US Democrats try to block funding of new nuclear tests

 (July 7) As rumors spread that the Trump administration is thinking of taking steps to resume live nuclear testing, last done in 1992, Democrats in the House of Representatives have added a measure to a 2021 spending bill that prohibits funding of live tests.

The blocking measure

The US House Appropriations Committee has added the blocking measure to the draft of the 2021 appropriations bill for the Department of Energy. It would prohibit funds being used to conduct or even prepare to conduct any explosive nuclear weapons test that produces any yield.

Representative, Nita Lowery a Democrat from New York said in a statement: “Critically, the bill would prevent the Trump administration from using any funds to carry out its dangerous and short-sighted plan to resume nuclear testing.”

Rumors about resumption of tests

On May 30 the Washington Post noted: "On May 22, "The Washington Post broke the story that senior officials within the Trump administration have considered the resumption of nuclear testing. The story has provoked criticism of the Trump administration for considering a move that would set back the cause of nuclear disarmament and increase environmental risks." The new tests would be intended to send a message to Russia and China.

Amendment to the 2021 NDAA

In June the Senate Armed Services Committee had included $10 million to be used for live nuclear testing if needed in its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for next year. The amendment to add the sum was proposed by Senator John Cotton a Republican from Kentucky.

START treaty expires in February 2021

Russia has offered to extend the treaty but the US would like to see a new trilateral deal with China involved. However, China has repeatedly rejected the idea since its nuclear arsenal is much smaller than either that of Russia or the US. The Start Treaty was signed in April of 2010.

Talks began between the US and Russia started in June and are expected to pick up in July or August.

US appears prepared for a new arms race

Marshall Billingslea, President Trump's envoy for arms control, claimed that the US has signaled that the US is ready for a new arms race. In May, Billingslea claimed that the US is willing to spend Russia and China "into oblivion" to win a new arms race.

The US is already budgeting over $700 billion for defense this year according to Wikipedia: "For Fiscal Year 2020 (FY2020), the Department of Defense's budget authority is approximately $721.5 billion ($721,531,000,000). Approximately $712.6 billion is discretionary spending with approximately $8.9 billion in mandatory spending. The Department of Defense estimates that $689.6 billion ($689,585,000,000) will actually be spent (outlays)" Yet the US is content to see an arms race that would see even more spent on the military. The race may harm the economies of China and Russia but it will also harm the US. Instead of funds being spent on universal health coverage, or needed repairs on infrastructure the military-industrial complex will gobble up government funds that could have been used to improve the quality of life of the American taxpayer who fund the arms race.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Iranian nuclear facility damaged by fire and explosion

 (June 6) The New York Times reported that an anonymous Middle Eastern intelligence official claimed that Israel was behing the fire at Iran's nuclear facility. The source said that a powerful bomb was used that caused a fire severely damaging the facility.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) member confirms attack

The Times also spoke with an anonymous IRCG member who also claimed that an explosive was used against the Natanz facility but the official did not assign blame. However, the official ruled out a cyber attack as the cause. Israel has used such attacks in the past. In 2010 the US and Israel damaged Iran's nuclear facilities using a virus named Stuxnet. The IRGC member said it was likely someone took a bomb into the facility rather the explosion being caused by a cruise missile or drone strike.

Israel's response

Israel did not accept responsibility for the incidence but often it will not comment on attacks. Israeli officials were rather vague in their replies when questioned about their responsibility for the attack on Sunday. However, they stressed the danger that a nuclear-armed Iran would create. Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said in a radio interveiw “Everyone can suspect us in everything and all the time, but I don’t think that’s correct." He added that not every incident that happens in Iran has something to do with Israel.

There have been other strange incidents in Iran with several fires breaking out at power stations. However, the Middle East intelligence official claimed that these incidents were not related to the Natanz fire.

Another group has claimed responsibility for the attack

Iran has not yet officially blamed any country or group for the attack. Before the Natanz incident even became prominent in the news another group calling itself the Homeland Cheetahs wrote to the BBC claiming it carried out the attack. No doubt Iran feels it is best to carry out further investigations before it assigns blame to anyone. The damage will set back the Iranian nuclear program.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

US shows China its power with naval exercises in the South China sea

 (July 5) The US Navy launched large drills in the South China Sea this Saturday. Two aircraft carriers were in the exercises. The exercises are meant to show that there is freedom of navigation even in areas claimed by China.

Drills were the largest by the US in recent years

The Wall Street Journal reported hundreds of jets, helicopters, and surveillance planes took off from the USS Ronald Reagan and the USS Nimitz.

