Good morning, and welcome to the Global Situation Report for Monday, 04 March 2024.
- TAIWAN: U.S. TROOPS ALREADY ON CONTESTED ISLAND: Taiwanese media claims U.S. Army Green Berets are currently stationed on the outlying Kinmen and Penghu Islands to train the Republic of China’s armed forces.
- Kinmen Island is currently surrounded by the People’s Republic of China’s Coast Guard (CCG).
Why It Matters: Kinmen’s encirclement by the CCG may be the beginning stage of a “law enforcement blockade” to seize the island without using military force. China’s potential seizure of the contested islands would pose a strategic dilemma for the Biden administration. – J.V.
- MEXICO DENIES NEWS OF BRICS APPLICATION: Mexico’s Foreign Ministry denied media outlets’ recent speculation that Mexico’s application to join the BRICS alliance was imminent.
- According to the statement, the Mexican government is following BRICS development closely, but rumors that Mexico will join BRICS “are unfounded.”
Why It Matters: Last year, Mexican President Andres Manual Lopez Obrador (AMLO) denied media reports that Mexico would join BRICS, almost certainly under immense pressure from the Biden administration. The United States is Mexico’s largest trade partner and pursuit of BRICS membership would upset the lucrative status quo. AMLO’s likely replacement, Morena party protégé Claudia Sheinbaum, is expected to continue many of AMLO’s policies, including not joining the BRICS economic alliance. Mexico’s presidential elections are scheduled for June. – M.S.
- USSPACECOM ASKS SENATE TO FUND WEAPONIZATION: General Stephen Whiting, the head of the U.S. Space Force’s Space Command, requested the Senate fund space-based weapons at the Senate Armed Services Committee.
- “Inherent in [protecting and defending our space systems] is our ability to protect the Joint Force from space-enabled attack,” Whiting declared as his branch’s mission.
- “Integrated space fires,” modernized electronic warfare systems, and battlespace awareness are among his top requirements in fulfilling that mission.
Why It Matters: As the great powers make space a battleground, space-based assets are more likely to come under direct threat as a means to conduct warfare and a piece of collateral damage if debris from the battles enters their orbit. Space warfare is likely to have an impact far after any war as it becomes harder to exit via a clear path but also more necessary as whatever remaining powers seek to exploit space to enhance their terrestrial forces. – 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.