Category Archives: High Seas

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Thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, strong winds, rough seas, dust storms, and possible flooding are forecast across parts of the United Arab Emirates through at least July 31. The National Center for Meteorology (NCM) has warned that due to the extension of a surface level low pressure system from the east and another low pressure system higher in the atmosphere unstable weather is likely to persist over parts of the country over the coming days. The heaviest rainfall and thunderstorms are forecast in eastern and western regions. Moderate-to-strong winds could cause blowing sand and dust in some areas, which could reduce horizontal visibility and lead to transport disruptions. Rough seas are also expected along the Arabia Gulf and Oman Sea coasts.

As of July 27, the NCM has issued orange and yellow warnings (the middle and lowest tiers on a three-tier scale) for convective rainy clouds, rough seas, and possible dust storms across eastern areas of the country and off the north coast. The NCM also issued an alert July 27 advising those in some eastern areas to take precautions due to the forecast heavy rainfall and be vigilant of flash floods. Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.

Heavy rainfall and flooding have been reported in several areas of the country July 27, including parts of Sharjah, Fujairah, and Ras Al Khaimah emirates, as well as Al Ain in eastern Abu Dhabi Emirate. Flooded roads caused transport disruptions in the city of Khor Fakkan in Sharjah Emirate. Additional downpours over the coming days will likely trigger further flooding, especially over areas where the ground is already saturated.

Hazardous ConditionsSustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed or a lack of stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where the soil has become saturated by heavy rainfall.

Authorities may issue mandatory evacuation orders for flood-prone communities over the coming days. Disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant winds, flooding, and/or landslides impact utility networks.

Due to the arid nature of the region and poor stormwater management in some urban areas, even minor rainfall accumulations could quickly result in episodes of flash flooding. Flooding is possible in streams and wadis (dry riverbeds). Significant rainfall may be preceded by moderate winds and dust storms, though some areas - particularly desert areas - may experience high levels of dust without rain.

TransportThe severe weather could contribute to transport disruptions throughout the affected area. Floodwaters and debris flows could render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Traffic and commercial trucking delays might occur along regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. Strong winds might also pose a hazard to high-profile vehicles.

Hazardous weather conditions might cause flight delays and cancellations at airports in the region. Authorities may temporarily suspend port operations or close beach fronts along the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea coasts if strong winds trigger hazardous sea conditions. Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are likely in areas that see heavy rainfall and potential track inundation.

Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.

Seek updated information on weather and road conditions before driving through areas where severe weather is forecast. Plan accordingly for potential freight delivery delays if routing shipments by truck through the affected area. Do not attempt to drive through flooded areas. Review contingency plans. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.

UAE National Center for Meteorology

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UAE: Adverse weather forecast across much of the country through at least July 31 - Crisis24

Youve survived the heatwave, perhaps already been away, and still the school holidays stretch languidly into September, demanding plans and playdates and activities to fill the slowed summer hours. Sitting the kids in front of the TV for hours on end obviously shouldnt be the only solution, but it neednt be as passive as all that. A family film marathon can be a cheerfully sociable use of shared time not to mention a cheap one, for parents burnt out on repeat cinema trips to Minions: The Rise of Gru. But which streaming platforms will serve you best this summer? And how few of them can you get away with subscribing to? Allow me to break down the best they have to offer.

The top option seems like a no-brainer: over the past century, Disney+ has evolved from a film studio into the key corporate influencer of childhood (and beyond, it seems, as adults thirst for Disney-branded superhero entertainment shows no sign of abating). A perverse part of me wants to tell you that Disney+ isnt worth throwing monthly subscription fees into the coffers of a company that hardly needs the spare change. The more practical part sees how invaluable it is for parents of small children.

The highlights are obvious, beginning with the platforms near-complete library of animated features from the Disney and Pixar stables. Perhaps the kids will insist on watching Frozen, Moana and Toy Story for the 17th time; perhaps you can wield your parental nostalgia rights and try out a classic thats new to them. My own childhood loyalties compel me to plump for The Little Mermaid, though equally Ive never seen a kid uncharmed by The Jungle Book. If you dare try Bambi, be mindful of the fact that its exactly as laceratingly sad as you remember.

Should you be ready to move on to live action, large-scale musicals do the job just as well as when they were the four-quadrant blockbusters of the 1950s and 1960s. Disney+ has the essential pair of Julie Andrews vehicles. Mary Poppins, with its animated interludes, dash of teaching-moment suffragette politics and effectively bittersweet conclusion, is an ideal transitional film for young viewers, while The Sound of Music presents parents with a few more real-world complications to explain, but enough indelible songs and curtain-clad japery to make it all palatable.

Otherwise, the eternally endearing Muppets bridge the gap between juvenile whimsy and more grownup wit: Disney+ has 2011s fresh, bouncy reboot The Muppets, but also 1979s original The Muppet Movie, which plays just as spryly, and with more enduring songs. As for slightly older children willing to shed fantasy entirely, Robin Williamss nearly 30-year-old smash Mrs Doubtfire remains antically funny and just rude enough, even if its gender politics havent aged quite as well as the stars bravura performance. For quieter, thoughtful children, meanwhile, Mira Nairs Queen of Katwe is among the Mouse Houses more underrated recent offerings. A stirring, kind-hearted true story of a Ugandan girl rising from poverty to international chess competitions, its like a sunnily wholesome Queens Gambit.

For anyone unwilling to pay for Disney titles, the free BBC iPlayer has a couple of treats still on offer: Tom Hollands first (and best) two outings as Spider-Man Far from Home and Homecoming are on the platforms current film menu for the next two weeks, as is Monsters, Inc still, for my money, one of the warmest and peppiest capers in the Pixar canon. Prefer to hit up the Beeb for more homegrown kids fare? Youre in luck: also on offer currently is Aardman Animations droll prehistoric comedy Early Man no classic, but even Aardmans boilerplate films have more character than most and the original, still heart-lifting adaptation of The Railway Children, particularly well timed if youve been on a family outing to see the likable sequel in cinemas.

You can head to Netflix for the most deservedly beloved British family films of recent times. Paddington and Paddington 2, with their tender, visually inventive and occasionally riotous reinvention of Michael Bonds bear-out-of-water tales, might just be the cream of the streamers childrens movies though theres a good deal to choose from, especially via their dedicated Netflix Kids platform. Netflixs in-house animation has been particularly impressive of late. Last years zany The Mitchells vs the Machines, in which a dysfunctional family fights a robot apocalypse, was a clever, hyperactive delight; this years The Sea Beast, a rip-roaring, monster-hunting adventure on the high seas, sees them emulating classic Disney with splendid results. (No surprise there: director Chris Williams also gave us Moana.)

Netflixs real animation coup, however, is its exclusive streaming hold on the Studio Ghibli library, which caters to a usefully wide range of ages and sensibilities. For toddlers, the mellow, none-more-gentle My Neighbor Totoro is a safe bet, but older, more fanciful kids can thrill to the knottier, more perilous quest narratives of Spirited Away and the like.

