US military utilizing emerging tech as outlook on future conflicts evolves
As geopolitical situations evolve, U.S. military officials said the way future conflicts will play out is changing quickly, too. That is why the military is beginning preparations now for potential escalations in the short and long term.
One example is reclaiming an airfield from the jungle on Tinian Island, in the Philippine Sea less than 2,000 miles from the coast of China. The U.S. Air Force used the island’s North Field to launch the nuclear attacks on Japan during World War II.
In places like Tinian Island, the infrastructure is sparse. This is why Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall said new technology that helps troops quickly adapt to their surroundings is essential.
“We need fully capable units with all the assets they need to fight China or possibly Russia on short or no notice,” Kendall said. “We need units fully ready to either deploy or conduct operations in place, also on short or no notice.”
During Special Operations Forces Week 2024 in May, Cubic Defense introduced technology that allows units to operate using a much smaller footprint. The D-Tech Fusion Edge High-Performance Compute, also known as “The Box,” is one of those tools.
“It took racks and racks took probably three or four trucks to do what hauling racks of servers around to do what this one box will do for the future warfighter books out there,” Retired Lt. Gen. James Terry, vice president of business development and strategy at Cubic Defense, said.
People involved with designing The Box said it can run a remote command and control operation. Additionally, it can take data produced by the tools in use and quickly format it for easy interpretation by ground teams as they make combat decisions.
“It’s about converging data transfer, translating that into intelligence, and then delivering that to a decision making in a timely manner so they can make the right decisions, and that’s what this does,” Terry said. “This is going to be exactly what those warfighters are going to need out there at those levels.”
Cubic Defense currently has several government contracts, but they have not confirmed who will use The Box first.
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New hybrid from China’s BYD tops US models, but Americans still can’t buy it
A new hybrid vehicle from Chinese automaker BYD is outpacing American models with its combination of range and affordability, but it is unlikely to reach U.S. consumers anytime soon. This latest vehicle from the Beijing-backed company can reportedly travel over 1,300 miles without stopping. Priced at just $13,775, the vehicle is nearly three times cheaper with the ability to travel more than twice as far when compared to industry averages in the U.S.
The hybrid also boasts a fuel efficiency of about 80 miles per gallon, which translates to some substantial savings for drivers. BYD estimates that owners could save around $1,336 annually on fuel costs. Over a decade, these savings could offset the car’s purchase price, effectively reducing its net cost to zero.
However, American consumers are unlikely to see these BYD hybrids in U.S. showrooms. The Biden administration has implemented a 100% tariff on Chinese electric vehicles, aiming to protect domestic automakers from foreign competition.
This policy is part of broader efforts to maintain the competitiveness of American car manufacturers. The U.S. government also reportedly pressured Mexican authorities to withdraw tax incentives for Chinese EV-makers looking to build factories south of the border, which had been viewed as a potential loophole for companies like BYD to enter the American market.
Giant pandas from China returning to Smithsonian National Zoo
Pandas are returning to the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., in 2024. The zoo celebrated the news Wednesday, May 29, in a video announcement featuring first lady Jill Biden.
The bears, named Qing Bao and Bao Li, are both two-years-old and set to arrive by the end of 2024 through a partnership with the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
Bao Li has family roots in Washington. He is the son of Bao Bao, a female giant panda who was born at the zoo in 2013. He’s also the grandson of Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, the panda couple that left the zoo in November 2023.
At the time, Smithsonian staff called the departure a “hiatus,” but Chinese officials had yet to clarify the future of the program. The return of the beloved bears marks a new chapter of decades of “panda diplomacy.”
More pandas are set to arrive in other parts of the country as well. In April, it was announced China would send giant pandas to San Francisco’s zoo for the first time ever. In February, the San Diego Zoo announced it would welcome two panda residents.
How China’s gun-toting robodogs are looking to change combat forever
From man’s best friend to a killing machine, robodogs with automatic rifles went through drills for a 15-day exercise between Chinese and Cambodian troops. Despite having guns mounted on their backs, these dogs didn’t bite, not firing a single shot during the drills that started on May 16.
The exercise between the two militaries in Cambodia is known as Golden Dragon. This year’s iteration is reportedly the largest between the two countries.
During the training mission, the dystopian-looking K-9s demonstrated their master of leaping, walking and lying down. The Chinese military said that the robodogs will replace some humans in combat, identifying threats, conducting reconnaissance and striking targets with the automatic rifles mounted to their backs.
