2025: A Shifting World (IC) (Open)

[Asian Socialism]

THE TIMES OF INDIA

March 06, 2025

Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan urges peace in Japan-ROK relations, citing recent tensions:
As recent tensions have begun to arise between Japan and South Korea once again, Ambassador Sripriya Ranganathan is urging for peace between the two nations. The longtime Indian Ambassador to South Korea was seen yesterday giving an address at the annual Indo-Korean Summit for Peace, where she stated:

Peace between the nations of South Korea and Japan were longstanding. South Korea and Japan cooperated in many respects, and will always represent a longstanding commitment to liberty and freedom on the Asian continent. As a fellow democracy, India is saddened by the recent developments between the two nations, in their various hostile natures towards one another. As Indian people, as an Indian nation, and as a fellow democracy, we ask for the nation of South Korea to sit with Japan and agree to joint talks between the two nations. While we realize this may not be the easiest task to ask, considering the height of the tensions as of recent days, we believe in a joint future for peace in the Asian continent and for our respective democratic practices and values. We are willing to send a five man delegation to Seoul to discuss a possible treaty of peace and a cease to all hostility, if South Korea would permit. I believe the respective Indian Ambassador to Japan would likely be in agreeance to visit Tokyo and to do the same.

Prime Minister Modi has also called for a peaceful resolution to the tensions, underlining India's "commitment to peace in Asia and the world."

Polling data shows Indian citizens wish to be on the UNSC, Modi Government agrees:

Polling data conducted over the month of February shows a glaring desire by Indian citizens to see themselves, along with the giants of Russia, The United States, China, France and The United Kingdom, represented on the prestigious United Nations Security Council as the sixth Permanent Member. According to the poll, conducted by the new Governmental Data Collection Bureau, a whopping 88 percent of Indian citizens responded 'Yes' to the question 'Would you like to see India as a Permanent UNSC member soon?'

Seeing the overwhelming positive response, Prime Minister Modi ensures India that he will attempt to petition the United Nations Security Council, saying:

I strongly believe many nations are eager to see a peaceful India emerge, alongside China, The UK, France, Russia and The USA. As the overall consensus of the Indian people seems to be in favor of Permanent UNSC membership, I will send delegations to Moscow, Beijing, London, Paris and Washington DC to secure a consensus membership. In the event any of these nations would like to negotiate, we would be more than happy to send our various reassurances and talk with the five permanent members. Either way, I believe we will succeed in this endeavor.

GDP estimates show alarmingly high growth rate, analysts saying India is the 'next superpower':

Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and the Ministry of Finance have just released the 2025 GDP Estimate. Growth indicators show India's nominal GDP likely inflating to 6.1 Trillion Dollars by the end of 2025, with double digit percentage growth to continue throughout the next five years. A straw poll conducted among top Indian Economists shows 64 percent of them believe GDP may actually hit 10.5-11 trillion Dollars by the end of 2030, a major hike when compared to polling done three years ago.

Many attribute the growth to Prime Minister Modi's successful economic reforms, largely reducing nationalization of industries, decreasing regulation in key financial sectors and reforming Indian law to become friendlier to business interests for those abroad. Another major attribution is India's United States-like immigration increase, with many seeing India as a new haven to start business and raise families, among other things. India of course has had to bear the costs of such a major influx of immigration, with the country likely to see it's birth rate skyrocket in the coming decade, as well as what some are noticing as religious and ethnic tensions.
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[New Provenance]

New York Times
All The News That's Fit to Print

February-March 2025

President Brown pushes 'Global Build Back Better' plan, touts up to $40 billion in investments annually


President Sherrod Brown (D-OH) tours a steel plant in Ohio, 2024.

President Sherrod Brown and several top Democrats, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are now 'actively working towards' a proposed gargantuan 'Global Build Back Better' plan that could see up to $40 billion in investments across the world annually, according to a speech made by the President in Michigan to support the bill and tout it to the American public. Since he was first elected to the Oval Office in 2020, the Brown administration has consistently pushed domestic Build Back Better (BBB) and Made in America (MiA) programs to build up the post-COVID economy and redirect American jobs back home, respectively, with millions of new jobs being created between 2022 and 2024 alone.

Now, the Brown administration, entering its second term, seemingly intends to switch course and begin investing globally, through the gargantuan 'Global Build Back Better' plan that has been proposed by administration officials and top Senate Democrats.

'The United States has built itself up, recovered itself, now it is time for us to lend a hand to others, to share the opportunities, the vast opportunities given to us,' President Brown stated during his Michigan speech, as aforementioned above.

The plan could see up to $40 billion invested in the developing world annually, especially in South Asia, Oceania, South America and the Indian Subcontinent, where population growth is consistent with rapid economic growth, especially post-COVID.

'The U.S. has already been long involved with our allies in the region militarily and politically,' Sen. Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader, 'so why not lend them a hand in developing and building themselves up to be more resilient, more independent and more prosperous?'

Republicans have yet to comment on the proposed bill, but several moderate Senate Republicans have voiced support for a similar, albeit scaled down, proposal in the past.

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Senate says 'no more Army budget cuts', U.S. should pursue strengthening of the armed forces


U.S. Army personnel conducting a training exercise in Eastern Europe, 2024.

A large bipartisan group of Senators, including Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Mitt Romney, Sen. Patrick Leahy, Sen. Chuck Schumer, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, Sen. Mark Kelly, Sen. Tom Cotton, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Blumenthal, Sen. Murphy, Sen. Coons, Sen. Rubio, Sen. Scott, Sen. Ossoff, Sen. Warnock, Sen. Schatz, Sen. Hirono, Sen. Grassley, Sen. Ernst, Sen. McConnell, Sen. Paul, Sen. Collins, Sen. Warren, Sen. Sanders and Sen. Smith, have all called for the U.S. Government and the Brown administration to 'say no to more Army budget cuts', citing the 'serious risks posed by aggressively cutting the budget for the United States Armed Forces'.

The massive joint statement comes in the wake of several bipartisan bridges being built to pass legislation on further gun controls, protecting gay marriage, and expanded domestic jobs and infrastructure legislation, which appear to potentially be the start of the De-Trumpification of the Republican Party and the parallel depolarization of American politics.

Under the Brown administration, the budget of the United States Armed Forces has suffered more than under his predecessors, with funding for future development programs being cut and plans to downsize the military being laid out. However, towards the end of his first term, this phase of slow but steady decreases in the military budgets were halted completely, and the 2024 budget saw the first increase in three years.

The aforementioned bipartisan group of senators have also called on the President, top Defense officials and the Pentagon to begin a 'strengthening of the armed forces', citing 'the debilitating and weakened state of our military in comparison to 20 years ago', the 'lack of regular military exercises with allies and security partners', the 'lack of progression and development in future technologies of the armed forces', and 'widespread issues within the ranks of the military that have yet been dealt with'.

The U.S. Armed Forces currently stands at 1.4 million personnel, an increase from 1.3 million in 2019.

[Alaroma]

The Zambian Times : Forward With The Nation

February-March, 2025

Lusuka Master Plan

With the completion of the 2025 Vision Project, new attention has been put to the nation's capital. Determined to make a new start with urban development in city, the government has released new plans for the city. Calling the plan a 'plan for a democratic city', officials using the new Egyptian capital as a negative comparison, the government wants to improve the capital we have now. Reportedly, this includes 'the reformation of the highway system.' According to the plan, the highways running through the city are to be torn up, and replaced with public transport. One of the highlights is the opening of bids for a light rail system in the city. If completed, the city would gain one of the few in Sub Saharan Africa. Though this was only part of what the city termed it's "Pro Pedestrian Agenda". Fast Bus Transit' would be installed, areas for bicycles widened, greenery planted, and the prominence of the car diminished. According to officials, the ideal city is one where 'A citizen need no car at all.'

In doing this, the nation has opened up a bidding competition for the construction of a light rail system in the capital. In part of a larger rail package, in which the government wishes to connect the cities of Mongu, Kaoma, Kasempa, Lumwana, Solwezi, and Mpulungu to the main railways of the nation. In this, the nation would also be far more connected. Though, for Lusuka itself, one of it's apparent major inspirations is Amsterdam. The emphasis on public transport is, what the government hopes, makes Lusuka an inherently cut above most of its contemporaries.

A special economic zone has been designated in the outskirts of Lusuka where a new city center was planned. In this new SEZ, it had the rules of a Free Economic Zone. In this zone, the taxes were negligible, along with a serious roll back on regulations, in an already deregulatory enviroment in Zambia. In the SEZ, the combination of access to new infrastructure by the government, the stability of Zambian politics, and strategic location in the region. An overhaul of the city's looks was also planned, along with an expansion of new multi use buildings. Grand block buildings like those seen in Catalona were planned, with a newer skyscrapers planned for the new SEZ. Along with this, shopping, restraunts, and other entertainment venues were planned. Parks, schools, churches, and more as part of residential life were also planned. This was to turn Zambia from another capital, to a destination in itself. There was even details of how the new State House was to begin construction.

The plan is to cost allegedly between 5-10 billion dollars over the course of 10 years. The benefits of moving to Zambia, the government promised, were manifest. The goal now was to attract private sector investment for these new projects. This was part of an effort generally speaking to clean up the nation's image, fight climate change, improve its service sector, and show itself a good example for public investment.

[The Felan Federation]

March, 2025
Venezuela, Caracas

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"...it has been the fifth week of protests here...against Nicolas Maduro over his 'victory' in the 2024 presidential elections that many regard as being fraught with voter intimidation and ballot box stuffing..." spoke Jane Fairbright - as the young foreigner was one among 'a few' journalists that the government had allowed inside to 'record and interview' various people. Although, as many watching Miss Fairbright had constantly seen - was harassment from the government forces, whenever they were engaging in 'crackdowns' or attempting to engage in activities, considered 'discomforting' to any Western audiences.

Either way, the biggest news had been the 'protests' in Caracas near the Palacio Federal Legislativo - which by this point had been utterly controlled by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. As ever since their victory and subsequent crackdowns, things had been slowly sliding towards a one-party dictatorship. Seeing how even 'nominal' socialist allies had been slowly peeling away from his failure to renew the Venezuelan economy and social decline at that.

So much so, that the people who had gathered were calling for a 'Second Bolivarian Revolution' - upholding the ideals that Simon Bolivar himself relied upon, to overthrow the 'tyrannic yoke' that resembled and mimicked the days of colonialism. As many were seeing Nicolas Maduro as a 'tyrant', whom served his 'foreign credit masters' and utterly ignored the common people at that. At this current moment, the people were protesting against the Maduro Government' attempt to enact a 'Safety and Security Act' - or known by the locals Ley de Seguridad y Vigilancia; although know by most as 'legal martial law', that would allow the government to arrest, detain or seize anyone considered of being an 'enemy of the state'. Many foreign experts drawing similarities to the 'birth' of the Soviet Union and Vladimir Lenin at this point, in the modern time happening away. Although...many also presumed and assumed, that the people themselves couldn't hope to do much at this point. Many people asking for President Brown to 'remove' the tyrant before he utterly destroyed their homeland. As Venezuela in itself was by now having people fleeing by the thousands, with the poverty being almost at around 90%.

"...though many are eagerly out here in protest. Few doubt, that nothing short of a prayer...can hope to stop the actions of President Maduro and-" spoke Miss Fairbright, ready to sign off - before they heard the sound of vehicles and yelling growing louder and louder. As whether by happenstance, or fate itself - there had been one protestor whom suddenly threw something at the line of 'officers' and it exploded in a loud pop at that.

"This is just in! There has been an explosion! Near the Venezuelan legislature...we are seeing-" she commented, right before the camera panned out to witness the sight of a military tank itself arriving on scene from...somewhere at that. Except, as the crowds dispersed and all...the cannon took aim at the legislature...and fired at that. The resulting explosions wasn't as loud nor as...deafening, though as it were...adrenaline and the like was keeping many people going as it were. Seeing how the arrival of an actual military vehicle...on the side of the 'rebels' galvanized many into action. That...or the weeks of stress and anger finally found an outlet as it were. Seeing how the riot police in question quickly abandoned ranks and fled from the rioters in question - many assuming the military had turned ranks.

"WE ARE...JUST SEEING...THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE...STORMING THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF...VENEZUELA..." spoke Fairbright, as she and her cameraman continued documenting and filming the historic moment. All the while, trying to avoid getting caught in the stampede as it were. Since everyone was making their way inside...and the entire world was witnessing the potential 'collapse' of the Maduro Government, or the potential start of a civil war in Venezuela. As nobody knew if the tank crew had been rebels who had stolen the vehicle, or actual soldiers who had turned cloaks due to a variety of reasons.

[NewLakotah]

March, 2025

Chancellor Laschet resigns amid growing international pressure and Russian sanctions

After several weeks of intense standoffs and battles of words and sanctions, Chancellor Laschet of Germany was forced to resign following intense backlash from within his own party and the general public. The Russian sanctions had had a significant effect on the supply chains of Europe and Germany, causing severe downturns and forcing the German government to scramble to find new short term solutions to fill the gaps caused by the shortage of incoming fuels and enriched uranium.

The resignation was met positively from within Russia, with Prime Minister Alyona Arshinova stating that this was “a great victory for Russia” and that “all threats to the Motherland are taken very seriously.” For the time being the sanctions are still in effect, however, the Kiriyenko administration gave hints that they were willing to end all sanctions soon in good faith.

The escalation of words and sanctions came following Chancellor Laschet calling into question two international treaties, including the Final Settlement on Germany, as well as mobilizing troops into Poland as apart of NATO exercises and to secure the borders of NATO. This came in the midst of negotiations between Russia and the United Kingdom which was to pave a path towards peace in Ukraine. However, Germany and Chancellor Laschet objected strongly to the peace talks as a betrayal of Ukraine and of Europe. These moves derailed the peace talks and left Kiriyenko scrambling to try and salvage what he could of the deal while mobilizing units into Belarus in response.

Kiriyenko has made no comment on how long these troops will remain in Belarus nor comment on the increasing troop activities in and around Belarus and along the Ukrainian border. However, the Administration maintains that these troops are only there to secure the border territories of Russia as well as being apart of the upcoming April exercises that are being held in the region and will include Belarusian soldiers. The exercises are to deal with a potential NATO invasion threat and include a variety of drills in dealing with conventional opponents and NATO tactics and strategies.


Russian Armed Forces sees shuffling of units, activation of reserve equipment and National Guard


Over the past few days, analysts have reported on several large scale redeployments of reserve army equipment, primarily artillery and tanks, as well as missiles. These units and equipment are due to be apart of a new “testing phase” of readiness for the Russian Army as part of their upcoming exercises. In a statement from the Russian Armed Forces, as spokesperson stated that this was to “test the readiness of the Russian Ground Forces should it be necessary in the event of an invasion, as well as to see what is and is not combat ready and to remove those that are not combat ready from our inventory.”

These moves have lead to some concerns within the Russian government. Primarily from opposition leader and anti-war advocate Alexei Navalny, the leader of the Russian Liberation Front Coalition. Navalny questioned whether or not this would be sending the wrong message to Ukraine and to the West by this new massive redeployment of forces and equipment for ‘military testing purposes. “We must put all of our cards on the table when in negotiations and not be preparing for war within one hand and trying to deal for peace in the other”, Navalny stating in the State Duma yesterday afternoon.

