pushed forward to seize Cingang. Wenchang would be taken on the 22nd, followed by Chinglan Port on the 23rd. On February 11, the operation expanded southward when land combat units amphibiously assaulted Samah (now Sanya) at the island's southern tip. This landing allowed them to quickly seize key positions, including the port of Yulin (Yulinkang) and the town of Yai-Hsien (Yaxian, now part of Sanya). With these southern footholds secured, Japanese forces fanned out to subjugate the rest of the island, capturing inland areas and infrastructure with little organized opposition. Meanwhile, the landing party of the South China Navy Expeditionary Force, which had joined with the Army to secure Haikou, began landing on the island's southern shore at dawn on 14 February. They operated under the protection of naval and air units. By the same morning, the landing force had advanced to Sa-Riya and, by 12:00 hours, had captured Yulin Port. Chinese casualties were significant in the brief fighting; from January to May 1939, reports indicate the 11th security regiment alone suffered 8 officers and 162 soldiers killed, 3 officers and 16 wounded, and 5 officers and 68 missing, though figures for other units are unclear. Japanese losses were not publicly detailed but appear to have been light.  When crisis pressed upon them, Nationalist forces withdrew from coastal Haikou, shepherding the last civilians toward the sheltering embrace of the Wuzhi mountain range that bands the central spine of Hainan. From that high ground they sought to endure the storm, praying that the rugged hills might shield their families from the reach of war. Yet the Li country's mountains did not deliver a sanctuary free of conflict. Later in August of 1943, an uprising erupted among the Li,Wang Guoxing, a figure of local authority and stubborn resolve. His rebellion was swiftly crushed; in reprisal, the Nationalists executed a seizure of vengeance that extended far beyond the moment of defeat, claiming seven thousand members of Wang Guoxing's kin in his village. The episode was grim testimony to the brutal calculus of war, where retaliation and fear indelibly etched the landscape of family histories. Against this backdrop, the Communists under Feng Baiju and the native Li communities forged a vigorous guerrilla war against the occupiers. The struggle was not confined to partisan skirmishes alone; it unfolded as a broader contest of survival and resistance. The Japanese response was relentless and punitive, and it fell upon Li communities in western Hainan with particular ferocity, Sanya and Danzhou bore the brunt of violence, as did the many foreign laborers conscripted into service by the occupying power. The toll of these reprisals was stark: among hundreds of thousands of slave laborers pressed into service, tens of thousands perished. Of the 100,000 laborers drawn from Hong Kong, only about 20,000 survived the war's trials, a haunting reminder of the human cost embedded in the occupation. Strategically, the island of Hainan took on a new if coercive purpose. Portions of the island were designated as a naval administrative district, with the Hainan Guard District Headquarters established at Samah, signaling its role as a forward air base and as an operational flank for broader anti-Chiang Kai-shek efforts. In parallel, the island's rich iron and copper resources were exploited to sustain the war economy of the occupiers. The control of certain areas on Hainan provided a base of operations for incursions into Guangdong and French Indochina, while the airbases that dotted the island enabled long-range air raids that threaded routes from French Indochina and Burma into the heart of China. The island thus assumed a grim dual character: a frontier fortress for the occupiers and a ground for the prolonged suffering of its inhabitants. Hainan then served as a launchpad for later incursions into Guangdong and Indochina. Meanwhile after Wuhan's collapse, the Nationalist government's frontline strength remained formidable, even as attrition gnawed at its edges. By the winter of 1938–1939, the front line had swelled to 261 divisions of infantry and cavalry, complemented by 50 independent brigades. Yet the political and military fissures within the Kuomintang suggested fragility beneath the apparent depth of manpower. The most conspicuous rupture came with Wang Jingwei's defection, the vice president and chairman of the National Political Council, who fled to Hanoi on December 18, 1938, leading a procession of more than ten other KMT officials, including Chen Gongbo, Zhou Fohai, Chu Minqi, and Zeng Zhongming. In the harsh arithmetic of war, defections could not erase the country's common resolve to resist Japanese aggression, and the anti-Japanese national united front still served as a powerful instrument, rallying the Chinese populace to "face the national crisis together." Amid this political drama, Japan's strategy moved into a phase that sought to convert battlefield endurance into political consolidation. As early as January 11, 1938, Tokyo had convened an Imperial Conference and issued a framework for handling the China Incident that would shape the theater for years. The "Outline of Army Operations Guidance" and "Continental Order No. 241" designated the occupied territories as strategic assets to be held with minimal expansion beyond essential needs. The instruction mapped an operational zone that compressed action to a corridor between Anqing, Xinyang, Yuezhou, and Nanchang, while the broader line of occupation east of a line tracing West Sunit, Baotou, and the major river basins would be treated as pacified space. This was a doctrine of attrition, patience, and selective pressure—enough to hold ground, deny resources to the Chinese, and await a more opportune political rupture. Yet even as Japan sought political attrition, the war's tactical center of gravity drifted toward consolidation around Wuhan and the pathways that fed the Yangtze. In October 1938, after reducing Wuhan to a fortressed crescent of contested ground, the Japanese General Headquarters acknowledged the imperative to adapt to a protracted war. The new calculus prioritized political strategy alongside military operations: "We should attach importance to the offensive of political strategy, cultivate and strengthen the new regime, and make the National Government decline, which will be effective." If the National Government trembled under coercive pressure, it risked collapse, and if not immediately, then gradually through a staged series of operations. In practice, this meant reinforcing a centralized center while allowing peripheral fronts to be leveraged against Chongqing's grip on the war's moral economy. In the immediate post-Wuhan period, Japan divided its responsibilities and aimed at a standoff that would enable future offensives. The 11th Army Group, stationed in the Wuhan theater, became the spearhead of field attacks on China's interior, occupying a strategic triangle that included Hunan, Jiangxi, and Guangxi, and protecting the rear of southwest China's line of defense. The central objective was not merely to seize territory, but to deny Chinese forces the capacity to maneuver along the critical rail and river corridors that fed the Nanjing–Jiujiang line and the Zhejiang–Jiangxi Railway. Central to this plan was Wuhan's security and the ability to constrain Jiujiang's access to the Yangtze, preserving a corridor for air power and logistics. The pre-war arrangement in early 1939 was a tableau of layered defenses and multiple war zones, designed to anticipate and blunt Japanese maneuver. By February 1939, the Ninth War Zone under Xue Yue stood in a tense standoff with the Japanese 11th Army along the Jiangxi and Hubei front south of the Yangtze. The Ninth War Zone's order of battle, Luo Zhuoying's 19th Army Group defending the northern Nanchang front, Wang Lingji's 30th Army Group near Wuning, Fan Songfu's 8th and 73rd Armies along Henglu, Tang Enbo's 31st Army Group guarding southern Hubei and northern Hunan, and Lu Han's 1st Army Group in reserve near Changsha and Liuyang, was a carefully calibrated attempt to absorb, delay, and disrupt any Xiushui major Japanese thrust toward Nanchang, a city whose strategic significance stretched beyond its own bounds. In the spring of 1939, Nanchang was the one city in southern China that Tokyo could not leave in Chinese hands. It was not simply another provincial capital; it was the beating heart of whatever remained of China's war effort south of the Yangtze, and the Japanese knew it. High above the Gan River, on the flat plains west of Poyang Lake, lay three of the finest airfields China had ever built: Qingyunpu, Daxiaochang, and Xiangtang. Constructed only a few years earlier with Soviet engineers and American loans, they were long, hard-surfaced, and ringed with hangars and fuel dumps. Here the Chinese Air Force had pulled back after the fall of Wuhan, and here the red-starred fighters and bombers of the Soviet volunteer groups still flew. From Nanchang's runways a determined pilot could reach Japanese-held Wuhan in twenty minutes, Guangzhou in less than an hour, and even strike the docks at Hong Kong if he pushed his range. Every week Japanese reconnaissance planes returned with photographs of fresh craters patched, new aircraft parked wing-to-wing, and Soviet pilots sunning themselves beside their I-16s. As long as those fields remained Chinese, Japan could never claim the sky. The city was more than airfields. It sat exactly where the Zhejiang–Jiangxi Railway met the line running north to Jiujiang and the Yangtze, a knot that tied together three provinces. Barges crowded Poyang Lake's western shore, unloading crates of Soviet ammunition and aviation fuel that had come up the river from the Indochina railway. Warehouses along the tracks bulged with shells and rice. To the Japanese staff officers plotting in Wuhan and Guangzhou, Nanchang looked less like a city and more like a loaded spring: if Chiang Kai-shek ever found the strength for a counteroffensive to retake the middle Yangtze, this would be the place from which it would leap. And so, in the cold March of 1939, the Imperial General Headquarters marked Nanchang in red on every map and gave General Okamura the order he had been waiting for: take it, whatever the cost. Capturing the city would do three things at once. It would blind the Chinese Air Force in the south by seizing or destroying the only bases from which it could still seriously operate. It would tear a hole in the last east–west rail line still feeding Free China. And it would shove the Nationalist armies another two hundred kilometers farther into the interior, buying Japan precious time to digest its earlier conquests and tighten the blockade. Above all, Nanchang was the final piece in a great aerial ring Japan was closing around southern China. Hainan had fallen in February, giving the navy its southern airfields. Wuhan and Guangzhou already belonged to the army. Once Nanchang was taken, Japanese aircraft would sit on a continuous arc of bases from the tropical beaches of the South China Sea to the banks of the Yangtze, and nothing (neither the Burma Road convoys nor the French railway from Hanoi) would move without their permission. Chiang Kai-shek's decision to strike first in the Nanchang region in March 1939 reflected both urgency and a desire to seize initiative before Japanese modernization of the battlefield could fully consolidate. On March 8, Chiang directed Xue Yue to prepare a preemptive attack intended to seize the offensive by March 15, focusing the Ninth War Zone's efforts on preventing a river-crossing assault and pinning Japanese forces in place. The plan called for a sequence of coordinated actions: the 19th Army Group to hold the northern front of Nanchang; the Hunan-Hubei-Jiangxi Border Advance Army (the 8th and 73rd Armies) to strike the enemy's left flank from Wuning toward De'an and Ruichang; the 30th and 27th Army Groups to consolidate near Wuning; and the 1st Army Group to push toward Xiushui and Sandu, opening routes for subsequent operations. Yet even as Xue Yue pressed for action, the weather of logistics and training reminded observers that no victory could be taken for granted. By March 9–10, Xue Yue warned Chiang that troops were not adequately trained, supplies were scarce, and preparations were insufficient, requesting a postponement to March 24. Chiang's reply was resolute: the attack must commence no later than the 24th, for the aim was preemption and the desire to tether the enemy's forces before they could consolidate. When the moment of decision arrived, the Chinese army began to tense, and the Japanese, no strangers to rapid shifts in tempo—moved to exploit any hesitation or fog of mobilization. The Ninth War Zone's response crystallized into a defensive posture as the Japanese pressed forward, marking a transition from preemption to standoff as both sides tested the limits of resilience. The Japanese plan for what would become known as Operation Ren, aimed at severing the Zhejiang–Jiangxi Railway, breaking the enemy's line of communication, and isolating Nanchang, reflected a calculated synthesis of air power, armored mobility, and canalized ground offensives. On February 6, 1939, the Central China Expeditionary Army issued a set of precise directives: capture Nanchang to cut the Zhejiang–Jiangxi Railway and disrupt the southern reach of Anhui and Zhejiang provinces; seize Nanchang along the Nanchang–Xunyi axis to split enemy lines and "crush" Chinese resistance south of that zone; secure rear lines immediately after the city's fall; coordinate with naval air support to threaten Chinese logistics and airfields beyond the rear lines. The plan anticipated contingencies by pre-positioning heavy artillery and tanks in formations that could strike with speed and depth, a tactical evolution from previous frontal assaults. Okamura Yasuji, commander of the 11th Army, undertook a comprehensive program of reconnaissance, refining the assault plan with a renewed emphasis on speed and surprise. Aerial reconnaissance underlined the terrain, fortifications, and the disposition of Chinese forces, informing the selection of the Xiushui River crossing and the route of the main axis of attack. Okamura's decision to reorganize artillery and armor into concentrated tank groups, flanked by air support and advanced by long-range maneuver, marked a departure from the earlier method of distributing heavy weapons along the infantry front. Sumita Laishiro commanded the 6th Field Heavy Artillery Brigade, with more than 300 artillery pieces, while Hirokichi Ishii directed a force of 135 tanks and armored vehicles. This blended arms approach promised a breakthrough that would outpace the Chinese defenders and open routes for the main force. By mid-February 1939, Japanese preparations had taken on a high tempo. The 101st and 106th Divisions, along with attached artillery, assembled south of De'an, while tank contingents gathered north of De'an. The 6th Division began moving toward Ruoxi and Wuning, the Inoue Detachment took aim at the waterways of Poyang Lake, and the 16th and 9th Divisions conducted feints on the Han River's left bank. The orchestration of these movements—feints, riverine actions, and armored flanking, was designed to reduce the Chinese capacity to concentrate forces around Nanchang and to force the defenders into a less secure posture along the Nanchang–Jiujiang axis. Japan's southward strategy reframed the war: no longer a sprint to reduce Chinese forces in open fields, but a patient siege of lifelines, railways, and airbases. Hainan's seizure, the control of Nanchang's airfields, and the disruption of the Zhejiang–Jiangxi Railway exemplified a shift from large-scale battles to coercive pressure that sought to cripple Nationalist mobilization and erode Chongqing's capacity to sustain resistance. For China, the spring of 1939 underscored resilience amid mounting attrition. Chiang Kai-shek's insistence on offensive means to seize the initiative demonstrated strategic audacity, even as shortages and uneven training slowed tempo. The Ninth War Zone's defense, bolstered by makeshift airpower from Soviet and Allied lendings, kept open critical corridors and delayed Japan's consolidation. The war's human cost—massive casualties, forced labor, and the Li uprising on Hainan—illuminates the brutality that fueled both sides' resolve. In retrospect, the period around Canton, Wuhan, and Nanchang crystallizes a grim truth: the Sino-Japanese war was less a single crescendo of battles than a protracted contest of endurance, logistics, and political stamina. The early 1940s would widen these fault lines, but the groundwork laid in 1939, competition over supply routes, air control, and strategic rail nodes, would shape the war's pace and, ultimately, its outcome. The conflict's memory lies not only in the clashes' flash but in the stubborn persistence of a nation fighting to outlast a formidable adversary. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. The Japanese invasion of Hainan and proceeding operations to stop logistical leaks into Nationalist China, showcased the complexity and scale of the growing Second Sino-Japanese War. It would not merely be a war of territorial conquest, Japan would have to strangle the colossus using every means necessary.  

