US Afghan drone strike kills at least 39 farm laborers

(Sept 19) A US drone strike whose intended target was an ISIS hideout in Afghanistan instead killed at least 30 farm laborers resting after their day of labor in the Khogyani district of Nangarhar province.

The attack

The attack also wounded 40 peope after mistakenly targeting farmers and laborers who were just finished a day's work collecting pine nuts in the mountainous Wazir Tangi in the eastern part of Nangarhar proviince. Tribal elder Malik Gul said: "The workers had lit a bonfire and were sitting together when a drone targeted them.” Pine nuts are eaten in many parts of the world and are described by Wikipedia: "Pine nuts, also called piñón (Spanish: [piˈɲon]) or pinoli (Italian: [piˈnɔːli]), sometimes called pignoli in the US, are the edible seeds of pines (family Pinaceae, genus Pinus). About 20 species of pine produce seeds large enough to be worth harvesting; in other pines, the seeds are also edible, but are too small to be of notable value as a human food."

The owner of the pine nut property said about 150 workers were there harvesting. He said that as well as those confirmed dead or wounded some were still missing. A survivor of the strike said about 200 laborers were sleeping in five tents pitched near the far when the attack took place. Juma Gul who had traveled with the laborers said: “Some of us managed to escape, some were injured but many were killed.”

Some reports give different casualty figures: "Attaullah Khogyani, a spokesman for the provincial governor of Nangarhar confirmed the air strike. “The government is investigating the incident, so far nine bodies were collected from the attack site near a pine nut field.”"

Some angry residents of Nangarhar province demanded an apology as well as monetary compensation from the US for the attack. Javed Mansur, of Jalalabad city said: that such mistakes cannot be justified. American forces must realize that they will never win the war by killing innocent civilians.

Some sources do not report on civilian casualties

Although both the Afghan Defense Ministry and a senior US official in Kabul the capital confirmed the drone strike they did not share any details about civilian deaths. Colonel Sonny Leggett, a spokesperson for the US forces in Afghanistan said:“U.S. forces conducted a drone strike against Da’esh (IS) terrorists in Nangarhar. We are aware of allegations of the death of non-combatants and are working with local officials to determine the facts.” Afghan and US officials are often reluctant to report civilian casualties and sometimes even deny reports of their happening.

ISIS in Afghanistan

ISIS forces appeared in Afghanistan in 2014 and since have made inroads in both the east and the north. They are battling not only US and Afghan forces but also the Taliban. The exact number of fighters in not known and groups often switch allegiance. The US military puts the number at about 2,000. ISIS has released no announcement about the US attack.

The collapse of peace talks and renewed fighting

Even though both sides had been carrying out attacks during the peace talks an agreement in principle had been reached. Nevertheless Trump rejected the agreement and called off the talks partly because a Taliban attack had killed a US soldier. Since then both sides have increased their attacks in the 18 year old conflict.

The UN claims that in just six months this year nearly 4,000 civilians have been killed or wounded. This included a large increase in casualties caused by the Afghan and US forces.

Cases of hitting the wrong targets not uncommon

In the past there have been many cases where wrong targets were hit as in this example back in March: " For the second time in a few days, an Afghan Army base was destroyed on Wednesday — but this time by American airstrikes that followed a firefight between the Afghans and Americans, Afghan officials said.A local Afghan official said six soldiers were killed and nine others badly wounded, out of 17 soldiers at the base. Qais Mangal, a spokesman for the Afghan Defense Ministry, confirmed that the airstrikes had taken place after another Afghan unit attacked a joint convoy of Afghan Special Forces and American troops. He put the death toll at five soldiers, with 10 wounded."

Another incident happened in June.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

US Green Beret service member killed in Afghanistan

(Sept. 17)A US Green Beret service member has been killed in action in Afghanistan. The death was announced in a release by NATO's Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan.

Identity of the deceased not at first released

Although an official confirmed the soldier was a Green Beret, the official did not specify the unit to which he was attached. Another official said that there were no indications that the death was any type of incident with any member of Afghan forces firing on him.

The soldier could not be identified until his family had first been notified for 24 hours. However, he is identified later on the appended video.

Casualties this year

So far this year there have been 16 US troops killed in Afghanistan according to Defense Department figures. More than 80 US personnel have been wounded in combat. 2019 has been the deadliest for the US since operations were scaled down in 2015.

Peace talks have broken off after agreement reached in principle

The Taliban carried out attacks just as an agreement was reached in principle between the Taliban and the US. Both sides had been attacking each other during the talks but the talks still had been progressing well. However, after one of the attacks Trump angrily rejected the talks when one US soldier was among the casualties.