Prime Minister Arshinova responded that “this was to ensure that military readiness of the Russian Ground Forces” and to play “a key role in the upcoming exercises in as opposition forces during a mock NATO invasion”. Meanwhile, there has been a rather steady increase of National Guard forces gathering in various regions along the border of Ukraine and Russia. The National Guard is primarily composed of conscripts, however, there is still a significant volunteer segment as well. These units are not affiliated with any regular National Guard formation and are instead said to be playing a supporting role as “volunteer detachments” in support of the main Russian Army during the April drills.

Kiriyenko has made little comment on the upcoming drills, but has high praise for the National Guard units as “embodying the true Russian ethos and spirit” for their duty and willingness to serve. He was maintained close contact with European and Western leaders during this process and has openly stated his willingness to engage in peace talks if Europe and Ukraine are willing. However, it is clear that Kiriyenko is not putting all of his eggs in one basket and it seems as though he is willing to use a show of force in Belarus and along the border with Ukraine to show Russia’s strength and willingness to engage in combat should the peace talks fail. Kiriyenko has stated on several occasions that he “will not abandon the people of the Donbas, no matter what” and that “any peace agreement must be a permanent one. We cannot rely on Ukraine to adhere to ceasefires and we cannot let millions live in limbo and under constant threat of war for so many years. Peace will come to the Donbas”.



Russian firms look towards Central Asia and China for the future

As Russia’s foreign policy has lead to increased development projects and partnerships throughout Central Asia and with China, Russian private firms have increasingly sought to build closer ties with their Chinese counterparts, as well as growing their investments in the Stans and in the caucasus region. This includes increasing natural resource production rates for sale to East and South Asia, increasing goods and services to and from China, and developing more imports of Chinese and Asian goods into all parts of Russia as well as Chinese corporations.

Kiriyenko has hailed this as a sign of progress for the future. He has stated before that “Central Asia is the future of development” and has backed this statement with billions of rubles into building infrastructure and partnering with China on their One Belt One Road initiative that will bring even more trade and development to the region. This also comes after a long tour of the region by Foreign Minister Poklonskaya who met with the various heads of government, from Kazakhstan all the way over to Armenia and everyone in between. This was not only to ensure Russian support, but also to increase the opportunities to increase ties between the countries, politically, economically, and militarily.

Kiriyenko has also had significant praise for the increasing closeness between Russia and China, hailing it as a “progress point for all Asia and Eurasia”. The two countries are by far the most politically and economically important in Asia along with India and Pakistan, two countries that both China and Russia are working to develop closer economic ties with. Kiriyenko has also called the relationship between Russia and China as “pivotal” for global peace and security, saying, “The West’s continued interference in Asia has only caused conflict and confusion in the region. It is not for the West to decide Eurasia’s future, but it is for us to decide our own future. Together we can work to solve the issues of income inequality, poverty, food insecurity, terrorism, and national conflict far better than with the United States interfering.”

These comments have come after China has launched two significant military operations in the past 5 years, first in Myanmar following the military coup, and now in North Korea to secure their nuclear weapons and assist in their transition process after the death of their Paramount Leader. Kiriyenko was not President during the Myanmar expedition, but has maintained China’s use of force was justified to maintain democracy and to prevent further conflict from growing in Southeast Asia. He has also supported China’s expedition in North Korea as “vital” to secure the Korean peninsula and prevent “nuclear materials from falling into the wrong hands” as well as “ensuring general peace on the peninsula”. Despite this and open support in the United Nations, Russia has been largely on the sidelines on most issues in East Asia. While the rest of the world scrambles to pick sides and find paths to peace, Russia has remained largely neutral and quiet on the issues between South Korea and Japan.

With the developing relationship between Russia and China, as well as Russia with many other Asian states, the dependency on Europe has diminished significantly over the past several years economically. This comes as Europe has continued to find ways to circumnavigate the virtual monopoly on energy that Russia has in their own bid to be less dependent on Russia. This separation has led to much distrust between both Western Europe and Eastern Europe as Russia tries to maintain its positive relationships in Europe proper, including with Belarus and Serbia.

However, from a business perspective, Asia holds a significantly more stable and better opportunity than Europe. With its growing markets and massive hunger for energy and resources, Russia has forged many close partnerships across Asia, including with China. These partnerships have lead to an opening of trade and markets between these countries and the EAEU, which has increased the diversity of Russia’s overseas portfolio across Asia and into Africa.


Violence in Venezuela as protestors launch assault on government

The ongoing protests in Venezuela have become violent as protestors managed to get their hands on tanks and other weapons and launch a full assault on the National Assembly of the country. These protests come after years of economic recession and inflation which has left the country in ruin. Much of this is to be blamed on the United States for their sanctions against the country, but much of it also lies with the Maduro regime who has done little to ease the suffering of most Venezuelan citizens.

President Kiriyenko continued his calls for peaceful protests and condemned the actions that has lead to dozens of deaths in both sides stating “violence will always beget more violence. We are looking at a serious problem in South America. One that could lead to civil war and thousands of dead and millions more displaced throughout the region. We cannot allow this to happen.”

Kiriyenko made no statement on what role Russia would play in this conflict. Russia has long been a close ally with Venezuela and the protests risk undoing much of the work Russia has done to maintain that relationship. However it is no secret that Kiriyenko has little love for Maduro. However, it may be that geopolitical ramifications are a bigger concern than the opinion on one of its leaders. Currently, Russia has no formal deployment to Venezuela, however, there has been significant cooperation between the two countries, including deployments of paramilitary contractors from the Wagner Group dating back to 2021 in Venezuela. Whether or not they will play a role in this conflict remains to be seen.

Kiriyenko maintained that “coups are not a legitimate form of governmental changes” and “we will seek to work with our partners and with the opposition activists to find a peaceful and permanent solution to the ongoing violence.” In order to accomplish this, Kiriyenko has ordered ambassador Anastasia Fedorov to conduct talks with leaders on both sides to find a solution that will lead to an end to the conflict.

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[New Provenance]

New York Times
All The News That's Fit to Print

March 2025

U.S. to 'actively monitor' Russian troop movements, Venezuela protests, but 'focus still on Korea'


State Department spokesperson Ned Price addresses the media, March 2025.

The U.S. State Department will be moving forward 'actively monitoring' Russian troop movements and the Venezuela protests against dictator Nicolas Maduro that have turned violent, according to a press conference by State Department spokesperson Ned Price yesterday.

'The United States will be actively monitoring both reported Russian troop movements and deployments for what Moscow is calling routine exercises as a routine security precaution on our side, and naturally we will also be closely watching the situation in Venezuela as things get more heated,' Price told the media.

In recent days the situation in Venezuela has gotten progressively worse, as protestors against dictator Nicolas Maduro have gotten their hands on tanks and armored vehicles and are presently storming the National Assembly building, in protest of Maduro's strongarm rule of the country that has killed millions and destroyed the Venezuelan economy. The United States has not been directly involved in the Maduro situation since he took power, but has supported his chief opponent, Juan Guiado, for the presidency.

On the other hand, the Russian Army has reported that it is starting a new 'testing phase' of readiness for the Russian Army as part of upcoming exercises, set to 'test the readiness of the Russian Ground Forces should it be necessary in the event of an invasion'.

The State Department reiterated that it would not be making any 'overreacting or unnecessary moves' in response to the surprise Russian military movements.

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NASA, FAA under pressure to approve Musk's SpaceX plan to land humans on the Moon privately by June


A NASA official discusses space policy at a policy review meeting, Johnson Space Center, January 2025.

The race for the Moon is mounting rapidly.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the two agencies primarily responsible for the regulation of spacefaring missions from American soil, are now under pressure to approve Elon Musk's SpaceX plan to land humans on the Moon via the company's privately developed and privately owned Starship superheavy launch vehicle by June of this year, potentially beating NASA's own SLS super rocket by about one month.

NASA and SpaceX have been engaged in a race to see who can reach the Moon first, with SpaceX wielding its powerful Starship superheavy reusable launch vehicle, the most powerful in the world and the first ever fully reusable vehicle, that has been in operation since 2022. NASA wields its government-backed Artemis Program, that utilizes the slightly less powerful and non-reusable (aka expendable) Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, that has been derived solely from Space Shuttle hardware, hence the similarities between the two.

NASA is currently scheduled to land crew on the Moon in July or August of 2025 with the Artemis IV mission, which will land the first man of color and woman on the Lunar surface. NASA was originally poised to land in late 2024, but delays with the launch vehicle and Orion capsule of the Artemis IV mission pushed back the launch date.

SpaceX is currently racing to beat the agency to the Lunar surface in a race against time. The company first sent crew into Lunar orbit in October 2023, two months after NASA's Artemis II mission returned humans to the near-Lunar space for the first time since 1972. SpaceX has been a primary supplier of NASA's Gateway orbital outpost, a space station in orbit around the Moon that is supplied by a special cargo version of Starship.

Musk's SpaceX plan to land on the Moon has been delayed by months due to repeated setbacks caused by an FAA decision in October of last year to delay its ruling on whether or not to approve or deny the plan to launch crew. According to US law, private companies are required to receive a green light from NASA and the FAA to launch humans into outer space.

Several groups and persons are now pressuring the two federal agencies to 'put away its competitiveness temporarily' and approve the proposed SpaceX plan. Doing so would most likely give NASA second place to SpaceX in the race to return to the Moon.

NASA administrator Bill Nelson, a former shuttle astronaut and former senator, told the media in a press statement released Monday this week that 'the agency in cooperation with the FAA are now actively considering a final decision'.

The FAA refused to issue a comment for this article.

[Shohun]

Japan Times

PM Kishida Issues Warning to Takeshima Residents:

Tokyo, February 16th - During a press conference on the Japan-Korea Crisis, Prime Minister Kishida issued a direct warning to Takeshima residents to "immediately leave" the island, or face "serious risk." Answering questions, the PM warned that "alternative options" were now being "very closely examined," amid South Korean refusal to negotiate or withdraw military forces from Takeshima. PM Kishida told reporters to expect conflict to come soon if South Korea continued to refuse to come to the table. While the PM refused to speculate on the likelihood of war or its scale, Kishida did warn that "if the Korean side forces a prolonged conflict," he would "reexamine other territorial disputes," which experts say is a reference to the Utsuryo and Saishū Islands.

However Kishida reiterated that conflict would only be the "last resort," once again calling on the international community to pressure South Korea. But he did say time was running out, and "prayers and statements" were not enough. While noting the joint American and Chinese naval patrol as a "positive step" towards maritime security, Kishida warned the grave threat of Korean offensive weapons being placed on Takeshima was not being addressed.

Speaking anonymously to the Japan Times, an official with the Ministry of Defense warned that Korean missiles could be emplaced in Takeshima and ready to fire "within days," and that could "effectively shut down" Japanese shipping in the Sea of Japan. The official stated that it was his belief that if Japan or the international community did not react soon, Japan would be faced with a "graver threat than North Korea."

Widely seen as a significant warning to South Korea, the JMSDF has released footage to social media of the South Korean 'Maritime Battle Group One' taken by MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones. Captioned, "We are always watching," experts say that the move marks a display of advanced Japanese drone capabilities.

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South Korean 'President' Declares Peace Impossible:

Tokyo, February 16th - In response to the JSDF's reformation of the Imperial Guard and the reinstitution of military medals, the South Korean regime 'President' declared that "stern conditions" were required for peace talks, going on to say that "there will be no peace" if Japan does not stop is government's actions. This has been met with a strong response in Japan as experts speculated conflict is highly likely.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a spokesperson stated that South Korea's intentions were "more than clear," and that they "are not willing to see reason or even consider peace." This has prompted the Ministry of Defense to issue a harsh response, vowing "immediate and devastating retaliation" to "any threats posed against Japan." This comes as the American Vice President is set to visit Japan and South Korea in an effort to ease tensions.

However, given naval deployments, the prospect of peace has become increasingly small, with many right-wingers in Japan calling on the government to "swiftly liberate" Takeshima. As the South Korean regime promotes its new history textbooks, described by the Japanese Ministry of Education as "revisionist" and "delusional," Japanese anger towards South Korea has surged, with the Nippon Kaigi leading protests calling for regime change in Korea.

Tokyo, Japan
February 16, 2025
9 AM

Prime Minister Kishida sat at the long table of generals and politicians as the National Security Council met the day before Operation Chishima was set to begin. Looking towards Lt. Colonel Sato, the man who planned the operation, the whole room waited for him to speak. "Sirs and madams, we need not repeat the crisis we face. Everyday we wait, the enemy grows stronger, and becomes one day closer to enforcing the illegal 'Syngman Rhee Line.' Everyday they are closer to zeroing their ballistic missiles in on Tokyo. We have little other option than to react. If I may Mr. Prime Minister sir, shall I begin the security briefing?"

"Please, go ahead."

Sato turned on a screen as people directed their attention to the monitor. "Currently the South Korean side has deployed their own task force, dubbed 'Maritime Battle Group One.' According to our intelligence, the force consists of a Dokdo class amphibious assault ship, 2 Sejong the Great class destroyers, 4 Chungmugong Yi Sun Sin class destroyers, a Gwanggaeto the Great class destroyer, 2 Incheon frigates, and 2 or 3 214 submarines... This being said, it means that we outnumber them navally and they lack carrier air support. So if we remain prepared to engage, we should not face any major complications."

Foreign Minister Hayashi glanced at the screen before looking at the Prime Minister, "This is not what our initial planning called for. Our strikes were meant to be against a smaller surface force composed of South Korean Coast Guard and other light navy vessels. Politically we risk a wider war if we strike. Losing a patrol boat is one thing, and at that something we have seen happen to South Korea in 2010. Now if they were to lose what is effectively a light aircraft carrier, then that changes things."

"I disagree sir. If anything, this is the perfect opportunity to force the South Korean government into a negotiated settlement. Such that would collapse their party... If we neutralize their entire battle group, or come close to it, we will effectively limit their capabilities and show them our naval superiority. Realizing that there is no situation that they can win navally, they will have no choice but to swiftly end the war. If we were to strike without delivering a serious blow to the battle group, it would be a severe mistake." replied General Yamazaki.

Kishida nodded in approval. "I agree with the General. We need to take a hard line. If we are going to commit, we must commit. Operation Chishima has the green light."

Waters off Okinoshima, Japan
February 16, 2025
3 PM

As the Japanese task force lay it wait of the operation that was to come, sailors hurried aboard their ships to make final preparations for combat. Having arrived in the early morning, as sailors finished their duties some took the opportunity to rest ahead of the long night to come. While sailors made checks on the weapons and their stations, morale was high. This was going to be the first combat action for the JMSDF, and no one wanted to disappoint.

On the ground, JASDF crew were preparing their aircraft, fueling and arming the planes so they would be ready for action. The operation was ready to launch at a moment's notice.

[Chewion]

Zhongnanhai Announces Major Military Reforms

Zhongnanhai Spokesman, Li Xin, announced today that a significant reform package is due to be implemented aimed at the Ministry of Defense and the broader military. Notably, the changes will include the implementation of a civilian Defense Minister with retired Navy Admiral Wang Hai named as the replacement for General Li Zuocheng who is slated to retire next month after serving the last two years in the position. Besides the fact that retired Admiral Wang Hai would be the first non-uniformed man to lead the Ministry, he would also be the first to come from the Navy, signaling a shift perhaps in the Government's focus when it comes to military and defense matters.

Another highlight of the reforms, which are likely to be codified by the Standing Committee of the Government, details the creation of a fourth naval fleet to be known as the Open Ocean Fleet. This fleet is believed to be one dedicated to operations outside the waters immediately around China and signifies a significant step in the maturation of the Chinese Navy. There is much speculation that this fleet might be forward based out of Myanmar or even the Naval Port in Djibouti if expansion to that facility were to take place.