HEADLINE: The Cannonball Rule vs. Anti-Access Denial GUEST AUTHOR: Jerry HendrixSUMMARY: Hendrix explains how the historical "cannonball rule," which limited territorial waters to the range of shore batteries, is being challenged by modern long-range missiles. Nations like China and Russia use "anti-access/area denial" strategies to extend their sovereignty far beyond international norms, effectively claiming vast areas like the South China Sea. This strategy aims to push the U.S. Navy away to prevent intervention in regional conflicts. Hendrix emphasizes the necessity of "Freedom of Navigation" operations, where U.S. warships physically sail through disputed waters to legally and militarily reject these excessive territorial claims.1904

This broadcast began with a break in the usual format as Jim interviewed Congressman Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin who represents the state's 7th congressional district. He discussed the possibility of another government shutdown, a move afoot by Democrats in the House to defund ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Minneapolis debacle, and more. As the program continued, Jim presented the following news stories: --Iran has issued a sickening threat against President Trump, broadcasting a picture from the attempted assassination at the 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania, rally with the words, "This time it will not miss the target." --In a public address yesterday, a senior Iranian general issued a direct threat against President Trump saying they will cut off his hand and his finger. This came after President Trump's warning of U.S. military action against the Iranian regime. -The U.S. has designated three branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations in a move that could impact Washington's relationships with Qatar and Turkey. --President Trump's administration announced sanctions against more than 20 Iranian individuals and entities responsible for the Islamic republic's deadly crackdown on protesters and skirting of international sanctions on Iran's oil output. --After weeks of escalating tensions, U.S. and Iranian officials faced each other Thursday at the U.N. Security Council, where America's envoy renewed threats against the Islamic republic, despite President Trump's efforts to lower the temperature. --The Pentagon moved a carrier strike group from the South China Sea to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

This broadcast began with a break in the usual format as Jim interviewed Congressman Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin who represents the state's 7th congressional district. He discussed the possibility of another government shutdown, a move afoot by Democrats in the House to defund ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Minneapolis debacle, and more. As the program continued, Jim presented the following news stories: --Iran has issued a sickening threat against President Trump, broadcasting a picture from the attempted assassination at the 2024 Butler, Pennsylvania, rally with the words, "This time it will not miss the target." --In a public address yesterday, a senior Iranian general issued a direct threat against President Trump saying they will cut off his hand and his finger. This came after President Trump's warning of U.S. military action against the Iranian regime. -The U.S. has designated three branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations in a move that could impact Washington's relationships with Qatar and Turkey. --President Trump's administration announced sanctions against more than 20 Iranian individuals and entities responsible for the Islamic republic's deadly crackdown on protesters and skirting of international sanctions on Iran's oil output. --After weeks of escalating tensions, U.S. and Iranian officials faced each other Thursday at the U.N. Security Council, where America's envoy renewed threats against the Islamic republic, despite President Trump's efforts to lower the temperature. --The Pentagon moved a carrier strike group from the South China Sea to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

It's Thursday, January 15th, A.D. 2026. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, & Sudan top 4 persecuting countries Open Doors released its 2026 World Watch List yesterday. The report ranks the top 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. Once again, North Korea is ranked the worst country for persecution followed by Somalia, Yemen, Sudan, and Eritrea. The remaining top 10 countries are Syria, Nigeria, Pakistan, Libya, and Iran. One out of seven Christians are persecuted worldwide. Between October 2024 and September 2025, the report documented that 4,849 Christians were killed for their faith. Over 90% of the killings occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria.  Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” 2,000 Iranian protestors killed by Islamic regime Millions of Iranians have been protesting against the country's Islamic regime since December 28. Activists report that 2,000 people have been killed as the regime has cracked down on protestors.  Listen to comments from U.S. President Donald Trump. TRUMP: “To all Iranian patriots, keep protesting, take over your institutions, if possible. … I've cancelled all meetings with the Iranian officials until the senseless killing of protesters stops. And all I say to them is ‘Help is on its way!' You saw that I put tariffs on anybody doing business with Iran. Just went into effect today.” During this unrest, please pray for the underground church in Iran to remain strong and find opportunities to minister.  Pentagon moving carrier strike group toward Middle East amid Iran tension In a related story, the Pentagon is moving a carrier strike group from the South China Sea to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, which includes the Middle East, as tensions escalate between the Trump administration and Iran, reports NewsNation. Moving the carrier strike group — a naval formation centering around an aircraft carrier, with a variety of support from other vessels — is expected to take about a week. The significant transfer of American military hardware comes amid developments related to unrest in Iran and questions about whether the White House will offer support to opponents of Iran's autocratic, Islamicregime. Franklin Graham calls America to prayer and repentance In the Untied States, Evangelist Franklin Graham called for a time of prayer and repentance across the nation. The call came as “the streets of America boil over with hate, anger, crime, drugs, and just sheer hopelessness.” Listen to comments from Graham. GRAHAM: “I encourage people to pray. And first of all, we need to repent as a nation. We need to repent of our sins and turn from those sins. And we need to repent of our own sins, not just the nation's sins, but our personal sins, and ask God to forgive us.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” Trump withdraws from 66 int'l groups, conventions, and treaties The Trump administration announced last Wednesday that the U.S. is withdrawing from 66 international organizations, conventions, and treaties. One of those organizations is the United Nations Population Fund, known for its support of abortion.  Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, said, “From DEI mandates to ‘gender equity' campaigns to climate orthodoxy, many international organizations now serve a globalist project. … These organizations actively seek to constrain American sovereignty.” State Department pauses immigrant visas from 75 countries Plus, the U.S. Department of State announced yesterday that it will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries.  Those nations include Somalia, Russia, Afghanistan, Iran, and Nigeria.  The State Department said migrants from these countries “take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.” U.S. overdose deaths fell New federal data shows U.S. overdose deaths fell last year. Overdose deaths involving opioids and now fentanyl have been on the rise since the 1990s. An estimated 73,000 people died from overdoses during the 12-month period ending in August 2025. That's down 21% from the previous 12-month period.  Researchers suggest this drop is connected with recent regulation changes in China. These changes decreased the availability of chemicals used to make fentanyl.    4,000 U.S. Protestant churches closed in 2024 Lifeway Research reports more Protestant churches closed in the U.S. than opened. Four thousand churches were closed in America in 2024. Meanwhile, only 3,800 churches were started. That's better than 2019 when there were only 3,000 openings and 4,500 closings. Openings have not outpaced closings since 2014 when there were 4,000 openings and 3,700 closings. Christian/Gospel music ranked among top 10 genres And finally, Luminate released its 2025 year-end music report. Christian and Gospel music ranked among the top 10 genres in the U.S. last year. Plus, Christian/Gospel was also one of the highest-growth genres in terms of on-demand audio streams. WINANS: “For Your mercy never fails me All my days, I've been held in Your hands From the moment that I wake up Until I lay my head Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God “'Cause all my life You have been faithful And all my life You have been so, so good With every breath that I am able Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God.” That was Cece Winans singing the “Goodness of God.” When it came to music released in the last 18 months, Christian/Gospel music saw the most growth in streams of any genre. Colossians 3:16 reminds us, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, January 15th, in the year of our Lord 2026. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

Entire USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group out of the South China Sea and steaming full speed toward the Middle East. We know what Braun is against, what is he for? Another ICE shooting in MN. TV Theme Song: Only Murders in the Building.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran update. Walz demands that Trump end the "occupation". ICE shooting of illegal Venezuelan who swung shovel against them. Governor Braun's State of the State. Harry Enten CNN: Trump's credit card rate cap is great, great, great politics at this point Bringing the Bears to Indiana. Today’s Popcorn Moment: Minneapolis mayor accuses ICE of a violent "invasion" Today on the Marketplace: Vintage Schmidt's Ash Tray advertising 3 color. Vop Osili running for Mayor of Indianapolis Entire USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group out of the South China Sea and steaming full speed toward the Middle East. We know what Braun is against, what is he for? Another ICE shooting in MN. TV Theme Song: Only Murders in the Building.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of China Desk, Steve Yates analyzes the dramatic U.S. action in Venezuela, the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, and the disruption of an illicit oil “ghost fleet supplying China, Russia, and Iran. The discussion explores why Venezuela's oil reserves matter so deeply to Beijing, how China's hemispheric ambitions collided with renewed American resolve, and what the episode signals for future flashpoints—from Taiwan to the South China Sea. A clear-eyed look at geopolitics, energy security, sovereignty, and power projection in an increasingly unstable global order. Watch Full-Length Interviews: https://www.youtube.com/@ChinaDeskFNW