Shifting back to American fare, theres the robust, airborne adventure How to Train Your Dragon, and a number of worthwhile live-action titles, including the Bowie-starring neogoth fairytale Labyrinth, by now the source of multiple generations of childhood nightmares; Danny DeVitos enduringly popular Americanisation of Roald Dahls Matilda; and the sensitive, rather sweet disability parable Wonder. Families with kids edging into teendom, meanwhile, can hardly do better than Greta Gerwigs smashing, stout-hearted rejig of Little Women.

Netflixs subscription-based rivals lag somewhat behind in their family-friendly selections. Apart from the gorgeous, wild-spirited Irish animated folk fantasy Wolfwalkers and the attractively shot but unsurprising nature documentary The Elephant Queen, Apple TV+s originals have largely passed over that market. At a push, you could also include this years dewy-eyed best picture Oscar winner Coda, an inclusive adolescent drama suitable for families who can handle a mild sex joke or two. Browsing the paid-VOD selections yields arguably richer rewards, among them Steven Spielbergs still-luminous, somehow 40-year-old alien friendship tale ET the Extra-Terrestrial.

Prime subscribers can stream Aardmans gently irreverent Shaun the Sheep: The Movie and a pair of auteurist spins on Roald Dahl: Wes Andersons arch, stop-motion Fantastic Mr Fox and Nicolas Roegs sensational, viscerally macabre The Witches, as well as a buried gem from the 90s in John Sayless wistful, mistily atmospheric selkie tale The Secret of Roan Inish. But, as with Apple, you have to pay separately for some of the best picks: still, its worth a few extra quid for the marvellous farmyard romp Babe or the lavishly imagined, 80s-tastic fantasy trip The Neverending Story.

On Sky/Now TV, subscribers have an easy solution in the full library of Harry Potter sagas, endlessly rewatchable to kids hooked on the mythos. But parents can also try out a solid-gold classic: now in its ninth decade, The Wizard of Oz continues to startle children with its transportive, iridescent world-building.

Anyone wishing to go vintage with a more international bent can head to the free streaming platform Plex: their mixed bag of content somewhat surprisingly yields French film-maker Albert Lamorisses simple, lyrical and plainly heart-rending 1956 short The Red Balloon, which made me cry buckets aged five. Not much has changed.

Finally, at the arthouse end of the family-viewing spectrum, you might not expect to find anything for children on Mubi, but for adventurous parents and open-minded young ones, there are discoveries to be made. Children old enough to read subtitles would do well to try out the empathic, childs-eye social realism of Saudi charmer Wadjda, while the stop-motion French animation My Life as a Courgette hits a rare balance between adult wisdom and youthful innocence in its portrait of a lonely misfit child finding comfort and community in a rural orphanage. Pair it with some surreal, mirthful wackiness from the platforms selection of Hungarian animated shorts: Scenes With Beans will tickle kids with a penchant for the bizarre.

Over on the similarly highbrow BFI Player, two outstanding films fill that tricky gap for emotionally mature children gradually crossing into grownup storytelling. Spanish director Carla Simns vibrant, suitably seasonal coming-of-age drama Summer 1993 tackles complex themes of grief and self-worth with a soft, sure touch. Also set over a young girls formative summer, meanwhile, Cline Sciammas impeccable Tomboy offers an ideal entry point into a 21st-century understanding of gender identity, without ever feeling like a message movie. Whos to say you cant sneak a little learning into a summer movie marathon?

Murina (Modern Films) The winner of last years Camra dOr for best debut at Cannes, Croatian director Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovis sun-bleached but steel-cool psychodrama promises big things from its Scorsese-endorsed writer-director, but isnt out to show off. Its the dry, watchful quiet that lingers in this study of a restless teenager caught between her oppressive father and an alluring, agenda-carrying stranger.

The Emigrants (Elevation) Vilhelm Mobergs literary saga of a Swedish immigrant farming family finding its way in the New World was rousingly filmed by Jan Troell in the 1970s. Norwegian director Erik Poppes new version retains its compelling, old-fashioned sweep and doubles down on the panoramic magic-hour visuals, but hasnt quite its predecessors earthy soul.

The Outfit (Spirit Entertainment) As a humble but perceptive English tailor to the brassy gangsters of midcentury Chicago, Mark Rylances wry, dignified performance is the main attraction of this underworld chamber drama from Oscar-winning writer Graham Moore (The Imitation Game), which feels like it might have popped more as a stage piece.

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Streaming: the pick of the best childrens films for the summer holidays - The Guardian

A new frontier for smuggling: Spanish police broke up a team of fabricators who allegedly built drug-carrying cargo drones for smuggling gangs (Policia Nacional)

PublishedJul 27, 2022 11:32 PM by Natalie Klein and Rob McLaughlin

This month, Spanish police authoritiesseized autonomous underwater vehicles, each capable of transporting around 200 kilograms of drugs. Itsnot the first timepolice authorities have caught an uncrewed vessel carrying illicit substances.

These remote-controlled narco-drones, narco-subs or underwater drones herald a new era in international drug trafficking. Drugs and other illicit goods can now be transported across the oceans, controlled by a remote operator located anywhere in the world.

International law isnt entirely ready for narco-drones

There isnt one universal definition of a ship or vessel. This makes it difficult to know when rights and duties attach to that ship.

China, for example, has ashark-shaped droneused to gather intelligence. While anaval surveillance shipmay be entitled to the freedom of navigation, it shouldnt be presumed that such a small, uncrewed vehicle also enjoys this right.

Law enforcement officials are already using uncrewed sea vessels for policing purposes. Australiagifted drones to Sri Lankalast year to support efforts against migrant smuggling operations.

Private companies are designinguncrewed surface vehiclesfor use patrolling against illegal fishing.

The new technology will likely become a critical component for countries wanting better information about whos doing what and where.

Law enforcement

International law requires states to cooperate and share information to prevent different transnational crimes at sea. For example, Article 108 of theUN Convention on the Law of the Searequires all states to cooperate in the suppression of drug trafficking on the high seas.

The1988 Drugs Conventiongoes further, allowing parties to the treaty to stop and board each others vessels when theyre reasonably suspected of trafficking in illicit drugs.

However, if theres no-one onboard a remote-controlled submarine, the existing rules and procedures for law enforcement cannot work as they have before.

TheInternational Maritime Organizationis undertaking a study of who is a master and seafarer in the context of uncrewed surface ships used to transport cargo around the world. While the organisation has an important focus on maritime safety, there are many legal questions relating to crimes at sea that also need to be answered.

Whos held criminally responsible?

Determining who might be held criminally responsible when an uncrewed vessel is seized isnt immediately apparent.

Australian legislation criminalises drug-trafficking when a person transports the substance but doesnt refer to a situation where the person isnt present at the time of transport. A person isnt necessarily in possession of illicit drugs if theyre remotely controlling a narco-drone.

The alternative may be to prosecute an alleged offender on the grounds theyve aided and abetted in the crime.

This also raises the question of whether, and how, the designer of an autonomous vehicle may be criminally responsible. For example, what if the person designing the autonomous vehicle didnt know it was to be used for criminal purposes?

We may need to rethink how we understand criminal recklessness or intention as requirements of a drug-trafficking offense when remote-controlled trafficking occurs.

Designers and manufacturers of maritime autonomous vehicles may need to consider how to safeguard their products against improper use.

Who has jurisdiction?

Determining which country has legal jurisdiction when a criminal enterprise uses autonomous narco-subs may be a complex issue.