The last US soldier killed before the Green Beret was Sargent 1st class Elis Ortiz 34 who died when a vehicle-borne iED exploded near his vehicle in Kabul.

On Monday Sept. 9 Trump called off any talks: "President Trump appeared to pull the plug Monday on the possibility of peace with the Taliban, declaring talks with the militant group “dead” and leaving Afghan leaders in the dark on just what happens next. Speaking on the White House lawn before departing for a political rally in North Carolina, Trump said last week’s Taliban-claimed bombing in Kabul, Afghanistan, drove him to cancel a covert meeting at the presidential Camp David retreat in Maryland that was planned for Sunday."

Current situation

At present there are about 14,000 US service members in Afghanistan with many additional international allied troops. Their role is to advise and assist Afghan forces and to fight terrorists such as ISIS and Al Qaeda.

Prior to the peace talks, President Trump had been considering a reduction in US troop levels perhaps down to 8,600. A reduction was planned in the first phase of the agreement in principle as well. Now it is not clear what reduction if any there will be. During his campaign for the presidency Trump promised to withdraw troops from Afghanistan.

After repeating that as far as he was concerned the peace talks with the Taiban are dead, Trump added that US troops have hit the Taliban "harder in the last four days than they've been hit in ten years".

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Trump talks with Netanyahu about a mutual defense treaty between the US and Israel

(Sept 16) Last Saturday, President Donald Trump reported that he had talked with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about creating a mutual defense treaty between Israel and the US. Trump hoped to continue talks with Netanyahu after Israeli elections.

Trump's statement

Trump tweeted: "I had a call today with Prime Minister Netanyahu to discuss the possibility of moving forward with a Mutual Defense Treaty, between the United States and Israel, that would further anchor the tremendous alliance between our two countries.I look forward to continuing those discussions after the Israeli Elections when we meet at the United Nations later this month!"

Israeli election to take place this week

Israel is set to go to the polls this week on September 17th. It is expected to be close. Wikipedia explains the circumstances creating the snap election: "Snap legislative elections are due to be held in Israel on 17 September 2019 to elect the 120 members of the 22nd Knesset. Following the prior elections in April, incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a governing coalition, the first such failure in Israeli history. On 30 May, the Knesset voted to dissolve itself and trigger new elections, in order to prevent Blue and White party leader Benny Gantz from being appointed Prime Minister-designate.[1] This election was the first time that the Knesset voted to dissolve itself before a government had been formed.[2]"

Trump clearly would prefer Netanyahu to win. Indeed, his comments are no doubt at least in part designed to boost Netanyahu's chances just before the election. While the US regards attempts to interfere in its elections quite negatively, particularly by Russia, Trump appears quite comfortable in showing support for Netanyahu and interfering in the Israeli election.

Netanyahu would like to see such an agreement

The mutual defense treaty would regard any attack on Israel as an attack on the US. This could help deter many of Israel's foes from retaliating to any attacks Israel makes against them. There are many US politicians including Trump who are very pro-Israel and would support such a treaty.

Senator Lindsey Graham is one of many US politicians supporting a mutual defense treaty: "Sen. Lindsey Graham floated the idea of a mutual defense treaty in April at the Republican Jewish Coalition's annual meeting in Las Vegas, saying, “An attack against Israel would be considered an attack against the United States.”"|

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Taliban remove ban on Red Cross operations and guarantee security for humanitarian work

(Sept. 17)Taliban leaders in Afghanistan announce that they are revoking their ban on Red Cross operations in parts of the country they control. They are now offering security guarantees for any Red Cross staff doing humanitarian work in Taliban-held areas.

Taliban could use help as attacks on them escalate

A recent Reuters article notes: Afghan security forces, backed by U.S. air strikes, killed two of the movement’s shadow provincial governors on Sunday, as fighting stepped up in the wake of the collapse of talks aimed at ending the conflict, officials said...The defence ministry in a statement said at least 85 Taliban fighters were killed in a joint ground and air operation in southern Paktika province on Saturday night."

The attacks have intensified since Trump refused to agree to a peace deal with the Taliban. As is often the case, the Taliban gave their own figures. A spokesperson claimed that seven of their fighters had been killed and 11 wounded while Afghan security forces casualties were over 20. With the Taliban suffering more casualties help from the Red Cross would no doubt be welcome.

A recent article reports: "The Islamic Emirate restores the former security guarantees to ICRC in Afghanistan and instructs all mujahideen to pave the way for ICRC activities and be mindful of security to this committee's workers and equipment," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in a statement." The Taliban refers to itself as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The Taliban had also banned the World Health Organization (WHO) but did not refer to it in the announcement.