In Episode 121, hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso welcome Craig Singleton, Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former US diplomat, to examine Taiwan's critical energy vulnerability and China's gray zone coercion strategies. Singleton, co-author of FDD's recent report “Maritime Protection of Taiwan's Energy Vulnerability,” reveals how Taiwan's mere 10-day supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG) creates an Achilles heel Beijing could exploit without firing a shot - and why semiconductor supply chains, global economies, and US deterrence strategy all hang in the balance.Taiwan's Energy Crisis: 10 Days to DisasterTaiwan imports 90% of its energy, with over half arriving by sea as LNG from suppliers who may be susceptible to PRC coercion. Through extensive war gaming featuring participants from Taiwan's National Security Council, Japan, Australia and former Trump administration officials including Matt Pottinger, Singleton's team discovered Taiwan would face “Sophie's Choice” dilemmas within two weeks of a Chinese quarantine. The scenario revealed that energy companies would be pressured to comply with new and onerous requirements, while diplomatic pressure to reduce just one LNG shipment per week could trigger cascading blackouts and force Taiwan to choose between powering hospitals or semiconductor fabrication plants.​Quarantine vs. Blockade: The Gray Zone AdvantageSingleton explains the critical distinction between blockades - which carry international legal consequences and can activate UN responses - and quarantines, which exist in “squishy” legal territory that China deliberately exploits. During war gaming, Singleton playing Xi Jinping accomplished every objective without triggering US red lines by characterizing aggressive actions as “safety inspections” and “counter-piracy operations,” language already familiar from South China Sea operations. This asymmetric approach keeps American responses in “off” mode while systematically degrading Taiwan's resilience through political warfare and disinformation campaigns.​Semiconductor Leverage and Allied ResponseWhen Taiwan's war game participants announced they would cut power to TSMC to force international intervention, it represented a mic-drop moment - Taiwan exercising agency by threatening global semiconductor supply chains. The scenario exposed uncomfortable truths about allied commitment, with Japan able to weather the crisis due to substantial LNG reserves, while Australia's involvement remained uncertain despite AUKUS commitments. Singleton argues classic deterrence models map poorly onto gray zone operations, and reestablishing deterrence after allowing coercion to proceed requires “outsized” responses that current political will may not support.​Solutions: From LNG Diversification to Nuclear ReactorsSingleton advocates for increased US LNG exports to Taiwan, enhanced energy storage through hardened mountain facilities and floating terminals, and reconsideration of small modular reactors (SMRs) at key government and military sites - potentially creating a deterrent effect against Chinese targeting due to nuclear fallout risks. The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act's increase from $300 million to $1 billion in foreign military financing for Taiwan represents progress, but energy resilience remains the critical vulnerability China will exploit.

It's Tuesday, December 30th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson Trump bombed Nigerian ISIS camps It was a first in United States history. President Donald Trump authorized US military action against ISIS-linked camps in northwestern Nigeria for the purposes of defending Christians who have been the brunt of a genocide that's taken place over the last decade. At least two camps, run by the Muslim terrorists, were hit by 18 precision missiles last Thursday on Christmas Day, reports The Guardian. Nicaragua banned Bibles Nicaragua has banned Bibles at the border.  Tourists may not carry Bibles in any form into the country, according to new regulations. Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that the list of forbidden items now includes Bibles, newspapers, magazines, books of any kind, drones and cameras. The Nicaraguan government has also shut down 1,300 religious organizations since April 2018. Repression has picked up since the 2021 election when Daniel Ortega was elected for a fourth consecutive term in office.  Leading opposition candidates were jailed before the sham election.   Nicaragua has the fourth worst economy in South America, just above Cuba, Venezuela, and Haiti. Scottish pro-life grandmother arrested outside abortion mill A 75-year-old grandmother is the first to be arrested in Scotland for coming within 656 feet of an abortion mill. This comes after an anti-protesting law was passed last year.   The Times reported that Rose Docherty was holding a sign that simply stated: “Coercion is a crime. Here to talk, only if you want.” In John 3:20, Jesus said, “For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” Puerto Rico recognizes pre-born baby as a person Puerto Rico will now recognize the human fetus as a natural person from conception. That's the substance of a new law which is intended to provide the unborn child with dignity, rights of inheritance, and legal recognition. Sadly, the country still allows abortion for reasons connected to the alleged “life and health of the mother.” Iran's skyrocketing inflation and war with U.S., Israel, & Europe External and internal pressures are increasing on nations worldwide. Iran has edged up into 53 percent year-on-year inflation. That's the fifth worst in the world.  The economy is exasperated by water and energy shortages. And the nation is dealing with rising numbers of protests and strikes. In a published interview late last week, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was in a "full-scale" war with the U.S., Israel and Europe. Russia's unrelenting attacks on Ukraine And Russia continues its war on Ukraine. Russia Today reported an additional 32 settlements in the Donbas area came under Russia control in December. United States sold $11 billion of arms to Taiwan Following the U.S. sale of $11 billion of arms to Taiwan, the Chinese armed forces have initiated an aggressive military exercise in the South China Sea.  It's the largest scale blockade and attack simulation ever conducted to date. The communist nation is conducting live-fire exercises extremely close to the shores of Taiwan.  The official People's Liberation Army news site announced that the drills include “task forces of bombers, amphibious assault ships, and anti-ship missiles.” But keep in mind Isaiah 40:15. The prophet wrote, “The nations are as a drop in a bucket and are counted as the small dust on the scales; [The Lord]  lifts up the isles as a very little thing. And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn nor its beasts sufficient for a burnt offering. All nations before Him are as nothing, and they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.” U.S. blocks Venezuela's oil exports Things are heating up in Venezuelan waters — as the U.S. military continues its blockade of the nation's oil exports.  Tankertruckers.com reports  about $1 billion of oil, or about 8-10 tankers, have been held up in the Caribbean by the current blockade.   The Venezuelan government relies on oil exports for about two-thirds of its financing. Venezuela is pushing 250 percent inflation, year-over-year. That qualifies as the absolutely worst conditions in the world. Private Texas schools applying for $10,000 government grants Now, in stateside news, private schools in Texas are signing up for state funding. At least 600 private schools have applied for grants under a new law, for the 2026-27 school year, according to Center Square.  The pilot program is offering $10,000 grants to 100,000 students in the Lone Star state. U.S. dollar less desirable Will the dollar retain supremacy in the world market? The U.S. dollar is less and less desirable by national banks around the world.  The percent of the world's foreign exchange reserve, held in U.S. assets, has dropped off from 72 percent to 57 percent since 1999.  Oklahoma college teacher fired for penalizing Biblical worldview The teacher at the University of Oklahoma who had given a Christian student a zero score on her paper for advocating a biblical view of gender has been fired.  The university issued a statement charging the teacher assistant, by the name of William Curth, with arbitrary grading. The student, Samantha Fulnecky, had appealed to the Bible in her essay, noting that, “God created men in the image of His courage and strength, and He created women in the image of His beauty. He intentionally created women differently than men.” Dad rescued daughter from kidnapper on Christmas And finally, a Texas dad rescued his daughter from a kidnapper on Christmas Day, reported WDBJ7.com.   The 15-year-old was walking her dog, when she was abducted at knife point. Her father traced her location by the phone — and found his daughter in the suspect's truck, rescued her, and called the authorities. Praise God she was not physically harmed.  What a courageous father! Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, December 30th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

China is the world's fastest growing military power and likes to keep the world guessing.Might it use that military power against Taiwan in 2026, or will this standoff remain the dog that doesn't bark?Will the crisis between Japan and China remain a diplomatic one, or could harsh words become hard action? And might tensions in the South China Sea boil over?Dr Zeno Leoni, author of “Grand Strategy and The Rise of China” and a lecturer at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, shares his thoughts on what lies ahead.

She ruled the South China Sea, terrified navies, and ran her pirate empire with ruthless efficiency – meet Zheng Yi Sao, the Pirate Queen of Admin.In this family friendly episode of Dead Funny History, historian Greg Jenner dives into the extraordinary life of Zheng Yi Sao, one of the most powerful pirates who ever lived. Born around 1775 in Guangdong, China, Shi Yang (as she was first known) rose from poverty to command a fleet of 70,000 pirates. Her journey began with a job on a boat where she sold secrets to powerful men, and took a dramatic turn when she married the notorious pirate Zheng Yi.After her husband's death in 1807 – either by cannon or storm – Zheng Yi Sao took command of the pirate confederation. She wasn't just a fearsome fighter; she was a master of organisation. She split her fleet into colour-coded squadrons, enforced strict rules (including ear removal for slackers), and offered perks like pensions and healthcare. Her pirates even had a retirement home.Greg reveals how Zheng Yi Sao's empire grew through clever business tactics. She sold protection certificates to merchants, hijacked salt shipments, and outnumbered the Qing navy three to one. Her pirates wielded massive 8-foot guns called jingals and swam into battle with machete-tipped poles. At one point, the city of Canton panicked just from a polite warning of attack.Despite efforts by the Chinese government – and help from the Portuguese and British navies – Zheng Yi Sao remained undefeated. Eventually, she retired in luxury after being paid off by the empire. She may have run an illegal gambling house in her later years, but she died rich and respected in 1844.With jokes, sound effects, and a quiz to test your memory, this episode is a swashbuckling, spreadsheet-wielding celebration of a pirate legend.Writers: Gabby Hutchinson Crouch, Athena Kugblenu and Dr Emma Nagouse Host: Greg Jenner Performers: Mali Ann Rees and Richard David-Caine Producer: Dr Emma Nagouse Associate Producer: Gabby Hutchinson Crouch Audio Producer: Emma Weatherill Script Consultant: Dr Ron Po Production Coordinator: Liz Tuohy Production Manager: Jo Kyle Sound Designer: Peregrine AndrewsA BBC Studios Production