The US Seventh Fleet said in a statement that the Nimitz Carrier Strike Force celebrated US Independence Day showing off ts unmatched power by conducting dual carrier operations in support of free and open Indo-Pacific. Capt. Todd Whalen, commodore, Destroyer Squadron Nine said: "The ships and Sailors in Destroyer Squadron Nine have been working hard to increase our tactical proficiency in long range maritime strike and anti-submarine warfare. On this Fourth of July at sea, it's a privilege to stand the watch with our teammates in Nimitz and Ronald Reagan Strike Groups to protect freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce.”

The exercises are a show of force against China

China held its own drills over the weekend close to the Paracel Islands, a disputed archipelago that Vietnam and Taiwan claim as well as China. China has built up military and research facilities on the Paracel Islands as well as the Spratly Islands another disputed archipelago.These Chinese actions have angered the US.

The US FONOP

Since back in 2015 the US has been launching what it calls Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOP) in the South China Sea. This has increased tensions in the area. The FONOP operations usually involve US sailing a warship or ships near the contested archipelago. Inevitably, the operation evoke a sharp rebuke from China.

Chinese reaction to the recent FONOP

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said to the press Friday: “The fundamental cause of instability in the South China Sea is the large-scale military activities and flexing of muscles by some non-regional country that lies tens of thousands of miles away.”

The Bashi Channel issue

The Bashi Channel is a waterway just south of the island of Taiwan. It has turned into another hot spot exacerbating relations between China and the US. China regards Taiwan as part of China. Friday represented the 13th day in a row that US military aircraft flew over the Bashi China. The South China Morning Post claims that the US sent 6 large reconnaissance aircraft and two refueling tankers on the Friday mission. The US claims the planes are searching for Chinese submarines in the area.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Trump to leave 4,000 troops in Afghanistan until after the presidential election

 (July 4) The US has already reached the reduction of troops in Afghanistan from around 12,000 to a lower level of 8,600 as required by an agreement signed with the Taliban the end of February.

At least 4,000 troops to remain through November presidential election

While withdrawals are expected to continue even with withdrawals ahead of schedule, US officials now claim that at least 4,000 US soldiers will stay in the country at least until after the US election in November. Trump has been keen to reduce troop levels before the elections thinking that this would help him win another term in office. However, he has appeared to have decided that he would be better off if he leaves some troops in Afghanistan at least until after the election. By doing so, critics will not be able to accuse him of abandoning Afghanistan in his first term. Earlier, Trump seemed to favor withdrawing all US troops before the election.

Pentagon officials warned Trump that a complete withdrawal before the election could remove leverage to convince the Taliban to start talks with the Afghan government. The Afghan government was not a party to the February agreement and has rejected the terms of a prisoner swap that was part of the agreement. While the Taliban has not been attacking US troops except when they have come to the aid of the Afghan government there have been many attacks with accompanying casualties on the Afghan government forces. Officials also warned that withdrawing all troops by November could force the US to leave considerable quantities of equipment behind.

The benefits of Trump's new position

Trump's position allows him to take credit for his drawdown but there will be still enough troops present for him to reverse course and re-escalate the conflict after the election even though this could have politically negative results. However, one positive consequence is that this could assuage many of his hawk critics who were against the withdrawal in the first place. However, the existing agreement with the Taliban required the reduction to 8,600 and a complete withdrawal is required by May 1 next year, but this is contingent upon the Taliban keeping their part of the bargain. Basically the Taliban are required to ensure that neither Al Qaeda, the Islamic State or any other group use Afghan soil to threaten the US or its allies. Leaving 4,000 troops in Afghanistan through the election does not violate the terms of the agreement with the Taliban as full withdrawal is only required next year on May 1.

The Russian bounty issue

There has been a lot of discussion on the issue of the Russians offering bounties to the Taliban for killing Americans. These reports are from intelligence sources with all the sources being anonymous. There is no confirmation or real evidence that these reports are true. The reports have all the marks of a propaganda psyop campaign. They distract from the peace agreement with the US and Taliban which appears to have disappeared from the news. The appended video talks about the issue. The discussion can easily turn into a defense of leaving troops in Afghanistan. This is a bit strange in that, assuming the reports are true, if the US troops are not there then they cannot be killed because of the bounty. and the Taliban cannot use the bounties to help finance their activities.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Increased Tensions between China and US could lead to conflict

 (June 25)Experts on US-China relations claim that as tensions between the two countries escalate specific incidents have a much greater chance of exploding into actual war. Experts claim that communication between the two governments needs to be strengthened.