Red Cross claims neutrality in the conflict

The guarantee of security for the Red Cross is essential otherwise the organization could suffer from attacks. It might take some time for the organization to cover the considerable area controlled and contested by the Taliban.

Taliban and others had been suspicious of western aid organizations

The CIA organized a fake vaccination program as a 2011 article notes: "The CIA organised a fake vaccination programme in the town where it believed Osama bin Laden was hiding in an elaborate attempt to obtain DNA from the fugitive al-Qaida leader's family, a Guardian investigation has found. As part of extensive preparations for the raid that killed Bin Laden in May, CIA agents recruited a senior Pakistani doctor to organise the vaccine drive in Abbottabad, even starting the "project" in a poorer part of town to make it look more authentic, according to Pakistani and US officials and local residents." This operation made the Taliban and other radical groups suspicious of western humanitarian programs and hurt legitimate vaccination programs. A number of aid groups were banished from certain areas.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Some Huawei laptops in China come with Deepin Linux rather than Windows OS

Huawei is having problems with its smartphones and also its laptops as it is blacklisted in the US and US companies cannot do business with the firm depriving it of features that it presently uses.

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Huawei developing alternatives for US-based products

For its smartphones Huawei has been using Google's Android operating system (OS). It can still use the system but only the open source version that lacks key features and important apps that the proprietary system had. Huawei has developed its own Harmony OS but so far is used only in smart TVs. It is not clear yet if it will be developed for smart phones.

In the case of Huawei laptops Huawei had been using Windows 10 another US product by Microsoft. However, in China it is now replacing Windows 10 by Deepin Linux a Chinese release of Linux. There are numerous Linux versions most of them free.

Huawei laptops using Deepin Linux

Three different laptops are appearing in China with Deepin Linux installed: MateBook 13, MateBook 14, and MateBook X. As there is no Windows licence to pay the models are from $ 42 to $94 dollars cheaper than those with WIndows 10 installed.

A recent article notes: "Huawei's MateBook products are available outside of China, though Huawei has made no announcement of making Linux versions available in the West. The Matebook series is well-received by reviewers, though—as is practically the case for the entire PC industry, to some extent—the products follow Apple's design footsteps quite closely. "

Deepin Linux

Wikipedia describes Deepin as follows: "Deepin (stylized as deepin; formerly known as Linux Deepin and Hiweed Linux[5]) is an open source operating system based on Debian's stable branch. It features DDE, the Deepin Desktop Environment, built on Qt. As of version 15.10 it also uses dde-kwin, a copy of KDE Plasma's window manager.[6] The distribution is praised for its aesthetics in various reviews, while in the past also having been criticized for using a statistical tracking service in its App Store, which was removed in July 2018."

As with most versions of Linux, Deepin Linux is free. The system is not new. It has been around since 2004. It is often used for desktops. The Deepin was based upon Ubuntu until 2015 and is now based on Debian.

Installing Deepin Linux

Deepin Linux has long been available for installation. It can be installed alongside WIndows 10 in a dual boot system as can other Linux distributions. I have one of my computers that has both Windows 10 and a version of the more common Ubuntu Linux system. When I boot up the system a screen appears that allows me to boot into Windows 10 or Ubuntu. In some cases there may be problems with compatibility. I have not had any issues.

A detailed account of how to dual boot Deepin Linux with Windows 10 can be found at this site. The ISO file required can be downloaded at the sites listed here. The Google Drive site is said to be one of the faster downloading sites.

At present, the Huawei laptops that run Deepin Linux are only released in China. Even if they are not released elsewhere people who want to try the Linux system could always create a dual boot system with WIndows 10 or simply try them without installation. Some Dell computers already come with a version of Linux installed. The ten best Linux systems for laptops including Deepin are listed and reviewed at this site.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Trump administration releases $250 million in frozen military aid to the Ukraine

(Sept  13) On Thursday the US Senate Appropriations Committee announced that the Trump administration has agreed to release $250 million of previously frozen military aid to the Ukraine.

The announcement

The Hill reported: "The Departments of State and Defense are proceeding with the obligation of all military and security assistance funding to Ukraine," a senior administration official said. "The Administration supports Ukraine’s efforts of reform and self-defense, and these funds will advance Ukrainian efforts toward those ends."

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell praised the release of the funds, saying: "It would have been a mistake to hold back our assistance to the brave people of Ukraine. Doing so would have undermined our partners in Ukraine and Eastern Europe and further emboldened the Kremlin."