For example, what if the alleged offender is a Russian national located in Belarus whos operating the autonomous vehicle to transport drugs from Myanmar to Australia?Australia doesnt usually criminalize conduct by foreigners that occurs in the sovereign territory of other countries (the offense ofkilling an Australian overseasbeing one exception).

In light of uncrewed vessels, states may need to consider new bases of jurisdiction to justify the exercise of authority over an alleged offender.

Even if law enforcement officials manage to arrest the perpetrator and assert jurisdiction, prosecution will likely depend upon a range of other challenges such as criminal intelligence sharing and extradition processes.

Prior to the recent seizure in Spain of the narco-drones, Houthi rebels in the waters around Yemen were usingsmall remote-controlled vehicles laden with explosivesto attack Saudi ships.

This terrorist act potentially falls within the terms of the2005 Conventionfor the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation. States party to this treaty are to criminalize these sorts of actions and prosecute or extradite those responsible.But as with drug-trafficking laws, questions arise as to how terrorism laws will apply to the use of these autonomous vessels.

Natalie Klein is aProfessor at UNSW Sydney.

Rob McLaughlin is aProfessor at theCentre for Military and Security Law, Australian National University.

This article appears courtesy of The Conversation and is reproduced here in an abbreviated form. The original may be found here.

The opinions expressed herein are the author's and not necessarily those of The Maritime Executive.

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Opinion: "Narco-Drones" Are Here, and Our Maritime Laws Aren't Ready - The Maritime Executive

From the Revolutionary War Battles of Lexington and Concord to the Afghanistan battle of Takur Ghar, the National Guard often immortalizes its most significant missions in the form of oil paintings. Last month, the Guard unveiled the latest such painting, which depicts a 2017 mission where seven airmen with the New York Air National Guard jumped out of an airplane in the middle of the night over the middle of an ocean to rescue complete strangers suffering from severe burns. It was a complicated mission that the airmen pulled together in less than a day, but they pulled it off, even when things went sideways.

The amount of complexity in that mission just cant be overstated, said Col. Jeffrey Cannet, the commander of the New York-based 106th Operations Group, who piloted the HC-130 search and rescue aircraft on the mission, in an Air National Guard press release. The fact that these guys had to do that, all out there, alone and unafraid, getting it done, was just a testament to their skill and ability.

The incident began early in the morning of April 24, 2017, when an explosion aboard the cargo ship Tamar badly injured two sailors and killed two more. The crew of the 625-foot vessel, which was in transit from Baltimore, Maryland to Gibraltar, at the western edge of the Mediterranean sea, contacted the Coast Guard, which then contacted the New York Air National Guard and its 106th Rescue Wing. With its HC-130 search and rescue planes and trained pararescuemen, the 106th was best prepared to respond to the emergency. Still, the Tamar was about 1,500 miles off the New York coast, and that distance was a stretch even for these airmen.

1,500 miles out was a bit out of reach for anybody else, and quite frankly I think everybody thought it was out of reach for us too, Cannet said at the unveiling and award ceremony last month, where each airman received an Air Force Commendation Medal for heroism. But he and his men thought differently.

No we got this, this is not an impossible mission, he said. We got the skills, the equipment, the training. We can pull this off.

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The 106th could not formally be assigned to the Tamar rescue because it was a civil search and rescue mission, the wing wrote in a press release, but all the airmen involved volunteered for the flight anyway. Those airmen included combat rescue officers Lt. Col. Edward Boughal and Maj. Marty Viera; and pararescuemen Master Sgt. Jordan St. Clair; Senior Master Sgt. Erik Blom; Master Sgt. Jedediah Smith; and Staff Sgt. Michael Hartman. Master Sgt. Bryan Dalere was also honored but was not present because he is now assigned to the Alaska Air National Guard, the press release said.

Also called PJs, Air Force pararescuemen are elite specialists in search and rescue and combat medicine who train to rescue downed pilots or special operators cut off behind enemy lines. Combat rescue officers are the commissioned leaders of PJs. But before these highly-trained airmen could rescue the sailors, they first had to do some shopping for medical and surgical supplies at local hospitals.

The mission got a little dicier shortly after takeoff, where a hydraulic failure aboard the HC-130 threatened to end the mission before it could fully begin. The flight engineer, Master Sgt Keith Weckerle, managed to mitigate the problem, which he might have been accustomed to due to the units aging aircraft.

The wing accomplishes its mission in both combat and peacetime with aging aircraft, some dating back to the 60s, the 106th Rescue Wing said in a 2017 video about the mission.

Luckily, the HC-130 made it over a thousand miles from the 106ths base on Long Island all the way to the Tamar, which was pretty much right in the middle of the Atlantic by that time. But getting to the ship was only the first step in the complicated mission plan. Next, they had to drop equipment bundles and two inflatable Zodiac boats on target in the dead of night. Then they would parachute out of the aircraft, swim to the Zodiacs, get in, pick up the floating supplies, get to the Tamar and board it via rope ladder with 15-foot waves tossing them up and down.

Jumping out of the aircraft would be its own challenge the HC-130 was 1,400 feet above the dark waters, which is a comparatively low altitude to jump from. The low cloud ceiling and urgency to get to the dying sailors below made it worth the risk, the airmen decided, but it was still a risky operation. Perilous weather conditions and high seas also contributed to making the jump an extraordinarily dangerous situation, said Senior Master Sgt. Tom Pierce at the ceremony last month.

I definitely found a moment to pray, said Viera, one of the combat rescue officers, in a 2017 press release. I (wondered), did I kiss my wife and son goodbye enough? I was like, God, if this is my time to go, I guess this is it. But please, I would really like to make an impact on these peoples lives.

Though each of the airmen wore flashing beacons and red and green chemical lights, the risk of a mid-air collision was very real.

Collisions can be potentially fatal at that altitude, said Boughal, the other combat rescue officer. There were a couple of moments where I was thinking, Where are my guys? because it was so dark.

It was risky, but Smith, one of the PJs, was pumped.

I distinctly remember on the ramp of the C-130 and Jeds eyes lit up after the green light illuminated that sent the first team into the inky blackness of the night, said Boughal. He turned to me with a big smile, fist-pumped me and yelled out were doing this! I remember thinking glad hes on the team.

It was good Smith was pumped, because the going was about to get tough. The seven airmen made it onto the Tamar, but now they had to keep two severely injured men alive for three days as the ship made its way to the Azores, an archipelago about 870 miles off the coast of Portugal. There, Portuguese helicopters would pick up the sailors and ferry them to a hospital, but they had to live through the journey first.

When we got there we found the crewmen badly burned on their face, arms, legs and hands, said St. Clair, one of the PJs. The initial report was that they were conscious, talking and were mobile. But we knew the end state. Their lives were absolutely at risk.

One of the sailors, a Slovenian, said it was getting harder for him to breathe, so the airmen slid a tube down his throat to hook him up to a ventilator. The airmen then took 90-minute shifts watching over the patients while removing dead tissue, reducing pressure on the wounds, and making incisions on badly burned tissue to establish blood circulation., according to a press release. After a few hours, the airway of the second sailor, a Filipino, became compromised but was too swollen to allow a tube to pass, the press release said. Thinking fast, the pararescuemen performed a cricothyrotomy, where medical providers cut a slit through the patients throat through which they can pass a breathing tube.