Chinese Think Tank urges better communication

A report from China's National Institute for South China Seas, was more moderate in response to US actions compared to some recent government denunciations. The Institute warned that worsening of military ties would increase the possibility of armed conflict between the two countries. Wu Shicun head of the institute said at a media briefing: "Stable military relations ... must become the stabilising factor in bilateral relations." The institute warned that channels of communication should remain open such as a hotline set up way back in 2008 between the US and Chines defense departments.

US and Chinese ship nearly collided last September

Wu said: “I think the risks of conflict are rising, especially after the near-collision between the USS Decatur guided-missile destroyer and China’s destroyer the Lanzhou in September in the South China Sea." In September of 2018 the USS Decatur was performing what the US calls a "freedom of navigation" operation and it came within 41 meters (130 feet) of the Lanzhou close to the Gaven Reef which China claims as its territory. China accused the US of taking provocative action.

Communication links between China and the US are deteriorating

Wu noted that China and the US were engaged in rivalry on many fronts, and that there was political trust building up between the two. This had led to many intergovernmental communication channels simply shutting down. The institute reported that communication between the two countries had been in sharp decline singe 2018. The deterioration was hastened when two years ago the US withdrew an invitation to China to participate in the large scale multinational naval exercises known as Rim of the Pacific.

No sign that two countries interested in repairing relationships

The Trump administration has claimed it is in a great power competition with China. Trump has even spoken of entirely decoupling from China a move that would be disastrous for both countries. The US has increased the number of troops in the Asia-Pacific region to 375,000 and has 60 percent of US Navy ships in the region. Neither side wants an outright war between the two countries that could be disastrous for both sides but there seems little appetite for improving relations between the two countries a move that could benefit them both.

Published previously in the Digital Journal

North Korea suspends military exercises aimed at the South

(June 24) North Korea's Kim Jong Un has ordered a suspension of planned military exercises designed to intimidate South Korea in a move that should ease tensions that had been growing between the two neighboring countries.

North Korean state media said that the decision was made in light of the prevailing situation. The prevailing situation has been growing tensions that the North appeared to be fostering.

North angered by the South allowing balloons with propaganda to cross the border

Anti-North groups have been allowed to launch balloons with propaganda against the North from across the southern border. Kim's sister who appears to be gaining authority in the North had spoken of the North's military acting decisively against the South. This probably indicated a show of force but not a direct attack against the South. The North has been reported to building up its military at the border, and reoccupied abandoned border posts. The North is reported to be preparing its own propaganda leafleting campaign directed at the south.. According to the North's official Korean Central News Agency, it will be the largest ever distribution of leaflets against the enemy.

North appears to want to dial down tensions

In spite of the fact that there are no signs of talks or further easing of tensions, the North's move appears to be a sign that it perhaps has gone too far in escalating tensions and wishes to go back to at least the former status quo or near to it. The North also began to dismantle loudspeakers it had erected only last week, traditionally used to blast anti-South Korean messages over the border, Yonhap reported. We will need to wait and see if the Kim goes even further and agrees to begin talks again as South Korea wishes.

The North may be realizing that its policies have not furthered a peaceful solution to the continuing conflict between North and South and that it may be in its own interest to pursue some form of peaceful solution to some of the differences between the two countries rather than simply military posturing which does nothing to solve the differences between the two. As of now the situation has returned to a continuing standoff between the North and South that advances the interests of neither country.

The move is quite a change from the truculent rhetoric recently employed by the North as illustrated in the appended video report.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Up to seven killed in Israeli airstrikes on Syria

 (June 24)Israeli media are reporting that there have been a series of Israeli air raids against targets in Syria. Syrian state media has reported two Syrian soldiers were killed, and Israeli media claimed seven dead overall.

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The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights declared that the other five than the two Syrian soldiers were Iranians.

Details of the raids

An Aljazeera article reports some details on the raids. As well as the two Syrian soldiers killed four others were reported wounded according to state media SANA. SANA cited a military source as saying that several hostile missiles were fired at military positions in Kababej near Deir Az Zor in the al-Sukha region. The source added: "At the same time, one of our military positions was targeted near the town of Salkhad in the southern city of Sweida, resulting in the death of two martyrs and the wounding of four other soldiers." The attacks a llttle after nine in the evening also caused material damage according to SANA.

Many sites attacked may have involved Iranians

The Israeli press conceded that the sites where explosions have been reported are not generally reported as being "sensitive sites'. This has led to speculation that the sites are Iranian as Israel likes to target sites it thinks are Iranian. However, Israel tends to lump together many Shi'ite militia groups both in Iraq and Syria as Iranian although they may have little connection with Iran except perhaps receiving support from the country in some cases. Some militias from Iraq are inside Syria.