US Congress wants to help Ukraine fight separatists

The Trump administration has been reviewing a lot of aid programs questioning whether US interests were advanced including the arms deal with the Ukraine. However, the US Congress has been pushing to have Ukrainian arms transfers to continue as a way to help the Ukraine to fight ethnic Russian separatists in the Ukraine.

An earlier report had noted: "The White House is reviewing whether $250 million in military assistance should be sent to Ukraine in keeping with President Donald Trump's view that U.S. foreign aid must be justified, two senior administration officials said on Thursday...“The president has made no secret when it comes to foreign assistance that U.S. interests abroad should be prioritized and other foreign countries should also be paying their fair share," said one of the officials, who shared details of the plan on condition of anonymity."

The aid had already been delayed for months. If the aid had not been authorized by the end of this month it would have been cancelled. However, the Trump administration has finally decided to accede to the wishes of the US Congress.

Threats may have forced Trump to allow the aid

Some members of the US Congress were apparently threatening to hold up billions of dollars of funding for the Pentagon if the Ukrainian aid was not approved. Some believe that this was what ultimately led the Trump administration to approve the aid before it was canceled. Trump's interest in cutting foreign aid may continue to influence policy going forward.

The two sides were recently able to arrange a significant prisoner exchange as shown on the appended video.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

US drops 80 thousand lbs of explosives on tiny Iraq island

US warplanes have virtually destroyed the tiny island of Qanus in the Salahuddin Province of Iraq in the Tigris river. US officials claim the island is a hiding place for ISIS terrorist.

Bringing stability through destruction

US officials claim the attacks will bring stability to the region. The attacks will disrupt ISIS fighters activity in the region because mostly all vegetation where ISIS forces could hide has been obliterated by the attacks.

Iraqi forces also took part in the attack as they stationed boats near the island with a view to shooting anything on the island that was still alive after the bombing. Locals in the area report that there was repeated firing late into the day.

A US Central Command news release describes the attack: "Coalition Forces and the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service deny Daesh a safe haven during air strikes on Qanus Island located in the Salah ad Din Province, Sept. 10, 2019. Follow-on ground clearance operations are currently taking place by the 2nd Iraqi Special Operations Forces Battalion to destroy a major transit hub for Daesh members moving from Syria and the Jazeera desert into Mosul, Makhmour, and the Kirkuk region. “We’re denying Daesh the ability to hide on Qanus Island,” said Maj. Gen. Eric T. Hill, Special Operations Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, commander. “We’re setting the conditions for our partner forces to continue bringing stability to the region.” " The term "Daesh" is a common name for ISIS. US F-35A and F-15 Strike Eagles were used in the attacks.

The appended video shows explosions from the attack.

No report on casualties

No estimates of how many ISIS fighters were on the island or how many may have been killed by the attacks have been reported as yet. Officials so far have been completely silent on the issue. There have been no reports as to what the locals may feel about the attack. It seems that the US considers destruction a favored means to create stability. It is not clear how much disruption destruction of the island will cause to ISIS movements through the area.

US had less attacks on ISIS than in 2017

According to recent statistics published by the US Air Force Central Command 218 total munitions were dropped on ISIS targets last month. This compares with the peak of 5,075 in the month of August in 2017. In 2017 a record number of bombs 39,577 was used against the group.

Previously published in the Digital  Journal

Most Americans think that US arms sales make the country less safe

(September 10)Although most Americans want the US to maintain strong overseas alliances they do not want the government to use arms sales as a means to do so. Both the Obama and Trump administrations have used these sales as a tactic to cement alliances.

Trump administration working to sell more arms

As long ago as March last year Reuters reported: " President Donald Trump will soon make it easier to export some types of lethal U.S.-made drones to potentially dozens more allies and partners, according to people familiar with the plan. "

The Trump administration also bypassed the US Congress to sell arms to Saudi Arabia. Al Jazeera reported on May 24: " US President Donald Trump, declaring a national emergency because of tensions with Iran, swept aside objections from Congress on Friday to complete the sale of over $8bn worth of weapons to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Jordan."

Survey shows most Americans think arms sales make US less safe

Ivo Daalder president of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs that carried out the survey said: “Americans don’t like selling weapons to other countries." Seventy percent of those polled believed that selling arms to other countries made the US less safe while only 9 percent thought it made the US safer.