---

Zhongnanhai Calls For Peace In Venezuela

Li Xin, the Spokesman for Zhongnanhai, today announced that the recent actions in Venezuela are being watched closely by the Government and that, at this time, China was calling for peace and civil talks to be held to resolve the issue while also extending an offer to send in neutral aid supplied such as food, medicine, water, and medical equipment to aid the people of Venezuela.

China notably has had deep ties with Venezuela, particularly in the energy sector of the nation, however, the last several years have seen Beijing growing more distant from Maduro and his government over blatant human rights abuses and the general perceived complete mismanagement of the nation by him and his government. While direct intervention by China is unlikely, it is highly probable that Beijing will be keeping a very close eye on the situation in Cracas and their investments in the Venezuelan energy market.

---

Diplomacy

To: President Mozoka of Zambia
From: President Fu of the People's Republic of China

My colleague,

I pray that this message finds you and the wonderful nation of Zambia well. The relationship between Zambia and the PRC has truly blossomed during this century and that is something we hope to continue moving forward. To that end, I would be delighted to speak with you via phone at your earliest convenience in order to discuss our overall relationship and the ways in which we can further it.

God bless,

President Fu

---

Miscellaneous

- Chinese navy sends four destroyers to join the American patrol near the dispute between South Korea and Japan.

- J-35 clears another testing hurdle, nearing introduction into active service.

- J-20 crashes in Southern China, pilot safely ejected, Air Force promises review.

[NewLakotah]

Kremlin, Moscow
March, 2025



The Security Council session was already in full swing. For Kiriyenko it was more of the same thing. More bickering and infighting amongst Russia’s top leaders. It was always the problem with a coalition government, especially one that drew so strongly from two opposite ends of the spectrum leaving Kiriyenko ahd Arshinova to play mediator more than half the time. Mostly between Boris Titov and Alexei Didenko. However, now more than ever, was the heat beginning to show with Kiriyekno Secretary of the Security Council Oleg Malyshkin, also of the LDPR, giving his own weight into the arguments firmly on Didenko’s side.

“There is no question of the motivations of Germany and of NATO. Their actions are one that will not accept any agreement that will see the Donbas be ceded. Not even with a referendum. It is time to stop entertaining peace treaties that we know will fail and force them to come to the table with a strong show of force. Perhaps then they would be willing.” Malyshkin was saying. Titov, Minister of Internal Affairs, was sitting on the opposite side, his face was getting redder by the moment and he tapped continuously on the table as Malyshkin talked.

“If we push them, they will push back. Ukraine will not come to a negotiating table if we have hundreds of thousands of soldiers poised on their border. It is a matter of trust. We must show that we are able to be trusted and then we can find a solution that will benefit everyone. Including the Donbas and including us.” Titov finally spit out.

“We did show trust, Minister.” Didenko snapped back. “We showed trust in meeting with the United Kingdom. We showed trust by agreeing to all points, including the potential to withdraw all forces from Belarus and allow for yet another referendum, a third I think that would make it, on the status of Crimea and a UN peacekeeping force in the Donbas. And how did the West take that trust? By throwing it in our faces. By mobilizing troops into Poland and threatening to withdraw from international treaties and threaten the very sovereignty of Russia and Kaliningrad. That is what we have gotten from the West in the ways of ‘trust,’ Minister.”

“That was Germany and Germany paid for it with our sanctions and has seen them be left out to dry by virtually all of their allies.” Titov replied. “They lost their government and they lost control. We can use that to our advantage, but we cannot use it if we continue to look like we are going to invade at the drop of a hat.”

“Gentlemen, please.” Arshinova interjected. She turned and looked at both men firmly. “Both of you are making good points. However, we will not resolve this through angry debate at our own Security Council. However, I agree with Alyosha. We cannot count on the goodwill of the West without assurances. Especially that they will ensure Ukrainian forces and paramilitary groups will not sabotage the talks.”

There were a few murmurs of agreement. Irina Khakamada, a fellow Party of Growth member to Boris Titov and the Chairwoman of the State Duma, leaned forward.

“Neither me nor Boris are advocating for anything less. All we are saying is that we should actively seek peace fully and be willing to compromise on certain positions.”

“We cannot compromise the freedom nor lives of the people of the Donbas nor Crimea.” Didenko replied.

“No, I am not talking about that. That must be left to the hands of the people in question. Their future, their choice. However, we must be willing to meet with the West in the middle regarding other concerning factors.”

Kiriyenko nodded. “Yes, and we are willing. We have proven that we are willing. We proved it again and again. Now that we are faced with little to no options, it is necessary for us to prepare for all possibilities. And, yes, dealing with it through military options is one of those possibilities. We cannot let Russia get walked on by Germany and her allies in the EU simply because they would rather see dead Russians and Ukrainians and ‘weaken’ Russia than they would see peace that would save lives but not benefit them. The military option will remain on the table and we will continue to make the necessary moves until we find a permanent peace solution to the conflict.”

There were more nods and more agreement from the rest of the Council. Titov and Khakamada exchanged glances. Titov sighed.

“Very well, as long as we are fully and completely able and are of one accord to seek peace through negotiations, we understand the need to prepare for all options. Not for the need of war, but for the need to end this conflict and end the suffering of the people of the Donbas.”

Kiriyenko smiled. “Good, then we are all in agreement on that. At last. Then what is next?”

Deputy Chairman Nikita Belykh grunted and leaned forward in his seat. “Well, in regards to the crisis in Asia. Everyone is taking sides and yet we are still on the fence. If South Korea and Japan come to blows it will blow up in the face of both China and the United States who have played very active roles in finding a peaceful solution. If there is violence, how should we fall?”

There was a moment of silence before Natalia Poklonskaya, the Foreign Minister, spoke up.

“Should it come to blows, everyone will have to pick sides willingly or unwillingly. However, neither side truly wants a conflict, not with the Korean peninsula already in flames and China already showing its willingness to use force to handle its problems. It concerns two of America’s closest Asian allies, perhaps that can be a benefit for us as we deal with our own Ukrainian crisis and can undermine the United States all at the same time.”

“Yes, but how do you mean?” Kiriyenko asked.

“Well, yes, that is not the simple part. We have remained neutral and have continued to press for peace talks to be held with an impartial third party mediator. Those days seem to have passed us. However, the United States has, unsurprisingly, chosen violence and intimidation in their tactics to force a peace settlement. That could easily blow up in their faces, including literally. Perhaps it is time for Russia to play a more open role. Approach both South Korea and Japan for private talks and see if there is one side or the other that is more willing and in need of an ally and partner in the region and in their conflict.”

“Which side is your money on?” Arshinova asked.

Poklonskaya leaned back in thought for a moment. “It's tough to say, really. Perhaps South Korea could be more willing and we both have common ground over territorial disputes. Something Seoul would be more than willing to back up at a moment's notice. However, that territorial dispute does give us leverage with Japan if we are willing to part with a few of the islands in exchange for a closer ally and economic partner in Japan.”

“I believe we are getting ahead of ourselves here.” Khakamada said. “We are making subjective cases for both without knowing what each side would want from Russia nor what they would be willing to give. We must first find that out and then see if there is a way to work with one side over the other.”

“But do you have a preference, Irina?” Kiriyenko asked.

“Not particularly. Both have their advantages to being close with Russia and both have their disadvantages. It is also important that we note which side the United States would take and see if we can use that information to find a better and more reliable ally in this conflict.”

“Then it is settled.” Kiriyenko said. “We will prepare to hold meetings with both South Korea and Japan and see if we can find a better solution or see if there is a way we can work with one side against the other.”

“Very good, Mr. President. Now, the final and last point on our areas to cover is Venezuela. What is our move there?” Belykh asked. Kiriyenko leaned back and rubbed his head. The issues in Venezuela had been a serious blow to Russian affairs overseas and losing a key ally was not what Kiriyenko had hoped for.

“What does our intelligence on the ground state? We have eyes, ears, and guns on the ground we should be using them.”

Sergei Korolev, the Minister of Foreign Intelligence shifted awkwardly in his chair. “Yes, we do. But the situation on the ground is chaotic. We have so much information and most of it is contradictory. However, we can confirm the protestors have moved on, at least a good segment of them, from being protestors to being rebels. They are actively seeking to overthrow the government and there will most likely be a lot more dead before this is over.”

“Then whats our play?” Kiriyenko asked.

Korolev sighed. “There are very few good options and plenty of bad ones. We could commit our forces to support whatever government still remains in play or simply attach them to the army and see which way they fall, though it seems likely that they will fall with the government simply out of self preservation more than anything.”

“We cannot risk losing an ally. Not at a time like this.” Arshinova said softly.

“Then we must use all available resources that we have to find out what is happening and how to deal with it effectively.” Didenko exclaimed. Arshinova scoffed slightly.

“Yes, and I imagine that it includes some measure of blood and violence, doesn’t it?”

“Perhaps it does. Perhaps my plan is to actually deal with issues rather than simply talk about them and hope we find a good solution.” Didenko fired back. Kiriyenko held up his hand to quell any responses.

“Enough.” He said firmly. “We do have assets on the ground. We can either sit them on the bench or get some real information that we can use. We can also use our embassy there to reach out to both sides and see what they want and were they stand. I will not have Russians die for a cause no one wants and I will not have them die to be betrayed by whatever government follows next. We need answers before we move, so lets get them.”

“Yes, Mr. President.

---

Belgorod, Russia
Headquarters - Allied Command
March, 2025


Colonel General Mikhail Stepanovich Zusko watched from a distance as a new load of tanks and other armoured vehicles rolled past him. The vehicles were older models. Mostly T-72s, T-80s, and T-90s that had been replaced with modern variants. These were the other variants. Russia had kept a significant number of these in storage and in reserve. Now that the Russian General Staff has allowed for this equipment to be sent out to be tested and refitted for combat needs of the Russian and, in the case of armour especially, for the Novorossiyan forces, it was up to Zusko to oversee these transitions.

Zusko had been appointed the commander of the operation towards the end of February. He had long been a part of the planning stages, dating back to when he was a deputy commander of the Southern Military District and beyond. He had worked tirelessly to formulate several different strategies that had been sent up the chain of command to be reviewed and revised. He took special pride that his final iteration of the plan had more or less been accepted without too many edits by the senior command of Russia. Nonetheless, there was no one in the entire Russian Armed Forces who knew and understood the plan as well as Zusko and very few with the means to make it happen.

It was an audacious plan, in many regards. Built heavily on the ideas of superior firepower overwhelming the enemy defenses through precise and effective targeted offensives as well as using all available manpower and resources to accomplish the task. For this, he needed the firepower and that's where these tanks and the other equipment came into play.

The main centre of the entire front was the Donbas Sector. This had been manned by the AFN since 2015. Since they they had certainly gained significant amounts of combat experience but still lacked a significant quantities of heavy equipment, artillery, ammunition, and armour that they needed to fight a modern war. For this, Russia had mobilized large amounts of its recently deactivated tanks to hand over to volunteer units and to the AFN that would provide a significant boost to the offensive and defensive capabilities that, with Russian support, should be enough to secure and hold the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of the Donbas.

For Zusko, that was not going to be enough on its own. He had also called for the activation of several artillery batteries and MLRS systems to be returned to active duty, as well as the Tochka-U missile systems, to add to the overall fire control that Russia would have over Ukraine. Something that would be important in dealing with the AFU forces. Counter battery fire and heavy dominating artillery was going to be pivotal for success. That and the Air Force.

Zusko had little love for the Russian Aerospace Forces. During the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, he had watched helplessly as the Russian offensive had fallen apart due to failure to secure air superiority. The war had been a clear success, however, the failure of the RAF had left Zusko with a bitter taste in his mouth and a desire to ensure that the air support would, in fact, be supportive. However, this was not 2008. In 2025, after years of reforms and adapting their tactics and strategies, the RAF had progressed rapidly. Including in fielding of new 5th Gen fighter aircraft and dozens of highly advanced stealth and non-stealth drones. The Army, Navy, and Air Force had worked tirelessly over the past 17 years to improve combined arms operations and the Air Force had undergone significant reforms during the rapid modernization and rearming period from 2009 to 2015 and again from 2017 to the present.

Still, it would be tough for the RAF to win back the respect of Zusko so easily. However, he had begrudgingly admitted to himself that the RAF of 2025 was not the same as the RAF of 2008. With more modern aircraft, more training and more expertise and work in combined arms operations, they had shown themselves willing to engage in a wide operation with significant firepower. Now it would only come down to whether they could deliver and if it was enough.

Zusko, however, had not put all of his eggs in one basket. With one of the largest stockpiles in the world of long range missiles, both air and ground based, Zusko had called upon all available resources from these to ensure that Russia would have absolute dominance over the entire territory of Ukraine. From Lviv to Donetsk. In all, it was an ambitious plan and one that Zusko believed was one of paramount importance and would find success no matter what.

Zusko walked past a few of the T-72Bs and B3s and looked them over. Colonel Konstantin Sokolo walked behind him.

“Not too bad.” Zusko remarked casually as he passed through the tanks.

“Should work effectively against most Ukrainian armour.” Sokolo replied.

“Yes, with the right tankers.”

“You think they would manage these effectively?”

“Ehh, they’ll do what they can. They know enough. Plus, with Russian support and units leading the way, it should make it easier on them.” Zusko replied. He continued to walk through, nodding at the tankers who popped up from the various hatches.

“Whats the word on the artillery? Zusko asked.

“First batches of field artillery are being tested by our soldiers, sir. So far, everything shoots straight. Having to deal with hell from supply. Some of them are balking at the numbers we need and supplies are coming in slowly. But, that should be resolved in the next few weeks.”

“Good.” Zusko replied. “Let me know when we have full artillery and MLRS systems and when we get our supplies in order.”

“Yes, sir.”

---

From: The Office of the President of the Russian Federation, Sergei Kiriyenko

Official Statement Regarding the Ukrainian Crisis and the ongoing Crisis in the Donbas,


Recent activities from NATO nations, particularly from Germany, have caused deep concern within Russia over the willingness of the West and of NATO to operate in good faith in any negotiations concerning the Donbas Conflict and the status of Crimea. We have engaged openly and willingly with NATO and with Ukraine during the process and have been met only with animosity and thinly veiled threats towards our security from NATO. NATO’s continued push for expansion into Eastern Europe has led to only more conflict and distrust. Their moves and actions are not those of one seeking peace, but of those preparing for war and conflict.

Nonetheless, we are willing and ready to engage in free and open discussions regarding the Donbas Crisis with all relevant parties. We hope that Europe and Ukraine are willing to entertain negotiations. If not, then Russia will be forced to seek an end to the Donbas Crisis without support or engagement from Western powers. We cannot in good faith continue to allow for the citizens of the Donbas to be subjected to daily bombings and raids from so-called military organizations. We cannot in good faith allow for the repression of Russians in the territories occupied by the AFU. We cannot in good faith allow for open war and genocide to take place on our border. We cannot allow terrorism and proliferation of extremist ideaology and weapons to carry on freely on our doorstep. This is not an outrageous request. This is a reasonable request that any free nation would require for its own national security. It is something that caused many an international intervention, including into states not on their border. Such as Syria, Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Mali, and many, many more.