The robodogs are meant to take point for infantry, sniffing out dangers before they can hurt friendly troops.
The desire by China’s People Liberation Army to show off the new tech on its heavily restricted social media could signal a breakthrough in the technology or more propaganda. Chinese state-run media said that the presence of the robodogs alongside foreign militaries shows it may be in the advanced stages of development.
China is not alone in its efforts to develop these robotic killing machines. The U.S. Air Force also demonstrated the ability of its robodogs to quickly detect enemy threats and for scouting.
This year’s Golden Dragon exercise between China and Cambodia consisted of 2,000 troops using 14 warships, two choppers and 69 armored vehicles, as well as the powerful pooches.
If China invades Taiwan, one expert says it could be over in an hour
If China invades Taiwan, Chinese forces could take less than an hour to execute a takeover, according to geopolitical expert Dmitri Alperovitch. Alperovitch shared his assessment with NBC News on Monday, May 27, after Chinese military forces conducted extensive drills. Dozens of warships, warplanes and jets participated in the exercises, which could be practice for a potential invasion.
“They’re still going to use amphibious assault ships across the strait,” Alperovitch said. “Each of them can deliver about 800 troops and more importantly, dozens of troop transport helicopters as well as gunships to do an airborne assault. They can reach the ports within 10 to 15 minutes.”
Alperovitch has a notable track record for predicting military actions, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In his new book, he argued that China’s invasion of Taiwan would be executed so swiftly that the United States would be unable to respond immediately. He said that Beijing would launch rapid strikes from the both the air and sea.
“So, a lot of people assume that this would be a normal type of Normandy beach landing,” Alperovitch added. “The reality is the terrain does not allow it.”
Following China’s military drills, a U.S. congressional delegation met with Taiwan’s new president on the island. The delegation assured that more U.S. weapons, already purchased by Taiwan, are on their way. The United States is heavily invested in fortifying Taiwan, making it one of the most well-defended areas globally.
China’s rare earth dominance fueled by human rights abuses in Myanmar
China has dominated the global rare earth supply chain and is now using Myanmar, a nation plagued by political instability, violence and corruption, to obtain more of these resources. Its practices are known to cause harm to locals and the environment in the process. Due to the widespread proliferation of these materials to be used in emerging technologies across the globe, Beijing also implicated the international community in its exploitation of Myanmar’s rare earth reserves.
Global Witness, an organization that works to spotlight the links between natural resource extraction and human rights abuses, highlighted the detrimental effects of this trade with China on Myanmar’s populace and ecosystem. The group revealed that this harmful practice, driven by Beijing’s need for rare earths, exacerbated many of Myanmar’s existing issues.
“It’s a really extreme example of where there is widespread destruction for these specific elements,” Ben Ayre, head of data investigations at Global Witness, said. “It takes place in the context of a really volatile region, one where there is active conflict, and the funds that are going into it are not insignificant.”
Rare earth elements are critical for the production of various advanced technologies. China processes nearly 90% of the world’s rare earths, a sector that has become highly lucrative, making them billions of dollars over the course of recent years. Historically, China met this demand through domestic mining, producing almost two-thirds of the global supply. However, the country increasingly turned to Myanmar’s extensive rare earth supply to extract these resources, which has now surpassed China’s own production.
“We’re talking in the region of 90% of all processing is happening in China, China resourcing the vast majority of its mineral supply from from Myanmar, mining operations have expanded by more than 40% across the region,” Ayre said. “The reports that we have from community members of damage to skin and to internal organs are consistent with findings, scientific studies into the effect of these chemicals on people. Governments should adopt the necessary legislation in order to ensure the human rights and the environment are protected from from this mining practice.”
The growing reliance on Myanmar’s resources transformed a national issue into a global one. Products worldwide, from smartphones to electric vehicles, depend on rare earths sourced from Myanmar. Global Witness urged companies that utilize these materials to investigate their supply chains rigorously. The organization called on these companies to ensure responsible extraction methods and to reconsider their current sourcing if they cannot confirm ethical practices.
“The burden of proof is really on any manufacturer that’s producing those products to demonstrate that they are not implicated in that supply chain,” Ayre said. “Those companies that are sourcing these elements, do the necessary due diligence in order to ensure that they know the origins of the materials that they’re putting in their products.”
Those comments did not sit well with China’s government, which recognizes Taiwan as its national territory. However, Lai’s maintains that the people of Taiwan should be able to be independent.