Now heres this poor guy, pulse-ox crashing, literally taking his last agonal gasps, and up steps Jordan [St. Clair] to calmly and methodically find his airway, place the tube, and save this guys life like he was tying his shoelaces, Boughal said at the ceremony. Jordan has ice in his veins.

Over three days, the airmen kept vigil over the patients and managed their fluids and pain levels. It helped that they could call Lt. Col. Stephen Doc Rush, the 106th Medical Group commander, for his insight. But keeping the patients alive was not the final challenge: the airmen also had to figure out how to lower the patients three stories to the ships deck so that they could be hoisted onto the Portuguese helicopter. They managed by rigging up a belay system using ropes, and then three of the airmen went with the patients aboard the helicopter to keep them alive on the way to the hospital.

What they ended up having to do on that ship that day was remarkable, Cannet said, about the medical care his airmen provided.

Even after the helicopter departed, the danger was not over for the four airmen still on the Tamar, who had to get down onto a waiting tugboat in high seas. At one point the waves crushed the tug against the Tamar so hard that it cut the rope ladder the airmen were using in half. With the ladder gone, the airmen jumped into the tug one by one and made it out safely. The patients also survived and are alive today.

Those two men are alive and enjoying life today because of our ability to provide a capability that very few organizations can, said St. Clair at the award ceremony.

The idea of immortalizing that mission in a painting came from Chief Master Sgt. Brian Mosher, the 106th Operations Group superintendent, said Maj. Michael OHagan, the wings public affairs officer, in a press release. OHagan knew a painter named Todd L.W. Doney, a former illustrator who teaches art at County College of Morris, New Jersey. Doney charges up to $15,000 per canvas, but he agreed to do the job for materials and time only.

The artist drew from photographs of the mission and from the memories of the aircrew and pararescue team who were there that day. The airmen made sure the parachute cords were the right color, that there were the right number of cargo rollers on the HC-130 deck, and that the loadmasters uniform was the right pattern.

I think what sticks out most in my mind, is you look at the ship, and you see the guys out there, said 1st Lt. Jamie Bustamante, the loadmaster in the painting. I do remember seeing all that.

For his part, Doney said that what makes the painting special is the heroic deed it portrays.

It wouldnt be a great painting unless those guys did what they did, he said. It was really awesome to honor these guys who jumped out in the middle of the night to save lives.

Update: This article has been updated to include Master Sgt. Bryan Dalere, another pararescueman who was on the mission but could not attend the award ceremony since he is now assigned to the Alaska Air National Guard.

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The incredible story of a daring Air Force pararescue mission in the middle of the Atlantic - Task & Purpose

The geopolitics of the Red Sea is changing with increasing Great Power play. The US Navy announced its decision to form a joint task force to oversee the waters of the Red Sea in April this year. The naval taskforce will patrol through the Red Sea, the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, and the Gulf of Aden, a strategically significant global maritime passage. The US move seems to have been triggered by Iran-backed networks that have used the international shipping lines in this region to target assets belonging to the US and its partners.

Multiple attacks and seizure of vessels with the use of fast boats by rebels belonging to the Houthi Movement (Ansar Allah) have affected maritime commerce in this region. Moreover, the high seas are also used to supply arms to the Houthis. Earlier, the Red Sea was impacted by the war in Yemen.

In June, US President Joe Biden committed US troops to deal with the Yemen situation. In his letter to the US Congress, he mentioned that the troops were deployed to destroy the breeding grounds of extremist groups like Al-Qaeda in the Arabic Peninsula (AQAP) and the Islamic State.

The proposed security restructuring and the deployment of the naval force will bolster the Fifth Fleet of the US Navy that oversees the region between the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea. The deployment could potentially thwart incoming threats from Irans asymmetric regional forces. It can sever the supply conduit between Iran and the Houthis through the seas.

The rebels have increasingly been targeting highly sensitive infrastructure in Saudi Arabia and the UAE through airborne attacks. President Biden has sought to mend relations with Saudi Arabia and the UAE in order to convince them to pump more oil to stabilise the global energy situation. Efforts to mend relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel by adding one more party to the Abraham Accords is also in the same direction.

The US has been stepping up its efforts by proposing a plan to integrate the air defence of Israel and the Gulf Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain to jointly counter the threat from Iran and its proxies in the region. During Bidens recent visit to West Asia, the US pushed the idea of integrated air defence with Saudi Arabia.

Americas relations with Saudi Arabia and the UAE are under duress, clearly indicated by recent policy decisions by Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. The Gulf Arab States refused to condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. Saudi Arabia and the UAE had rejected demands from the US to increase their oil production to compensate for Russian oil.

Another option for President Biden is to make compromises that allow Iran and Venezuela to pump oil into the market, an unlikely path though. Besides their contradicting diplomatic stands vis--vis the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi have criticised Bidens approach to Iran and the war in Yemen. The Gulf States have also not supported Bidens efforts to get Washington back in the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA).

At the strategic level, an increased US military presence in the region, seen as a confidence-building measure, might promote enhanced engagement between Washington and its strategic partners in the Gulf.

Coupled with other major security and diplomatic efforts, the US is expected to gain Arab States cooperation in the Russia-Ukraine crisis and further US partnership with these States. From a regional perspective, these developments could abet the process of bringing together Israel and the Gulf States, and bolster Saudi Arabia to keep the Iranian threat in check without the US having to get involved directly, allowing the US to focus on the Indo-Pacific. The Russia-Ukraine war has stretched even the US ability and capacity to operate favourably on the two fronts -- Europe and the Indo-Pacific -- without the help of regional partners.

As the war in Europe drags on, the US is clearly feeling the pressing need to leave no strategic vacuum in the Indo-Pacific for China to fill, while it remains engaged with Russian moves.

As such, the improved security measures taken by the US in the vital chokepoints in the Red Sea should act as a deterrent and ensure predictability and safe passageway for trade. The Red Sea connects the Mediterranean with the Indo-Pacific, witnessing more than 10% of global trade through its waters.

A crisis in the Red Sea from the Suez Canal or Bab-el-Mandeb could reverberate in the Indo-Pacific. The world got a glimpse of this threat when the Suez Canal was blocked by a container ship for six days in July 2021. The security of this waterway is integral to the security of the geographies extending beyond its maritime borders.

(Vivek Mishra is Fellow, Strategic Studies, ORF, New Delhi; Poornima Balasubramanian is a doctoral candidate at Manipal University)

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A new power scramble in the Red Sea - Deccan Herald

The 2022 D23 Expo is fast approaching, and weve got the rundown on all the news were hoping Disney drops when the event takes place in California at the Anaheim Convention Center on September 9th, 10th, and 11th.

At the Expo, every Disney fan in attendance will get to learn about Disneys latest plans and projects, including Marvel, Star Wars, and PIXAR projects, Disneys upcoming films like Strange World, and Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products plans about exciting changes and additions coming to Disneys theme parks.

Disney Legends will be named in a fabulous ceremony, and Disney Plus and Disney Television, including Disney Junior and Disney Channel, will unveil upcoming new shows. And it all takes place inside Hall D23 in Hall D at the Anaheim Convention Center, where nearly 7,000 fans will be seated for Expo presentations.