Daalder said in Washington yesterday: “There’s just a very strong negative bipartisan view that selling weapons is — it doesn’t make Americans safer, it’s not a good thing to do.That said, if you would — I’m sure that if we change the way the questions get phrased, which is “Do you believe the United States should provide, sell military equipment to our allies so we can fight better together?” I’m pretty sure that we’ll get very high numbers saying yeah, it makes sense for our allies who are flying F-18s when we’re flying F-18s. But as an issue, the president in particular has raised weapons sales as sort of the be all and end all of our relationship with Saudi Arabia. The American people aren’t buying that one.”

BIll Hartung director of the Arms and Security Project at the Center for International Policy also commented on the issue: “Americans have long been skeptical of the purposes and impact of foreign arms sales, but for many years the issue did not rise to the level of public discussion or debate...This may be changing, now that Congress has taken consistent action aimed at ending sales of U.S. weapons to Saudi Arabia for use in its brutal war in Yemen. The lack of public support for arms sales suggests that Congress can and should go further in restricting U.S. sales that may be used to harm civilians or escalate conflicts, in Saudi Arabia and beyond.”

The survey of 2,059 adults was conducted from June 7 to 20.

US exports a huge number of arms

In fiscal year 2018 the US exports of arms were worth $180 billion according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO)

The GAO found that arms transfer policies of both the Trump and Obama administration were broadly similar in content.

Trump has touted arms exports as a great job creator. The exports also generate profits for US arms manufacturers. The Pentagon regularly tells the US Congress that the sales promote "political stability and economic progress".

Previously published in the Digital  Journal

The US has deployed 600 troops to Guayana bordering Venezuela adding more tension to the area

(September 5) The US has been working with Colombia, Brazil and other regional partners to plan ways of crushing Venezuela's economy in an attempt to force Venezuelan President Maduro to step down and so as to install the US-led coup headed by Juan Guaido.

US troops now virtually surround Venezuela

A recent article notes: "US troops have been deployed in Guyana, which is located east of Venezuela. With US allies Brazil bordering to the south and Colombia to the west, Maduro is under more pressure as a quarter of his citizens suffer in dire poverty. With Chinese and Russian influence increasing in Guyana, Trump hopes the deployment of US air force will strengthen the relationship between the two countries."

Troops are to provide humanitarian aid for now

This is the first time in a decade that US troops have been deployed to Guyana. The deployment for four months is led by the US Air Force and is called New Horizons humanitarian outreach. However it is reported as being a stepping stone towards a prolonged relationship with the Guyana military forces. The US also wants to counter the increasing Russian and Chinese influence in the area.

US wants close ties with Guyana and its military

Major General Andrew Croft of the US Air Force said in an interview: "Guyana sits is in a strategic location on the north edge of South America and on the Caribbean. That's what makes it important. Also, as political change happens in the nation and they become more aligned with us, it's important for us to make those personal relationships not only through the embassy, but also through the military and the Guyana defense force, which is currently about 3,000 strong with the intent to nearly double it in the upcoming years."

Croft also said that the US troops will also serve as an insurance policy if conflicts break out in the area. They could obviously help create another front if the US decided to intervene militarily in Venezuela. Croft warned about the increasing presence of China and Russia in South America mentioning that Guyana uses Huawei communications networks. Both Russia and China are heavily invested in bauxite mines who mainly mine for aluminium.

US supporting attempted coup

In January of this year Juan Guaido leader of the Venezuelan opposition declared himself president and claimed that Maduro's reelection as president was illegitimate. He was immediately backed by the US and most of its allies including Canada. US opponents China and Russia side with Maduro as does Turkey.

US has now created more favorable conditions for a military intervention

A recent article concludes: "With Guyana secured, the US military has effectively surrounded Venezuela with personnel building up in Colombia and Brazil; both countries border Venezuela. The groundwork for a military intervention is being set; it's only a matter of time before an invasion could be seen. "

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Hulu will develop Atwood's new novel The Testaments into a TV series

The Handmaid's Tale based on Margaret Atwood's novel of the same name has been Hulu's flagship original series for the US-based video on demand provider.

New TV series planned

Thanks to The Testaments, Atwood's sequel to her Handmaid's Tail, Hulu is looking to develop the new novel also into a TV series with the cooperation of MGM television. As Deadline reports: "A follow-up to the award-winning The Handmaid’s Tale is in the works. MGM Television and Hulu are developing The Testaments, Margaret Atwood’s sequel to her best-selling dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale."

The Testaments

Plot details of Atwood's new novel are still under wraps but it is known to be set a full 15 years after the ending of the Handmaid's Tale. It is narrated by three female characters. Wherever the story goes MGM and Hulu are wanting to adapt it for TV.

The Handmaid's Tale series has already expanded beyond the scope of the original novel. The Testaments set long after the Handmaid's Tale could continue the story as future seasons of the Handmaid's Tale or it could be a sequel series. The book is to be published in just a few days September 10 so details of the plot will soon be available.