Israel often attacks Syria

Israel attacks Syrian targets almost weekly but rarely says anything publicly about the raids. Officially Israel explains they are targeting Iran even when some of the targets have little if any connection to Iran. Any international complaints are ignored but there seem not to be that many and no country seems ready to put any real pressure on Israel to stop its raids which are clearly against international law.

Iran may retaliate

Amos Yadlin a former Israeli intelligence chief and also executive director of the Institute for National Security Studies said that the Iranians and their proxies would search for ways to respond to the attacks and deter Israel from launching more. He said that Israel should prepare for a full spectrum of possible responses by the Iranian IRGC Quds Force.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Yemen separatists take control of large Yemeni island of Socotra

(June 22) The internationally recognized Hadi Yemen government which is supported by Saudi Arabia has lost control of the large island off the south of the Yemen coast to the Southern Transitional Council (STC) a UAE-backed separatist group.

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Hadi Yemen government calls action a coup

The UAE is already an ally of the STC in establishing separatist control of the south of much of the mainland. However, the Saudis support the Hadi government which is opposed to the separatists and wants a united Yemen. The STC wants a separate state in the south as existed some time ago. The UAE hopes to have a Southern Yemen within which it will have considerable influence. STC control of Socotra will help further such an aim.

UAE and Saudis are nominally united in a fight against the Houthis

The Hadi government and the UAE are nominally united in fighting the Houthi rebels who control much of the north of Yemen including the capital Sanaa. The Houthis are supported by Iran. Together with the UAE the STC has taken control of much of the south of the country causing an internal struggle and fighting the Saudis who support Hadi. There was an agreed upon ceasefire in which the STC was to be given seats in the Hadi cabinet. However, the Hadi government resisted the terms.

The Saudis may be tiring of the Hadi government's resistance to Saudi attempts to resolve the situation and come to a peace agreement. The Hadi government sees Saudi agreements with the UAE and STC as a betrayal and that seizure of Socotra by STC as another betrayal.

Ceasefire agreement between Saudis and STC

According to the Saudi-led military mission fighting the Houthis, the Yemen government and the STC have agreed not only to a ceasefire but to begin talks on implementing an earlier deal; The former coalition allies agreed to a ceasefire in Abyan province a major hotspot and de-escalation of tension in other areas.

The STC and the Hadi government also agreed to hold meetings on implementation of the 2019 Riyadh agreement according to coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki. The statement was carried by the official Saudi Press Agency. It seems that the Saudis have persuaded the Hadi government to go along with the peace terms. The Saudis appear to want to end the war and the STC are willing to accept the terms of the deal it would seem. If Hadi does not comply his government will probably lose the support of the Saudis. The Saudi campaign has been roundly criticized by many especially for a bombing campaign that has killed many civilians and destroyed infrastructure creating a humanitarian disaster.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

North Korea moves troops and ships towards border with South Korea

 (June 21)As relations between North Korea and the South turn sour, North Korea has followed through on threats it made to move troops toward the demilitarized zone.

North has troops at border with the South and also ships

US surveillance shows that the North now has troops at the border and ships along the disputed maritime border. South Korea has confirmed the US surveillance report. However, no direct military action has been confirmed. US reconnaissance overflights appear to be on the rise. A source with South Korea's joint chiefs of staffs told news media: "We are keeping an eye on related activities of the North Korean military, So far, no direct [military] action has been confirmed." The increased US reconnaissance overflights may exacerbate tensions.

Earlier this week the North Korea destroyed the Kaeson liaison office

A recent MSN article reported: "North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency said the country destroyed the office in a “terrific explosion” because its “enraged people” were determined to “force (the) human scum, and those who have sheltered the scum, to pay dearly for their crimes,” apparently referring to North Korean defectors living in South Korea who for years have floated anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border."

The building has been empty for some time and the North had previously announced it would be destroyed. However, it was destroyed in a dramatic explosion. North Korea has been very angry at the ant-North propaganda being sent by balloons over the border with the Southern government making no attempt to stop the practice..

South Korea making an effort to deescalate the situation

South Korea has suggested that the two sides exchange envoys to meet and duscuss the situation but any such plans have been shot down by the North. Although both sides probably see a conflict as negative for both, for now North Korea seems to be still convinced a show of force is a positive strategy and is not willing to engage in diplomacy. Perhaps if the South Koreans were to take action against the propaganda leafleting over its borders the North's attitude might change. However, there is no sign that the South is interested in making moves to discourage the practice. The North may very well respond with its own leaflets.