This week we talk about NVIDIA, AI companies, and the US economy.We also discuss the US-China chip-gap, mixed-use technologies, and export bans.Recommended Book: Enshittification by Cory DoctorowTranscriptI've spoken about this a few times in recent months, but it's worth rehashing real quick because this collection of stories and entities are so central to what's happening across a lot of the global economy, and is also fundamental, in a very load-bearing way, to the US economy right now.As of November of 2025, around the same time that Nvidia, the maker of the world's best AI-optimized chips at the moment became the world's first company to achieve a $5 trillion market cap, the top seven highest-valued tech companies, including Nvidia, accounted for about 32% of the total value of the US stock market.That's an absolutely astonishing figure, as while Nvidia, Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Broadcom, and Meta all have a fairly diverse footprint even beyond their AI efforts, a lot of that value for all of them is predicated on expected future income; which is to say, their market caps, their value according to that measure, is determined not by their current assets and revenue, but by what investors think or hope they'll pull in and be worth in the future.That's important to note because historically the sorts of companies that have market caps that are many multiples of their current, more concrete values are startups; companies in their hatchling phase that have a good idea and some kind of big potential, a big moat around what they're offering or a blue ocean sub-industry with little competition in which they can flourish, and investment is thus expected to help them grow fast.These top seven tech companies, in contrast, are all very mature, have been around for a while and have a lot of infrastructure, employees, expenses, and all the other things we typically associated with mature businesses, not flashy startups with their best days hopefully ahead of them.Some analysts have posited that part of why these companies are pushing the AI thing so hard, and in particular pushing the idea that they're headed toward some kind of generally useful AI, or AGI, or superhuman AI that can do everyone's jobs better and cheaper than humans can do them, is that in doing so, they're imagining a world in which they, and they alone, because of the costs associated with building the data centers required to train and run the best-quality AI right now, are capable of producing basically an economy's-worth of AI systems and bots and machines operated by those AI systems.In other words, they're creating, from whole cloth, an imagined scenario in which they're not just worthy of startup-like valuations, worthy of market caps that are tens or hundreds of times their actual concrete value, because of those possible futures they're imagining in public, but they're the only companies worthy of those valuation multiples; the only companies that matter anymore.It's likely that even if this is the case, that the folks in charge of these companies, and the investors who have money in them who are likely to profit when the companies grow and grow, actually do believe what they're telling everyone about the possibilities inherent in building these sorts of systems.But there also seems to be a purely economic motive for exaggerating a lot and clearing out as much of the competition as possible as they grow bigger and bigger. Because maybe they'll actually make what they're saying they can make as a result of all that investment, that exuberance, but maybe, failing that, they'll just be the last companies standing after the bubble bursts and an economic wildfire clears out all the smaller companies that couldn't get the political relationships and sustaining cash they needed to survive the clear-out, if and when reality strikes and everyone realizes that sci-fi outcome isn't gonna happen, or isn't gonna happen any time soon.What I'd like to talk about today is a recent decision by the US government to allow Nvidia to sell some of its high-powered chips to China, and why that decision is being near-universally derided by those in the know.—In early December 2025, after a lot of back-and-forthing on the matter, President Trump announced that the US government will allow Nvidia, which is a US-based company, to export its H200 processors to China. He also said that the US government will collect a 25% fee on these sales.The H200 is Nvidia's second-best chip for AI purposes, and it's about six-times as powerful as the H20, which is currently the most advanced Nvidia chip that's been cleared for sale to China. The Blackwell chip that is currently Nvidia's most powerful AI offering is about 1.5-times faster than the H200 for training purposes, and five-times faster for AI inferencing, which is what they're used for after a model is trained, and then it's used for predictions, decisions, and so on.The logic of keeping the highest-end chips from would-be competitors, especially military competitors like China, isn't new—this is something the US and other governments have pretty much always done, and historically even higher-end gaming systems like Playstation consoles have been banned for export in some cases because the chips they contained could be repurposed for military things, like plucking them out and using them to guide missiles—Sony was initially unable to sell the Playstation 2 outside of Japan because it needed special permits to sell something so militarily capable outside the country, and it remained unsellable in countries like Iraq, Iran, and North Korea throughout its production period.The concern with these Nvidia chips is that if China has access to the most powerful AI processors, it might be able to close the estimated 2-year gap between US companies and Chinese companies when it comes to the sophistication of their AI models and the power of their relevant chips. Beyond being potentially useful for productivity and other economic purposes, this hardware and software is broadly expected to shape the next generation of military hardware, and is already in use for all sorts of wartime and defense purposes, including sophisticated drones used by both sides in Ukraine. If the US loses this advantage, the thinking goes, China might step up its aggression in the South China Sea, potentially even moving up plans to invade Taiwan.Thus, one approach, which has been in place since the Biden administration, has been to do everything possible to keep the best chips out of Chinese hands, because that would ostensibly slow them down, make them less capable of just splurging on the best hardware, which they could then use to further develop their local AI capabilities.This approach, however, also incentivized the Chinese government to double-down on their own homegrown chip industry. Which again is still generally thought to be about 2-years behind the US industry, but it does seem to be closing the gap rapidly, mostly by copying designs and approaches used by companies around the world.An alternative theory, the one that seems to be at least partly responsible for Trump's about-face on this, is that if the US allows the sale of sufficiently powerful chips to China, the Chinese tech industry will become reliant on goods provided by US companies, and thus its own homegrown AI sector will shrivel and never fully close that gap. If necessary the US can then truncate or shut down those shipments, crippling the Chinese tech industry at a vital moment, and that would give the US the upper-hand in many future negotiations and scenarios.Most analysts in this space no longer think this is a smart approach, because the Chinese government is wise to this tactic, using it itself all the time. And even in spaces where they have plenty of incoming resources from elsewhere, they still try to shore-up their own homegrown versions of the same, copying those international inputs rather than relying on them, so that someday they won't need them anymore.The same is generally thought to be true, here. Ever since the first Trump administration, when the US government started its trade war with China, the Chinese government has not been keen on ever relying on external governments and economies again, and it looks a lot more likely, based on what the Chinese government has said, and based on investments across the Chinese market on Chinese AI and chip companies following this announcement, that they'll basically just scoop up as many Nvidia chips as they can, while they can, and primarily for the purpose of reverse-engineering those chips, speeding up their gap-closing with US companies, and then, as soon as possible, severing that tie, competing with Nvidia rather than relying on it.This is an especially pressing matter right now, then, because the US economy, and basically all of its growth, is so completely reliant on AI tech and the chips that are allowing that tech to move forward.If this plan by the US government doesn't pan out and ends up being a short-term gain situation, a little bit of money earned from that 25% cut the government takes, and Ndvidia temporarily enriching itself further through Chinese sales, but in exchange both entities give up their advantage, long term, to Chinese AI companies and the Chinese government, that could be bad not just for AI companies around the world, which could be rapidly outcompeted by Chinese alternatives, but also all economies exposed to the US economy, which could be in for a long term correction, slump, or full-on depression.Show Noteshttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/us/politics/trump-nvidia-ai-chips-china.htmlhttps://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/12/us-taking-25-cut-of-nvidia-chip-sales-makes-no-sense-experts-say/https://www.pcmag.com/news/20-years-later-how-concerns-about-weaponized-consoles-almost-sunk-the-ps2https://archive.is/20251211090854/https://www.reuters.com/world/china/us-open-up-exports-nvidia-h200-chips-china-semafor-reports-2025-12-08/https://theconversation.com/with-nvidias-second-best-ai-chips-headed-for-china-the-us-shifts-priorities-from-security-to-trade-271831https://www.economist.com/business/2025/12/09/donald-trumps-flawed-plan-to-get-china-hooked-on-nvidia-chipshttps://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3335900/chinas-moore-threads-unveil-ai-chip-road-map-rival-nvidias-cuda-systemhttps://www.investopedia.com/nvidia-just-became-the-first-usd5-trillion-company-monitor-these-crucial-stock-price-levels-11839114https://aventis-advisors.com/ai-valuation-multiples/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the China Global South Podcast, Eric Olander and Cobus van Staden unpack a major question facing middle powers everywhere: What happens when the global security architecture you relied on for decades no longer exists? Fresh from meetings at Australian National University and the Australasian Aid Conference, Eric shares conversations with scholars, diplomats, and policymakers in Canberra who are wrestling with a new geopolitical reality. Topics include: Eric and Cobus also break down China's push to promote its Global Security Initiative at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, the limitations of the UN system, and why both Western and Chinese security narratives fail to address Africa's real on-the-ground security challenges.

In Ep. 116, Senator Todd Young of Indiana sits down with co-hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso to discuss why what happens in the South China Sea, around Taiwan, and across the first island chain directly shapes America's prosperity and national security. Senator Young, a former Marine Corps intelligence officer and one of the Senate's leading voices on Indo-Pacific security, explains that he's championing the Ships for America Act and the HARPOON Act because he believes the U.S. cannot afford to turn inward in an era of intensifying competition with China.​Drawing on his experience from a recent visit to the Philippines, Senator Young describes a population that feels “under siege” as China's coast guard and maritime militia harass commercial and fishing vessels, challenge Manila's sovereign rights, and test U.S. treaty commitments in one of the world's most dangerous sea lanes. He explains how the northern Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, and the broader first island chain form a critical maritime corridor for global trade - and how Beijing's push to control these waters could give it leverage over shipping, energy flows, and supply chains that Americans rely on every day.​Young walks through two signature legislative initiatives: the HARPOON Act, which equips the U.S. and its partners to push back against China's illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and broader resource predation, and the Ships for America Act, which aims to revive U.S. commercial shipbuilding capacity from just a handful of ocean-going vessels per year to a resilient fleet able to support both peacetime commerce and wartime logistics. He highlights how allies such as South Korea and Japan can bring capital, technology, and best practices to U.S. shipyards while expanded training pipelines build the welders, skilled trades, and merchant mariners needed to crew and maintain a larger fleet.​The conversation also explores why the U.S. Coast Guard may be one of Washington's most powerful but underutilized tools in countering China's “gray-zone” activities, from illegal fishing to coercive law-enforcement-style operations far from China's own shores. By combining Coast Guard authorities with new legislation and deeper capacity-building for regional partners, Young argues the U.S. can deter escalation, protect vital ocean resources, and help Indo-Pacific nations enforce their own laws in their own waters.​

NEWS: Chinese forces fire flares at Philippine plane in South China Sea | Dec. 8, 2025Subscribe to The Manila Times Channel - https://tmt.ph/YTSubscribe Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.net Follow us: Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebook Instagram - https://tmt.ph/instagram Twitter - https://tmt.ph/twitter DailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotion Subscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digital Check out our Podcasts: Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotify Apple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcasts Amazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusic Deezer: https://tmt.ph/deezer Stitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein#TheManilaTimes#KeepUpWithTheTimes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this critical national security briefing, Dr. Jerome Corsi is joined by Lt. Col. (Ret.) Tony Shaffer, former U.S. Army intelligence officer, Newsmax contributor, and national security expert, to expose why a deep-water port in Chile has become a major strategic flashpoint in the escalating U.S.–China global power struggle.China is moving aggressively to secure control over a strategically placed Pacific port in South America, cutting shipping time to Asia by over two weeks and giving Beijing direct access to rare earth minerals, lithium, agriculture, and energy resources. Dr. Corsi and Tony Shaffer warn this move is not commercial — it is geopolitical warfare disguised as trade. 

She commanded up to 80,000 pirates and 1,800 ships — more warships than most countries had in 1809. She crushed the Chinese, Portuguese, and British navies… then retired undefeated, filthy rich, and opened her own casino. Meet Zheng Yi Sao (also known as Ching Shih) — history's most successful and most feared pirate of all time. From a floating brothel in Canton to the undisputed empress of the South China Sea, this is the insane true story of how one woman turned tragedy into the largest pirate confederation the world has ever seen — the legendary Red Flag Fleet. In this episode you'll discover: • How she went from sex worker to pirate queen in under two years • The brutal (but genius) pirate code she enforced • The naval battles that humiliated three empires • How she negotiated the greatest surrender deal in pirate history • What happened to her massive fortune and why you've probably never heard her name If you think Blackbeard or Jack Sparrow were badass… wait until you meet the real Pirate Queen.  

In this episode, we engage with Congressman Keith Self from Texas, who shares his insights on pressing national issues, including election integrity, immigration, and the national debt crisis. As we approach the upcoming elections, Congressman Self emphasizes the importance of the SAVE Act, which aims to ensure that only U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections. He also discusses the implications of the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan and its impact on national security. Later, we tackle the controversial military actions in Venezuela and the implications of recent statements made by Senator Mark Kelly regarding potential war crimes. Retired Colonel Rob Maness joins us to discuss the accusations against military leadership, the political motivations behind them, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy, particularly regarding China and the South China Sea. Finally, we welcome back former CIA senior operations officer Rick De la Torre as he sheds light on the intricate ties between Cuba and Venezuela. Discover how Cuba has manipulated Venezuela to destabilize the region and the implications of recent U.S. designations of Venezuelan groups as foreign terrorist organizations. Rick shares insights on the potential for U.S. military action and the current state of the Venezuelan military and populace. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 Disappearance | Paranormal Podcast In this episode, we dive deep into one of aviation's most perplexing mysteries: the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. On March 8, 2014, the Boeing 777 vanished from radar just 40 minutes after takeoff with 239 people on board, scheduled to fly from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing. We walk through the timeline of that fateful night—from the captain's routine "good night" at 1:00 AM to the plane disappearing completely at 1:20 AM—and explore the frantic scramble that followed as Malaysian officials, search teams, and grieving families desperately sought answers. What makes this case so compelling is the mountain of conflicting evidence: military radar detected an unidentified object crossing Malaysian airspace in a bizarre zigzag pattern, satellite systems pinged the aircraft for six hours after it vanished, and family members reported that calls to passengers' phones rang instead of going straight to voicemail. We examine multiple theories that have emerged over the past decade, each with its own compelling evidence and glaring holes. From the discovery of a suspicious flight simulator in the pilot's home that matched the plane's alleged route, to debris found on beaches thousands of miles away, to claims of Russian hijackers and American military involvement—nothing adds up cleanly. We discuss the work of independent investigators, including a group of engineers who theorized how someone could deliberately make a jetliner disappear, and "Cindy" from the Tomnodders who claims to have found wreckage in the South China Sea that was largely ignored.

