Articles
America’s Pivot to Asia
The US-Taiwan Initiative of 21st-Century Trade was unveiled last year in June. Less than a year after its announcement, representatives from Washington and Taipei concluded prime negotiations in May 2023. The Initiative represents a significant step forward in strengthening the U.S.-Taiwan economic relationship and is aimed to increase Taiwan’s ability to resist economic coercion from China.
Discounted Russian Oil Reaches Populous Pakistan
In June, Pakistan received its first-ever cargo of Russian crude oil in two batches containing 100,000 tons of oil each. Pakistan may use Chinese yuan to pay for discounted Russian crude oil, beneficial for the two countries. Energy cooperation between Moscow and Islamabad has just been inaugurated. Interestingly, the United States has accepted the idea of shipping Russian oil to energy-starved and dollar-strapped Pakistan.
Ukraine Claims It Has Seized Strategic Initiative
Ukraine claims it has seized the initiative at the front as it continues its counteroffensive, while Russia appears to be mired in confusion following a rebellion attempt by the Wagner Group. Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the commander in chief of Ukraine’s armed forces, said on social media that he had a telephone conversation with the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley. He reportedly told Milley that Ukrainian forces have “managed to seize the strategic initiative at the front and have been pushing forward.” That was confirmed by Ukrainian military personnel and the country’s deputy defense minister. Oleksiy Reznikov, Ukraine’s defense minister, said Ukraine has not yet deployed most of its forces.
China’s Position On the War in Ukraine
China sees the war in Ukraine as a matter of resistance to the West that might belittle the importance of the United States and its allies worldwide. Thus, China is tightening ties with Russia while setting the stage for a diplomatic push to settle the conflict via negotiations. The war in Ukraine brings both opportunities and challenges for China.
U.S. and China Held Joint Drills Despite the Recent Escalation
On the June 5-8, 36 countries including US, China, Russia, India, and Pakistan participated in the 4th “Komodo” Multilateral Naval Exercise 2023 in Sulawesi – Indonesia.
Russian State Duma Backs Army Recruitment Of Criminals
The lower house of Russia’s parliament said it had voted to give its initial backing to legislation that will allow the Defense Ministry to sign contracts with suspected or convicted criminals to fight in Ukraine. People convicted of sexual crimes, treason, terrorism, or extremism would not be able to sign up.
Shoigu Sets A Trap For Prigozhin In Their Latest Feud
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu ordered all “volunteer units” involved in Moscow’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine to sign such contracts by the end of June to standardize Russian forces. The decree was in fact another chapter of a running feud between Shoigu and Yevgeny Prigozhin, the founder of the notorious Wagner mercenary group.
Ukraine’s Counteroffensive Continues At the War Chessboard
Ukraine’s long-awaited counteroffensive somewhat lost momentum after two weeks of heavy fighting. The command ordered a pause to add some updates to the tactics to neutralize a Russian advantage.
The EU’s Efforts to Combat Difinformation
Disinformation is a simple and inexpensive tool that helps achieve a set of specific goals: spread panic, influence political decisions, or increase social polarization.
The Federal Case Against Trump and the U.S. 2024 Presidential Election
As U.S. voters prepare for the 2024 Presidential election, a handful of jurors gather for the federal indictment of former president of the United States, Mr Donald Trump. The indictment marks the first time in history that the US Government has brought federal charges against a U.S. president.
A Prelude to Massive Ukrainian Counteroffensive?
Ukraine’s long-awaited counter-offensive to retake territory from Russia’s occupying forces has begun, with the first ten days of offensive operations in many spots along the frontline. Ukrainian troops are seeking to explore some vulnerabilities in the Russian defense and mislead the enemy to discover where to break the frontline most successfully.
Trump Suggests that as President, He Would Settle Ukraine War Within 24 Hours
Former President Donald Trump, during the meeting on 10th of May with local republicans in New Hampshire, suggested that he would have resolved the war in Ukraine within 24 hours.
Reasons and Effects of Ukraine’s Dam Collapse
Ukraine has been aware of Russian plans to destroy the Kakhovka dam that upheld Ukraine’s largest reservoir since last autumn. Back then, however, Russian troops retreated from the western section of Kherson province while the Dnieper River became a hundreds-long barrier between the Russian and Ukrainian positions.
Russia Sees Decrease In Oil and Gas Revenue
In May 2023, Moscow’s crucial oil and gas revenues were lower by 33 percent compared to last year. The reason was lower prices amid Western sanctions and fewer gas supplies to Europe. Moscow is running low on windfall profits due to a spike in hydrocarbon prices shortly after the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