D23 has recently announced some of the upcoming presentations at the Expo, but there are some specific announcements were hoping to hear, and with a little faith, trust, and pixie dust, the dreams that we wish will come true. (At least were hoping.) To that end, hereare just a few of the announcements were hoping to hear at the 2022 D23 Expo, in no particular order, of course.

The Disney Wish only recently arrived at Port Canaveral in Florida, and on July 14, she took her maiden voyage with passengers aboard. But were excited about the next ship! Disney Cruise Line has already told fans that two more ships would be constructed following the completion of the Disney Wish. So were hoping to learn when construction will begin, and wed love to learn the name of the new ship at the 2022 D23 Expo.

RELATED: RMS Titanic vs. Disneys newest cruise ship, the MS Disney Wish

Bonus points if the name theyve chosen for the second member of Disney Cruise Lines Titan class is the Disney Story.

The 2022 D23 Expo will kick off on September 9th with the Disney Legends Ceremony, and there are a few people wed like to see receive this prestigious Disney honor, including:

READ ALSO: I never knew a Disney Film could help me process the grief of loss. Until now.

Its time, friends. Its just time.

Its been more than 24 years since the Resort added a new theme park, and theres plenty of room for a fifth one. PIXAR Park will feature everything we love about the most beloved PIXAR film franchises like the incomparable Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., and The Incredibles.

READ ALSO: Disney & PIXAR Films Gone Horribly Wrong: Terrible Lessons we Learn if we Watch Them on Opposite Day

Disney Parks President Josh DAmaro will also announce that there will be no duplicate attractions or experiences from Disneylands PIXAR Pier, meaning no IncrediCoaster. Instead, the signature attraction at Disney Worlds PIXAR Park will be one for the record books and feature the most advanced theme park ride technology on earth.

Its also time for World Showcase to get an upgrade in the form of a 12th country pavilion. The last country to arrive at EPCOTs World Showcase was Norway in 1988, 34 years ago. Every part of EPCOT outside of World Showcase is in the process of receiving creative new updates, so its only fair.

RELATED: Greece makes plans to join EPCOTs World Showcase

And for those who say theres no room on the World Showcase, consider this. There are actually several spots around the red promenade that could host a new pavilion. (See the map of World Showcase and pavilion spaces below.) And who wouldnt want to have an experience from Down Under while at EPCOT? Thats right. Its time to welcome Australia to World Showcase!

So many Disney World fans have been waiting for the return of the Disney Dining Plan, which disappeared when the theme parks at the Resort closed in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and it remains one of the few things that has yet to return since the parks reopening.

But in our perfect 2022 D23 Expo scenario, Disney announces the return of the Disney Dining Plan just in time for the 2022 holiday season, and the better-than-ever Disney Dining Plan even offers special entitlements specifically for EPCOTs annual festivals.

As our perfect 2022 D23 Expo scenario continues, we hear an announcement from Disney Parks, Products, and Experiences division about a brand-new festival coming to EPCOT. Currently, the annual festivals include (in order from January to December) the International Festival of the Arts, the International Flower & Garden Festival, the International Food & Wine Festival, and the delightful International Festival of the Holidays.

The newest addition will be EPCOTs International Festival of Film, featuring themes from the worlds most iconic and prolific films from days gone by. Disneys Hollywood Studios will also take part in the festivities with smaller offerings throughout that park that complement those at EPCOT.

On the official website for D23, the official Disney Fan Club, some revelations about the upcoming 2022 D23 Expo have already been shared:

The festivities begin Friday, September 9th, with the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony and a kick-off to Disney100. Later that day, The Walt Disney Studios will showcase whats on the horizon from Walt Disney Animation Studios, PIXAR Animation Studios, and Disney Live Action. On Saturday morning, the Studios will give fans a sneak peek at the latest from Marvel and Lucasfilm. That afternoon, Disney Branded Television will preview its exciting slate. On Sunday morning, fans will get a preview of whats in store at Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products, and later on, Guests will enjoy a special presentation of Disney Princess The Concert.

Friday, September 9th: Disney100 kicks off at D23 Expo on Friday, September 9th, at 10:30 a.m. with an epic presentation that includes the Disney Legends Awards Ceremonyfeaturing Disney CEO Bob Chapek. The Disney Legends Ceremony will once again honor those visionaries and artists who have made significant contributions to the Disney legacy. Look for the names of the 2022 inductees to be announced in the coming weeks.

At 3:30 p.m., guests will be treated to new details, first looks, sneak peeks, surprises, and announcements regarding upcoming theatrical and Disney+ titles from Disney Live Action, PIXAR Animation Studios, and Walt Disney Animation Studios. Studio heads, filmmakers, and cast members will come together onstage with the inside scoop on some of these studios most exciting titles.

Saturday, September 10th: Filmmakers, celebrity talent, and surprise Guests will join representatives from Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm, among others, onstage in Hall D23 at 10 a.m. to showcase theatrical and Disney+ titles. Going behind the scenes of these studios highly anticipated films, specials, and series, attendees will see exclusive footage and be among the first to learn what else is in the works.

At 3:30 p.m., Disney Branded Television, home to some of the most iconic stories and characters in the Disney canon-including Peabody Award winners Doc McStuffins and The Owl House, plus the culture-defining movie franchises High School Musical and Descendants-will present an exclusive showcase of upcoming content that will continue the legacy of excellence in storytelling. The showcase will feature talent appearances and never-before-seen sneak previews of original content for Disney+, Disney Channel, and Disney Junior, including looks at the new Disney+ Original series National Treasure, American Born Chinese, and The Santa Clause.

Sunday, September 11th: At 10:30 a.m., join Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Chairman Josh DAmaro for a look at Disneys boundless future. With announcements and updates on the magic happening around the world in parks, on the high seas, at home, and beyond, attendees will get a behind-the-scenes look at the big dreams of Disney Imagineers. Every Disney fan will want to be a part of this special presentation full of exciting news and surprises.

At 4:15 p.m., Disney Concerts will present a special performance of Disney Princess The Concert, featuring Tony nominee Susan Egan, Broadway.com Audience Award nominee Isabelle McCalla, Disney Channel star Anneliese van der Pol, and Broadway World Award winner Syndee Winters. Music director Benjamin Rauhala and Prince Adam J. Levy will also join the quartet. The acclaimed cast will perform favorite Disney Princess and Frozen songs, including classics such as Let It Go, A Whole New World, Colors of the Wind, and Almost There. The performers will share exclusive, hilarious, and heartfelt behind-the-scenes stories from their time on the stage and screen.

At this time, every available Disney fan ticket has been sold, and no further tickets are available for the D23 Expo this year. If youre headed to Anaheim for the Expo, well see you there!

And if you cant make it this year, no worries! The DisneyDining team of writers will be working round the clock to bring you the most up-to-date and breaking news from the Expo, so be sure to refresh your browser often, and watch your email notifications for breaking news straight from Anaheim!

Questions about D23 Membership? Click here to find out how to join D23!

Excerpt from:

Disney Dining Plan Returns, a new Festival at EPCOT, a FIFTH Theme Park at Disney World, and more news we hope is REVEALED at the 2022 D23 Expo -...

McDowell is the father of Marine 1st Lt. Hugh Conor McDowell, who was killed in a military vehicle rollover on Camp Pendleton in 2019, and a fellow of the International Security program of New America in Washington, D.C.

