09/05/2020 News & Commentary – National Security
News & commentary by Dave Maxwell. Edited and published by Ahyoung Shin
1. What the Pentagon’s new report on China means for US strategy – including on Taiwan
2. China vs. America: A new Cold War means new great power blocs
3. West Point superintendent says he’s taking action on racism highlighted by nine recent cadets
4. Army Cyber Command completes its move to Georgia’s Fort Gordon
5. Czech Republic and Taiwan deepen bilateral ties, announce new areas of cooperation
6. Trump says he won’t cut funding for Stars and Stripes
7. This tiny nuclear reactor just won safety approval
8. Independent tribunal launched to judge claims of mass atrocities crimes in Xinjiang
9. Russian national indicted for conspiracy to introduce malware into a computer network
10. AFP to monitor social media to prevent recruitment of young suicide bombers (Phliippines)
11. How Americans get tricked into participating in disinformation campaigns
12. USC communications professor placed on leave after using Chinese word that sounds like racial slur
13. Stationing US troops in Poland is a bad idea
14. White House issues new cybersecurity policy for space systems
15. The ideology delusion: America’s competition with China is not about doctrine
16. The Pentagon is terrified of talking to reporters again
17. 52% of young adults in the US are living with their parents. That’s the highest share since the Great Depression
18. Disdain for the Less Educated Is the Last Acceptable Prejudice
1. What the Pentagon’s new report on China means for US strategy – including on Taiwan
The Brookings Institution · by Michael E. O’Hanlon · September 4, 2020
Indirect defense of Taiwan?
2. China vs. America: A new Cold War means new great power blocs
The National Interest · by Yao-Yuan Yeh · September 4, 2020
In my opinion this is an ideological war (i do not think I can add “new”). The revisionist (and rogue, revolutionary) powers who want to remake the international system to support their authoritarian surveillance state rule, centrally commanded market economies, rule by law, and denial of human rights versus the Arsenal or Alliance of Democracies (with shared interests, values, and strategies) that value liberal democracy, freedom and individual liberty, free market economy, rule of law, and respect for human rights. This may seem a simplistic breakdown of a bipolar world, but I think it is accurate.
But the real question is can countries walk the tightrope or have a foot in both camps?
3. West Point superintendent says he’s taking action on racism highlighted by nine recent cadets
armytimes.com · by Kyle Rempfer · September 3, 2020
I think it is important to take this seriously.
4. Army Cyber Command completes its move to Georgia’s Fort Gordon
armytimes.com · by Russ Bynum, The Associated Press · September 3, 2020
5. Czech Republic and Taiwan deepen bilateral ties, announce new areas of cooperation
republicworld.com · September 5, 2020
Will the Czech Republic be able to defend itself against the potential economic warfare attacks the PRC will likely initiate over this?
6. Trump says he won’t cut funding for Stars and Stripes
The Hill · by Morgan Chalfant · September 4, 2020
The Stars and Stripes is a daily newspaper and not a magazine. Just saying.
7. This tiny nuclear reactor just won safety approval
bgr.com · by Mike Wehner · September 5, 2020
Fascinating.
8. Independent tribunal launched to judge claims of mass atrocities crimes in Xinjiang
rfa.org · by Joshua Lipes · September 4, 2020
Important reporting from Radio Free Asia.
9. Russian national indicted for conspiracy to introduce malware into a computer network
justice.gov · September 4, 2020
10. AFP to monitor social media to prevent recruitment of young suicide bombers (Phliippines)
untvweb.com · September 4, 2020
Is this something the military should be doing? Is it the most effective organization for doing this? Is this the right course of action? What are the legal and ethical implications?
11. How Americans get tricked into participating in disinformation campaigns
The National Interest · by Elinor Harty · August 31, 2020
We must vaccinate ourselves from disinformation and active measures.
I am doing some more dead horse beating here:
From our NSS on page 14.
“A democracy is only as resilient as its people. An informed and engaged citizenry is the fundamental requirement for a free and resilient nation. For generations, our society has protected free press, free speech, and free thought. Today, actors such as Russia are using information tools in an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of democracies. Adversaries target media, political processes, financial networks, and personal data. The American public and private sectors must recognize this and work together to defend our way of life. No external threat can be allowed to shake our shared commitment to our values, undermine our system of government, or divide our Nation.”
12. USC communications professor placed on leave after using Chinese word that sounds like racial slur
nationalreview.com · by Brittany Bernstein
Sigh… Video at the link
13. Stationing US troops in Poland is a bad idea
The Hill · by Gil Barndollar, opinion contributor · September 3, 2020
I do not think this is a majority view.
14. White House issues new cybersecurity policy for space systems
c4isrnet.com · by Nathan Strout · September 4, 2020
The 6 page policy directive can be accessed here.
15. The ideology delusion: America’s competition with China is not about doctrine
Foreign Affairs · by Elbridge Colby and Robert D. Kaplan · September 4, 2020
Another view of PRC-US completion. An important essay. I guess I am guilty of viewing the problem through the wrong lens.
16. The Pentagon is terrified of talking to reporters again
taskandpurpose.com · by Jeff Schogol
Terrified? I think it may probably be trying to avoid stepping in the partisan minefield in the election period.
17. 52% of young adults in the US are living with their parents. That’s the highest share since the Great Depression
CNN · by Catherine E. Shoichet
Wow. That is quite a stat.
18. Disdain for the Less Educated Is the Last Acceptable Prejudice
The New York Times · by Michael J. Sandel · September 2, 2020
We need dignity and respect for all. This should not be acceptable. I know many people with much less education who are more successful than most (my younger brother is one – no college education yet runs his own business and has an income probably 5 times mine).
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“First, have a definite, clear practical ideal; a goal, an objective. Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends. Third, adjust all your means to that end.”
– Aristotle
“I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.”
– Leonardo da Vinci
“There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.”
– Roger Staubach