She commanded up to 80,000 pirates and 1,800 ships — more warships than most countries had in 1809. She crushed the Chinese, Portuguese, and British navies… then retired undefeated, filthy rich, and opened her own casino. Meet Zheng Yi Sao (also known as Ching Shih) — history's most successful and most feared pirate of all time. From a floating brothel in Canton to the undisputed empress of the South China Sea, this is the insane true story of how one woman turned tragedy into the largest pirate confederation the world has ever seen — the legendary Red Flag Fleet. In this episode you'll discover: • How she went from sex worker to pirate queen in under two years • The brutal (but genius) pirate code she enforced • The naval battles that humiliated three empires • How she negotiated the greatest surrender deal in pirate history • What happened to her massive fortune and why you've probably never heard her name If you think Blackbeard or Jack Sparrow were badass… wait until you meet the real Pirate Queen.

PREVIEW — Rick Fischer — Chinese Strategy to Break Out of the South China Sea and Defense Preparations in the Okinawa Chain. Fischer details potential Chinese operational plans for a breakout past Japan, which could involve deploying concealed tactical nuclear weapons to rapidly impose a blockade of regional shipping lanes. Japan and the U.S. are rapidly fortifying Yonaguni Island, located approximately 70 miles from Taiwan, into a forward air base. Both nations are conducting exercises establishing expeditionary refueling bases for F-35B fighters and plan to deploy THAAD missile systems to counter Chinese H-6 bombers. 1966

The U.S. Navy is scrambling to retrieve two aircraft that fell into the South China Sea without explanation in October—and they're trying to find them before the Chinese do.On the flip side, the decision on whether or not to sell Nvidia's AI chips to China now sits on President Donald Trump's desk. Until that's settled, some people are allegedly getting creative with AI chip “exports.” Four men were recently arrested by the feds and accused of selling AI chips directly to China and making off with $4 million in the process. Let's go through it all together.

Titanic Tuesday!!!!!! Chris and Bruce Ash have a busy, busy show for you! Washington Examiner Reporter Mike Brest, followed by Goldwater Institute's Jon Riches, followed by author Robert Wells talking about his book the Treasures of the South China Sea, followed by Babes with Bullets founder Deb Ferns. Whew! Only on the Live the Dream Media Network!

In July of 2022, two scientists descended to the Challenger Deep—the deepest spot in the oceans. The first thing they saw on the bottom wasn't a new species of life or some other exotic wonder. It was a glass beer bottle—sitting seven miles deep. Litter isn't limited to the giant “garbage patches” on the ocean surface. It's found on the bottom as well—even in the deepest of all locations. It's been seen on the floors of all the oceans and seas, including the Arctic and Southern oceans. A recent study, for example, used video cameras to survey a portion of the Calypso Deep—a three-mile-deep spot in the Mediterranean Sea, near Greece. The cameras recorded about 150 items of trash: paper bags and cartons, glass bottles and jars, and lots and lots of plastic—bags, crates, bottles, fishing gear, and more. Based on that sample, researchers calculated the region should average about 70 thousand pieces of trash per square mile. The spots with the highest estimated density of trash yet recorded are a couple of mile-deep canyons in the South China Sea: 135 thousand pieces per square mile. Trash washes out to sea from rivers, is lost from ships, or is deliberately dumped. And it's a menace to any organisms on the sea floor. It can entangle them, or strangle or poison them if they try to eat it. And with an estimated seven million tons of trash added to the oceans every year, the problem will only get worse in the years ahead. The post Deep Trash appeared first on Marine Science Institute. The University of Texas at Austin..

Jay is joined by geopolitical analyst and forecaster George Friedman to unpack what President Trump really represents in the long arc of American history. We revisit George's “vanilla president” thesis and why, personality aside, Trump's project to dismantle the post-1945 world order was predictable and perhaps inevitable. We dig into the shift from global policeman back toward U.S. isolationism, the real story behind Venezuela and the U.S. military build-up in the Caribbean, and why a renewed Russia–Cuba pact makes the Florida Straits one of the most important choke points on Earth. George's Links: https://geopoliticalfutures.com/ https://x.com/George_Friedman Learn to invest alongside the top minds in commodities. Join The Commodity University today. CLICK: https://linkly.link/26yH8 Sign up for my free weekly newsletter at https://2ly.link/211gx Be part of our online investment community: https://cambridgehouse.com https://twitter.com/JayMartinBC https://www.instagram.com/jaymartinbc https://www.facebook.com/TheJayMartinShow https://www.linkedin.com/company/cambridge-house-international 00:00 – Intro 01:06 – Trump's predictable project: dismantling the post-1945 order 04:21 – Hippie president? Peace, retrenchment & hot spots from Ukraine to Venezuela 11:50 – Isolationism vs global policeman: returning to America's old norm 17:16 – How far should US intervention go – and when does it stop? 18:50 – Why 800 US bases when the Soviet threat is gone? 21:21 – Venezuela as a smokescreen: what's really happening in the Caribbean? 22:01 – Cuba–Russia pact, Florida Straits & the Gulf trade choke point 26:32 – Monroe Doctrine 2.0, cartels & Russian meddling in Latin America 29:41 – Economic stakes of the Gulf of Mexico & Mississippi River 31:05 – Plausible deniability: why Washington leads with the drug war narrative 34:12 – Putin's failed Ukraine gamble & giving him an off-ramp 48:06 – Why wars are sold on misleading narratives 53:28 – South China Sea, island chains & China's geography problem 55:31 – China's economic fragility, internal unrest & dependence on US markets 1:00:12 – The 40-year export superpower cycle: US, Japan, China 1:06:07 – Why China can't invade Taiwan or break the island chain 1:07:29 – Rare earths, supply chains & how vulnerable is the US really? 1:14:07 – Did globalization blindside Washington and Wall Street? 1:17:28 – Term limits, FDR precedent & Trump running again 1:20:11 – Administrative state vs elected power: the constitutional paradox 1:24:02 – Roman Republic parallels Copyright © 2025 Cambridge House International Inc. All rights reserved.

In this insightful podcast episode, senior U.S. defense analyst Andrew Jensen joins hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso to break down cognitive warfare—the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) key tactic for shaping perceptions, decisions, and narratives to achieve strategic goals without traditional military conflict. Leveraging his deep knowledge of Sino-Russian relations and information operations, Jensen explores how cognitive warfare targets human thought processes before, during, and after battles. Discover why the CCP invests heavily in these methods, drawing from its revolutionary history, and how they play out in the Indo-Pacific region, including the South China Sea, Taiwan, and beyond.Jensen defines cognitive warfare as the strategic manipulation of how individuals, adversaries, and societies think and perceive reality. Unlike the cyber domain's focus on "down code" (technical infrastructure), cognitive warfare operates on the "up-code" of human cognition to preempt and control battlefields. The CCP deploys this through its "Three Warfares" doctrine: public opinion warfare (crafting narratives), psychological warfare (influencing morale and self-perception), and legal warfare (exploiting international rules for advantage). These tactics blur together, with roots in early CCP strategies to dominate discourse and erode opposition.In South China Sea disputes, narrative warfare pushes CCP sovereignty claims like the nine-dash line to overshadow competing views, while psychological warfare boosts national pride through initiatives like tourist cruises to disputed islands. Legal warfare selectively ignores rulings, such as the 2016 arbitral decision, and enforces unilateral zones to confuse global norms and intimidate neighbors like the Philippines and Vietnam. Examples include one-sided environmental declarations in contested waters, which validate claims for Chinese audiences and heighten regional tensions.Beijing masterfully targets societal fissures in open societies, amplifying issues like U.S. military bases in Okinawa or political divides in the Philippines and Taiwan via social media bots and fake accounts to create doubt without direct attribution. In Taiwan, after the overt backing of the pro-unification Kuomintang backfired and strengthened the independence-focused Democratic Progressive Party, the CCP pivoted to covert co-optation of figures like retired officers. In Southeast Asia, these efforts aim to erode U.S. and Quad influence, positioning China as the region's natural leader while aligning with domestic nationalist narratives.Jensen recommends countering by injecting diverse perspectives into China through private media, culture, and soft power—outshining overt tools like Voice of America. For the U.S. and allies, building information resilience, avoiding adversarial mirror imaging, and cultivating critical thinking are essential to dismantle CCP narrative dominance.

PREVIEW. The Philippines' $7.2 Billion "Porcupine" Defense Against China. John Batchelor and Captain James Fanell discuss the Philippines' $7.2 billion Reorizon 3 military modernization plan to become a "porcupine." They are acquiring anti-ship missiles and air defense systems to focus their defense strategy on the South China Sea, or West Philippine Sea, against Chinese bullying. 1921 MANILA

President Trump and President Xi,  the two most powerful men in the world, met last week in Korea to try to, basically, calm things down.  China had just flexed its muscles, threatening to limit the export of key inputs like rare earth magnets and other critical minerals without which auto assembly plants in America could, within weeks, come to a standstill. America could inflict its own damage, by widening the net of sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals. Looking at the images on the TV screen, I began to wonder: In what areas are America and China still in agreement? Taiwan? No. South China Sea? No. Russia? No. Chips? No. Trade. A big no. That got me thinking about what lies ahead. To bring clarity and wisdom, I welcome Jorge Guajardo, former ambassador of Mexico to China to the show to ask him some fundamental questions: Since the US and China seem to have different values, different priorities and different regulations, can they ever see eye to eye? Who is decoupling more quickly, the United States or China. And how will Mexico play its cards as it finds itself squeezed between China and the United States with the car industry, investments and jobs looming large.

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Henrietta Levin and Gregory Poling unpack the outcomes of the ASEAN Summit and the Trump–Xi meeting on the sidelines of APEC. They examine how Washington and Beijing are prioritizing economic stability over strategic confrontation, why topics like Taiwan and the South China Sea were not discussed, and how ASEAN is seeking balance through new trade and digital initiatives. The discussion concludes with what to watch next, particularly with China's trade implementation and rising tensions in the South China Sea. Henrietta Levin is a senior fellow with the Freeman Chair in China Studies at CSIS in Washington, D.C. She previously held senior roles at the U.S. Department of State and the White House, spearheading U.S. strategy and diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific. Greg Poling is the director of the Southeast Asia Program and the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at CSIS, focusing on maritime security and regional diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific.

One of the most time-tested principles in international affairs is the prescription “If you want peace, prepare for war.”  Since he became Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth has been clear about the most serious threat against which we must prepare – namely, that posed by the Chinese Communist Party.  The long-awaited National Defense Strategy reportedly will emphasize that reality. Secretary Hegseth told senior military leaders recently there would be “no rear areas” in the next war –presumably, because of the large numbers of Chinese soldiers here.  And on Saturday, Secretary Hegseth warned Asian nations of the imperative of improving “threat awareness” and maritime capabilities in the face of China's increasingly “destabilizing” and “coercive” actions in the South China Sea.   If you want “everlasting peace” with China, prepare for war – and help bring down the greatest threat we've ever faced: the Chinese Communist Party. This is Frank Gaffney.