Previously published in the Diigtal Journal

United States threatens sanctions against UAE over Syria embassy

(June 20) US Special Envoy, James Jeffrey, has warned the US will not tolerate the United Arab Emirates opening an embassy In Damascus, Syria.

US threatens UAE with sanctions

The US is threatening to impose broad sanctions on the UAE under the terms of the Caesar Act as it claims the UAE is defying the act through opening an embassy in Damascus, the Syrian capital. The Caesar Act named after an individual who documented some of Assad's atrocities is part of what the US calls the maximum pressure campaign against Syria in an attempt to promote regime change. The act is designed to frustrate any attempts to support the Assad government's reconstruction campaign by imposing sanctions on them.

James Jeffrey the US Special Representative for Syria Engagement made it clear that the US vehemently opposes any country having embassies in Syria. Many embassies were closed because of the civil war. There are no signs that other nations with embassies are being threatened by the US. Both Russia and China have embassies in Syria. No doubt the UAE is being threatened because it is a weaker power and could be hurt by US sanctions. US policy is to use sanctions wherever it can to force countries to follow its policies.

Extraterritorial application of US sanctions

The US tries to impose its own sanction laws on countries that are not directly subject to them by using its economic trading clout to force compliance out of fear of retaliation.

The Caesar Act is mainly used to target private companies involved in Syrian reconstruction many of these are Lebanese companies. The warning directed to the UAE is the first time that the US has targeted embassies.

US uses influence in SWIFT to ensure countries follow US sanctions

The US has clout in international financial arrangements as well which cannot make it difficult for enemies to carry on trade by forcing them to find other means of settling accounts. Recently Iran and Venezuela settled a large shipment of gasoline etc. using gold as the exchange medium.

The EU is already developing an alternative system to SWIFT that is dominated by the US. The US dollar is also the dominant currency for international trade. However, countries are beginning to expand the use of domestic currencies in trade as a way of avoiding payment systems using the US dollar.

The US is threatening its own dominance in international finance by using this dominance to enforce its own policies rather than making international trade efficient no matter what countries are involved. Even US allies are beginning to create alternative systems that avoid the politicization of existing systems such as SWIFT that are dominated by the US.

Although the US sanctions on Syria are directed at the Assad regime their effect is not to further democracy or the welfare of the Syrian people. Sanctions make conditions worse for the Syrian people and hinder reconstruction. No doubt other countries such as Russia and even Iran will use helping with reconstruction as a way of cementing good relations with Syria.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Trump still thinks that complete de-coupling from China is an option

(June 19) In this era of globalized trading, the idea of complete decoupling from the economy of another nation, cutting off all economic dependencies is a tall order.

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Trump sees decoupling from China as an option

With recent tensions between China and the US growing Trump has actually suggested that decoupling is an option for the US even though the annual trade now between the two countries is more than $600 billion.

Even after damaging trade wars with China and one day after Trump's top trade adviser Robert Lighthizer warned him that complete decoupling was not a reasonable policy Trump still insists that it remains an option. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told lawmakers that "I don't think [decoupling is] a policy or reasonable policy option at this point." Lighthizer also claimed that the U.S.-China trade deal is on track. Trump wrote in a tweet: "It was not Ambassador Lighthizer's fault (yesterday in Committee) in that perhaps I didn't make myself clear, but the U.S. certainly does maintain a policy option, under various conditions, of a complete decoupling from China."

The two super powers decoupling completely would be disastrous

The US would probably fare the worst even though the devastation would be on a global scale. The US would have a difficult time as it scrambled to replace items made only in China or raw materials mostly available there.

Trump appears to have a skewed unrealistic view of trade considering it a type of zero-sum game. He appears to think that if the US cuts $500 billion of imports from China then it gains $500 billion. However, some imports also help US companies who get inexpensive parts from China. Trump could argue that the parts could be made in the US. Even if they could US consumers could pay much more.

Continually raising the issue of decoupling could negatively effect any diplomacy with China. It could signal to China that the US is not a reliable partner. The Chinese might decide to develop and stress trade relations with other countries to protect themselves from possible US actions.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Turkey launches new operation against Kurdish PKK in northern Iraq

 (June 18)On Wednesday Iraq issued a statement complaining that Turkey had violated its sovereignty as Turkey, which has been airlifting troops and special forces into northern Iraq recently, launched a new offensive against the Kurdish PKK in the Haftanin region.