Nine Gold Star families felt a chilling sense of dread last week when two Marine Amphibious Combat Vehicles floundered badly in the ocean off Camp Pendleton and their crews fled to safety.

Two years ago, on July 30 at Camp Pendleton, eight Marines and a Navy Corpsman, some in their teens, died horrific drowning deaths in one of the worst disasters in Marine Corps history in an Amphibious Assault Vehicle, the predecessor to the Amphibious Combat Vehicle.

Luckily (and it was probably sheer luck), no crew members died in the latest training fiasco. The House and Senate Armed Services Committee leaders have reduced training deaths. In December, they passed historic new laws to protect our troops to train hard and be ready for battle. But training debacles continue.

A dramatic and frightening video on YouTube shows last weeks accidents in real time. One 35-ton Amphibious Combat Vehicle flips onto its side, isolated and stuck in the high surf. Its crew manages to scramble out in time to prevent death or serious injury. Another Amphibious Combat Vehicle drops to the shallow ocean bed and the crew members jump off and desperately swim for land. Later, that Amphibious Combat Vehicle is towed onto the beach.

There are so many questions.

Hourly weather forecasts had predicted dangerously heavy swells and surf at this location, so why did the unit command or its upper-echelon bosses not ground the vehicles until sea conditions were safer?

Given that the last Amphibious Assault Vehicle disaster was just two years ago, why was utmost caution not exercised? Arent we supposed to learn lessons from that previous painful experience?

Crucially, what training were the Amphibious Combat Vehicle crews provided? For example, did they train in simulators on how to pilot an Amphibious Combat Vehicle in rough seas and high surf, like we see in the video?

Had evacuation (egress) training been done, allowing crew members to immediately act on instinct and exit the Amphibious Combat Vehicles at speed?

This time there were Navy safety boats on hand to act quickly, unlike two years ago. But were portable underwater breathing sets on board these vehicles, unlike two years ago?

Now once again after the fact Amphibious Combat Vehicles, like the old Amphibious Assault Vehicles are being grounded. But for how long?

How confident can we really be that the Camp Pendleton commanding general and others of flag rank are honestly accepting responsibility and being held to account? Safety should be Job No. 1 for leaders, especially after a second serious mishap, as the Pentagon farcically calls accidents.

After the July 30, 2020, catastrophe, it took 18 months and focused pressure on congressional leaders for a major general to be forced into retirement because of the Amphibious Assault Vehicle disaster and his boss, a lieutenant general (now retired) to be given a letter of censure from the civilian Navy secretary, which happened only last month. Neither lost any benefits or reductions in rank. Blaming down the ranks has to stop. This is not leadership.

Enough is enough. The Pentagon needs to get its act together to train hard but safely. This is not combat. Lets have no more Weve got this cringe-worthy excuses by flag officers before congressional hearings following yet another calamity.

Continued here:

Opinion: Two years after my son died in a military vehicle rollover, another just took place. Why? - The San Diego Union-Tribune

United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has stated she plans to visit Taiwan at an undisclosed date in August, causing China to issue a stern warning that it could not rule out the possibility of a military response. Some people believe that this could possibly mean using fighter jets to intercept Pelosis plane.

On July 23, Josh Rogin, a columnist at the Washington Post, wrote that the US military could deploy an aircraft carrier to protect Pelosis plane. So will a war break out in the Taiwan Strait?

Different forecasts have been made about how a Taiwan Strait war could be triggered. The most common assumption is that Taiwan authorities will cross the red line in some way by substantively and irreversibly separating Taiwan from China, triggering the PLAs military reunification actions.

Pelosi has been anti-China for a long time. As the midterm elections in the US Congress are approaching while the prospects of her Democratic Party is poor, Pelosi is effectively canvassing for the Democratic Party by visiting Taiwan.

If the Democratic Party loses its majority in the House of Representatives, Pelosi will no longer keep her Speaker position and may also be held accountable by the party and take a hit to her reputation.

It is hard to say whether US President Joe Biden is discouraging or secretly supporting Pelosis Taiwan plan.

On the one hand, if the Republicans win a majority in the Congress in the midterm elections, Biden will become a lame duck President. On the other hand, if Biden provokes a US-China war during his term, he will be condemned by history. He faces a dilemma.

From Beijings perspective, both the White House and Congress represent the US. If either of them supports Taiwanese independence, China will not tolerate it. If Taiwan, or any foreign country, crosses the red line, it means the start of Chinas military reunification.

No one knows whether China will deploy fighter jets to intercept Pelosis plane. This is an option, but not the only one.

Technically, the interception is completely possible as PLA fighter jets have sufficient flight and weapon ranges. They can hold military exercises near Taiwan or stage continuous combat air patrols. If Pelosi wants to do it her own way, she can try. Repatriation, forced landing and even a direct shooting down are all options for Beijing.

Of course, shooting down the US House Speakers plane would be an act of war. But if the Speaker blatantly intrudes into Chinas sovereignty, it is no different from an undeclared war. It is justifiable for China to fight a war with military measures.

Pelosi is the third-in-line successor after the president and vice president of the US. The US military has the responsibility to ensure Pelosis safety but it does not mean that it agrees with the trip. When Biden said the US military had concerns, he accurately reflected the militarys position.

Technically, there are ways for US fighter jets to escort Pelosis plane :

No matter how strong the US-Japan relationship is, it is not in Japans interest to get involved or help provoke a war in the Taiwan Strait. Kadena is an American base, but Japan cannot escape responsibility.

It is different from the US-Japan Security Treaty, in which the US promised to offer help if Japan is attacked. In this case, it would be the US that takes the initiative to drag China into a war.

Washington Post reporter Rogin mentioned that some of Americas Asian allies expressed concern about Pelosis possible visit to Taiwan.

He was likely referring to Japan. Tokyo has remained ambiguous about whether the US-Japan Security Treaty would be activated when the US provokes a war that does not involve Japan.

This is a kind of strategic ambiguity and Japan will not take the initiative to change this strategy. Japan is not willing to be dragged into a war with China as it knows clearly that such a war will not be limited to the Taiwan Strait.

Guam is too far away. American fighter jets have to be refueled by tanker planes to extend their flight time in the Taiwan Strait. With such obvious actions, China would know when Pelosis plane will arrive.

Departing from an aircraft carrier would be ideal for the US. It does not involve any US allies and fighter jets can maintain combat readiness for a long time, with the benefit of a short response time.

However, it is not easy to mobilize an aircraft carrier, and the US may not have enough time to do it. Moreover, the role of an aircraft carrier is limited. If the PLA suddenly dispatches a large number of fighter jets, the US aircraft carrier will be trapped.

Deploying an aircraft carrier is like trying to hit a dog with a meat bun, which will definitely be eaten up. The US wont be able to retreat or rescue its aircraft carrier.

There is another problem: it is justifiable only if the US fighter jets are flying over the high seas but not in Taiwans airspace.

As Speaker of the House of Representatives, Pelosi is qualified to use US military aircraft, including the US governments special planes and even military transport planes.

It is possible that China will not take drastic action against unarmed US military aircraft arriving in Taiwan. But it is a completely different issue for US fighter jets to carry out combat operations in Taiwans airspace.