After a visit to Asia that included a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Trump returned to the White House on Thursday, dismissing proposals to impose a 100% tariff. Michael Allen, Former National Security Council Senior Director and managing director of Beacon Global Strategies, joins to discuss how the meeting between President Trump and President Xi helped de-escalate trade tensions, China's continued aggression in the South China Sea and the need to maintain a U.S. presence, and President Trump's announcement directing the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing. Later, retired U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela James B. Story joins to discuss the state of Venezuela's regime, the secrecy of U.S. military activity in the region, and the Maduro government's ties to China, Russia, drug cartels, and terrorist organizations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, China scholar David C. Kang joins Ray Powell and Jim Carouso to discuss his recent Foreign Affairs article, “What China Doesn't Want”, which argues that Beijing's geostrategic ambitions are much more limited than Washington's foreign policy establishment believes. Kang challenges the prevailing consensus that China seeks regional hegemony and global primacy, arguing instead that China's aims are narrower, more domestic, and more status quo than commonly assumed.​A contrarian perspective on China's intentions: Kang and his co-authors analyzed approximately 12,000 Chinese articles and hundreds of Xi Jinping speeches, concluding that systematic analysis reveals China's priorities are internal stability and Taiwan, not global domination or territorial conquest of neighboring states.​The debate over regional threat perceptions: While Kang argues that countries like Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan view China more pragmatically than Washington does, the hosts push back with examples of regional maritime tensions, arguing that frontline states see China as a more serious threat than Kang credits.​Taiwan as the central flashpoint: All three agree China prefers a "boa constrictor" strategy of gradual pressure over military invasion, but disagree on how to interpret low-probability war risks and whether recent U.S.-Taiwan moves constitute status quo changes.​Gray-zone success and maritime expansion: Powell argues China is the 21st century's most successful maritime expansionist power, achieving objectives through gray-zone and political warfare in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and Yellow Sea without conventional war.​The South China Sea disputes: The conversation explores China's aggressive island-building and exclusion zones around Scarborough Shoal, with Kang acknowledging these as serious issues but distinguishing them from existential threats that would trigger regional wars.​Regional balancing vs. living with China: Kang contends Southeast Asian nations focus on "how to live with China" rather than preparing for war or joining containment coalitions, while the hosts draw on their experiences in diplomatic posts to argue that these countries privately seek American presence as a critical counterbalance.​Methodology matters: Kang defends his systematic analysis of Chinese rhetoric against accusations of cherry-picking, arguing that scholars must distinguish between propaganda, sincere statements, and observed behavior—and that critics often cherry-pick quotes themselves.​War probabilities and deterrence: Even if China's intention to fight over Taiwan is low, the hosts emphasize that even 10-20% odds of catastrophic war demand serious deterrence planning and military readiness.​

Tuesday, October 28th, 2025Today, an inside look at the mass blocking of Trump government accounts on Bluesky; State Department intel dissented over Putin's alleged peace deal with Ukraine; the CNN CEO ordered staff to scale back reporting on the White House demolition; anchor and correspondent John Dickerson is leaving CBS News; Judge Xinis held an emergency hearing in the Kilmar Abrego case; a Navy fighter jet and a helicopter crash in separate incidents in the South China Sea; flight delays persist as air traffic controllers face work without pay; videos raise questions about whether feds violated a court order in Chicago (hint, yes they did); and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Thank You, HomeChefFor a limited time, get  50% off and free shipping for your first box PLUS free dessert for life!  HomeChef.com/DAILYBEANS.  Must be an active subscriber to receive free dessert.Thank You, ONE SKIN Get 15% off OneSkin with the code DAILYBEANS at  https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpodGuest: Cliff CashREMOVAL COALITIONRemove the Regime - November 22 · FLARE USAClifton Freeman Cash (@cliffcashcomedy) - Instagramtiktok.com/@cliffcashcomedy@cliffcashcomedy - BlueSkyFoxTakedown, Epstein's Best FriendCliff Cash Comedy - For Tour Dates and Tickets $130M Pentagon Donor Has Ties to Jeffrey Epstein | Allison Gill | Meidas TouchThe Martin Sheen Podcast - MSW MediaStoriesCNN boss told staff to scale back White House demolition coverage: Report | The HillJohn Dickerson, Anchor and Correspondent, Will Leave CBS News | The New York TimesFlight delays persist Monday as air traffic controllers face work without pay | CBS NewsF/A-18, Sea Hawk helicopter crash in South China Sea in separate incidents | CBS NewsState Department Intelligence Agency Dissented Over Putin's Appetite for Peace | WSJInside the Trump Administration's Bluesky Invasion | WIREDGood TroubleGood Trouble today comes from Jess Craven's Chop Wood, Carry Water Substack. Call Your Senators and Your House Reps - Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.I'm calling to express my alarm that millions of low-income families who rely on SNAP and WIC are at risk of hunger because Republicans refuse to use the contingency funds they have to pay for SNAP. Also millions of Americans may not be able to afford their health insurance policies soon if Congress doesn't agree to a permanent extension of the ACA tax credits. We're running out of time. Republicans need to come back to DC and work with Democrats to pass a bill now to ensure that hungry Americans don't lose their nutritional assistance and working Americans don't lose their healthcare. Thanks.Be sure to check Jess out there and as the co-host of MSW Media's The Practivist Pod where you can get your weekly dose of practical activismChop Wood Carry Water - Call Your Senators and House RepsContacting U.S. SenatorsFind Your Representative | house.gov➡️ Sign up to phone bank in Virginia.**California! YOU have your prop 50 ballots. Fill them out and return them ASAP.**Yes On Prop 50 | CA Special Election Phone Banks - mobilize.us, Sign up to call voters in California**October 20 Deadline -Petition of America First Legal Foundation for Rulemaking**Vote Yes 836 - Oklahoma**How to Organize a Bearing Witness Standout**Fire Kilmeade - foxfeedback@foxnews.com, Requests - Fox News**Indiana teacher snitch portal - Eyes on Education**Find Your Representative | house.gov, Contacting U.S. SenatorsFrom The Good NewsFor Good News Black Cat Email contact: NJ.Black.Cat.2025@gmail.comEducation  Law CenterOur Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - Donate, MSW Media, Blue Wave CA Victory Fund | ActBlue, WhistleblowerAid.org/beansFederal workers - email AG at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. 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Find Upcoming Actions 50501 Movement, No Kings.org, Indivisible.orgDr. Allison Gill - Substack, BlueSky , TikTok, IG, TwitterDana Goldberg - BlueSky, Twitter, IG, facebook, danagoldberg.comCheck out more from MSW Media - Shows - MSW Media, Cleanup On Aisle 45 pod, The Breakdown | SubstackShare your Good News or Good TroubleMSW Good News and Good TroubleHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/ Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?The Daily Beans | SupercastThe Daily Beans & Mueller, She Wrote | PatreonThe Daily Beans | Apple Podcasts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: President Trump issues a stark warning to Vladimir Putin after Russia boasts about testing its new so-called “invincible” nuclear missile. Israel accuses UN peacekeepers of shooting down one of its drones over southern Lebanon, as tensions along the border continue to rise. Plus, President Trump wraps up his trip to the Far East, finalizing trade deals with key Southeast Asian nations aimed at countering China's influence. And in today's Back of the Brief—two Navy aircraft from the USS Nimitz crash within 30 minutes in the South China Sea. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com.Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Debt Relief Advocates: Learn what debt reduction you may qualify for. Go online and visit https://DRA.comBirch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on goldAmerican Financing: Call American Financing today to find out how customers are saving an avg of $800/mo. NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org . APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.196% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1881 for details about credit costs and terms. Visit http://www.AmericanFinancing.net/PDB . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buckle up, patriots—today's show is a full-throttle takedown of the globalist swamp and a victory lap for America's unbreakable spirit! We're kicking off with Border Czar Tom Homan dropping RECORD deportation bombshells—millions shipped out as we speak, no mercy for the invaders turning our streets into war zones. Then, we're exposing the unhinged leftist meltdown: a Denver classroom whiteboard screaming "NO ONE IS ILLEGAL ON STOLEN LAND—F*CK ICE & TRUMP!" while teachers brainwash kids with anti-American poison. President Trump? He's jet-setting Asia like a boss, inking the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords to end the Cambodia-Thailand bloodbath, sealing massive trade deals that crush China's chokehold, and prepping for a Thursday showdown with Xi Jinping. Malaysia's PM is singing Trump's praises louder than a rock concert—peace through strength, baby! Pull the funding from these woke indoctrination mills, DOJ—let's make America safe again!Indo-Pacific legend Capt. James E. Fanell (Ret.), ex-Director of Intelligence for the U.S. Pacific Fleet and co-author of Embracing Communist China, storms the show to decode Trump's Asia blitz. How do these mineral-grabbing, tariff-slaying pacts with Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand box in Beijing's supply chain empire right before Xi's forced to the table? Will the U.S.-Japan mega-deal under new PM Sanae Takaichi shield Tokyo from ChiCom coercion, or spark South China Sea fireworks? Fanell's spilling ONI intel on TikTok as a Trojan horse, Japan's mass deportation dreams amid their baby bust, and the ticking clock to Asian Armageddon—does Xi crave war or the slow bleed? This is must-hear strategy from the guy who's tracked Red China's rise since 2005—get ready to arm yourself with truth!We're ripping the veil off the shadowy "Jewish Infiltration" gripping America—from dual-citizen CDC overlords during COVID chaos to the porn empire's Zionist puppeteers like Bernd Bergmair (Pornhub's secret Jew kingpin) and Solomon Friedman (rabbi-turned-pedo-defender now "ethically" owning the site). These hookup apps and trafficking-tied filth are engineered societal nukes—shattering families, fueling fatherless kids, and pumping child abuse chats straight to your screen. Tim Tebow's Capitol Hill horror stories will chill your blood, and we're demanding states crush it with age verification—Pornhub's already bailing from Arizona!

//The Wire//2300Z October 27, 2025////ROUTINE////BLUF: FUGITIVE SEARCH ENDS IN U.K. AS MISTAKENLY RELEASED DEPORTATION CANDIDATE RECAPTURED. US NAVY LOSES TWO AIRCRAFT IN SOUTH CHINA SEA. VENEZUELA CONTINUES WARTIME PREPARATIONS.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-South America: Venezuelan forces continue to make plans for an American invasion by hardening infrastructure and deploying defenses as best they can. Over the weekend many Venezuelan citizens have posted their military's movements on social media, at least one of which included the location of a Venezuelan SA-17 GRIZZLY Surface-to-Air Missile Battalion.Analyst Comment: TikTok and social media in general are the death of OPSEC in any nation, and Venezuela is no exception. Even the Venezuelan military has no real concept of digital security, and even pointing out these OPSEC violations to them directly doesn't really seem to matter much.Otherwise, American presence patrols continue as before. Some Venezuelans were able to observe what they described as American vessels on the horizon, confirming the US Navy and US Marine Corps continue to conduct operations quite literally just outside Venezuela's territorial waters.Far East: Over the weekend two US Navy aircraft were lost at sea due to two separate aviation mishaps. One MH-60R Sea Hawk from the USS *Nimitz* was lost at sea while conducting routine operations in the South China Sea. All three crew members survived the crash, and were recovered from the water. About an hour later, one F/A-18F Super Hornet (also assigned to the *Nimitz*) also went down, with both crew members ejecting and being recovered from the water safely.Analyst Comment: Despite the seeming rarity of two downed aircraft occurring at nearly the same time, these things do indeed happen occasionally. Two aircraft going down due to mishaps within an hour of each other is not exactly a frequent occurrence, but it does happen, especially since the US Navy continues an extremely intense tempto of operations. An investigation will be conducted, to be certain, but at the moment these disasters point to the nature of these types of operations...it's a risky business. As such, it is a sheer miracle that all of those involved survived these incidents, and several investigations are likely to be carried out to determine the causation of these mishaps. Until more information is known, there's no telling what led to the loss of either aircraft.United Kingdom: Hadush Kebatu was recaptured after a day-long manhunt yesterday. He was able to evade capture for two days, despite not even trying to evade detection. Authorities claim that they are still investigating what allegedly went wrong in order for him to be released by mistake in the first place, but so far no details on this have been released to the public.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: So far, the development of the Kebatu case has been host to many concerning details which have inflamed tensions higher than they already are. For instance, he initially tried to return to the detention facility after his release, and remained in the vicinity of the facility for several hours. Eventually detention facility staff escorted him to the train station, and helped him escape. He was given a prepaid card with money, and generally spent the day walking around London on a light shopping spree, in one of the most heavily surveilled cities on Earth. Every few hours the Met released a new video of him milling around, but somehow managed to evade capture for the entire day, completely unaware that a nationwide manhunt was underway for him. In the end, it wasn't even the police that apprehended him...a local citizen spotted him in a public park which resulted in his recapture.Analyst: S2A1Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground//END REPORT//