These actions were taken as apart of an ideal to spread peace and freedom to the world through brute force and bombs. Those ideals are naive and bellicose. Russia has no willingness to engage in such activities. However, we will take every and all measures to secure our own national security and deal with every and all threats to the Motherland. This includes ensuring that threats from NATO members are taken seriously and responded to effectively and responsibility. We hope to be able to repair this rift in relations between us and Germany and we are extending an open invitation for Chancellor Muller or any representative of Germany to come to Moscow to work to repair this relations and to find a solution to the ongoing crisis.

We, as a people, do not seek war. We are not actively engaging in any activity that will lead to any conflict. We are, instead, looking for a permanent solution to the crisis. We are not seeking more ceasefire deals or extensions. The crisis has gone on for 10 years. For 10 years the people of the Donbas have been left in limbo and at the mercy of Ukrainian Artillery or caught in the crossfire between AFN and AFU artillery battles. The civilian dead are mounting and their blood lies on the hands of all us who have allowed this crisis to continue unabated for so long.

After our talks with the United Kingdom, we believed that we had made the first step towards a peaceful and permanent solution. Something that we desperately want and need. We hope that we can build off of those talks going forward, should they not be interrupted by bombastic attacks on Russian integrity and sovereignty. The fact that peace talks can be disrupted by a non-party actor is a serious concern for us as we deal with NATO. We require assurances that our talks will be upheld by all NATO members and that all of Europe will accept every and all terms that Ukraine and Russia agree to concerning the Donbas War. We are able to provide every and all assurances to the people of Ukraine and to the Donbas that Russia does not desire war with Ukraine, nor do we wish to engage in any combat operations on the territory of Ukraine. However, we will defend ourselves and our national security from every and all threats, including from NATO nations, by any means possible.

In regards to the peace process, we are ready and willing to engage in fruitful discussion and dialogue with Kiev and its NATO partners to find a solution as quickly and as actionably as possible. We have full faith and belief that we can find a peaceful solution if all parties come to the negotiating table in good faith and a willingness to find solutions for peace.


We hope and pray that peace will persevere.

Sergei Kiriyenko
President of the Russian Federation

[New Provenance]

New York Times
All The News That's Fit to Print

March 2025

U.S. diplomats eye shift to boosting Asian cooperation, revitalizing the QUAD partnership 'against new threats'


A meeting of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or QUAD, during the Trump administration.

In recent days, efforts by various federal officials and diplomats to shift U.S. security policy to prioritize boosting Asian cooperation and revitalizing the QUAD partnership have seen the light of day, with interim secretary of state Anthony Blinken voicing his support for an 'Asia-Pacific Focus' at a speaking event in Boston two days ago, and with secretary of state nominee Susan Rice also voicing her support for 'bolstering our ties with our Asian and especially East Asian partners, like Japan, the Philippines and Australia, on a high priority level'.

Naturally the United States has maintained a greater focus in Europe and on Russia, where threat levels are higher in comparison to Asia, where formerly the only major competition to American and its allied interests was China, which has now somewhat liberalized and shifted away from the CCP's authoritarian and autocratic methods, but with Asia at a boiling point once more it appears the U.S. government has found the current as the best time to re-evaluate the country's diplomatic priorities and whether or not to re-focus on Asia.

Another key aspect of this potential revitalization of U.S. diplomacy in Asia is the revitalization of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or the QUAD security partnership, between India, Australia, Japan and the United States. Formerly implemented to combat China's rising military and economic influence, the alliance has since become nearly defunct, with China posing a lesser threat in the present compared to the past.

However, experts and analysts have brought up concern over the increasingly unstable North Korea and the increasingly rogue South Korea, run by 'a bunch of right-wing neo-nationalistic buffoons with a hunger for violence', as one leftist commentator put it.

Likewise, interim deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman brought up the issue at a subsequent policy event in San Francisco, where she said that the possibility of reviving QUAD to 'combat and counter these new threats' was 'not entirely out of the realm of possibility'.

---

DREAM into reality? Sen. Dick Durbin reintroduces DREAM Act with bipartisan support


Supporters of the DREAM Act in its 2017-proposed form, 2017.

The dreams of tens of millions of undocumented immigrant Americans may finally be about to come true.

After 21 years, the DREAM Act (Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act) may finally be closing in on passage by both houses of Congress for the first time, despite being introduced into Congress five separate times.

Yesterday, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the original proponent of this bill back when it was first proposed in 2001, tearfully addressed the media after he had placed the bill for consideration by the U.S. Senate, with the backing of Sen. Chuck Schumer (D), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R), Sen. Mitt Romney (R), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R), Sen. Kamala Harris (D), and Sen. Raphael Warnock (D). Durbin told the media that he had 'great confidence' that the 'long overdue legislation on protecting undocumented immigrants seeking a better future for themselves and their families' would finally pass.

The DREAM Act, officially the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act, seeks to grand temporary conditional residency and the right to work to undocumented immigrants who entered the United States as a minor, and if later would qualify, receive permanent residency as a United States citizen.

The proposal has been re-introduced into Congress multiple times over the past 21 years, the latest being in 2017, when a small bipartisan group of senators backed the legislation. It failed to pass despite strong popular support for the bill.

Now, as President Sherrod Brown enters his second term as president, and despite Republican holds on the Senate and the House, DREAM may finally see the light of day.

President Brown voiced his strong support for the bill, along with Senate Democratic and House Democratic leaders. Several organizations and groups have also welcomed the re-introduction of the bill, which they hoped would 'see the passage of the dreams of millions of Americans'.

Moderate Republicans have also refused to throw out the possibility of voting in favor of the bill when the Senate moves to vote on it by the end of March, after a period of debating.

Senate Democrats are seeking support for the DREAM Act from 12 Republicans to overcome the filibuster to 'accelerate the speed at which we move to pass this vital bill', in the words of Senator Kamala Harris, of California.

Polling in recent months show that support for a re-introduced DREAM Act currently stands at around 60% nationally.

[Kelmet]

Las Estrellas network
"Good Afternoon and welcome back to Las Estrellas this is your host Danielle Dithurbide, before we go live to the presidents inauguration we have some last minute news to deliver to you our viewers. As given to us by the public relations department of Patria Security Group, A successful anti-cartel operation was conducted in the soon to be presidents home state of Chihuahua resulting in the seizure of Arms, vehicles and a substantial amount of illegal narcotics as well as the elimination of thirty confirmed members of the Sinaloa Cartel. It is indeed quite the boost to our new presidents ambitions for Mexico and her people, now we take you live as the president approaches the podium for his first official speech as president."

National Palace
The Zócalo
"My People, my fellow Mexicans, I stand here today because you know who I am, and you all know the challenges ahead of us. The only goal of my administration to give the Mexican people the absolute and deserved mastery of their destiny. It will not be easy, as our nation, our very civilization is being usurped by forces that are unwanted, unwelcome and they are everywhere. These Narco-terrorist's whos funds come threw the very poisoning our our nation and her children and whos very existence is anathema to civilization itself. But this is not just a Mexican problem, this is a continental problem and we need our American and Canadian ally's help to rid our continent of this evil forever. While we need the help of our north American family to secure the physical help of our nation, its spiritual health is our burden alone. We cannot build our civilization with people who are not our own. We cannot build a civilization when millions of our people seek a better future outside our borders. We cannot build a civilization when our church and faith become less relevant in our family and our nations life, and we cannot build a civilization while tearing down our past. These challenges are vast, but not impossible, and we will show the world that yet again when the Mexican people are united we are unconquerable for the past is our faith, the present is our strength and the future is our birthright!"

Government business

Domestic
1) The Secretariat of the Interior in conjunction with the Secretariat of National Defense are following Congresses mandate in naming Cartel members and associates as enemy's of the state and the first official government use of the term "Narco-Terrorist" empowering the government with the power to identify, target and eliminate such individuals.

2) The Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection following Presidents Creel's executive order will be placed in charge of the vetting and administration of the Patria Security Group, placing the presidents de-facto private army under government oversight and control.

3) The Secretariat of National Defense, Secretariat of Navy and Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection In response to the congressional increase of Mexico's military budget to 2% of its GDP and increase from 8 billion to 34 billion USD. Operating under the governments new joint military command structure designed specifically for anti-cartel operations have identified the Sinaloa Cartel as the largest threat to the security of the state and her people and will be the primary target of operations goin into the year 2022.

4) The Secretariat of Culture and Secretariat of Foreign Affairs begin work on the presidents directive under "The Homeland Rejuvenation Act" a diplomatic initiative to target and encourage Mexicans to immigrate back home to Mexico. With the selection process on a point scale with points allocated depending on the individuals schooling, background and potential economic advantages.

Foreign
1) The Secretariat of Economy and the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs Are working in tandem to continue the growth and strengthening competitiveness of Mexico's economy to negotiate free trade agreements with the governments of Brazil, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea.



2)

From: Secretariat of Foreign Affairs
To: State Department of the United States of America

It is the wish of President Creel that his first trip abroad is to our closets economic partner and close Ally the United States to discuss the issues facing both nations.

[New Provenance]

From: Secretariat of Foreign Affairs
To: State Department of the United States of America

It is the wish of President Creel that his first trip abroad is to our closets economic partner and close Ally the United States to discuss the issues facing both nations.

From: Acting Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, of the United States of America
To: the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs of the United Mexican States

Mr. Secretary, or to whomever this may concern,

The United States of America would be more than glad to welcome President Creel to Washington, D.C. to meet with President Sherrod Brown at the White House. it is the U.S. government's firm belief that stronger ties between the United States and Mexico will be able to facilitate expanded diplomatic relations and strengthened bilateral ties on trade, immigration, joint security, and anti-terrorism.

You may contact the State Department to discuss the scheduling of such a meeting with the President.

Yours sincerely,
Anthony Blinken
Acting Secretary of State

New York Times
All The News That's Fit to Print

March 2025

Congress passes CHIPS II bill to invest a second wave of $45 billion into local semiconductor and general technology innovation


A SkyWaters Technology plant, Michigan, where semiconductors are locally produced at scale.

The U.S. Congress has officially passed the CHIPS and Science Renewal Act, or the CHIPS II Act, in a landmark bipartisan push that allowed for the rapid passage of the legislation, which aims to continue the revival of the U.S. semiconductor and innovation industries via the investment of a second wave of $45 billion into local semiconductor production and development and general technology innovation.

The bill comes as the renewal to the CHIPS and Science Act, passed in 2022 by another albeit smaller group of bipartisan legislators, which invested over $65 billion into the semiconductor industry and its development at home. The bill was and still is intended to revive America's semiconductor industry and encourage local companies to develop at home rather than abroad, to decrease American dependency on foreign nations for vital resources like semiconductors, which are necessary in the production of advanced technology.

CHIPS and Science Act I saw the revival of the American semiconductor industry, with companies like Intel receiving subsidies to expand local operations rather than export innovation and growth abroad. The CHIPS and Science Act I also provided for technological grants to companies developing innovative, up-and-coming technologies.

The CHIPS and Science Renewal Act, better known as CHIPS II Act, received strong bipartisan support. It will be providing a second wave of $45 billion worth of investments into local semiconductor production, but primarily on local general technology innovation. It will also be renewing and expanding upon the technological grants provided by CHIPS I, which helped in the development of various technologies like better facial recognition, expanded progress on the metaverse concept, and green hydrogen.

President Sherrod Brown will be signing the bill at an event next Saturday at the White House.

[The Manticoran Empire]

DEUTSCHE
WELLE
NEWS

February-March 2025

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As China, US seek to mediate dispute, Japanese, Korean naval forces close near Liancourt

16 February 2025
Seoul/Tokyo--The conflict in the Sea of Japan continues to ensnare the attention of the world as Japanese and Korean naval forces continue to close the distance near the Liancourt Rocks. Even as they do, American and Chinese diplomats are working tirelessly to avoid an outbreak of war.

The dispute between Japan and Korea has been escalating since the Hyeongje Movement took power in South Korea through the National Republican Party in 2022. Based largely in the Japanese Occupation of Korea, where the Imperial Japanese Army forced tens of thousands of Korean men into labor battalions and thousands of Korean women into sexual slavery in military brothels, the dispute includes the question of sovereignty over the Liancourt Rocks, known as Dokdo Island in South Korea and Takeshima in Japan.

South Korea contends that Japan has never adequately atoned for the atrocities of the Occupation, especially given the presence of Class A War Criminals at the Yasukuni Shrine. History Textbooks which gloss over or ignore Japanese war crimes and continued visits by Government officials to the Yasukuni Shrine have only poured fuel on the fire. The raising of the Rising Sun Banner during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics did little to soothe tensions.

Japan, however, contends that they have atoned, both with formal apologies from the Prime Minister and the Emperor, as well as offers of reparations to be paid to Korean families. From the Japanese perspective, the continued belligerence of the South Korean government is the real obstacle to a solution.

The Liancourt Rocks, which the current South Korean Government have made a focal point of the dispute in recent weeks, lie in dispute due to vague wording in the Treaty of San Francisco. The Liancourt Rocks are notably absent from mention of their sovereignty, leading many in Korea to view them as having been ceded as would be implied by the Potsdam Declaration. However, the Japanese position remains that the islands are Japanese, a position supported at the time by the United States in the at the time classified Rusk Documents. Japan has offered to send the matter before the International Court of Justice for Arbitration, an offer South Korea has refused on all three occasions it was offered.

The current dispute has been escalating since the Koreans announced they were rebuilding their military base on the Liancourt Rocks. Since then, both Japan and Korea have deployed sizable naval forces. Korea’s Maritime Battle Group One, consisting of the amphibious assault ship Dokdo and roughly eleven other vessels, put to sea some days before Japan’s own task force, consisting of 4 helicopter destroyers, three Tank Landing Ships, 27 Destroyers and Frigates, 10 submarines, and a number of other vessels. The Japanese task force includes 24 F-35Bs as well as anti-submarine warfare helicopters. DWs military analysts estimate that the JSDF has also earmarked at least 80 land-based fighters to support the operation. It is less clear how many land-based fighters have been earmarked by the ROKAF for the operation, however it is believed that could achieve at least numerical parity with the Japanese force. However, while the Japanese force is almost entirely F-15J and F-2 fighters, the South Korean force will likely be composed largely of F-5E Tigers, as most of the more modern and capable fighters are still arrayed along the border with North Korea to defend against an attack there.

Currently the South Korean government is in talks with the American and Chinese governments, though there is no word yet on if any progress has been made.

---

Rioters steal military vehicles, storm Presidential Palace in Venezuela

6 March 2025
Caracas--Amid months of protests following the controversial election of Nicolas Maduro to the presidency, rioters in Caracas have somehow managed to steal at least one Venezuelan Army tank. The vehicle, apparently a T-72, was used by rioters to rout security forces and gain access to the Presidential Palace.

Venezuela has been in the throes of crisis since 2013, when Maduro initially secured power in an election just as controversial as the one last year. Widely regarded as one of the last Socialist states in the world, Venezuela is often looked on as a cautionary tale by anti-socialists and anti-communists around the world. Since 2013, Venezuela has seen rampant hyper-inflation, growing wealth inequality, and massive shortages of virtually every basic good or service. Poverty and malnutrition are common and a refugee crisis has been growing since 2017. Amid this crisis have been increasing reports of human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings, all of which has culminated in the shocking events in Caracas today.

Chancellor Muller has thus far refused to comment on the situation, besides stating that, “Germany will be coordinating with the United States and our EU partners to determine our course of action.” The Chancellor’s statement is a welcome change of pace from his predecessor’s aggressive stance.

---

Rumors swirl that former Chancellor Armin Laschet is on suicide watch

6 March 2025
Dusseldorf--Barely a day after resigning, rumors have begun to circulate that former Chancellor Armin Laschet has been hospitalized for depression, with some rumors suggesting that he is on suicide watch.