Turkey claims entrance into Iraq justified as a defensive operation

The Turkish state has been in conflict with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) for years with some lengthy ceasefire periods. Turkey regards the PKK as a terrorist organization as does the US and several other countries.

Turkish and Iraqi positions on Turkish actions

Turkish troops and attack helicopters as well as drone strikes were involved in the latest strikes although Turkey did not specify how many troops were involved. The Turks see their actions as defensive in that the PKK uses Iraq as a base for actions against Turkey and the Iraqi government does nothing about it. In turn the Iraqis regard Turkey's actions against the PKK in Iraq as a violation of its sovereignty but also rarely does anything about Turkish actions. Baghdad summoned Ankara’s ambassador to Iraq , Fatih Yildiz, on Tuesday to protest against Turkey's attacks on the PKK in northern Iraq.

PKK established in northern Iraq

The PKK established itself in northernmost Iraq during a brief ceasefire with Turkey. The PKK has carried out joint operations with other Iraqi forces in combating the Islamic State ISIS. This has led to the PKK being established in several areas of Iraqi Kurdistan, particularly around the city of Sinjar. Turkey has launched a new campaign against them. Turkey regards the PKK as the primary Kurdish group and accuses most others such as the Syrian YPG of being subsidiaries.

New operation follows earlier one

The Turkish foreign ministry called the new offensive Operation Claw-Tiger and claims it follows “increasing harassment and attempts to attack” military outposts or bases in Turkey. The Ministry shared videos of Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar overseeing the mission from a command center in the capital Ankara.

The new operation comes just days after Turkey had launched an air operation in the region which Akar claimed hit suspected PKK targets in a number of locations in the north including Siinjar. The raids targeted 81 revel hideouts.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Lyft intends to use all EVs zero emission vehicles by 2030

(June 17)Lyft, the large US ride-sharing company, announced on Wednesday that it planned to transition to 100 percent electric(EV) or zero-emission vehicles by the year 2030.

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Transition will help the environment by reducing pollution

Lyft which operates in the US and some Canadian cities believes that by working with auto manufacturers, rental car companies, and its independent contractor drivers it will be able to prevent tens of millions of metric tons of pollutants from entering the atmosphere through the transition from fossil fuel powered vehicles.

John Zimmer, president of Lyft said: “Now more than ever, we need to work together to create cleaner, healthier, and more equitable communities. Success breeds success, and if we do this right, it creates a path for others.”

Idea of EV mandates for ride-sharing companies gaining ground

The view that ride-sharing companies are environmentally friendly has been touted by some as they have expanded in many larger cities. However, studies have shown that the average ride-share trip creates about 50 percent more pollution than an average traditional car trip. Studies also show that half of all ride-hailing trips in major cities are made by people who would have otherwise chosen cleaner means of transit such as public transportation.to get to their destination.

Becoming all EVs will be difficult

Lyft will first change more of its Express Drive rental cars to EVs. The program allows those who have no car to become Lyft drivers through the rental. Lyft will try to make EV's available for rent at the same or even lower weekly rental rates as comparable gas powered vehicles by 2023 in at least 10 of their largest markets. Regulatory filings show that Lyft has tens of thousands of cars in 30 US cities for short term rentals. Express Drive has apparently earned one billion dollars since it began in 2016. However, many drivers find the Express Drive involves low payouts and onerous requirements about the number of trips made according to the Los Angeles Times.

In 2018 Uber, Lyft''s large competitor had a pilot project that offered incentives for drives to switch to EVs. However, it never expanded the program after the pilot project ended.

Lyfts' plans

Lyft claims it will “organize demand-side interest in EVs and ​negotiate with auto manufacturers for group discounts​ for drivers using the Lyft platform.” Lyft also claims it will be able to persuade auto manufacturers to increase the selection and supply of more affordable EVs with longer ranges. Many manufactures are already making plans to have large lineups of electrified vehicles in the hope that the vehicles will become more attractive as a more environmentally friendly vehicle than those powered by fossil fuels.

In spite of the fact that the Trump administration has recently allowed automakers to make more polluting vehicles, Lyft will lobby for aggressive zero-emission policies that will favor EVs.

Lyft hopes its policies will reduce the cost of EVs, improve charging and develop special promotions that will make EVs more attractive to their drivers. In a blog post the company said: “By aggregating the collective demand of the driver community, we can help drivers transition to EVs over time in a way that saves drivers money.”

Most ride-sharing still through gas-powered vehicles

L:yft has been trying to portray itself for years as committed to environment sustainability but with limited success. For example it has invested millions in an attempt to become carbon neutral. The company has also tried to encourage drivers to take multiple passengers on rides but drivers have been reluctant to do this especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the vast majority of ride shares at present are still by fossil-fuel powered vehicles.