Atwood has collaborated with MGM before

As a recent article reports: “Margaret Atwood is a literary icon who continues to delight and challenge readers through her provocative and compelling prose,” said Steve Stark, President of Television Production at MGM. “She has been an incredible creative partner and resource to MGM throughout the production of Handmaid’s and we look forward to working with her on the story’s exciting next chapter.”

The new series will mark the third time that Atwood has worked with MGM Television. She worked on the The Handmaid's Tale series. MGM acquired the rights to Atwood's 2015 novel "The Heart Goes Last" which is the story of a young couple who were hit hard by job loss and bankruptcy in the middle of a nationwide economic collapse.

The Handmaid's Tale series was a hit

With its premier in April of 2017, the series became an instant hit. It was the first streaming show to win the Primetime Emmy Award. It has gone on to win several Emmy and Golden Globe awards, a Peabody Award and been honored by multiple Guilds.

Although there is no indication as yet when the new series will begin on Hulu or even when production will start it is obvious that MGM and Hulu are committed to expanding the existing series using the new material from The Testaments hoping for a continued success.

Published previously in the Digital Journal

87 percent of US firms operating in China have no plans to leave

(September 2)As Trump's trade war with China heats up, Trump is not only adding more tariffs to Chinese goods but encouraging US companies to move out of China.

Trump's demand

As a recent article reported: "President Donald Trump on Friday said he was ordering U.S. companies to “immediately start looking for an alternative to China, including bringing your companies HOME and making your products in the USA.”"

Trump claimed that many companies plan to leave China. In response to a question he said: "Thirteen per cent of the companies will be leaving China in the fairly near future. And I'm not surprised to hear that. I think it's going to be much higher. Because they cannot compete with the tariffs. They can't compete."

Vast majority of US companies intend to stay in China

A new survey of US China Business Council members found that 87 percent of respondents have not moved and do not plan on moving operations out of China. This is down from 90 percent a year ago. Some may indeed leave but the vast majority are planning to stay. Only 3 percent of those responding said that their Chinese operations were not profitable. This is unchanged from the year before.

The survey reached about 100 members of the Council and was conducted over three weeks in June. However, relations between China and the US government has since grown even worse so perhaps there will be more intending to leave.

Trump may be most concerned with US companies exporting to the US from China

Craig Allen, the Council president said that he did not thing that Trump actually wanted US companies that serve Chinese domestic markets to leave the country. Trump appears to be most negative against Chinese exports. Allen said: “We do not believe that he wishes to encourage other American companies that have successful operations in China to leave. Our members are in China for the long term, none of them are anticipating orders to leave.” Less than a quarter of Council members invested in China to export to the US or regionally.

Effects of US China trade war on US businesses in China

83 percent of the Council members said they did not curtail investments over the past year in spite of the trade war but a year ago the number was considerably higher at 92 percent.

There were other negative effects: “Nearly half of respondents report lost sales and ceding market share to foreign competitors,” the survey stated. The primary contributor to lost sales is the implementation of both U.S. and Chinese retaliatory tariffs, as evidenced by lost price competitiveness, shifts in supply chains, and uncertainty of continued supply.”

Allen said that loss of business in the Chinese market due to the trade war could have long-term negative impacts for US companies. Allen noted that it was easy to lose market share but quite difficult to ever get it back.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

US Industry representatives are critical of Trump's tariff policies

(August 29)On Wednesday, industry groups described President Trump's new tariffs on Chinese goods are a job killer that will hit consumers with higher prices and could even make a recession more likely.

Industry criticism comes just days before tariffs kick in on Sept. 1

The tariffs could raise prices just as holiday buying is kicking in. Last week Trump increased duties for the vast majority of US imports from China. There will be a five percent increase that will take some tariffs to 15 percent and others to 30 percent. The tariffs will be rolled out in stages from September 1 through December. The could target some popular items such as mobile phones, laptops, and shoes.

Footwear groups sign on to critical letter

More than 200 footwear manufacturers and also retailers including such brands as Nike and Foot Locker signed the industry letter which said that the new tariffs could cost US consumers an additional $4 billion per year as well as increasing the likelihood of an economic depression.

The letter was also signed by 160 other trade groups including software and electronics manufacturers as well as retailers

The groups warned Trump of higher prices and a decline in consumer confidence. They urged Trump to give up the tariff strategy.