The rumors began after the former Chancellor was hurriedly flown from Berlin to Dusseldorf with little fanfare and no official mention, with many questioning the apparent secrecy of the move. Many have suggested that Laschet was suffering from depression since February, when the long-time moderate became suddenly and vehemently hardline in his position on Ukraine. However, the apparent hurry to get him out of the public eye and the secretive manner in which it was done have convinced many that his condition may be even worse than it first appeared.

Thus far, all requests for comment have been denied.

---

As Russian Federation complains about regularly scheduled NATO exercises, Russian Armed Forces move additional units for their own exercises

7 March 2025
Moscow/Berlin--Even as the Russian Government complains about NATO exercises, namely Defender Europe-25, the Russian Armed Forces are shuffling their own forces to conduct military exercises of their own. Particularly concerning is that the bulk of these forces are not active Russian military units but equipment being pulled out of reserve.

Chancellor Muller questioned the Russian movements in a statement before the Press today. “At the same time as the Russian government criticizes and punishes Germany and Europe for conducting the same military exercises that they have done for years, they go and pull units into exercises that haven’t been used in such exercises since the darkest days of the Cold War. At the same time as the Russian Government claims that a few brigades and two squadrons of fighters are a dangerous destabilization of Europe, they mobilize whole divisions of equipment and expect to be treated differently. If President Kiriyenko is serious about a desire for peace in Europe, then he is going about it the wrong way. Tit for tat escalations like this are exactly what brought Korea and Japan to blows and we cannot afford such miscalculations in Europe.”

Last month, former Chancellor Armin Laschet sparked a diplomatic incident with Russia after the scheduled announcement of Bundeswehr units earmarked for the Defender Europe-25 exercises in the summer. The units, belonging to the 7th Panzer Division, were selected because, according to Inspector General Eberhard Zorn, they were the units most in need of a proper shakedown.

However, the Russian Federation elected to retaliate against Germany, with admittedly good cause after Chancellor Laschet called into question two key treaties and took to directly insulting the Russian government while bragging about the Bundeswehr’s might, a retaliation that now looks to be continuing the Russian hypocrisy of the last decade in decrying the West for taking an action and then taking the same or similar actions themselves and shrugging off criticism.

The recent announcement, combined with Russian troop movements over the last month near Ukraine, has resulted in a growing call in the Bundestag and Bundesrat to take a firmer stance with Russia, though the reaction to former Chancellor Laschet’s own stance indicates that a softer tone is needed. Chancellor Muller told the Bundestag that he would be speaking with his counterparts in the EU and in NATO to achieve what he called, “A united front on the matter, to show Russia that we desire peace but that we will not be bullied.” Chancellor Muller also stated that, “We have tiptoed around Moscow for too long. It is time to remember our calling. It is time to stand up for what is right.”

---

Chancellor Muller to call for EU to make common equipment platforms a goal of the CSDP

10 March 2025
Berlin--In the light of increasing tensions around the world, Chancellor Muller is expected to call upon the European Council to encourage European states to cooperate on the adoption of common equipment platforms, a spokesperson for the Government said. Chancellor Muller is notable for his position on increased European cooperation, including a belief that the European Union should have a greater influence on policy than national governments.

Chancellor Muller’s current call comes amid growing interest in the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System, with indications that Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Poland, the United Kingdom, and Sweden are interested in being included in the program, with Italy a member of the project since 2021. Combined, these nations command over 61% of the seats in the European Parliaments, which could result in such a proposal gaining a great deal of support.

A more detailed proposal will likely be submitted to the European Council and the European Parliament later this week, possibly to include a request that European Union member states commit to adopting the same military equipment, with the goal being to simplify logistics and improve Europe’s ability to defend itself.

---

Amid mobilizations, Russia calls for peace talks

15 March 2025
Moscow--As Russian military forces continue posturing in Belarus and border regions near Ukraine, President Sergei Kiriyenko made a statement offering to negotiate.

In a statement that included accusations that NATO was unwilling to act in good faith and that Ukraine was engaged in a genocide in Donbas, the Russian president offered an open invitation for talks to achieve a final settlement on the issue. Directly mentioned was Chancellor Muller, who is still picking up the pieces after former Chancellor Armin Laschet caused an enormous incident by indicating the desire to withdraw from several key European treaties.

When asked to comment on the issue, Chancellor Muller said, “I am and have always been willing to negotiate on this matter. The whole of Europe has been willing to negotiate on this matter. The whole of NATO has been willing to negotiate on this matter. What we are waiting for is a Russian display of will to negotiate on this matter. But there is only so far that we are willing to go in order to please Moscow. If Moscow desires peace, then Moscow will have to accept that they cannot have it all their own way. I am willing to meet with President Kiriyenko to discuss these matters, as I am willing to meet with my NATO and EU partners and with my Ukrainian partners to discuss these matters.”

The Donbas Conflict began in the wake of the 2014 Revolution of Dignity, in which Ukrainian citizens rose up and overthrew the pro-Russian government. The revolution was sparked by a repressive regime that cracked down on dissent and allowed Russian oligarchs to influence the Ukrainian economy. Growing support in the Ukrainian populace for a closer relationship with Europe and the West, culminating in the Ukrainian Parliament voting overwhelmingly in favor of an Association Agreement with the European Union, eventually broke out into mass protests across the country. The protesters called upon Yanukovych and his government to resign and for the 2004 amendments to be reinstated. After violent and deadly clashes with security forces, Yanukovych’s government was overthrown and Yanukovych fled to Russia. Clashes continued, particularly in the Donbas region, where pro-Russian separatists declared the independence of the states of Donetsk and Luhansk, sparking a war that has continued to this day.

In the midst of this, the Russian Federation invaded and annexed Crimea, an annexation legalized by the Minsk Accords in 2016 after two referendums. However, the Government in Kyiv has been reluctant to accept the results of the Referendum, claiming that the Russian military unduly rigged them.

Despite multiple efforts at a peace agreement, talks have broken down repeatedly, with flare ups of violence in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2024.

---

[Asian Socialism]

THE TIMES OF INDIA

March 17, 2025

Is an Indian Renaissance upon us? Why many analysts say so:

While India continues to grow at a rapid pace, as we can see with the constantly revised GDP estimates, military growth predictions and the predicted record breaking growth in population for 2025, India has been seen by many analysts as growing, possibly too quick.

While the nation continues to grow, we are also facing one of the highest points of tension between racial, religious and ethnic lines in nearly a century. With India's Kholane Policy (Opening Up Policy) taking off in the 1980's and 1990's, violence and extremism became increasingly common in various states.

This is not to say growth is bad however, with the standard of living for many rising and increased capital flowing into households across the nation. Across India, we are also seeing a stunning decline in wealth inequality, rise in wages, lowering of inflation and increased rate of net worth.

If India does continue to grow, it is likely only a matter of time before they become a world superpower. Right now, their influence is limited in Asia and some African states, as well as a swath of developing nations across the globe, similar to China. These factors combine into what many are calling the Modern Golden Age for India.

Indian Defense Expo fields many new technologies:

India has announced a swath of new technologies, including new carriers, drones, fighter jet variants and more.

As part of the massive reforms of the 80's and 90's, Indian leaders envisioned a world where India was on the world stage, along with the Soviet Union, The United States and China. Although the Soviet Union collapsed, the policy to grow quickly and efficiently was still undertaken, with Indian defense policy growing as well.

India's first major announcement was the completion and distribution of a new UCAV, called Shadow Pilot. The Shadow Pilot was debuted in two forms, one a simple UCAV form and the other in a recon drone form. The Shadow Pilot takes a lot of design cues from the Predator and Reaper drones of the United States, although India claims they emulated the designs due to the effectiveness of the United States drones.

India's second major announcement is the procurement of a smaller drone, this called the 'chhota bamavarshak' or Little Bomber. This is a suicide drone, operating completely autonomously or with a virtual pilot to target smaller targets. Virtually undetectable due to a new winged vector design and low emission engine signature, the drone can easily infiltrate enemy complexes, according to India.

The Defense Ministry says more is to come over the next few months, if things go according to schedule.

INS Viraat launched alongside sister aircraft carrier, four helicopter carriers:

After a Supreme Court decision in 2023 reversed a previous ruling to scrap the long serving INS Viraat Carrier, it has been rebuilt, repurposed and relaunched, this time with new defense technologies and equipment. The Carrier has expanded to 30,000 tons of displacement, able to carry 1000 crew members and several Russian and Indian Carrier based fighter aircraft.

Another Aircraft Carrier, called the INS IAC 1B, is the successor to the IAC1 launched in 2022. This carrier has a displacement of 50,000 tons, operates, along with the INS Viraat, a CATOBAR system, can carry 1750 crew members and Indian and Russian carrier based fighters.

Four Helicopter Carriers that serve dual purpose as possible lighter aircraft carriers have been produced and procured as well. Simply called the Jai Vaahak or the INS JAI VAAHAK 1A, B, C and D, India will launch these as they refer to competition from China and Japan.

These defense innovations are the result of Indian growth as well as a spike in the defense budget, which is now pegged to 3 percent of the GDP PPP of India. This gives India a 464 billion dollar defense budget.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[New Provenance]

New York Times
All The News That's Fit to Print

April 2025

DREAM Act passed by Senate in landmark win for Democrats and the Brown administration


Senator Chuck Schumer, Senate Minority Leader, gives a thumbs up to the media after exiting the Senate chamber following the successful DREAM vote.

Today the United States Senate voted 54-46 in favor of passing the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act, in a landmark vote that carried a monumental victory to Democrats and the Brown administration. The bill, which seeks to grant jobs and a pathway to permanent citizenship for undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as a minor, was originally put forward for consideration by the U.S. Senate in 2001 by Senator Dick Durbin. The bill was subsequently re-introduced five more times after that, and was introduced for a sixth time last month by a bipartisan group of senators, including Sen. Durbin himself.

The DREAM Act's passage was welcomed with cheers and applause from all sides. From the White House, President Sherrod Brown praised the bill's passage as 'not only a monumental victory for American immigration reform, but an even greater one for the bipartisanship in Congress that we're working hard and often to build'. Senate leaders have applauded the bill's passage.

The public received the passage well, with thousands celebrating in streets across the country. The hashtag #DREAM is trending on Twitter, with immigrants' groups calling the passage a 'historic moment for us and a historic moment for America'.

---

Mitch McConnell teases potential retirement, John Thune eyed as successor


Senator Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Leader, speaks to the press, January 2025.

Long-time Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, who is currently serving as the Senate Majority Leader, has teased a potential imminent retirement in a speech to a Republican policy conference in Florida, attended by Florida Gov. Jeanette Nunez, where he stated:

"[...] Among the other issues we as a party should tackle, should be tackling, would have to be, uh, who to succeed me. Because I won't be here forever, and I may be departing the fine, fine institution known as the U.S. Senate soon. It's still up for thought, but its something we have to consider. The GOP has to be strong and we must be prepared for all eventualities."

Analysts, news anchors and Twitter users alike pounced on the statement, with Democrats trending #ResignMitch on Twitter, and Republicans countering with #ThankYouMitch. Analysts from CNN and CNBC stated that McConnell was likely to conclude his term by the 2026 midterms, by which he will be 84 years old. Another key discussion whirled up by the statement by the Senate Majority Leader also involved who would succeed him.

The Republican Party is now split between two lines, one side being the moderate faction led by Senator Mitt Romney and former vice president Mike Pence, while the other side, the MAGA remnants, is lead by former Florida governor Ron DeSantis and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. The moderate faction is likely to put up Sen. Tim Scott or Sen. Romney himself to compete for party leadership, while the remnant faction is likely to put up someone like Sen. John Thune, a former Trump supporter turned hardline Republican.

Thune is currently the favorite to replace McConnell should he depart his post as Senate Majority Leader, thanks primarily to his position as Senate Majority Whip and his youth in comparison to most senators. Thune represents the state of South Dakota in the United States Senate.

---

The potential of Nikki Haley to revive the Republican Party


Nikki Haley at the White House as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, during the Trump administration.

That's right.

Not Mitt Romney, not John Thune, not even the surprisingly popular Florida governor Jeanette Nunez.

Nikki Haley, former ambassador to the United Nations under former president Donald J. Trump, could be the hope the Republican Party needs to revive itself.

At its peak, in the early 2000s, the GOP was a strong conservative force that fought for Christian values and defended the traditional American family. In 2002, they broke the midterm spell and gained rather than lost (as would usually happened) thanks to the rally around the flag effect caused by the War on Terror launched by former president George W. Bush. The party suffered defeats in 2008 and 2012, however, with Barack Obama of the Democrats winning re-election. They won big in 2016 to the surprise of everyone, lost greatly in 2018, and lost slightly in 2020 with the election of Sherrod Brown into the White House.

The Republican Party has been a mess since then, with party leadership unsure about where to proceed post-indictment. With Trump, easily the party's most influential and popular politician, out of the picture, the party has sought to secure itself a replacement, wrongly putting its confidence in Ron DeSantis in 2024, resulting in the disastrous defeat for the Republicans that despite them holding Congress saw Sherrod Brown re-elected to the presidency.

Many analysts, pundits and political commentators have put up names for a potential Trump replacement. Jeanette Nunez, Florida governor. Ron DeSantis, former Florida governor and 2024 Republican presidential candidate. Even people like John Thune, Mitt Romney and Mike Pence have been proposed, but none have yet to see the popularity that Trump enjoyed in the 2016 campaign.

However, things may change with Nikki Haley.

She's a career diplomat, negotiator and a former Trump ally. When she fell out of the former president's favor, she courted Republicans in Congress and established herself as a significant voice in the party. To the surprise of all, she did not seek office in 2020, 2022, or 2024, but after last fall's presidential election hinted at the possibility of a 2028 candidacy.

Polls indicate that voters are becoming increasingly supportive of the idea of a female president, with averages showing that 79% of Democrats, 55% of Republicans, and 62% of Independents would be interested in seeing a female president take office, preferrably of course from their own party.

Beyond Jeanette Nunez, who does not have the national recognition or the links Haley has, the former U.N. ambassador could by the party's best shot at winning in 2028 and beyond.

Haley is different. She's not exactly a moderate, but nor is she a hardcore far-right MAGA idealist. She's willing to work with the Democrats to get important legislation passed but is also willing to protect the party agenda from watering down in order to defend Christian values and the traditional American nuclear family. Whether or not she will be able to exploit this opening, however, remains to be seen.

[The Felan Federation]

March, 2025
Venezuela, Caracas

---

It would be several days later, before there would come out a report from the 'famous' Miss Fairbright. In this case, she would be walking the streets of Caracas - as the sound of fighting, cheering or looting was happening around the place. Something that made her somewhat stick to the shadows, yet still keep on reporting at what was happening in Venezuela.

"It has been...a few days since we were back here. Total chaos has engulfed Caracas, as many members of the people have taken to the streets against the Police, against the Bureaucracy against anyone related to the Maduro Regime..." she spoke, as there were many 'locations' that had been smashed or burned down. Ranging from 'police outposts', cars or barricades at that. As several vids of her footage was being shown as Miss Fairbright spoke about the situation at hand.

"As things are...the people have 'returned' back home, yet a handful of radicals still remain to vent their anger at the government who had failed them so completely..." she explained - right before she took a moment to answer someone on her earpiece before nodding in response. "...this is just in...our footage has just reached HQ and has been processed for the people of the world to witness. Nonetheless, be advised...some of these videos are extremely graphic. Viewer discretion...is advised..."

