Good morning, and welcome to the Global Situation Report for Tuesday, 02 July 2024.
- Global Rollup
- Chinese exporters said they are struggling to meet shortened schedules due to U.S. and European buyers frontloading orders in anticipation of tariffs. The Chinese exporters warn that supply-chain disruptions could hit during the coming holiday shipping season.
- China’s Taiwan Affairs Office claims that Taiwanese airports and civilians are without power, using temples as ammunition depots, and the ruling party has widespread discord. (All of this is meant to sew doubt and fear into the Taiwanese to make them more amenable to Chinese rule. This is a precondition for both peaceful and non-peaceful reunification but could cause disruptions to important Taiwanese exports if it succeeds in lowering morale. – J.V.)
- The United Nations adopted a China-proposed Artificial Intelligence (AI) proliferation resolution yesterday that calls on developed nations to give away AI technology to “developing nations.” (The resolution is a twofold win for China where they can access AI technology from the West but also sell their own versions to undeveloped nations. Proliferation of Chinese AI will allow them to more effectively conduct information campaigns and monitor their diaspora and dissidents. – J.V.)
- South Korea resumed artillery and maneuver warfare drills near the demilitarized zone for the first time in six years. This is the first act since rescinding the 2018 military agreement that sought to “remove all real risks of war on the Korean Peninsula and resolve hostile relations.“
- The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon issued a Security Alert yesterday after several European airlines changed their flight schedules and reminded U.S. citizens that schedule changes could result in cancellations without prior notice. (This does not change the travel status but acts as another datapoint for worsening conditions. – 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.