Two critical voices

Matt Priest, president of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America said:: "We've been telling the White House since the beginning that tariffs will be paid by Americans in the form of higher prices, and that due to our already high import taxes, this will be a job killer" In the letter, the footwear group specifically denied Trump's claim that China would bear the costs of the taxes, saying that the tariffs acted as hidden taxes paid by US individuals and families. So far the usually influential industrial lobbies have been unable to budge Trump to get him to stop escalating the trade war with China.

Earlier on Sunday, the CEO of the Business Roundtable also criticized Trump policy: "Joshua Bolten, the president and chief executive of the Business Roundtable, an organization representing the leaders of the largest American companies, said on Sunday that many C.E.O.s were already “poised right on top of the brake.” “The risk is that everybody’s going to slam on the brake, and that would be a disaster,” Mr. Bolten said on “Face the Nation” on CBS. President Trump’s latest moves, Mr. Bolten said, could “disrupt trade and commerce in a way that would cause huge damage — not just to the Chinese economy, but to the global economy and the U.S. economy.”"

Industries agree with many economists that policies could promote a recession

The companies said that recession risks are rising. Confrontation with China created uncertainty that was affecting the economy.

The group noted that an economic downturn would remove disposable income at the same time as consumers are having to pay more for products. This should have an effect as an argument on Trump as he will be facing an election next year.

Trump has shown some worry about the effects of the tariffs. He has delayed imposing tariffs on some popular items until December so that price increase wont hit consumers until after Xmas shopping. Trump is as usual inconsistent in what he says. One day he castigates China but the next optimistically predict a deal.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Trump claims 8,600 troops will remain in Afghanistan after some are withdrawn

(August 29)Trump claims that the US will withdraw some troops from Afghanistan. He says that once a determination has been made 8,600 troops will be left less than half the number present now. Trump said Afghanistan would remain very well controlled

Trump's statement conflicts with Taliban demands

The Taliban has always insisted as a requirement of any peace deal that all foreign troops would withdraw. However Trump has said that even if a deal is reached that the US will always keep a presence in Afghanistan. Trump's comments may make it difficult for the Taliban to accept any deal. However, some reports claim that the two sides have virtually reached agreement.

Just two days ago an article reported: "Sources at the Taliban US peace talks in Doha Qatar claim that the recent talks have worked out a peace deal for Afghanistan. The plan is to announce the deal formally in a few days. This will give the US time to brief the Afghan government on the deal."

There seems no way that retaining 8,600 troops in Afghanistan could be consistent with reaching a deal with the Taliban. However, Trump seems have no consistent position on Afghanistan as a recent Digital Journal article argues. Perhaps Trump merely wants to mollify hawks within his administration.

A possible explanation

An agreement between the US and the Taliban would be a prelude to power-sharing talks between the Afghans and the Taliban. Afghan government officials involved would do so in an unofficial personal capacity. The Taliban refuse to negotiate directly with the Afghan government since they consider it a US puppet. The US is no doubt concerned that if they withdrew all their troops immediately the Afghan government would be left open to Taliban attacks as the Afghan government is not part of the agreement with the US.

The Taliban may have agreed that the US can keep some troops in Afghanistan pending an Afghan Taliban agreement. This would perhaps explain Trump's saying 8,600 troops would remain. However, the Taliban would surely insist that when there is an Afghan Taliban agreement that all remaining foreign troops leave Afghanistan.

Military official also rejects total withdrawal for now

General Joseph Dunford, chair of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff told reporters that it is too early to talk of a full withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan even as an agreement with the Taliban seems near if not completed. Dunford said that any US deal with the Taliban will be based upon security conditions on the ground. He said that Afghan forces need help from the US still to secure the country. Surely even with US help Afghanistan is not secure. The Taliban are continuing to constantly attack and threaten to take more territory.

Dunford said: "I'm not using the withdraw word right now. It's our judgment that the Afghans need support to deal with the level of violence in the country today."

These statements from Trump and Dunford bring into question whether there is any imminent deal with the Taliban since they are inconsistent with the continuing Taliban demand that all foreign troops must withdraw from Afghanistan for their to be any deal with them.

Previously published in  the Digital Journal

US ban on Huawei causing problems for the release of Huawei's new Mate 30 smart phone

Due to the US ban on US companies doing business with Huawei, the Huawei Mate 30 phone due to be released this fall will not be able to incorporate Google apps and services features that are prized by many.

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New Huawei phones will be limited

The new phones can still run the Android system but only the open source version. However, the new Mate 30 and Mate 30 Pro will not be shipped with Google's apps and Google services included. This will place Huawei at a great disadvantage in competition with other phones that have the apps and services.