As soon enough the camera footage shifted from the reporter towards her footage in question - namely about the people who had stormed the National Assembly itself. As there was plenty of footage documenting the historic charge into the National Assembly, followed in returned by the various politicians of the PSUV being manhandled, beaten up or some even getting hanged then and there on the streets. Demonstrating the sheer hate and displeasure at the government that had utterly failed them and more.

Although, the greatest 'prize' of the rebels was when they carried on out the dead body of Nicolas Maduro. Due to the mass, chaos and the sheer number of people still beating or tearing at his body...it was hard to tell what had killed him or what had resulted in his end. All that happened, was them throwing it into a pile of burning tires and cheering in joy afterwards at that.

Either way it was...the fate and future of Nicolas Maduro had been determined and caught on a news camera. As whatever happened next in Venezuela, was up for anyone.

---

Juan Guaido returns to Venezuela

Once the 'Vice Report' had hit the internet and then the news - the 'contested' government against the former Maduro Regime immediately began to try and organize an unified response towards the chaos and civil conflict that had been unleashed in Venezuela. Though Caracas had suffered the most from the 'riots', many other regions and towns had also suffered from 'rebels' going to the homes and governmental buildings - eager to either oust or get the leadership there removed or changing tunes at that.

As across Venezuela, many members of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela were either in retreat or bunkering down in their holdouts. All the while people were out and hungering for their blood. While there were some soldiers active across some regions, others remained inactive or bunkered down in their military bases - as the chaos of the initial riots had left many confused at the leadership or waiting for orders.

As this was happening, Juan Guaido took the chance and made his move - speaking before a gathered mass of people near the Venezuela-Columbia border. Though he was calling for peace and unity between the people, as well as loyalty from the armed forces to 'serve the people' and not crush their right to protest. At the comments of violence against the PSUV, the 'Western-supported' President remained quiet. Though he wasn't able to condemn political violence - he did call for 'justice'.

In such a case, President Guaido did call for the 'Supreme Tribunal of Justice of Venezuela in Exile' to move for the PSUV to be declared illegal for crimes of treason, embezzlement and corruption. Though he did emphasize that he was hating upon the 'party' and not the people who were part of the organization. Considered by some a 'compromise' between his own chance at achieving the higher office and trying to reign in the anger of the people, without openly condemning their violence against the political party that had become synonymous with the failure of Nicolas Maduro.

"...I ask...the people of the Free World to help us NOW! This injustice has gone on for too long! Injustice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere! The tyrant is dead! Now I ask the Global Community to aid us in restoring order, in restoring our community, our economy and allow us to return to this world as equals instead of people to be pitied and abused. This is what happens, when the people are ignored and tyranny is allowed to prosper! The people have made their choice clear! They wanted Maduro out, they wanted the PSUV out. By the laws of democracy itself, if the people demand it...then it's the law...that they...be...HEARD!" spoke Juan Guaido, right before he made the 'symbolic' gesture of 'walking into Venezuela' alongside his many allies and other people who had fled and migrated during the start of the chaos.

[New Provenance]

New York Times
All The News That's Fit to Print

April 2025

President Brown moves in on Venezuela, backing Guaido for president


President Sherrod Brown (D-OH) at the United States Capitol, March 2025.

President Sherrod Brown is the first country in the game, moving in rapidly and swiftly on Venezuela, with the announcement by the White House that the United States would be backing Juan Guaido, the chief opposition leader and disputed president, for head of state of Venezuela, after a violent coup ousted the dictatorship of the late Nicolas Maduro.

The White House confirmed last evening that President Brown would be seeking in the coming days to back Juan Guaido for President of Venezuela, and the United States would be 'placing security and humanitarian assets on standby for potential imminent deployment at any time' to 'support Venezuela and the Venezuelan people as they prepare to reinstate their popular democracy and return stability and normalcy'. Acting Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told the media that he is seeking a meeting with Guaido in the coming days to discuss a 'joint agreement to stabilize the country together'.

U.S. military units in the Caribbean Sea and Puerto Rico, as well as air force units in Fort Lauderdale in Florida, are supposedly on standby in case Venezuela 'goes hot', according to one military official.

The President is also seeking Congressional support to organize $15 billion in preliminary aid by FEMA and other agencies to support humanitarian efforts in Venezuela.

---

Brown calls for trilateral summit between India, Japan, U.S. in bid to revitalize QUAD partnership


President Sherrod Brown speaking to a foreign policy conference in November 2024.

President Sherrod Brown is now calling for a trilateral summit between India, Japan and the United States, in a bid to 'revitalize Asian relations and more specifically the QUAD partnership', White House press secretary Jen Psaki confirmed to the media Thursday. The President has in the past few weeks been actively seeking to change the country's foreign policy stance especially on Asia in the wake of clashes between Japan and South Korea over tensions. The President has additionally sought to strengthen ties with the members of the defunct QUAD partnership, a security dialogue between the United States, Japan, Australia and India.

President Brown now seek to revive the partnership in an effort to 'unite like-minded nations against similar threats to regional peace', potentially pointing to South Korea, who 59% of Americans believe is behind East Asia tensions, compared to 22% who believe Japan was behind it. The implementation of such a QUAD partnership could potentially signify a change in the balance in Asia.

The U.S. State Department has yet to issue any official statement, but it is likely such a first trilateral summit would take place in the United States.

[Mifan]

Beirut, Lebanon

Things in the world were heating up. With the South Korean aggression against Japan, to Venezuela overthrowing its own government, the world seemed to be being put on fire as the days go by. However, none of that mattered to the people of Lebanon, for they had their own worries to attend to. Things had quieted down after the fighting between Hezbollah and the Lebanese Forces, and things seemed to be heading back to normal.

Nabih Berri, leader of the Amal Movement and the Speaker of Parliament, was in his convoy, heading back from a meeting with various Shiite clerics; he was successful in garnering funds for Amal, though most would end up in the hands of Hezbollah. He wasn't a fool, he knew he was a puppet for the Iranian Group, but between the two of them, they had all the power, despite Amal having more seats and more fighters. Members of Amal weren't so radical, they were much more moderate. Outside of their shared faith, and their control of all the Shiite seats, there wasn't much that Amal and Hezbollah had. Even so, they've proven time and time again that they were powerful allies to have as if it wasn't for them, Amal wouldn't be as powerful as it was.

Even so, Berri still wished to make Amal more independent of Hezbollah one day. There was little reason to continue doing their bidding; one day the party would need to walk its own path. Once he returned home, plans would need to be made. However, he would never get the chance.

As his convoy turned a corner, a bomb went off under the lead car, destroying it, and killing or wounding a multitude of civilians nearby. The bodyguard next to Berri threw himself over the Speaker, as gunfire erupted all around them. Civilians ran away from the area in a panic, as bodyguards from the other cars jumped out to engage. Berri's car tried to reverse, but couldn't due to the lack of space, and other cars in the convoy blocking the way. He was trapped and could only pray to Allah that his life would not be taken.

However, Allah would not save him, as two RPGs were fired, both making contact with his car, killing him and all the occupants inside. The attackers fled the scene as quickly as they could, as law enforcement arrived on scene to secure the area. Amal had been dealt a heavy blow, one that it will not recover from.

Official Statement of The Lebanese Government

"It saddens us to announce the death of our Speaker, Nabih Berri. His life was taken from him, alongside the lives of his bodyguards and countless civilians, in a dastardly attack. Rest assured that we are putting every available resource into finding out who was behind such an attack and we will bring them to justice. However one may have felt about the Speaker and his politics, the fact remains that he did not deserve to have his life taken nor did the other victims who were enjoying their day. Let it be clear, whoever you are, we will hunt you down until the end of time."

Official Statement of Hezbollah

"The life of our dear friend had been taken from us. This is an offense that will not go unpunished! There are many within the nation that demands all parties lay down their arms, but what good does that do when someone can be gunned down at any moment? No, Hezbollah will not disarm, and will never disarm! We call upon our brothers and sisters of Amal to join us! Your late leader is with Allah now, and he has done you all well! But now, it is time for the Shiite populace to unite under one banner! We must show the world that we will not allow for an attack against our own to go unpunished! When those who committed this deed are discovered, they will face Allah's wrath...and those who supported them will face ours!

[New Provenance]

The Situation Room, West Wing, The White House
Washington, D.C.
United States of America

"Mr. President, we have Admiral Paparo of the Pacific Fleet on the line as requested," a staffer said as the screen in the Situation Room blinked on. Several members of the Department of Defense, including Secretary Austin and Chief of Staff Gen. Milley, were present, along with the President, Sherrod Brown.

"Live feed, Marianne?"

"Live feed, sir."

"Go ahead," Brown replied as he adjusted his tie and locked eyes on the television, which switched from the presidential seal to a live feed presenting Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr., commander of the Pacific Fleet, in his office aboard the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.

"Mr. President." Paparo addressed.

"Admiral Paparo. Pleasure to be talking with you again. I had hoped to see you again after that White House barbeque under better circumstances, but here we are." the President said. "What's the status on the situation?"

"It's going to go hot, sir. I'm sure of it. The Japanese are still active in working with us, the Chinese are pretty cordial, but the South Koreans are being . . . troublesome. The news from the regional news networks we're following on both sides is that war is . . . imminent. We believe we may be caught in a firefight soon. And if we are, we will need to pick a side or we will lose men."

Brown sighed. "I had hoped it wouldn't have come to this."

"I thought the same, sir, but we have to act now. Operation Firefly, sir?" the admiral asked.

The president slumped in his seat, sighing once more. Secretary Austin grunted, turning to the screen. "Operation Firefly is overkill, Admiral. We can't strike an ally."

"With all due respect, Mr. Secretary, that ally is disrupting world peace and threatening to implode two of Asia's largest economies, potentially dragging the entire world down with them. Look at the chip shortages during the pandemic. Imagine if Japan and South Korea, manufacturing hubs of electronics and automobiles, go down. We will have a problem, Mr. President. With all due respect, we can't have that, sir."

"You understand the implications of that, correct?" the president asked.

"Yes, sir. High risk, but high reward. We have a SEAL team and special marine battalions at the ready with the go order."

"All planned out and ready?"

"Yes sir." the admiral replied.

"And how would this operation go, exactly?"

"We'll transmit messages to the military units, both Japanese and Korean, in the region, asking them to leave. Our forces will then surround the island and inform the personnel on it to surrender. Our hope is that they choose to do so."

"And what if they don't?"

"They most likely will, sir."

"No, no," Brown repeated, "What if they don't? What happens?"

"We'll siege the rocks, sir."

The president sighed. "And what if the Koreans fire on us?"

"We seriously doubt they would." the admiral said, receiving a nod of assent from Sec. Austin.

"It's insane. It's impossible."

"It may be necessary, sir. If war breaks out, we have to prevent a large-scale engagement."

"Are the Chinese aware of this?"

"No, sir. It's best if we keep their men out of this, but if we choose to execute they should be informed, as should the Japanese, most likely."

The president considered for several moments.

"You do not have a green light, admiral. I have to discuss this with my Cabinet. No green light until I say so, is that understood?"

"Yes, sir."

"Now go and keep things from getting hotter."

"Sir, yes, sir."

[Asian Socialism]

THE TIMES OF INDIA

March 18, 2025

DRDO announces release of ORCA and FGFA aircraft:

In a major development for the Indian military, and what seems to be the latest in a recent string of technological innovation marks, The DRDO has announced the procurement and release of the HAL ORCA and FGFA projects.

Starting with the ORCA. In the 2020 early announcement of the ORCA aircraft, many Defense officials across India claimed the aircraft to be a 4.5 gen fighter, similar in capability to already developed aircraft. While this was true at the time, PM Modi's recent defense budget allocations have allowed the Defense Ministry to upgrade in the past three years, allowing the ORCA to be the world's fifth, fifth generation fighter jet.

The ORCA has been ordered by the Air Force and Naval Air Force, according to reports. While the ORCA was originally slated to be an Air Force exclusive, due to the co-development of the TEDBF, the TEDBF has been postponed and the ORCA fitted to both Carrier and Air Force based regiments. 50 of both variants will be built by year end.

With the FGFA program being reactivated by Prime Minister Modi in late 2022, and with development already progressing rapidly, the FGFA fighter was also announced alongside the ORCA. 75 will be commissioned by year end, with this fifth generation fighter resembling the Su-57 in many ways.

This is of course due to previous Indo-Russian cooperation on the program, which in Russia's case helped to develop and inspire the Su-57.

With these two fighter jets being announced, India has become the fourth country, alongside the United States, Russia and China to develop a fifth gen fighter jet.

When asked of the prospect on sixth gen fighter jets, the DRDO responded with a statement, reading:

We are primarily looking towards the AMCA program to become the sixth generation fighter program for India. At this time, we can confirm the AMCA will have a fifth generation counterpart, however our primary focus has shifted towards realizing the AMCA as a sixth gen fighter primarily. We are also in the process of developing an ORCA-2 roadmap and prototype for test bed technology, as we believe the ORCA-2 will function a primary role in the Naval capacity, similar to the upcoming TEDBF. Alongside the sixth generation fighter jets, we are building drone swarms, hypersonic missile technologies, autonomous piloting and more to fit a joint fighter role.

Major expansion of submarine fleet announced by Ministry of Defense:

As Indian citizens look to the Ministry of Defense to upgrade the current fleet of both nuclear and conventional powered submarines, the Ministry of Defense does just that.

India has had a rapidly growing military, and this encompasses the submarine fleet as well. So much so, in fact, that the Indian Navy decided to designate an Indian Navy Strategic Submarine Force, as a sub branch of the Indian Navy.

A record breaking five Arihant class submarines have been launched this year, along with six new autonomous submarines, which were recently unveiled at the Indian Defense Expo. Along with this, 20 midget submarines will be produced for the MARCOS, or the special forces of the Indian Navy.

Alongside these submarines, India has also announced a significant upgrade in their Destroyer fleet, building, over the last four years nearly 2 dozen Visakhapatnam class and 10 new Rajput-2 Class destroyers.

India's Demographic Boom, Good or Bad?:

Over the past five years, India has seen one of the most massive growth points in it's entire history. This is in part, due to both immigration and policy.

After Prime Minister Modi signed the 2023 Indian Immigration Act into law two years ago, which allowed immigrants from Burma/Myanmar and Sri Lanka, both going through crisis at the time, to immigrate without restriction to India. Over the past two years, the act was expanded to allow Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Bhutan to send immigrants as well, resulting in a population growth unlike any seen before.

It has been estimated by various population data centers in India that nearly 40 million people have immigrated alone, over the past three years, into Indian lands. Alongside this has come the increasing birthrates, which have spiked to 2.5 women per children.

A demographic increase of this magnitude has resulted in tragedy as well, but has also brought millions of jobs, thousands of new businesses and hundreds of new billionaires into the country. India's population will likely hit 1.5 billion people this year, and estimates show population might increase at an extra 15 million per year, on top of the 10 million of usual projection.

Based on these numbers, India will hit 1.6 billion by 2028, 1.7 billion by 2032 etc. With India increasing by 100 million every four years, policy will need to drastically be changed in order to fit the growing population.

Economists are also being forced to reconsider their forecasts, given the new immigration into the country. A recent example was a Pakistani-Indian billionaire, now being called India's Elon Musk, who recently increased Indian GDP by 45 billion dollars in 2025 alone. As well however, there have been Indians who don't make as much, however the Indian people are generally living better than 5 years ago.