As Taiwan is part of China, it is theoretically possible for PLA fighter jets to open fire directly on foreign fighter jets in the name of intercepting armed incursions. Besides, it is not possible that Pelosis plane will enter Taiwans airspace without a military escort.

Perhaps American fighter jets will hand over to Taiwan fighter jets on the 12 nautical mile line or somewhere. But still, anything can happen when the US military, Taiwan military and PLA fighter jets are intertwined at close range. It could result in a misfire.

Other indirect options for China include the occupations of Dongyin Island, Dongsha Islands and Taiping Island and so on. Each of these islands has important strategic value, and would play a major role in the future battle of military unification.

Although the impact is indirect, China can benefit by taking the opportunity to occupy these islands. If the West takes any actions, China will implement a no-fly zone on Taiwan Island.

Politically, the US move to intensify the situation in the Taiwan Strait is not supported by its allies. Apart from Japan, Europe will also not support it.

European countries may sympathize with Taiwan if the PLA takes the initiative to attack the island. But they may not support the US if it is the one that stirs the pot.

When the US debates whether its China strategy should be vague or clear, Europe has always remained silent. In fact, it is an implicit statement.

Taiwanese authorities are also feeling anxious. On the one hand, they are eager to get more support from the US. But on the other hand, they are also afraid that US support will lead to a confrontation with China. They know that Taiwan cannot handle such a situation.

In any case, Taiwan will be the biggest loser as the confrontation will bring a devastating blow to the island. It may suffer from a smashing destruction or a no-fly zone blockage.

National reunification is the long-cherished wish of the Chinese people. Peaceful reunification is the first choice but military reunification remains an option.

The threshold for military reunification is very high. But Pelosis visit to Taiwan may force the PLA to resolutely cross the threshold. It is what Taiwan is worrying about.

Taiwan authorities keep linking the situation in the Taiwan Strait with Ukraine, but Taiwan really does not want to become another Ukraine.

Taiwan is in a dilemma as it cannot dissuade or encourage Pelosi from visiting. In the US, the anti-China sentiment is high. But the US is not ready for a war.

The US has lost its deterrence a long time ago. The chance for the US losing a war against China is increasing. In fact, it is meaningless for the US to try to show off its military power in front of China, which is now a real superpower.

The US itself is in a bad economic situation with stagflation. It is very likely that the US economy will start contracting before interest rates are raised to a high level. By that time, there will be no room for interest rate cuts to stimulate the economy. For the US, a war with China would be the last straw to break the camels back.

The US is entering stagflation, which is the most dangerous and difficult economic situation. It is why Biden is eager to talk to China.

The world economy will face a rare financial decoupling if the US raises interest rates and China cuts its. Whether funds should flow to the US for hedging or to China for growth, this is an important decision for global investors. It is also a big test for the US about whether it can remain as a superpower.

The US, which now lacks the confidence to control the world, does not want to face such a test. The US dollar also wants to avoid this test.

Militarily, the US army has long lost its advantage in the Taiwan Strait, and it is also losing its advantage in the Western Pacific.

The US military is facing serious problems of aging equipment and has lagged behind China in terms of key weapons such as hypersonic and theater missiles. It has been struggling to support Ukraine in the traditional battles and will not be able to fight against China.

The US military is still strong and it is possible that the US can mobilize forces from all over the world to the Asia-Pacific.

However, given that the war in Ukraine has been protracted and the threat from Russia has become clear, such mobilization will shake the US alliance system and fundamentally endanger the strategic interests of the US.

Biden wants to pressure China but cannot bear the consequences of a confrontation. He does not want to be pulled by Pelosis Taiwan trip into a confrontation against China in an untimely manner.

Pelosi only wants to boost her popularity. If Biden can exert his influence to make Pelosi abandon her Taiwan trip, it would benefit Sino-US relations.

But Biden could not publicly dissuade her, nor could the US accept that its Taiwan policy was being swayed by China. He used public opinion to achieve his goal.

Influential columnists like Rogin have no shortage of inside sources and they come to him when needed. If the US public opinion opposes her trip, Pelosi will have to reconsider it.

If US public opinion supports it, Biden can shirk responsibility and justify the US confrontation with China.

Interestingly, US public opinion has so far remained low-key except for a few Republicans. In the US, no politician dares to openly challenge the anti-China strategy, which is now politically correct, so people stay silent.

Only former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he wanted to ride on Pelosis plane to visit Taiwan. Perhaps no sponsor wants to buy him an air ticket.

For confidentiality reasons, Pelosi has been tight-lipped about whether and when she will visit Taiwan. This is very strange. Why cant she make it public? Perhaps she does not want the PLA to prepare for the interception of her plane. Or simply, she herself is hesitant.

Pelosi is a politician older than Biden. She puts her own political legacy as a top priority, over the interests of the Democratic Party and the US.

Today, the US is divided ideologically but there is a high degree of consensus on the anti-China issue. Pelosi is trying to benefit from such anti-China sentiment.

US politicians promotion of anti-China sentiment is a bad thing for the US, but actually not so bad for China. If the US has to rely on attacking an opponent to reach consensus, it has lost its direction and initiative in the beginning.

Also, if the US does not put enough effort into basic developments that are unrelated to its opponent, it will be stuck in deeper economic stagnation and fall apart.

For the US, rebuilding social harmony, economy and cultural self-confidence are its most important tasks. These problems cannot be solved by opposing China. But now the US is blaming China for everything. It is actually self-misleading.

It seems that the US is putting a lot of pressure on China but it is actually delaying the cure of its illness and weakening its foundation. Blaming others is a typical loser mindset. Some US people are aware of this.

A country has to follow its own direction and rhythm to develop itself. Its rivals moves are a less important thing.

In the global competition, a large country should take the initiative to lead the worlds economy and culture. But a country will only show its weakness by spending time blaming others and covering up its incompetence.

The US sees the anti-China sentiment as a great mountain but China sees it as a small pile of stinky garbage. Pelosi may think she is building a tower on top of a mountain but China sees that she is only throwing a piece of debris on some garbage.

For China, economic outreach to the Global South is key to breaking through American efforts to contain Chinas drive for economic predominance.

China has to solve the problem of generating its own independent growth momentum, after breaking through the critical point of the Matthew Effect, the economic maxim that rich countries get richer and poor countries get poorer.

Americas comprehensive and unlimited anti-China campaign can slow down Chinas development, at the cost of a greater deceleration of the United States. But China is not only putting in place a dual cycle, that is, promoting domestic consumption as well as exports.

China also divides the external export cycle into two sub-cycles: Europe and the United States on one hand, and the Belt and Road/Asia, Africa and Latin America on the other.

In fact, the US government and politicians know clearly that anti-China should only be a slogan.

An armed confrontation with China is something that the US can say but cannot do. This is why Biden wanted to talk to Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Editors note: Biden and Xi held a two-hour phone call on Thursday to discuss trade, Taiwan and Ukraine war matters.)

Pelosi may have expected Chinas strong opposition to her Taiwan trip. She wants to be praised for having resisted huge pressure from China.

US public opinion will not oppose politically correct issues, such as being anti-China and supporting Taiwan. Even if there is any noise, Pelosi still has enough political resources to silence them.