Newest effort is the most comprehensive yet by Lyft

Lyft is partnering with the Environmental Defense Fund and the Climate Group in its latest efforts. It has also collected numerous favorable quotes from well-known environmentalists and policymakers, including Representative Frank Pallone a Democrat and Colorado Governor Jared Polis.

The company has not disclosed how much it must invest to electrify its total fleet. A spokesperson said: “The transition to EVs is baked into our operating costs."

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Clahes between India and China on border kill troops on both sides

 (June 17)On Tuesday, there was major conflict in the Galwan Valley of Kashmir as Indian and Chinese troops skirmished along the line of control.

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Chinese and Indian positions

China's Foreign Ministry claimed that Indian troops had crossed the border into China twice and had attacked Chinese forces.

Chinese officials say their reaction was a show of restraint and Zhang Shuli, spokesman for the Chinese Western Theater Command, demanded that India stop all provocations and return immediately to dialogue and negotiation. However, India held emergency meetings to discuss retaliatory actions against China.

The Indian position directly contradicted the Chinese position. Anurag Shrivastava an Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson claimed that there was "an attempt by the Chinese side to unilaterally change the status quo" on the border. India is very clear that all its activities are always within the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control. We expect the same of the Chinese side,"

The conflict

The fighting was the worst in the area in decades during the lengthy ongoing conflict over the demarcation of the border. As many as 63 may have been killed including 20 Indian troops and and up to 43 Chinese troops. However, reports about specifics are still uncertain. Both China and India emphasized that there had been no gunfire during the conflict even though there was a high death toll. Locals say that the Chinese troops had fought with rocks and clubs and had beat Indians to deaths.

India and Pakistan also have disputes over Kashmir area

China has been a close ally of Pakistan. There are often fears that a major war could break out in the area. Even though Pakistan was not involved in the conflict between India and China it no doubt will support any Chinese position or retaliation if the Indians respond to the violence.

Dispute between China and India longstanding but low level

Both India and China are nuclear powers. Neither side wants an outright war so the dispute usually just drags on with continuing tensions. The area is relatively unimportant economically as well so It does not seem that important a dispute. However, conflicts such as just happened to cause events to spin out of control. However, an outright war would find both sides losing so probably cooler heads will prevail and the two sides will return to negotiations.

Previously published in the Digital Journal

US says it will increase sanctions on Syria

 (June16)On Wednesday new US sanctions on Syria are set to come into effect. The increased sanctions come as the nation is still struggling to rebuild after being shattered by a nine-year civil war.

Existing US sanctions already impede rebuilding efforts

The existing US sanctions have frozen the assets of the Syrian state and also hundreds of companies and individuals. The US bans export and investment in Syria by Americans, and transactions that involve oil or hydrocarbon products. The sanctions are allowed under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, which was incorporated into the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act.

The new sanctions

The new sanctions give US President Donald Trump wider powers to freeze assets of anyone who deals with Syria regardless of their nationality, and the sanctions cover many more sectors ranging from construction to energy.

The new sanctions will also target those dealing with Russian or Iranian entities in Syria. This will cause many investors to not invest in Syria because of the risks involved.

Negative effects

Just the prospect of the sanctions have also caused some investors in reconstruction to pull out of Syria. This is a prime cause of the collapse of the value of Syrian currency. Lebanon and Jordan important regional neighbors are discouraged from investing in Syrian reconstruction since they fear they will be targeted by the US.

Complaints about the new sanctions

Even US Kurdish allies in the northeast of Syria worry about the effects of the new sanction. An official from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) told the Voice of America that the sanctions could also impede their ability to fight the Islamic Sate (ISIS) and said: . “As Caesar sanctions are about to go into effect, the status of northeastern Syria must be taken into consideration especially when these sanctions might affect the battle to fight with ISIS."

In the US a group of Syrian-Americans in Allentown Pennsylvania demonstrated in opposition to the new sanctions. Bashar Hajal of Allentown said: “When you try to destroy the economy of a country, it affects the people. It’s a contradiction if the main purpose of the Caesar Act is to protect civilians. It’s our homeland. And seeing it collapse like this is just devastating. We cannot stand by.”

Previously published in the Digital Journal

Yemen airstrikes by Saudi-led US-backed coalition kills 13 people

 (June 16) This Monday an airstrike by the US-backed Saudi coalition fighting the rebel Houthis in Yemen hit a vehicle in North Yemen. The attack killed 13 people including four children.