Many are calling the population increase a good thing, as they see change happening in the blink of an eye. With this change however, comes incidents and attacks, such as the 2023 Mumbai Subway Attacks or the 2025 New Delhi Bomb Threat. It is both good and bad, as many on the streets are saying.

[NewLakotah]

April, 2025

Swiss Conference between Russia and Ukraine ends with no agreement; Kiriyenko places blame on Zelenskyy and NATO

After months of background negotiations and talks, including with several major European powers, Russia and Ukraine both exited their conference hosted in Switzerland with no deal. In a press conference following the meeting, Foreign Minister Natalia Poklonskaya stated that “the talks were doomed to fail due to Kiev’s inability to compromise nor take into account the people whose lives are at stake and are being killed due to the war. They care more about controlling territory than they do about taking care of their own citizens. There can be no peace without the right to self-determination and Ukraine is unwilling to enter into talks that threaten their control over the Russian minority of their country.”

President Kiriyenko weighed in on the failed negotiations stating that “Russia is still committed towards finding a solution to the crisis through all means, including negotiations” and that he “hoped Kiev will be willing to meet again under better circumstances”. However, he also stated that “these talks failed due to Kiev’s inability to understand their own people and their own situation. They relied too heavily and too long on radical Banderite battalions to fight their war against their own citizens. They claim to want the territory to return but care little about the people who live their and their feelings on the matter. They are heading straight towards turning this cold war hot and Russia will be ready for when they do.”

The anti-war faction within Russia also took a heavy hit as a result. Navalny, leader of the third party opposition wing in the Duma, stated that “these failed talks are a serious issue that must be addressed by Europe as a whole. Bombastic responses and heroic speeches cannot save Ukraine or Russia from war, but perhaps Europe working together can.” Boris Titov, a member of Kiriyenko’s Security Council and another vocal anti-war minister also spoke out, stating that “we strongly hope for peace and wish peace upon all of Europe” and that he believed that “peace will prevail” despite the setbacks.


Russian Armed Forces joint military exercises due to begin next week


One of the largest military exercises in 50 years is due to begin between Union State partners Belarus and Russia in the Eastern parts of Russia and the Western areas of Belarus. These exercises are apart of a larger joint training operation set up by the Russian Armed Forces and the CSTO nations. These will be followed by exercises in Central Asia with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan as well as smaller drills with Armenia. General Gerasimov, the Minister of Defence, stated that these drills would “ensure Russia’s preparedness against NATO aggression, as well as working to form new strategies and tactics for a broad look at modern wars and how they are fought and how as allied armies we can work together to deal with all threats. Conventional war, asymmetrical war, counter terrorism, and combined arms operations.” He made no comment to our reporters when asked about the situation with Ukraine and if Russian soldiers be placed along the borders could cause undo fear and lead to an escalation of the conflict.

President Kiriyenko, however, had more to say on the matter. “There is no question that our forces are engaged in normal scheduled exercises. We are preparing our military for operations, but that does not mean that they are preparing for war.” When further pressed if the failed negotiations with Ukraine changed anything on the matter, Kiriyenko was emphatic.

“Simply no.” He replied. “Ukraine knows the situation as well as we do and they know how the people of the Donbas will respond. We hope that they take caution and do not do anything that will risk the current ceasefire and turn it into an open war. However, I fear that if we do not find a solution soon, then open war will be on us again.”


Russia and Zambia open up new deals on cooperation

After a visit from Russian ambassadors to the bombing southern African nation, both sides left satisfied as new agreements on a variety of joint ventures were announced, both economic and security related. These include a new joint venture for uranium mining through Rosatom and an exclusive enrichment deal to Russia in exchange for developing Zambia’s very own nuclear energy sector to power all of Southern Africa. It also includes Russian support for the agricultural sector.

On the security side, Russia and Zambia announced new joint areas to work together. Including on equipment, training for special forces, and developing strategies for counter terrorism operations. President Kiriyenko said he was “elated” at the progress Russia has made with Zambia.

“Zambia is a growing jewel in already booming Southern Africa. We have created partnerships from Mali to CAR to Chad and we are excited to grow our partnership with Zambia. As Africa goes, so goes the world as Africa is the future. Southern Africa is prime for rapid growth and we are always looking for ways to improve our partnerships with South Africa through BRICS and now Zambia. Perhaps it is time to consider expanding BRICS as well.”

[Asian Socialism]

THE TIMES OF INDIA

March 21, 2025

ISRO continues winning streak, says Chairman:

With the recent success of the Mangalyaan-2 mission, which was updated in 2023 to include a rover and a 'drone-plane' of sorts, the ISRO has become the latest agency to produce a successful mars rover mission, and the first ever country to operate a STOVL aircraft on an extraterrestrial body. The STOVL aircraft looks like a mini version of an Osprey, often used by the United States military.

The Earth Orbiter Station has also been completed, becoming India's first official space station. While various commercial projects are in different stages, with some being in orbit currently, while others in the drawing stages, this is the first designed and produced solely by the ISRO. Currently, only Russia, the United States and China have been given the greenlight in case of cooperation.

The mission चाँद वापसी or Moon Return has returned two of the three planned samples from the moon to their various drop points, with the third sample having unexpectedly landed 50 miles off the Southern Sri Lankan coast, 120 miles from the drop point. The ISRO and relevant authorities are looking to retrieve the samples, fully in cooperation with Sri Lankan authorities.

Global Indian Navigation System or GINS, has been officially activated as well, with the system rivaling the GPS and Beidou systems in coverage. While the system could have been confirmed to be online as of last year, Indian authorities wished to regulate and standardize the system first, writing the GINS Act to go along with the introduction of the system.

Finally, three variants of the ULV family of rockets, as well as the new सितारों तक पहुँचने के लिए or 'Reach for the Stars' Super Heavy Lift Launch Vehicle, have been launched. Within India's recent space boom, now centibillionaire Srinath Ravichandran, and his company Angikul, have launched their Reach for the Stars SHLLV, with the company claiming (ambitiously) that they will be able to launch a man to the moon and mars by 2029. Many are comparing him to Musk in this aspect, though Ravichandran sincerely believes in the idea.

Modi Government announces return to previous policy of 'Five Year Planning':

While several countries have previously adopted the Five Year Plan policy, such as Vietnam and the Soviet Union, as well as India and China, the Modi Government wishes to reestablish this policy.

Prime Minister Modi released today, a document, titled the New Indian Five Year Planning Strategy, which detailed the various schedules for the plans, as well as what the latest one is designed to achieve.

One of the major primary goals of the policy is to curb violence within ethnic and religious communities, and to promote religious and ethnic diversity among the Indian people.

Another major goal involves the acceleration of a common prosperity for all of India. Alongside other components, this involves raising the GDP PPP to 23 Trillion US Dollars by 2030, raising the GDP Nominal to 11 Trillion by 2030 and a GDP Per Capita PPP of 17,000 Dollars by 2030.

Modi states that this will help India grow further, alongside other nations in the world, as well as for the benefit of the Indian people.

Supreme Court reverses ban on Communist Party of India (Maoist), ruling Indian Government abused authority in 2009:

In a landmark decision, stemming from various appeals by the Communist Party of India (Maoist) leaders, the Supreme Court ruled the Indian Government overreached when banning the Party in 2009.

The decision is a massive victory for the group, whose leaders claim 'we have a rightful place in the Indian electorate and as an Indian Political Party.'

Although ongoing Naxal terrorist incidents stemming from the Parties' armed forces have been on the rise, they are, ironically, likely to decline due to this action.

Various leaders of the CPI (Maoist) party that had criminal allegations have been turned over to the Indian authorities, as the Party claims this was to increase trust.

The Current Modi government, although condemning the decision from the Supreme Court, has given a statement, in part claiming 'we are happy that the party decided to turn over these leaders. While we do condemn the Supreme Court's ruling, we must obey as is necessary in a democracy. The party has been given national clearance to elect once again.'

[New Provenance]

New York Times
All The News That's Fit to Print

April 2025

Pentagon to consider for deployments of up to three Heavy Divisions to Europe 'to meet security needs'


Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Milley at a West Point graduation ceremony, 2024.

The Pentagon has announced its intention to 'seriously consider' deployments of up to three Army Heavy Divisions to Europe 'to meet security needs and assist in protecting our allies and partners while fostering military cooperation and European democratic and free solidarity'. General Mark Milley, the Chief of Staff of the Joint Chiefs of the United States Armed Forces, announced the aforementioned in a statement Wednesday, which was followed by a repeat of the announcement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at a Pentagon press conference.

The announcement comes as Russia prepares to stage military exercises in its sovereign territory amidst crumbling talks with Ukraine to end long-standing tensions that have divided the two Eastern European nations greatly, and has contributed significantly to wider European tensions.

The deployments of U.S. divisions to Europe would strengthen European security and defense, and is not in any way targeting any 'specific nations', Secretary Austin reiterated.

Concerns that this could raise alarm bells in Moscow have yet to be publicly addressed by the Pentagon.

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California may reconsider CHSR in favor of hyperloop, Gov. Gavin Newsom says


A concept photo of CHSR, or California High Speed Rail, 2022.

California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) stated Monday that California 'just may' be reconsidering CHSR, or the California High Speed Rail program, potentially in favor of utilizing the much more advanced and innovative (albeit privately developed) hyperloop system. The announcement comes after new polling showed that 46% of Californians had lost their confidence in the CHSR project, which many during the time of its launching thought would be the future of America and its high-speed transportation networks. The poll shows a 5% increase from 41% in 2024 and 39% in 2023.

It's primary goal is to connect Anaheim to Los Angeles and San Francisco, presenting the option to travel between Union Station and San Francisco in 2 hours and 40 minutes, over a distance of 610 km. Future expansions would see connections southward to San Diego via the 'Inland Empire', as well as northward towards Sacramento. These would be implemented over time in several self-supporting segments.

The California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) is the primary authority behind the rail program who designed the initial plan, which was approved by Proposition 1A, a referendum voted upon by voters in 2008 after the plan was presented and a $9 billion bond was assigned to it.

In 2022, the project cost had risen to $133 billion, surpassing estimates by a massive margin. Despite this, however, completion of the first phase still remained far away. In April of the same year 56% of California voters supported its continuation, against 35% against it.

With spiraling costs and a lack of significant progress, Governor Newsom appears to be serious in being interested in reconsidering the project and contracting hyperloop companies like Virgin Hyperloop to establish high-speed networks in California instead.

[Great Britain and Galactic Commonwealth]

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March, 2025

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‘‘La France se tient aux côtés du peuple vénézuélien!’’- Président Emmanuel Macron
By: Joseph Emmanuel



President Emmanuel Macron in a press conference addressing the reporters at Elysee Palace today.

Paris- In a shocking development Venezuelan dictator and disputed leader Nicolás Maduro has died. The perpetrators and those responsible for the act are unknown but it's widely believed that rebels and rogue military officers have committed the act. The South American country has been engulfed by chaos and the country has totally crumbled.

The effects of this revolution are widespread and experts say that the spillover effect would be felt across entire America. It could start a refugee crisis and threaten the stability of South American economies as they would have to face mass immigration and the cross border crime can accelerate and drug cartels can make a new base.

Nicolás Maduro Venezuelan politician and president of Venezuela since 2013, with his presidency under dispute since 2019. Beginning his working life as a bus driver, Maduro rose to become a trade union leader before being elected to the National Assembly in 2000. He was appointed to a number of positions under President Hugo Chávez, serving as President of the National Assembly from 2005 to 2006, as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2006 to 2013 and as the vice president from 2012 to 2013 under Chávez. After Chávez's death was announced on 5 March 2013, Maduro assumed the presidency. A special presidential election was held in 2013, and Maduro won with 50.62% of the vote as the United Socialist Party of Venezuela candidate. He had ruled Venezuela by decree since 2015 through powers granted to him by the ruling party legislature.

Shortages in Venezuela and decreased living standards led to protests beginning in 2014 that escalated into daily marches nationwide, repression of dissent and a decline in Maduro's popularity. Maduro's administration was held "responsible for grossly mismanaging the economy and plunging the country into a deep humanitarian crisis" and attempting to "crush the opposition by jailing or exiling critics, and using lethal force against antigovernment protesters". An opposition-led National Assembly was elected in 2015 and a movement toward recalling Maduro began in 2016, which was ultimately cancelled by Maduro's government; Maduro maintained power through the Supreme Tribunal, the National Electoral Council and the military. The Supreme Tribunal removed power from the elected National Assembly, resulting in a constitutional crisis and protests in 2017. As a response to the protests, Maduro called for a rewrite of the constitution, and the Constituent Assembly of Venezuela was elected in 2017, under what many—including Venezuela's chief prosecutor Luisa Ortega and Smartmatic, the company that ran the voting machines—considered irregular voting conditions; all of its members were pro-Maduro. On 20 May 2018, presidential elections were called prematurely; opposition leaders were jailed, exiled or forbidden to run, there was no international observation, and tactics to coerce voters were used. Multiple nations did not recognize the Constituent Assembly election or the validity of Maduro's 2018 reelection, and several proceeded to sanction Maduro including the European Union, the United States, Canada and several other American countries with some introducing bans on Venezuelans.

Maduro had been described as an autocrat and a "dictator". An Organization of American States (OAS) report determined that crimes against humanity have been committed during his presidency. In 2020, the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) stated that it believed there was a "reasonable basis" to believe that "since at least April 2017, civilian authorities, members of the armed forces and pro-government individuals have committed the crimes against humanity", and on 2021 ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan announced the opening of an investigation regarding the situation in the country. According to estimations by the United Nations (UN), under Maduro's administration, more than 9,000 people have been subject to extrajudicial killings and almost six million Venezuelans have been forced to flee the country. In 2021, the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela concluded that the country's justice system independence has been deeply eroded, to the extent of playing an important role in aiding state repression and perpetuating state impunity for human rights violations; the mission also identified frequent due process violations, including political external interference and the admission of evidence through torture. According to the National Union of Press Workers of Venezuela, 115 media outlets were shut down between 2013 and 2018, and since at least 2019 Venezuela has been exposed to frequent "information blackouts", periods without access to the internet or other news services during important political events. the National Assembly speeches have been regularly disrupted, television channels and radio programs have been censored and many journalists have been illegally detained. Most Venezuelan television channels are controlled by the state, and information unfavourable to the government is not covered completely. Newspapers and magazines are scarce, as most are unable to afford paper to print. The dependence of Venezuelans on social media has also promoted the spread of disinformation and pro-Maduro propaganda. Venezuela got the rank 148 of 180 in the World Press Freedom Index of Reporters Without Borders in 2019.

Amid widespread condemnation, President Maduro was sworn in on 10 January 2019, and the president of the National Assembly, Guaidó, was declared interim president on 23 January 2019 by the legislative body. Following a failed military uprising on 30 April 2019, representatives of Guaidó and Maduro began mediation. On 26 March 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted Maduro on charges of drug trafficking and narco-terrorism, and the Department of State offered a $15 million reward for information that helps "bring him to justice". It was all until he died at the hands of his own countrymen whom he had repressed and brutally murdered and coerced. After his murder people hit and slapped his dead body with shoes and everything they could find in their hands Venezuelans rejoiced by burning tyres and dancing in the streets and as one rioter explained it:
‘‘Today all score has been settled and we will rebuild our country.’’

Immediately following his death Juan Gerardo Guaidó Márquez acting president of Venezuela returned and called on the ‘‘free world’’ to help his country and stop ‘‘the tyranny’’ everywhere.