No doubt developments will encourage Huawei to modify its own operating system and eventually to replace Google's Android OS. However, for the present Huawei intends to keep Google and has no plans for a smartphone that uses its newly released Harmony OS although it is planning a smart watch with the system. The two new Huawei smart phones are rumored to be launched on September 18.

The Trump ban can be found in its entirety here.

Recent extensions from the effects of the Trump ban will not help the new phones

Back in May the US Commerce Department provides a three month extension before the ban would take effect. This allowed time for Huawei to provide software updates and patches, to existing Huawei phones. This extension applies only to phones available to the public on or before May 16 this year. Just last week a second 90 day extension was announced but it will still apply only to phones already released. When the two new phones are released they will not fall under the extensions.

A recent Reuters article sums up the situation: "A Google spokesman told Reuters the Mate 30 cannot be sold with licensed Google apps and services due to the U.S. ban on sales to Huawei. A temporary reprieve that the U.S. government announced last week does not apply to new products such as the Mate 30, the spokesman said."

In markets outside of China the absent apps and services are crucial

Google apps and services including the immensely popular Google Play Store are key additions to the whole Android operating system. In China the apps and services are not offered in any event so their absence will not affect sales there. However, elsewhere in the world new phones from China will face competitors who offer the prized Google Play Store and other apps and services.

Huawei working on an alternative to Play store

Huawei has been working on an alternative to Play Store since 2018 in anticipation of a situation such as is happening now. However, the company will have an uphill battle. Large US companies will not be able to offer apps for the store since this would no doubt violate the US ban.

US actions could be counter-productive

US actions will force Huawei to be more self-reliant on itself and other Chinese firms, or at least non-US companies for its parts. The US is creating a situation in which it is losing a huge market for US multi-nationals and at the same time encouraging the Chinese government to develop more suppliers in China and other countries to replace them. Trump's attempt to Make America Great Again may actually hurt the US economy and slow down the process of globalization which it could be argued is what has made the American economy so successful. China may become the leader of continued globalization.

Formerly published in the Digital  Journal

Most of Toyota's Tokyo Olympics fleet will be electrically powered vehicles

Next year both the Olympics and Paralympics are being held in Tokyo. Toyota is the official fleet provider for both events. The company is planning a massive deployment of both battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

A huge array of battery-powered vehicles

Toyota says it will be deploying 3,700 mobility products and/or vehicles for the games with 90 percent of them being electrified. These will consist of battery electric powered vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, or even gas-electric hybrids. The breakdown includes 850 battery-electric vehicles, and 500 fuel-cell electric probably with hydrogen as the fuel.

The vehicles will come in all sorts of sizes and shapes. They will include cars, buses, shuttles, mopeds, and even scooters. Toyota views the Olympics as a great chance to showcase its big lineup of alternative fuel powered and experimental vehicles.

Of the 3,700 products at the Olympics 2,700 will be part of the official fleet that will provide transportation between venues at the games. Beyond the official fleet: "Aside from the official fleet, Toyota will also support Games operations with other vehicles, including the mass-transit Fuel Cell Bus “Sora”, assistive vehicles that help lift passengers into their seats or are equipped with an attached slope to allow passengers with wheelchairs access to enter the vehicle via the back door, and other vehicles such as Fuel Cell Forklifts made and sold by Toyota Industries Corporation."

Pollution will be reduced with predominantly electric vehicles

Preliminary calculations suggest that the CO2 produced by the fleet at Tokyo 2020 will be reduced by approximately half of what would be emitted by a conventional gas and diesel fleet. Toyota aims at having the lowest emissions target level of any official fleet for the 2020 games.

Toyota was a pioneer in alternative fuels

In 1997 Toyota introduced its hybrid Prius using both battery and gasoline power. However, since then the company has fallen behind in the race to produce all-electric premium and mass market vehicles. Tesla, Nissan, GM and several others have overtaken Toyota in the field. However, Toyota claims it will introduce six new EVs beginning in 2020 and through 2025. The Olympics will be a great stage to launch that future lineup.

The e-Palette

The e-Palette has been described as "weird, see through, self-driving boxes roaming through cities delivering people, packages and pizza." They are shown on the appended video.

Toyota sees the e-Palette as carrying out typical mobility services which would include ride-sharing, car-pooling, or even serving as a mobile office, retail space, medical clinics, and more. At the Olympics the e-Palettes will serve transportation needs of staff and athletes. A dozen or more will carry out a continuous loop between the Olympic and Paralympic village. The vehicles are claimed to be level 4 autonomous. They will not require a human driver but will be confined to a specific area.

Formerly published in the Digital Journal