Good morning, and welcome to the Global Situation Report for Friday, 30 August 2024.
- LATEST PHILIPPINE PREPARATIONS FOR WAR: The Philippines government announced a major step to counter China’s influence this week. A major civil rights group is also urging the government for “civilian militias”
- The Philippine Department of National Defense (DND) says they need to bolster eastern seaboard to support larger ships and combat “any illegal and unlawful research and occupation”
- The leading pro-gun group in the Philippines is pressing the government for expanded firearms training on the basis of repelling China’s territorial encroachment and being able to quickly stand up militias.
Why It Matters: The Philippines appears to have a whole-of-nation movement preparing for war with China using counter grayzone warfare tactics and potentially civilian national defense. The pro-gun organization is likely to succeed in their push as they have succeeded several times under the Marcos government and it will bolster the “regional reserves” set out by the DND. China will not openly oppose most of these measures as they are “internal affairs.” – J.V.
- Global Rollup
- Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant told reporters that the Israeli Defense Force “must expand the goals of the war [against Hamas]” to the north in order to allow “the safe return of Israel’s northern residents to their homes.” Israeli officials have said for months that they intend to fight Hezbollah eventually.
- Taiwan granted early access to its annual threat assessment from China this morning. The report states that China does not have the ability to invade Taiwan but would likely cut off communication and board ships for inspections. Taiwan intends to more than double its minelaying force over the next 30 months to keep an invasion untenable.
- Federal Reserve Board of Governors member Christopher Waller was in Mumbai, India this week, where he pushed back against India’s proposal of creating an interlinked global payment system. French and Russian bank officials agreed with Waller.
- A South Korean delegation is headed to Washington, D.C. next week to discuss deterrence against North Korea’s conventional and nuclear missiles. The South Korean Ministry of National Defense claims this will include exercises for total U.S. mobilization, including nuclear forces, in defense of South Korea. (The Air Force announced the similar REFORPAC [Return of Forces to the Pacific] exercises will begin next summer. South Korea may be laying the groundwork or finalizing details for participation in these exercises. – J.V.)
THAT’S A WRAP: This does it for today’s edition. Thank you for reading. If you know folks who would also like to receive this email, would you please forward it to them? We appreciate you spreading the word. – M.S.