Good morning. Here’s your Situational Awareness for Monday, 12 September 2022.
RUSSIA, CHINA RESPOND TO NATO’S “MUTUAL CONTAINMENT”: Following a meeting with Russian officials, Li Zhanshu, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China (NPC), announced Russia and China’s intent to ally against NATO’s “mutual containment” strategy against the two countries. Zhanshu said the countries would shape a “new type of transnational relations” that will boost “strategic support and interaction” in the fight against NATO’s meddling in Indo-Pacific affairs, “unchecked” expansion in Europe, and attempts to “reduce our strategic space on the Eurasian continent.”
U.S. TO PROVIDE $40 MILLION IN AG AID TO SRI LANKA: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced $40 million in new aid to help economically destitute Sri Lanka purchase fertilizer and other agricultural equipment. The U.S. also promised another $6 million in aid to Sri Lankan farmers hit hard by the economic crisis.
OKINAWA REELECTS GOVERNOR OPPOSED TO U.S. MILITARY PRESENCE: Okinawa prefecture re-elected its incumbent governor, who is opposed to the U.S. military presence. The prefecture is a key series of southern islands that extend Japan’s territory nearly all the way to Taiwan. The reelection comes as Japan builds up its Japanese Self Defense Forces against possible military moves by China to seize Taiwan and nearby Japanese islands.
JOINT CHIEFS: UKRAINE DEFEATED RUSSIA’S STRATEGIC GOALS: In statements about the status of the war in Ukraine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, said Russia’s “strategic objectives” have been defeated. Citing Ukrainian forces’ tactical proficiency and will to fight, Milley said Russia had been entirely unsuccessful in achieving its operational objectives, instead only securing “minor tactical successes.” The general noted Ukraine’s use of western supplied long-range fires has allowed them to shape ground maneuver warfare to make “steady” and “deliberate” progress as it launches counterattacks against Russian forces in the north and south.
In today’s Early Warning, Mike takes a look at a Senate warning on transformer shortages, plus the team provides analysis of potential disruption to seating the next Congress, a major threat to the U.S. economy, and the latest situation reports on Russia-NATO, Latin America, and China. Get access to the full report, including analysis on the DailySA briefs, by subscribing at https://forwardobserver.com/subscribe