Guaidó's political career began when he emerged as a student leader in the 2007 Venezuelan protests. He then helped found the Popular Will party with Leopoldo López in 2009 and was elected to be an alternate deputy in the National Assembly one year later in 2010. In 2015, Guaidó was elected as a full-seat deputy. Following a protocol to annually rotate the position of President of the National Assembly among political parties, Popular Will nominated Guaidó for the position in 2019.

Guaidó has been a key figure in the Venezuelan presidential crisis, which began when the National Assembly, considering the 2018 Venezuelan presidential election illegitimate, refused to recognize the inauguration of Nicolás Maduro to a second presidential term on 10 January 2019. Guaidó announced, on 23 January 2019, that he was formally assuming the role of the interim president under Article 233 of the Constitution of Venezuela, with the backing of the National Assembly, until free elections could be held. He has received formal recognition of legitimacy from almost 60 governments worldwide, including the United States, Canada and various Latin American and European countries. Other nations, including Russia, China, Iran, Syria, Cuba and Turkey have continued to recognize Maduro. On 6 January 2021, the European Union (including France) stopped recognizing Guaidó as president, without recognizing Maduro as the legitimate president and threatened further sanctions. As of 2025, Guaidó had not been able to remove Maduro from power; Maduro remained in control of the military, government institutions, and state enterprises until he died. The Maduro administration had prohibited Guaidó from leaving the country, had frozen his Venezuelan assets, launched a probe accusing Guaidó of foreign interference, and threatened violence against him.

The country face's some of the hardest odds in the world it's institutions have been rotten from the inside, its economy doesn't exist, there is no central government, and people don't have electricity, water, or food and they risk further going down a rabbit hole. It has the world's largest known oil reserves and has been one of the world's leading exporters of oil. Previously, the country was an underdeveloped exporter of agricultural commodities such as coffee and cocoa, but oil quickly came to dominate exports and government revenues. The excesses and poor policies of the incumbent government led to the collapse of Venezuela's entire economy. The country struggles with record hyperinflation, shortages of basic goods, unemployment, poverty, disease, high child mortality, malnutrition, severe crime and corruption. These factors have precipitated the Venezuelan migrant crisis where more than three million people have fled the country. By 2017, Venezuela was declared to be in default regarding debt payments by credit rating agencies. The crisis in Venezuela has contributed to a rapidly deteriorating human rights situation, including increased abuses such as torture, arbitrary imprisonment, extrajudicial killings and attacks on human rights advocates. And it can become even worse.

French Président Emmanuel Macron released a statement regarding the Venezuelan crisis:

The oppressor Maduro has fallen and has faced rectitude for his crime against humanity. France will support the people of Venezuela and can work on removing the sanctions if it's proven that the new government in Caracas would be democratic and free. The people of Venezuela are breaking free from the shackles of the slavery of communism and totalitarianism.

Even though Président announced support for the people of Venezuela he proceeded with caution and stopped short of recognising Guaido as the legitimate President and the representative of the Venezuelan people. Ministére De L'Europe Et Des Affaires Étrangéres released this advice and statement:

Venezuela is going through a deep crisis. In this context, access to electricity and water is uncertain and gasoline shortages are recurrent throughout the country. Public transport, the hospital system, ports and airports, as well as communication networks have completely collapsed and are suffering recurrent and long-lasting power outages.

In this context and given the risk linked to the very high level of crime in the country, it is recommended to postpone travel to Venezuela.

On-site, you should stay away from demonstrations, adapt your movements accordingly, provide supplies (water, food and medicine), regularly recharge your communication devices, refuel vehicles and keep yourself regularly informed of the situation.

As a reminder, the risk of an attack is high, and French residents or those passing through abroad are called upon to show maximum vigilance.

In particular, you should stay away from any gatherings and be careful when travelling. It is also recommended to keep informed of the situation and the risks, by consulting the recommendations of the Travel Advice.

French people passing through are invited to register on Ariadne's thread, in order to receive alerts concerning the country where they are.

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Russo-Ukrainian negotiations broke down; Kiriyenko and Macron hoping for a second round of negotiations ‘‘under better circumstances’’
By: Benjamin Fontainbleau


Russian (left) and Ukrainian (right) flags can be seen in this picture.

Kyiv/Moscow/Paris- Russian and Ukrainian diplomats and negotiators held a recent meeting in Switzerland to find a solution to the issues facing their countries. But talks didn't hold out for long and both sides came out of the meeting early without finding any kind of solution to the tensions between their countries.

In a press conference following the meeting, Russian Foreign Minister Natalia Poklonskaya stated that “the talks were doomed to fail due to Kyiv’s inability to compromise nor take into account the people whose lives are at stake and are being killed due to the war. They care more about controlling territory than they do about taking care of their own citizens. There can be no peace without the right to self-determination and Ukraine is unwilling to enter into talks that threaten their control over the Russian minority of their country.”

Russian President Kiriyenko remarked the same but gave some hope for peace in the future:

Russia is still committed to finding a solution to the crisis through all means, including negotiations and I hope Kyiv will be willing to meet again under better circumstances. These talks failed due to Kyiv’s inability to understand their own people and their own situation. They relied too heavily on upon and too long on radical Banderite battalions to fight their war against their own citizens. They claim to want the territory to return but care little about the people who live there and their feelings on the matter. They are heading straight towards turning this cold war hot and Russia will be ready for when they do.

Russia in recent years has become increasingly paranoid and aggressive and has bent upon bullying and intimidating its Southern Neighbour to achieve its geopolitical and neo-imperialist policies and goals. Russia accuses the West of supporting Ukraine to corner Russia and accuses the Ukrainian government of supporting Neo-Nazis despite supporting separatists in Eastern Ukraine and illegally annexing Crimea in 2014.

We reached out to President Macron for comment and received this statement from Elysee Palace:

We're constantly in contact with both Kyiv and Moscow and are working tirelessly to end the tensions on the European continent. We are currently expecting more meetings between Ukraine and Russia and we hope that we will reach a peaceful conclusion.

Russia has also started military training exercises between CSTO nations. CSTO consists of the countries that were previously part of the Soviet Union and the Russian Empire. General Gerasimov, the Russian Minister of Defence, alleged that these drills would “ensure Russia’s preparedness against NATO aggression, as well as working to form new strategies and tactics for a broad look at modern wars and how they are fought and how as allied armies we can work together to deal with all threats. Conventional war, asymmetrical war, counter-terrorism, and combined arms operations.”

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Lebanese Speaker Of Parliament Killed In A Deadly Attack: Président Macron Condemned Violence; Announces Support Of Lebanese People!

By: Marie Dupont


In the aftermath of deadly attacks in which Lebanese Speaker Of Parliament Nabih Berri died.

Beirut/Paris- In another breaking the Speaker Of Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri has perished in the ashes. The authorities are pooling the resources to find out who has killed the leader of one of the powerful Shiite groups in the country. But many suspect betrayals from his own allies ‘‘the Hezbollah’’. Berri was seen as too moderate and sometimes made Hezbs feel uncomfortable with his political positions. According to sources, he wanted to make the Amal more independent from Hezbollah.

He was born in Bo, Sierra Leone to Lebanese Shia parents on 28 January 1938. His father, Mustafa Berri, was a trader there.

Berri went to school in Tebnine and Ain Ebel in southern Lebanon then continued his education in Bint Jbeil and Jaafariya supplementary schools in southern Lebanon and later studied at the Makassed and the Ecole de la Sagesse in Beirut. He graduated with a law degree from the Lebanese University in 1963, where he served as the student body president, and became a lawyer at the Court of Appeals.

In 1963, Berri was elected as president of the National Union of Lebanese Students and participated in student and political conferences. During his early career, he became a lawyer at the Court of Appeals. In the early 1970s, Berri worked in Beirut as a lawyer for several companies.

In 1980, Berri was elected leader of the Amal Movement, and led the resistance against the Israeli army, especially in the south of Lebanon and Beqaa the most famous battle was the battle of khalde in 1982.

He was the key player in the Intifada of 6 February 1984 with his ally Walid Jumblatt leader of the Progressive Socialist Party against the Lebanese sectarian government of Amin Gemayel, where officers and soldiers were called to defect from the Lebanese Army and made ground for the Taif agreement that ended the civil war.

Berri also joined the National Unity government as minister of state for South Lebanon and reconstruction under Prime Minister Rashid Karami in May 1984. He also served as the minister of housing and cooperatives.

Due to strong Syrian backing and Berri's proximity to Syrian officials in Lebanon, he was reported to have the biggest influence in the Lebanese government formed after the Taif Accord.

Berri headed the list of "Liberation" in the parliamentary elections that took place in southern Lebanon on 6 September 1992, which was won in full. The other lists he headed were "Liberation and Development" in the parliamentary elections on 8 September 1996, which was won in full. Since 1992 he has chaired the Liberation and Development parliamentary bloc.

Berri headed the list of "Resistance and Development" in the parliamentary elections that took place in southern Lebanon on 3 September 2000, which was won in full. He also headed the list of Liberation and Development in the parliamentary elections which took place in June 2005 and were won in full. Berri headed the list of "Liberation and Development" in the parliamentary elections on 7 June 2009. All the members of the Bloc won the elections in 2009.

Speaker Nabih Berri was always a major supporter of the dialogue between all Lebanese parties, religions and sects. During the last national dialogue session in May 2014, Speaker Nabih Berri stressed that "power-sharing between Christians and Muslims in Lebanon would not change under any circumstance," adding that he spoke on behalf of the Shia, Sunnis and the Druze.

Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif (right) meeting with Berri in his office in Tehran.

During his last hours Nabih Berri, was in his convoy, heading back from a meeting with various Shiite clerics for a fundraising event which is said to have been successful. According to sources, As his convoy turned a corner, a bomb went off under the lead car, destroying it, and killing or wounding a multitude of civilians nearby. The bodyguard next to Berri threw himself over the Speaker, as gunfire erupted all around them. Civilians ran away from the area in a panic, as bodyguards from the other cars jumped out to engage. Berri's car tried to reverse, but couldn't due to the lack of space, and other cars in the convoy blocking the way. Two RPGs were fired, both making contact with his car, killing him and all the occupants inside. When the law enforcement authorities arrived it'd been too late as the perpetrators had already fled.

Following his death Hezbollah released a statement:

The life of our dear friend had been taken from us. This is an offence that will not go unpunished! There are many within the nation that demand all parties lay down their arms, but what good does that do when someone can be gunned down at any moment? No, Hezbollah will not disarm, and will never disarm! We call upon our brothers and sisters of Amal to join us! Your late leader is with Allah now, and he has done you all well! But now, it is time for the Shiite populace to unite under one banner! We must show the world that we will not allow an attack on our own to go unpunished! When those who committed this deed are discovered, they will face Allah's wrath...and those who supported them will face ours!

Finally, the former colonial ruler and supporter of Lebanon ‘‘France’’ decided that enough was enough. Immediately following the chaos French Président Emmanuel Macron released a statement:

France will never abandon the people of Lebanon and will never disappoint the Lebanese people. The people of Lebanon are the bravest & strongest in the world. Despite, setbacks and difficulties they refuse to back down. France will do whatever is necessary to maintain peace, stability and order in Lebanon. It's a crucial moment for the politicians of Lebanon to reform and win back their country from outside forces. France will do whatever it's necessary to guarantee peace for the Lebanese and by ‘‘necessary’’ I mean ‘‘necessary’’ by all means.

French President Emanuel Macron was the first international to visit Beirut following the devastating explosion years ago. He even toured the port and city before most of Lebanon's leaders. The Lebanese people, who were already suffering from economic, social, health and political crises, surrounded Macron and called out, "Mr President, save us."

The French leader responded with: "I love you Lebanon. I love you Lebanon." At the end of his visit, he stressed that "France will never leave Lebanon and will not disappoint the Lebanese people." He reiterated the belief that the "destiny" of both France and Lebanon "has spiritual and historic" connections.

French President Emmanuel Macron (L) meets with Lebanese President Michel Aoun at the Presidential palace in Baabda, east of the Lebanese capital Beirut, on September 1, 2020.

The petition was telling of people's frustration with the Lebanese government's "total inability to secure and manage the country," its creators wrote.

"With a failing system, corruption, terrorism and militia the country just drew its last breath. We believe Lebanon be placed back under a French mandate in order to establish clean and durable governance," they added.

"I'm under no illusion. France has its own problems to deal with," Cyrille, the petition's creator told Euronews. He added that he launched the petition hoping it would "show the extent of [the Lebanese people's] despair".

"If we were to have a revolution and re-elect parliament, even the electoral law that was enforced by the government would favour a hegemony of the political class that has been there for 40 years," he said.

"Since France left, the country has only been sinking. Civil war, economic, political and border crises followed," Franco-Lebanese John, a signatory, told Euronews

He added that he wonders whether "the Lebanese leaders will be humble enough to acknowledge their incompetence and their failure".

"Lebanon does not have an economic strategy," another person who signed the petition, who wanted to remain anonymous, told Euronews. "The people live from day-to-day. They are trying to heal the deep wounds of the present with bandages."

France, the former colonial power, enjoys friendly relations with Lebanon and has provided support to the Lebanese. The French language is widely spoken fluently throughout Lebanon and is taught as well as used as a medium of education in many Lebanese schools. Both nations are members of the Francophonie.

[Shohun]

Japan Times

All Eyes on Seoul Peace Talks:

Tokyo, February 16th - In the very late hours of the 16th, across Japan the government and people sit, anxiously awaiting word from the joint American, Chinese, and Korean peace talks in Seoul. Ironically, the talks are only to have direct talks between Japan and Korea resumed, not even to have a peace deal. While some pray for peace as the two opposing sides stare one another down, the increasing sentiment in Japan has been to take action - before it is too late. Long recognizing that the Korean regime has strong capabilities, experts have warned repeatedly that Korean missile emplacements on Takeshima would be very dangerous to Japanese shipping in the region.

The anger towards Korea has not been helped by tonight's announcement by the Ministry of Defense, sounding the alarm that intelligence suggested a Korean attack was "imminent," advising Japanese shipping to take precautions. In yet another warning to the Korean regime, a spokesperson for the ministry said Japan would respond "overwhelmingly" to any aggression. When asked by the Japan Times about the prospect of preemptive conflict, the spokesperson said he "could not rule the possibility out."

Amid the high likelihood of conflict, according to an high level official who wished to remain anonymous, Japan has become less inclined to accept just anything for peace talks. While the official said that there was no "set deadline," the official warned that "Korea is making it nearly impossible to conduct peace talks." The official went on to explain that while the Japanese government did not wish for conflict, the installation of Korean offensive weaponry and stationing of offensive ships was ongoing in and around the occupied Japanese Takeshima. With this in mind, the official explained that it would pose a grave threat to Japan if "we hold peace talks for months and months when they will finish their military preparations and installations in weeks." The official expressed fears that at this point, "Korean 'willingness' for talks is only a stalling move as they finish installing offensive weapons on Takeshima. We have caught them with their pants down because they expected us to lay down and do nothing. So now they are desperately trying to start their missile deployments to Takeshima. I fear that we will go into peace talks that go on and on, and then they will fail, leaving us with a fully militarized Takeshima that very greatly threatens Japan's sovereignty. So if they want peace talks, they will end militarization immediately and unconditionally."

The official finished by comparing the potential situation to a person with a gun to their head, saying, "We will no longer be able to govern without fear upsetting them and then being attacked with Korean missiles. This is not just a threat to Japan, but as a whole the Korean regime is a threat to Asian democracy."