ASEAN and the Russian Navy

https://www.thedefensepost.com/2021/12/01/russia-asean-naval-drills/

The move by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to hold joint naval drills with Russia is a slap in the face to China but on a far greater level to the United States which has earnestly sought to court these nations since the Obama era. It sends a clear signal that the ASEAN members are not willing to simply bow to the US, nor are they willing to trust Washington to any quantifiable degree. They're going to hedge their bets and keep all options open – which for the US represents a diplomatic defeat.

The Watchtower in Singapore: Putting Evangelicals to Shame

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58647485

Conscientious Objection is an ancient practice in the Church. With few exceptions the testimony of the Early Church is near universal – Christians were opposed to warfare and participation in the military and other forms of government violence.

Blackwater and Wagner

https://theintercept.com/2020/04/13/erik-prince-russia-mercenary-wagner-libya-mozambique/

Prince, a hero to many American Evangelicals is an evil figure to some and certainly a living scandal to Christians who root their faith in the New Testament. Regardless of what one thinks of him, he remains an important if controversial figure.

Training the Satraps

https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2019/10/14/Singapore-air-force-celebrates-10-years-of-training-at-Idaho-air-base/4981571077607/?sl=9

Few realise just how common this sort of this is and what an important role it plays for the US empire.

Hidden behind euphemisms of partnership, friendship and alliance the reality is these nations are beholden to the United States.

Singapore 2018: An Alternate Narrative

The outcome of the Singapore summit is of course unknown but I find several things striking. Or rather, what's striking is what is not being said, how the summit is not being framed.

The Singapore Summit and a Side-Show in Guam

https://www.upi.com/Defense-News/2018/06/07/Navy-to-start-annual-exercise-Malabar-in-Guam/8941528391096/?utm_source=sec&utm_campaign=sl&utm_medium=4

This is not getting much coverage in the West but you can be sure it's noteworthy in Asia. The timing says it all.

Asian Alliances and Cold Wars: Past and Present Provocations

The United States continues to push into East Asia and is moving ever closer to the formation of a new Asian version of NATO. It must be remembered that though the USSR certainly occupied Eastern Europe and had attempted and eventually succeeded to establish new regimes in those countries, it was sabre rattlers like Churchill and the United States in forming NATO that really got the Cold War underway. While that narrative is unacceptable to Western convention it needs to be revisited.

The Arms Industry and Empire

In Southeast Asia the role of Singapore continues to grow as a means to arm the new American formed and backed alliance meant to secure American hegemony and contain China.

ST Kinetics formerly Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS) was utilised by the Reagan administration to set up arms deals with Iran.