SUBSCRIBE TO JORDAN'S FREE NEWSLETTER. Get the facts, without the spin. UNBIASED offers a clear, impartial recap of US news, including politics, elections, legal news, and more. Hosted by lawyer Jordan Berman, each episode provides a recap of current political events plus breakdowns of complex concepts—like constitutional rights, recent Supreme Court rulings, and new legislation—in an easy-to-understand way. No personal opinions, just the facts you need to stay informed on the daily news that matters. If you miss how journalism used to be, you're in the right place. In today's episode: Shutdown Fairness Act Fails in Senate But So Do Two Other Measures That Would Pay Federal Employees (0:12) Anonymous Donor Behind $130M Military Donation Revealed; Can the DoD Accept Such a Large Donation? (6:52) SNAP Funding to Expire November 1; Here's What You Need to Know (15:33) Will Trump Seek a Third Term? Here's What He Says and What the Constitution Says (27:58) Democrats on House Committees Investigate Trump's $230M Claim Against DOJ (32:04) Quick Hitters: Trump Undergoes MRI Scan, Republicans Urge Leaders to Consider ACA Credit Extension, Two U.S. Navy Aircraft Go Down in South China Sea, New Poll Shows Tightening Gap in NYC Mayoral Race, Judge to Issue Ruling on Tyler Robinson's Court Attire (36:45) Critical Thinking Segment (39:36) SUBSCRIBE TO JORDAN'S FREE NEWSLETTER. Watch this episode on YouTube. Follow Jordan on Instagram and TikTok. All sources for this episode can be found here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The US and China have agreed the outline for a trade agreement after weeks of tensions. A British commentator has been detained by ICE during his speaking tour of the US. Jamaica is preparing for what could be a devastating Category 5 hurricane. Two US navy planes crashed in the South China Sea yesterday. Plus, we have an update on the Louvre museum theft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Plus: Argentina's President Javier Milei scores a decisive political victory in the country's midterm elections. And, two U.S. Navy aircrafts from the same aircraft carrier crash into the South China Sea. Caitlin McCabe hosts.  Sign up for WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Donald Trump was greeted by Japan's Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace in the heart of Tokyo on Monday, as part of the president's Asia trip aimed at securing trade deals, investment, and increased defense spending. Trump will meet with Japan's new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, on Tuesday.A U.S. Navy MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet went down in the South China Sea in two separate incidents on Sunday. All five personnel involved in the two incidents—three onboard the helicopter and two onboard the fighter jet—were recovered safely. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said the crashes could have been caused by “bad fuel.” He ruled out foul play and said there was nothing to hide.

All crew members safe after separate naval aircraft crashes in South China Sea, Boy killed in hit-and-run crash in Chollas Creek, San Diego City Council to discuss water rate hike this week

HEADLINE: China's Aggressive Ramming Policy in the South China Sea GUEST NAMES: Captain James Fanell, Gordon Chang SUMMARY: The purposeful ramming of a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries vessel by a massive Chinese Coast Guard cutter is part of a consistent CCP strategy to claim total control over the South China Sea. Experts warn that this aggressive pattern will continue unless the US takes stronger action, such as having Navy and Coast Guard vessels escort Filipino ships, bolstering support for its treaty ally. 1958

HEADLINE: China's Aggressive Ramming Policy in the South China Sea GUEST NAMES: Captain James Fanell, Gordon Chang SUMMARY: The purposeful ramming of a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries vessel by a massive Chinese Coast Guard cutter is part of a consistent CCP strategy to claim total control over the South China Sea. Experts warn that this aggressive pattern will continue unless the US takes stronger action, such as having Navy and Coast Guard vessels escort Filipino ships, bolstering support for its treaty ally. 1941

CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE DISARMING OF HAMAS... 10-13-25 FIRST HOUR 9-915 HEADLINE: Escalating Border Conflict Between Pakistan and Afghanistan GUEST NAMES: Bill Roggio, Husain Haqqani SUMMARY: A major border conflict has erupted between Pakistan and Afghanistan, resulting in significant casualties and air strikes. The tension is rooted in the Afghan Taliban supporting the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and historical issues over the Durand Line. Pakistan views the Afghan Taliban as ungrateful clients, threatening Pakistan's stability. 915-930 HEADLINE: Escalating Border Conflict Between Pakistan and Afghanistan GUEST NAMES: Bill Roggio, Husain Haqqani SUMMARY: A major border conflict has erupted between Pakistan and Afghanistan, resulting in significant casualties and air strikes. The tension is rooted in the Afghan Taliban supporting the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and historical issues over the Durand Line. Pakistan views the Afghan Taliban as ungrateful clients, threatening Pakistan's stability. 930-945 HEADLINE: Iran's Isolation and Weakening "Axis of Resistance" Post-Gaza Ceasefire GUEST NAMES: Janatyn Sayeh, Bill Roggio SUMMARY: Tehran is in a tough spot concerning the Gaza ceasefire because stability does not work in its favor, contradicting its strategy of regional destabilization. Iran skipped the Cairo peace summit, demonstrating its isolated diplomatic position. Experts note that the Iranian-led "axis of resistance" (including Hezbollah and Iraqi PMF factions) is severely weakened due to sanctions and cash flow reductions. 945-1000 HEADLINE: Iran's Isolation and Weakening "Axis of Resistance" Post-Gaza Ceasefire GUEST NAMES: Janatyn Sayeh, Bill Roggio SUMMARY: Tehran is in a tough spot concerning the Gaza ceasefire because stability does not work in its favor, contradicting its strategy of regional destabilization. Iran skipped the Cairo peace summit, demonstrating its isolated diplomatic position. Experts note that the Iranian-led "axis of resistance" (including Hezbollah and Iraqi PMF factions) is severely weakened due to sanctions and cash flow reductions. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 HEADLINE: US Intelligence, Tomahawks, and Escalation in the Ukraine War GUEST NAMES: John Hardie, Bill Roggio SUMMARY: The US is considering providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles, potentially facilitating strikes on Russian energy nodes using US intelligence. While Russia warns of escalation, experts believe their response will likely be strengthening air defense rather than direct conflict with NATO. Ukrainian officials are urgently seeking air defense systems due to increasing Russian missile and drone production. 1015-1030 HEADLINE: US Intelligence, Tomahawks, and Escalation in the Ukraine War GUEST NAMES: John Hardie, Bill Roggio SUMMARY: The US is considering providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles, potentially facilitating strikes on Russian energy nodes using US intelligence. While Russia warns of escalation, experts believe their response will likely be strengthening air defense rather than direct conflict with NATO. Ukrainian officials are urgently seeking air defense systems due to increasing Russian missile and drone production. 1030-1045 HEADLINE: US Response to China's Rare Earth Threat and Stockpiling GUEST NAMES: Victoria Coates, Gordon Chang SUMMARY: China injected the rare earths threat into trade talks, a serious move given they supply 70% of US needs and US stockpiles are low. President Trump responded with 100% tariffs but later sought an off-ramp. Experts stress the urgent need for the US to develop a domestic supply and a national stockpile, similar to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, to counter future Chinese blackmail. 1045-1100 HEADLINE: China's Desperate Rare Earth Export Curbs and Economic Collapse GUEST NAMES: Alan Tonelson, Gordon Chang SUMMARY: China's sweeping curbs on rare earth exports are described as a desperate "hail mary" heave, risking severe economic damage, particularly given the collapse of its property bubble and external pressures. Experts agree China is undergoing a major deflationary spiral, and this move ironically contradicts the globalization from which it prospered. THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 HEADLINE: China's Aggressive Ramming Policy in the South China Sea GUEST NAMES: Captain James Fanell, Gordon Chang SUMMARY: The purposeful ramming of a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries vessel by a massive Chinese Coast Guard cutter is part of a consistent CCP strategy to claim total control over the South China Sea. Experts warn that this aggressive pattern will continue unless the US takes stronger action, such as having Navy and Coast Guard vessels escort Filipino ships, bolstering support for its treaty ally. 1115-1130 HEADLINE: China's Aggressive Ramming Policy in the South China Sea GUEST NAMES: Captain James Fanell, Gordon Chang SUMMARY: The purposeful ramming of a Philippine Bureau of Fisheries vessel by a massive Chinese Coast Guard cutter is part of a consistent CCP strategy to claim total control over the South China Sea. Experts warn that this aggressive pattern will continue unless the US takes stronger action, such as having Navy and Coast Guard vessels escort Filipino ships, bolstering support for its treaty ally. 1130-1145 HEADLINE: Analysis of Political Speech and "Dark Passions" in American Politics GUEST NAME: Peter Berkowitz SUMMARY: Peter Berkowitz discusses William Galston's book on "dark passions" (anger, fear, domination), asserting that President Biden's rhetoric characterizing MAGA Republicans as a threat exemplifies this concept. Galston views Donald Trump as a new kind of politician who aggressively appeals to these passions. The current spiral of rhetorical extremism and lawfare destabilizes American politics; restoring civic education is recommended to combat this. 1145-1200 HEADLINE: Analysis of Political Speech and "Dark Passions" in American Politics GUEST NAME: Peter Berkowitz SUMMARY: Peter Berkowitz discusses William Galston's book on "dark passions" (anger, fear, domination), asserting that President Biden's rhetoric characterizing MAGA Republicans as a threat exemplifies this concept. Galston views Donald Trump as a new kind of politician who aggressively appeals to these passions. The current spiral of rhetorical extremism and lawfare destabilizes American politics; restoring civic education is recommended to combat this. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 HEADLINE: Critical Analysis of the Gaza Hostage Exchange and Path to Peace GUEST NAME: John Bolton SUMMARY: The Gaza hostage exchange deal is criticized for lacking a path to the necessary Hamas disarmament, raising doubts about the plan's next stages. The release of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, many hardened by prison, significantly boosts radicalism. Iran, responsible for arming Hamas, is likely to continue supporting terrorist proxies if it revives its nuclear program. 1215-1230 HEADLINE: The Houthis: Status of Attacks and Ideology GUEST NAMES: Bridget Toomey, Bill Roggio SUMMARY: Houthi attacks on Israel and the Red Sea have recently quieted down, with their leader instructing a temporary cessation following the Gaza ceasefire. The group, whose motto includes "Death to America, Death to Israel," maintains an ideological commitment to fighting Israel long term. They act independently of Arab countries, focusing instead on their own interests and those of Iran. 1230-1245 HEADLINE: Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado and the Future of Venezuela GUEST NAMES: Ernesto Araújo, Alejandro Peña Esclusa SUMMARY: Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize for her courage against the dictatorship, inspiring Latin America. She believes liberation requires US military support against the powerful drug cartel regime. After Maduro leaves, $1.7 trillion in investment is needed, along with food and medicine, to reconstruct the nation suffering the largest Latin American humanitarian crisis. 1245-100 AM HEADLINE: Venezuelan Opposition Leader María Corina Machado and the Future of Venezuela GUEST NAMES: Ernesto Araújo, Alejandro Peña Esclusa SUMMARY: Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado received the Nobel Peace Prize for her courage against the dictatorship, inspiring Latin America. She believes liberation requires US military support against the powerful drug cartel regime. After Maduro leaves, $1.7 trillion in investment is needed, along with food and medicine, to reconstruct the nation suffering the largest Latin American humanitarian crisis.V