UN removed Saudi Arabia from a list of countries that have harmed children in conflicts

On the very same day of the attacks UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres removed the Saudis from the list. A spokesperson for Human Rights Watch said: “The Secretary-General is adding a new level of shame to his ‘list of shame’ by removing the Saudi-led coalition and ignoring the U.N.’s own evidence of continued grave violations against children.”

The Saudi-led coalition often targets civilian infrastructure including schools, hospitals, water treatment plants and markets. For this reason many human rights groups disapprove of the UN removing the Saudis from the list. Some diplomats say that both Saudi Arabia and Israel have put pressure on the UN to stay off the list but the UN has denied there has been any pressure.

Even though the coalition killed 222 children in Yemen last year, Guterres said the Saudi coalition would “be delisted for the violation of killing and maiming, following a sustained significant decrease in killing and maiming due to air strikes” and the implementation of measures aimed at protecting children. The rebel Houthis remain on the list. Gutterres admitted that although more bombs fell earlier in the campaign the bombs were still falling on civilians regularly.

Background

The conflict in Yemen began back in 2014 when Houthi rebels were able to seize most of the north including the capital Sanaa. The Hadi government was forced into exile but a US-backed Saudi coalition intervened to try and reinstate the Hadi government. The situation is complicated by an alliance between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the separatist Southern Alliance which seek a separate state in the south a position counter to that of the Hadi government. The UAE is part of the Saudi-led coalition. The Houthis are supported by Iran.

According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project the conflict has killed over 112,000 people including 12,000 civilians. Aerial bombardment and intense ground fire has destroyed thousands of buildings and has left half of the country's hospitals dysfunctional. The conflict has also made it very difficult to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic which is spreading throughout the country.

Previously published in the DIgital Journal

Pentagon's Program 1033 helps militarize US police forces

(June 15) When US police flooded street across the US to control protesters a couple of weeks ago, to many the scene looked as if the army had been deployed as many police had camouflage uniforms and combat gear, armored vehicles, and high-powered assault weapons.

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US Defense Dept. distributes surplus equipment to police departments

US police departments large and small applaud the program that enables them to receive equipment and gear that would be costly to buy for free. The program was started in 1990 and was later restricted by the Obama administration but these restrictions were removed by Trump as reported in a recent article: "Obama banned the shipment to police of grenade launchers, weaponized vehicles, bayonets, rifles, ammunition of .50 caliber or higher, and certain armored vehicles that resemble tanks. Under Trump, those items are no longer prohibited."

Critics complain program helps to militarize police

Critics of the surplus disposal program complain that it contributed to the overall militarization of the police. This trend has helped to fuel mass nationwide demonstrations against police abuse and deadly tactics particularly against blacks. The demonstrations began in late May after African American George Floyd was killed on May 25th by a Minneapolis police officer.

As soon as the protests began in Minneapolis the city police force rolled out armored vehicles that seemed more appropriate to appear on some Middle East battlefield. In response to the protest especially in Washington, President Trump actually suggested he might call in the active-duty armed forces to help control protests.

Not just large city forces take advantage of the program

In 2013 police in Flathead County, Montana, which has about 90,000 residents, received an armored vehicle that was mine-resistant. The year before it had received a military transport. Ada Oklahoma with 16,000 residents and 8 full time police and 2 part time members also received a mine resistant armored vehicle in 2019. Over the years it has received 34 M-16 assault rifles.

Even school districts have received equipment. The Bay District in Panama City Florida which has 47 primary and secondary schools received 27 assault weapons and two mine-resistant armored vehicles in just 2012 and 2013.

The Pentagon 1033 program has existed for years

Since 1997 the Pentagon has distributed both new and used surplus equipment including, helicopters, armored vehicles, to handguns to the tune of about $8.6 billion. The material has gone to more than 8,000 federal, tribal, and local police forces according to the US Congress. Just this year alone, about 500 million pieces of surplus equipment was transferred to police departments under the program.

As mentioned earlier President Obama limited the program in 2015 but the original program was restored by President Trump in 2017.

Recent protests prompts lawmakers to try to stop the program

About 200 members of Congress, most Democrats, are sponsoring a bill called "Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act". The bill now in the House of Representatives would limit the transfer of guns, ammunition, grenades, explosives, certain kinds of vehicles, and drones plus other aircraft designed for the battlefield. There is a parallel bill being pushed in the Senate by Democrat Brian Schatz, who has long fought against over-arming police. Rand Paul a Republican Senator has also fought against the 1033 program.

Previously published in the Digital Journal