In response, China showed its displeasure with Lai’s views by ramping up its threats toward Taiwan on Thursday, May 23. Beijing sent warships, planes and jets to perform combat drills around Taiwan. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense counted 49 Chinese military aircraft, 15 navy vessels and 16 coast guard vessels surrounding the island.
Taiwan’s military quickly responded to China’s provocation, positioning jets and a missile system. Additionally, the military put ground forces on alert to be ready for any further escalation.
The prevailing theory by experts is that China wants to show off its ability to set up a blockade around Taiwan. One military expert said that these drills by China may just be a “signal,” adding that the real “punishment may be yet to come.”
Washington responded to China’s show of strength by issuing a warning to Beijing to refrain from any use of force against Taiwan.
“I cannot underscore enough how devastating a conflict in the Indo-Pacific Region would be,” Lt. Gen. Stephen Sklenka, the deputy commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said.
The United States is legally obligated to defend Taiwan against attack but is also balancing a delicate relationship with China.
Eli Electric’s affordable micro-EV coming from China to the US despite new tariff
In the face of recently announced tariffs exceeding 100% on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) bound for the United States, one automaker remains committed to bringing affordable EVs to American consumers. Eli Electric Vehicles is grappling with the implications of the new tariff rate on its plans to introduce a less expensive electric micro-car in the U.S. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles but has manufacturing operations in China.
“We know there’s a strong, unfulfilled demand for affordable EVs in America,” James Seargent, head of U.S. operations for Eli Electric, said. “We are aware of the tariff communication that came through and I think one of the major components here is that it is an opportunity for us to look at how can we make sure that we are being very efficient with our supply chain.”
The compact dimensions of the company’s micro-car, the Eli ZERO, hold the potential to help the car remain relatively inexpensive.
“This is a targeted tariff on some of the vehicles that came through,” Seargent said. “We’re really evaluating how that fits with us as micro-EV manufacturer, and the [low-speed electric vehicle] space in America, it’s a little bit different than golf carts, but also a little bit different than full-size electric vehicles.”
High costs have long stood as a significant barrier to widespread EV adoption in the United States. Eli Electric sees leveraging China’s dominant EV supply chain as a means to drive prices down. Additionally, the company’s leaders also hope the company can facilitate the transition to electric mobility for American drivers.
“We actually have a subsidiary of our company, Eli Electric Vehicles, in China, particularly to be close to the supply chain,” Seargent said. “It’s the fact that we’re able to be there to see it, to build those relationships, and understand what we should utilize for our vehicle and kind of roll with that EV hub in that area. That’s what it really is going to be set us apart.”
Eli Electric currently manufactures the Eli ZERO, a street-legal vehicle boasting a range of up to 90 miles, in Shanghai. The manufacturer bills the car as an automobile capable of bridging the gap between micro and full-sized cars. The ZERO offers a range of features including power-assisted steering, radar parking sensors, a Sony infotainment system and more. All that comes at a cost of under $12,000. It is a price point which Eli Electric aims to keep steady despite the Biden administration’s new trade rules.
U.S. customers already started reserving their Eli ZERO models through a fully refundable $200 deposit with the company. Eli Electric anticipates a pre-Christmas debut on American roads. The EV manufacturer plans to make the ZERO available through local distributors and dealer partners nationwide.
Putin meets with Xi in China as leaders look to strengthen ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin traveled to China as he looks to strengthen ties between the two countries, and Slovakia’s prime minister is seriously wounded during an assassination attempt. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Thursday, May 16, 2024.
Putin meets with Xi in China as two countries look to strengthen ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin, amid his country’s war with Ukraine, traveled to China, seeking sought support from Chinese President Xi Jinping. Putin arrived in Beijing for a two-day state visit as both countries navigate escalating tensions with Western nations.
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The leaders are slated to discuss various issues including Ukraine, regional matters in Asia, energy and trade. They will also commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s recognition of the People’s Republic of China.
During Putin’s visit in February 2022, just before the onset of the war with Ukraine, China and Russia announced a “no limits” partnership.
While China claims neutrality regarding the conflict, the U.S. has expressed concerns that Chinese exports to Russia may be supporting the Kremlin’s war efforts. In response, China has accused the U.S. of making baseless allegations.
Putin’s trip to China marks his first international journey since his recent electoral victory, which extends his tenure as president until at least 2030.