If the Republican Party supports her trip, then it is a bipartisan consensus. If not, she can attack the Republicans. It seems to be a sure bet for her.

As Speaker of the House of Representatives, Pelosi has authority in domestic affairs and legislation while diplomacy and security are the responsibility of the president. Pelosis visit to Taiwan has a symbolic meaning and may trigger an unprecedented national security crisis.

I hope Pelosi, who always talks about ideology but actually cares more about businesses, will understand that her Taiwan visit will create a huge crisis that will affect many things.

Chen Feng is editor of Guancha.cn, which originally published this article in Chinese as an exclusive manuscript. It is republished in English translation here with kind permission.

The content of the article is purely the authors personal opinion, and does not represent either news platforms opinion. It may not be reprinted without authorization.

See the article here:

Pelosi should think twice about flying to Taiwan - Asia Times

What lies in the seas dark underbelly has always both frightened and amazed. Legends have moved across its waters for centuries that speak of beasts like the Kraken that wait to wrap its tentacles around passing ships. Whether you believe theyre real or not, they must have come from something. Chris Williams solo debut as director (having previously co-directed Moana, Big Hero 6, and Bolt), co-written with Nell Benjamin, is fuelled by the legends of pirates and sea monsters, told through the eyes of a child who, like many of us, is fascinated by them. In The Sea Beast, the words spoken of in these legends flow off the page into a work that captures all the marvels they hold, with stunning animation and swash-buckling adventure.

Maisie (Zaris-Angel Hator) is an orphan who loves to tell anyone who will listen about the greatest hunting ship, the Inevitable, and its legendary Captain Crow (Jared Harris). She reads about how the sea beasts made the waters, and even villages, unsafe. Then, the hunters came. Hired by the crown, they are pirates who dedicate their lives to hunting these nightmare creatures. She brings her book about Crow and his fearsome crew everywhere she goes, so its no surprise that when they come to town, shes quick to introduce herself. She meets Jacob (Karl Urban), who is poised to one day wear the captains hat. Its quickly evident how similar they are, as they both carry the same fiery determination. While Maisie is in awe of Jacob, he finds her to be a nuisance, even when she explains that her own parents were once hunters. Shes determined to join his crew and wont take no for an answer, so she stows away in an empty rum barrel. While welcomed by Captain Crow and unwavering in the face of a knife, she may have gotten herself a bit over her head next to the Inevitables experienced crew. Shes living in her favorite book, but no matter how many times shes read its pages, theres no way to prepare herself for the fight they have up against what is described as the greatest, most terrible thing in the sea: The Red Bluster. This fight leads to some amusing, unexpected turns for Jacob and Maisie, and along the way, they begin to question everything theyve ever known about what theyve been taught to fear.

The Sea Beast is thrilling from beginning to end, with humor and heart in between. Jaunty sea shanties are the soundtrack to the many scenes of men fighting monsters, monsters fighting monsters, and men fighting each other. Despite most scenes taking place at sea, its immense in scale, with stops on islands and lively, period-accurate towns. The animation is stunning and impressively detailed, from the craftsmanship of the Inevitable to the kingdoms castle, and the designs of the films many monsters fill the audience with child-like curiosity and wonder. The script also takes the time to create fleshed-out characters and its just as captivating to see how Maisie and Jacobs relationship changes as it is to watch their interactions with the Red Bluster, or Red.

With a list like Klaus, The Willoughbys, Over the Moon, and this latest work, Netflix is proving to be an animation studio to watch out for. Williams film isnt entirely unique, however, as its basically Netflixs How to Train Your Dragon. Just like the Dreamworks masterpiece, its about people who see monsters as their enemy, with a child trying to open everyones eyes to the truth. It is a poignant narrative, nevertheless, especially at a time when old traditions seem to be stronger than ever. Its hard to let go of all you know and begin to believe the opposite of whats always been seen as the truth. But the only way for the sea beast to co-exist with the pirate is if new stories are written and if the violence of old ways meets the broken halves of a spear.

The Day's Most Divisive Topic: Self-Checkout Lines |'Thor: Love and Thunder' Is Fitfully Entertaining But Not Particularly Good

Header Image Source: Netflix

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Netflix Takes Its Latest Animation to the High Seas With 'The Sea Beast' - Pajiba Entertainment News

This boat could only have one name, right?

Welcome aboard the Royal Flush, Captain Bob Gibbons says as a reporter hoists a leg over the rail of the 30-foot aluminum boat.

This craft, owned by the state and docked seasonally near the salt piles along the Piscataqua River in Portsmouth, has a simple mission: In the warmer months, Gibbons, along with another pilot, siphons off human waste from pleasure boats along New Hampshires coastline, in Great Bay and the Cocheco River.

Armed with a 400-gallon storage tank and a pump that can move sewage at a rate of 40-gallons a minute, the Royal Flush gathers black water - the waste gathered in the boat latrines - so that boaters arent tempted to dump it into the ocean.

When a reporter notes no foul odors aboard, Gibbons seems proud.

Thank you, he responds. Thats a good thing, because that means there arent any leaks.

The Royal Flushs job might be an essential one on the high seas, but its an obvious target for bathroom humor. Gibbons, though, a former charter boat operator and a capable, sober seaman, isnt interested.

There are many jokes, he says. And Im just going to leave it at that.

Despite his all-business demeanor, Captain Bob has earned a following out here on New Hampshire's waters. Each day, he will hook up with up to a dozen or so boats who have requested whats officially known as a pumpout.

Some of my best friends are customers, he says. Ive been servicing the same boats for many years, and some of those people are great clients of mine.

Though it may be fine for pirates, it is illegal (and fairly disgusting) to dump waste within three miles of the shoreline in New Hampshire. While some marinas have locations where a boat can pump out, that isnt always an option.

With backing from a federal grant, the state operates the Royal Flush, and contracts with Gibbons, to offer a free way for crafts to unload without polluting.

Over the years, weve pumped out a total of 200,000 gallons of sewage from boats, and it averages about 10,000 to 15,000 gallons a year, says David Neils, the states Chief Aquatic Biologist. So that's a lot of poop.

When too much sewage ends up in the water, it can harm the oceans delicate ecosystem.

And think about the oysters, lobsters and other delicacies harvested right off the coast that end up on our plates.

Human sewage is not good for them, no, and it isnt good for us either, says Neils. So we look at this program as a critical way to protect human health and protect our recreation resources here in New Hampshire.

After firing up the Royal Flushs twin outboards, Gibbons heads upriver and into Great Bay. Hes looking for a 34-foot bayliner with blue canvas who requested a pump the day before.

The hardest part of the job is docking up dozens of times a week against $100,000 boats that damage easily. For that reason, the Royal Flush doesnt operate in foul weather or when the seas are rough.

But Gibbons is a pro; he nestles alongside the client, attaches a yellow hose, and soon a tankful of sewage is moving swiftly from one boat to another.

And by the way: I have never gotten dirty doing this job. Never gotten any splash. Nothing has ever touched me, and I hope I am not jinxing myself when I say that, he says.

Job complete, Gibbons leaves a note for the boater, and heads with the tide toward his next pumpout of the day making a dirty job look clean.

See the article here:

'Royal Flush' maintains the hygiene of the high seas along N.H.'s coastline - New Hampshire Public Radio