HEADLINE: China's Coordinated Aggression in the South China Sea: Analyzing the Philippine Vessel Ramming Incident GUEST NAMES: John Batchelor (Host) and Jim Fanell, Retired US Navy Intelligence Officer 1000-WORD SUMMARY: The program featured an in-depth discussion between host John Batchelor and Jim Fanell, a retired United States Navy intelligence officer, focusing on a recent and troubling ramming incident in the contested waters of the South China Sea's Spratly Islands. This incident involved Chinese vessels deliberately ramming a Philippine resupply ship that was en route to a Philippine outpost, marking another escalation in the ongoing territorial disputes that have made the South China Sea one of the world's most volatile maritime flashpoints. Fanell provided expert analysis that fundamentally reframes how this incident should be understood. Rather than viewing it as an isolated action by an overzealous ship captain acting independently or a spontaneous confrontation that escalated beyond control, Fanell argues that the ramming was a carefully coordinated operation directed from the highest levels of the Chinese Communist Party. This assessment carries significant implications for understanding China's strategic intentions and the level of state control exercised over what might otherwise appear to be tactical-level maritime incidents. The coordinated nature of the operation becomes evident when examining the composition and deployment of Chinese forces involved in the incident. Fanell detailed that the ramming was not carried out by a single vessel but was instead supported by a substantial flotilla of Chinese maritime assets. This included vessels from China's maritime militia—ostensibly civilian fishing vessels that operate under state direction and serve paramilitary functions—multiple Coast Guard cutters representing China's official law enforcement presence at sea, and significantly, a warship from the People's Liberation Army Navy, representing the direct involvement of China's military forces. This multi-layered deployment of assets from different organizational structures within China's maritime forces demonstrates a level of coordination and planning that could only originate from centralized command authority. The presence of military, paramilitary, and quasi-civilian forces operating in concert reveals a sophisticated strategy designed to apply overwhelming pressure while maintaining some degree of plausible deniability about the military nature of the confrontation. Fanell emphasized that this incident is not an isolated occurrence but rather part of a consistent and identifiable pattern of Chinese operations concentrated in several key areas of the South China Sea. He specifically mentioned Scarborough Shoal, Sandy Cay, and Second Thomas Shoal as focal points of these coordinated Chinese activities. Each of these locations represents a contested feature in the South China Sea where the Philippines maintains claims and, in some cases, physical presence through grounded vessels or small outposts that serve as territorial markers. Scarborough Shoal, located approximately 120 miles from the Philippine coast, has been under effective Chinese control since a 2012 standoff, despite lying well within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone as defined by international law. Second Thomas Shoal has become particularly contentious because the Philippines deliberately grounded a World War II-era vessel, the Sierra Madre, on the shoal in 1999 to serve as a permanent outpost. The vessel houses a small garrison of Philippine marines, and China has repeatedly attempted to prevent resupply missions to this outpost, creating recurring confrontations. The pattern Fanell describes reveals a strategy of incremental pressure designed to exhaust the Philippines' ability and willingness to maintain its presence in these disputed areas. By consistently interfering with resupply operations, China aims to make it prohibitively difficult, dangerous, and expensive for the Philippines to sustain its outposts, potentially forcing their eventual abandonment and allowing China to assert de facto control. Fanell's analysis places this aggressive maritime behavior within the broader context of China's strategic objectives in the South China Sea. The Chinese Communist Party's ultimate goal, according to Fanell, is to establish complete sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, despite the overlapping claims of multiple neighboring countries including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, and despite a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that rejected China's expansive claims as having no legal basis under international law. Control of the South China Sea would provide China with several strategic advantages. The region contains vital shipping lanes through which approximately one-third of global maritime trade passes, including substantial energy shipments to East Asian economies. The area is believed to contain significant oil and natural gas reserves, though estimates vary widely. Additionally, control of the South China Sea would extend China's defensive perimeter far from its mainland coast and provide greater ability to project power throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Fanell also contextualized the ramming incident within the current state of US-China relations, suggesting that China's aggressive actions are partly designed to apply pressure on the United States during a period of heightened economic tensions between the two powers. The United States has maintained that it has a national interest in preserving freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and has conducted regular "freedom of navigation operations" to challenge what it views as excessive Chinese maritime claims. The United States also maintains a mutual defense treaty with the Philippines, though the precise circumstances under which this treaty would be invoked in response to incidents in disputed waters remains a subject of ongoing strategic ambiguity. The incident and Fanell's analysis raise critical questions about the trajectory of tensions in the South China Sea and the potential for escalation. If China continues to employ increasingly aggressive tactics, coordinated at the highest levels of government, the risk of a serious confrontation—whether with the Philippines directly or with the United States in its role as a treaty ally—increases substantially. The international community faces the challenge of responding to Chinese actions that systematically erode the rules-based international order while stopping short of the kind of overt military aggression that would trigger clear and immediate responses. 1939 REUBEN JAMES

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: Russia's much-touted offensive appears to have stalled, with reports that in some areas it's Kyiv's forces pushing forward and reclaiming lost ground. We'll bring you the latest from the front. Another dangerous encounter in the South China Sea—Chinese and Philippine vessels collide near a disputed shoal, leaving injuries and sparking a heated war of words. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief American Financing: NMLS 182334, https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.327% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-885-1881 for details about credit costs and terms. Visit http://www.AmericanFinancing.net/PDB. Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Captain James Fanell NATO Article 4 Invoked Amidst Russian Drones, China's South China Sea AggressionCaptain James Fanell discusses NATO's Article 4 invocation after Russian drones entered Polish airspace during Zapad exercises, potentially testing defenses. He also details China's escalating aggression in the South China Sea, where its navy chased a Philippine vessel near Scarborough Shoal. The "poly crisis" necessitates increased US defense spending and alliances. 1921 MANILA

CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW SCHEDULE  9-10-25 Good evening. The show begins in Poland as the government and military respond to drones crossing the Belarus to Poland border... FIRST HOUR 9-915 General Blaine Holt NATO Reacts to Russian Drone Incursions into Poland General Blaine Holt analyzes Russiandrone incursions into Polish airspace from Belarus, triggering a NATO Article 4 meeting. While NATO calls it an "intentional incursion" to allow de-escalation, Poland considers it an "act of war." The incident highlights NATO's rapid response capabilities and the broader "poly crisis" in Europe, requiring diplomatic de-escalation. 915-930 CONTINUED General Blaine Holt NATO Reacts to Russian Drone Incursions into Poland General Blaine Holt analyzes Russiandrone incursions into Polish airspace from Belarus, triggering a NATO Article 4 meeting. While NATO calls it an "intentional incursion" to allow de-escalation, Poland considers it an "act of war." The incident highlights NATO's rapid response capabilities and the broader "poly crisis" in Europe, requiring diplomatic de-escalation. 930-945 Lance Gatling Japan's LDP Prime Minister Race and China's Influence Lance Gatling discusses the race for Japan'snew Prime Minister within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) following Ishida's resignation. The LDP lacks a majority, complicating coalition-building. Takaichi Sanae, a conservative candidate critical of China, is opposed by Beijing's propagandists, highlighting China's active influence in the Japanese political landscape .945-1000 Captain James Fanell NATO Article 4 Invoked Amidst Russian Drones, China's South China Sea AggressionCaptain James Fanell discusses NATO's Article 4 invocation after Russian drones entered Polish airspace during Zapad exercises, potentially testing defenses. He also details China's escalating aggression in the South China Sea, where its navy chased a Philippine vessel near Scarborough Shoal. The "poly crisis" necessitates increased US defense spending and alliances. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Steve Yates Pentagon's National Defense Strategy Amidst Global Crises Steve Yates discusses the Pentagon's new National Defense Strategy (NDS), which prioritizes China as the "pacing challenge" over climate change. The "Fortress America" concept of homeland defense is debated against the need for alliances and extended deterrence. Events like Russian drones in Poland underscore the loss of US initiative and the urgency of adaptive defense strategies. 1015-1030 Charles Burton Canada's Dilemma: Chinese EVs and National Security Charles Burton discusses Canada'sreluctance to link national security with China, specifically regarding Chinese EVs (dubbed "spy machines"). Canadaimposed 100% tariffs at US request, leading to China's retaliation on Canadian canola. This creates a dilemma, as Canada prioritizes economic gain despite China's espionage and potential US border bans on Chinese EVs.1030-1045 Andrea Stricker Iran's Nuclear Program Targeted, Verification Crisis Ensues Andrea Stricker discusses Israel and USstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities like Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, destroying centrifuges and weaponization capabilities. The IAEA cannot verify Iran's nuclear material locations after inspectors were expelled. Iran's 60% enriched uranium poses a proliferation risk, leading to anticipated UN sanctions. The strikes prevented JCPOA-allowed centrifuge surges.1045-1100CONTINUED Andrea Stricker Iran's Nuclear Program Targeted, Verification Crisis Ensues Andrea Stricker discusses Israel and USstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities like Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, destroying centrifuges and weaponization capabilities. The IAEA cannot verify Iran's nuclear material locations after inspectors were expelled. Iran's 60% enriched uranium poses a proliferation risk, leading to anticipated UN sanctions. The strikes prevented JCPOA-allowed centrifuge surges. THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 Professor Josh Blackman Judicial Defiance: Lower Courts Challenge Supreme Court and Trump AdministrationProfessor Josh Blackman details an unprecedented judicial "revolt" where lower federal courts, particularly in Boston, repeatedly defy Supreme Court rulings and temporary restraining orders against the Trump Administration. Cases involve deportation and presidential firing power. Chief Justice Roberts is struggling to make lower courts "get in line," prompting a rare concurrence from Justice Gorsuch criticizing the defiance.1115-1130 Professor Josh Blackman Judicial Defiance: Lower Courts Challenge Supreme Court and Trump AdministrationProfessor Josh Blackman details an unprecedented judicial "revolt" where lower federal courts, particularly in Boston, repeatedly defy Supreme Court rulings and temporary restraining orders against the Trump Administration. Cases involve deportation and presidential firing power. Chief Justice Roberts is struggling to make lower courts "get in line," prompting a rare concurrence from Justice Gorsuch criticizing the defiance. 1130-1145 Bob Zimmerman Space Policy, Launches, and Astronomical Discoveries Bob Zimmerman criticizes the over-budget Artemis lunar program while praising SpaceX's increased launches from Cape Canaveral. He discusses the politically-driven Space Force HQ relocation and NASA's efforts to reduce reliance on Russia for ISS orbit-raising. Global space startups are booming, Starlink cuts prices, and new astronomical discoveries are made.1145-1200CONTINUED Bob Zimmerman Space Policy, Launches, and Astronomical Discoveries Bob Zimmerman criticizes the over-budget Artemis lunar program while praising SpaceX's increased launches from Cape Canaveral. He discusses the politically-driven Space Force HQ relocation and NASA's efforts to reduce reliance on Russia for ISS orbit-raising. Global space startups are booming, Starlink cuts prices, and new astronomical discoveries are made.FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Simon Constable Global Commodities, French Politics, and 9/11 Reflection Simon Constable discusses commodity trends: copper and gold prices surge due to AI demand and monetary fear, while orange juice falls and coffee rises. He covers France's political crisis, with Sebastien Lecornu becoming the sixth Prime Minister under Macron, and local support for Marine Le Pen's National Rally. He also shares a personal 9/11 account from One World Financial Center.1215-1230CONTINUED Simon Constable Global Commodities, French Politics, and 9/11 Reflection Simon Constable discusses commodity trends: copper and gold prices surge due to AI demand and monetary fear, while orange juice falls and coffee rises. He covers France's political crisis, with Sebastien Lecornu becoming the sixth Prime Minister under Macron, and local support for Marine Le Pen's National Rally. He also shares a personal 9/11 account from One World Financial Center.1230-1245 Grant Newsham Korea's Division, South Korea's Shift, and the Axis of Adversaries Grant Newsham traces Korea's1945 division by US officers, leading to North Korea's establishment. He highlights the pro-North Korea South Korean administration's alignment with China and Russia. The unified appearance of Kim Jong-un, Xi Jinping, and Vladimir Putin at a Beijing parade solidifies them as a formidable "axis of adversaries," intimidating the West.1245-100 AM Michael Bernstam Falling Oil Prices Threaten Russia's Economy, Boost US and Europe Michael Bernstam explains that falling oil prices, forecasted to drop to $50/barrel due to increased OPEC supply, will severely impact Russia'sbudget (based on $70/barrel) and push it towards recession. This benefits US consumers and GDP, while rising US LNGexports fully replace Europe's Russian gas, effectively isolating Russia from the European energy marke