Slovakia’s prime minister in serious condition after assassination attempt
Slovakia’s prime minister is in serious but stable condition following an assassination attempt that was recorded on camera. Police subdued a 71-year-old suspect immediately after he shot Prime Minister Robert Fico five times in what officials describe as a “politically motivated” attack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya3jbU0o85Y
The assailant has been charged and faces a potential sentence ranging from 25 years to life imprisonment. The deputy prime minister, Tomas Taraba, reported that doctors have stabilized Fico’s condition. According to a hospital spokesperson, the prime minister underwent five hours of surgery and will remain in the intensive care unit.
This incident marks the first significant assassination attempt on a European political leader in over two decades.
Gaza Strip Pier complete, aid poised to flow into war-torn area
The Pentagon reported that as part of this initiative, a ship has been anchored in the Mediterranean Sea to start offloading supplies, noting that no military personnel are expected to enter Gaza.
Today at approximately 7:40 a.m. (Gaza time) United States Central Command personnel supporting the humanitarian mission to deliver additional humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians in need anchored a temporary pier to the beach in Gaza. As part of this effort, no U.S. troops… pic.twitter.com/048seMnkLJ
Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, the deputy commander for U.S. Central Command, has indicated that hundreds of tons of aid are ready for delivery, with thousands more being prepared.
The pier is designed to handle the transfer of 90 truckloads of aid per day, with plans to increase this number to 150 truckloads once it is fully operational.
Barge collides with Pelican Island Causeway in Texas
A barge collision with the Pelican Island Causeway Bridge in Galveston, Texas, on Wednesday, May 15, resulted in an oil spill and considerable damage. Authorities have reported no injuries, but the bridge remains shut down to all traffic.
Footage revealed a section of the rail line next to the bridge collapsed after the barge came loose and struck the structure.
The U.S. Coast Guard has confirmed that the barge is no longer leaking oil, although the full scope of the spill has not been determined.
Texas A&M University at Galveston has suspended campus activities through the weekend.
The bridge serves as a crucial link for Pelican Island’s approximately 9,000 residents to Galveston. Engineers are currently evaluating the damage to establish a timeline for reopening the bridge.
Trump in court as Biden hosts Brown v. Board families; both agree to debate
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican candidate, are set to participate in two presidential debates. Their schedules diverge significantly for Thursday, May 16.
The narrative changes on June 27 and Sept. 10, when Biden and Trump are scheduled to engage in two presidential debates. These debates are organized by news outlets rather than the Bipartisan Commission on Presidential Debates, which typically arranges fall debates.
CNN will broadcast the first debate, while ABC will air the second.
The streaming service will broadcast both games on Wednesday, Dec. 25, as Netflix continues its venture into live sports programming.
Netflix is said to be paying $75 million per game as part of a three-year agreement with the NFL. Under this deal, Netflix will broadcast at least one game on Christmas Day in 2025 and 2026.
The upcoming doubleheader will showcase the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, followed by a matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans.
China’s BYD launches hybrid truck in Mexico, US may target these vehicles
Electric pickup trucks in the United States are known to be fairly expensive, but China’s BYD is launching a more affordable model just south of the border in Mexico. The development comes amid an ongoing trade conflict between the U.S. and China over electric vehicles (EVs).
The Biden administration recently quadrupled tariffs on EVs imported from China to over 100%, a move that has been in the works for sometime now. This prompted Chinese automakers to explore alternative avenues to potentially access the U.S. market. China-based electric vehicle companies have been establishing EV factories in Mexico as part of what has been seen as a means to circumvent U.S. restrictions on their vehicles.
In an effort to prevent China from utilizing this prospective backdoor into the U.S., American officials reportedly pressured Mexican authorities into taking away EV incentives to China-based auto companies. That constituted a rollback of low-cost public land deals and tax cuts for Chinese investments in EV production.
However, BYD has still proceeded with the Mexico launch of its hybrid electric truck. The car is dubbed the “Shark” and it is priced at just over $53,000. The truck is even cheaper than the 2024 Ford F-150 Lighting, which was named the Kelly Blue Book’s most affordable electric truck option at $57,000.
The Shark’s affordability is a significant selling point, undercutting offerings from competitors like Chevrolet, Hummer and Rivian by tens of thousands of dollars.
This is the first time BYD has launched a vehicle outside of its home country, with the Shark currently available only to Mexican drivers. The company plans to manufacture 150,000 units of the Shark annually in Mexico. U.S. officials are already talking about setting up additional roadblocks to keep them out of the states.
Following the announcement of tariff increases on Chinese imports, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai indicated the possibility of imposing further penalties on Chinese vehicles manufactured in Mexico.