The top U.S. #intelligence ofcl on Mon warned that the #war in #Gaza could embolden #terrorist groups, which are aligned in their opposition to the #UnitedStates for its support of #Israel.
“The crisis has galvanized #violence by a range of actors around the world. And while it is too early to tell, it is likely that the Gaza conflict will have a generational impact on #terrorism,” #ODNI#AvrilHaines, told an annual hearing on #GlobalSecurity#threats.
But #Ukraine faces “a much grimmer future” should that #aid not arrive, & would probably “lose significant ground” to #Russia, Burns said. “That would be a massive & historic mistake for the #UnitedStates,” he said. What’s more, failure to help defend Ukraine would “stoke the ambitions of the #Chinese…” to make aggressive moves on #Taiwan…. “The Ukrainians are not running out of courage & tenacity. They’re running out of ammunition. And we’re running out of time to help them,” Burns said.
Today in Labor History February 28, 1947: The Kuomintang government in Taiwan put down an anti-government uprising known as the February 28 Incident. They killed 28,000 civilians. And in the White Terror that followed, the government killed, imprisoned or disappeared 30,000 more. These events helped spark the Taiwanese independence movement.
Today in Labor History February 19, 1927: A General Strike occurred in Shanghai. In March, Communist union workers launched an uprising in Shanghai. However, the Kuomintang quashed the rebellion, slaughtering 5,000-10,000 in the Shanghai Massacre. In the 1940s, the Kuomintang were driven out of mainland China by the Communists, retreating to Taiwan, where they maintained a brutal dictatorship until the 1980s. By many accounts, the Kuomintang rule in Taiwan was even more corrupt and brutal than the Japanese dictatorship that preceded it. In 1947, they slaughtered tens of thousands in the February 28 Incident.
Do Nothing House speaker Mike #Johnson (R-LA) canceled tomorrow’s votes and sent the #House of Representatives into recess!
Before recessing, Johnson refused to take up the national security supplemental bill the #Senate passed early Tuesday morning, providing aid for #Ukraine, #Israel, and #Taiwan and humanitarian aid for #Gaza. Johnson said the House must “work its own will” rather than vote on the bill at hand because the measure did not include #border security measures (that they just snuffed🤬)
“#Trump spent the weekend telling senators they should not pass more unconditional U.S. foreign aid. More than a dozen Republicans ignored him Sunday, again advancing a bill to send $95 billion in aid to #Ukraine, #Israel and #Taiwan.
67-27 …still isn’t guaranteed, as leaders haven’t yet reached an agreement on GOP-demanded border amendments” #Senate
🚨🚨HUGE BREAKING: The Senate broke the filibuster, 67-32, in order to open debate on $funding a 95.3 billion emergency aid package for #Ukraine, #Israel and #Taiwan.
There were 17 Republican Senators who voted YES on breaking the filibuster, including Senators Capito, Cassidy, Collins, Cornyn, Ernst, Grassley, Kennedy, McConnell, Moran, Murkowski, Romney, Rounds, Sullivan, Thune, Tillis, Wicker, and Young.
Three Chinese activists were sent back to Malaysia after they arrived in Taiwan seeking political asylum. All three held temporary refugee cards issued by the UNHCR in Bangkok.
The case highlights Taiwan's lack of an asylum law that would protect the rights of asylum seekers
"Twenty-five historians of the civil war and Reconstruction filed a US supreme court brief in support of the attempt by Colorado to remove Donald Trump from the ballot under the 14th amendment, which bars insurrectionists from running for office."
@wdlindsy As North Korea is showing it’s nuclear power they are waiting for #trump to become president. Then they will attack South Korea, #putin will walk over #ukraine and probably also the #balticstates. #china might attack #taiwan. All eyes are on Trump and the #GOP is closing their eyes. Take that man of the ballot !!!!
"Deliberately grounded on a tiny reef in the #SouthChinaSea, part of an island chain claimed by the two Asian countries, the #BRPSierraMadre is now the unlikely base for a detachment of Filipino marines who stand guard over the atoll, scanning the turquoise waters for Chinese ships." #AyunginShoal#SecondThomasShoal#Philippines
The island is located 141 km (88 mi) southeast of the southern tip of #Taiwan's main island and 98 km (61 mi) to the nearest Taiwanese island, the "Lesser Orchid Island".
For reference, a flight from Manila to Baguio is 210km(130 mi) . #EEZ
The patrols involve three navy ships and three fighter-jets from the Philippine military, which were to be joined by one littoral combat ship and one aircraft from the #American side.
The #BashiChannel between those islands and #Taiwan is considered a choke point for vessels moving between the western #Pacific and the contested #SouthChinaSea. The Chinese military regularly sends ships and aircraft through the channel, Taiwan's defence ministry has said. #China#WestPHSea
The #Philippines is doubling down on efforts to preserve its sovereignty in the disputed waters while preparing for contingencies in nearby #Taiwan.
As such #Manila is stepping up its acquisition of increasingly high-end military equipment while expanding sophisticated military exercises with partners including the #US, #Japan and #Australia. #WestPHSea#China