Lyle Goldstein Looks to be fitted onto a JH-7A fighter-bomber

We were pleased Watson Institute to listen to DNI Avril Haines. I liked her effusive praise for Prof. Robert Jervis and his legacy. Also appreciated her discourse on importance of protecting our civil liberties. Curiously, China was hardly mentioned. That's OK with me, actually.

A graphic portrayal of 'new type carrier-borne fighter' for the Chinese Navy -- with Liaoning carrier in the background. Jianchuan Zhishi-China, 5.2024. I have not seen these stealth-type anti-ship missiles (?) before. Any insights welcome.

'Kotkin [says Russians are]...being told about Alexander Nevsky, who chose Horde rather than Teutonic Knights - in order not to obey the Pope. Preservation of Orthodox identity thanks to Horde yoke is presented as...benefit in comparison with submission to the West.'NG-Rus,21Apr

Nice little, fast landing craft. GFB-China, 30Apr, p4. This is a UK design with space for 30+ marines, speed of 50 knots, and range of 650km. I believe China could rapidly build thousands of these (and hide them) at the critical moment. Or maybe it already has?

'First batch of female pilot trainees for Navy's carrier-based aircraft successfully completed...solo flight at an airport at Naval Aviation University...This move marks a... breakthrough in expansion of our military's...flight talent training system'Zhongguo Junwang-China, 30Apr

'one of greatest mysteries of this war is why Russians did not attack bridges over Dnieper. These are bridges Ukraine uses to supply its forces...After [such an attack], hostilities will cease...since a large water barrier will appear between warring parties.'Reportyor-Rus, 30Apr

'Chinese and Vietnamese coast guard fleets patrolled ... maritime demarcation line...'Zhongguo Junwang-China, 30Apr. Interesting China able to get along with most neighbors but not Philippines. Maybe it is that Manila agreed to clutch of new US bases -- oops -- meant US 'places.'

Bridge, as energy analysts on Wall St. we’ve been tracking this for months now. China is stockpiling all critical energy sources from crude oil to metals. Very ominous and much beyond any historical precedent. Most worryingly, they are willing to do it at steep financial losses.

China’s ties with Russia are growing more solid economist.com/china/2024/04/…

'Most countries in Africa were once Western colonies and suffered from Western enslavement and plunder... Not only has Western aid failed to bring stability and development to Africa, but its...unreasonable conditions have...become shackles that bind Africa.'PLA Daily, 29Apr, p4.

'...process of strengthening water boundaries continues. Dnieper Flotilla will receive assault helicopters, ...marines and a coastal missile division. Experts say changes will increase not only the defensive potential of the flotilla, but also the offensive one.'VK-Rus, 29Apr

Chinese Navy discusses UUV developments. Dangdai Haijun, 7.2023. Article focuses on foreign developments, noting USN first deployed UUV from nuclear sub back in 2005. 'Orca' discussed, as is Russian 'Poseidon,' noting Kremlin plans to build 32 of the nuclear-powered UUVs.

.Lyle Goldstein is quoted throughout the below Business Insider piece by chris panella on a Taiwan contingency:

While it's risky, 'they have what they need, and they're ready to undertake' an attack. 'I don't think we'll have a lot of warning,' he added. businessinsider.com/red-flags-tell…

We have to assume that China is benefiting from much of this Russian adaptation as well, unfortunately. defenseone.com/threats/2024/0…

Interesting wording on brief note regarding Chinese carrier Shandong active in Taiwan Strait last Nov. Jianchuan Zhishi-China, 1.2024. It calls this part of a 'encircling Taiwan' exercise and observes that such activities have 'already become normalized.'

''[The F-16s] will not be able to conduct combat operations due to lack of specialized infrastructure and due to small number of aircraft...The fate of Leopard and Abrams tanks awaits them. If they appear, they will be shot down immediately,' Matviychuk said.'Izvestiya-Rus, 26Apr

Report from PLA Navy Type 075 Hainan. Dangdai Haijun, 7.2023. Report focuses on challenges of command and training aboard China's very first large amphibious attack ship. The clear emphasis is applying 'informatization' to conducting modern '3-dimensional amphibious operations.'

Honored to discuss contemporary security issues Pritzker Military Museum & Library with great thinkers like Geoffrey Till, Paul Poast, and Emma Ashford (@emmamashford.bsky.social) tomorrow in Chicago. I am speaking in the afternoon. It looks to be a fascinating dialogue.

Chinese Navy reports on commissioning of US Navy's Virginia-class SSN USS Iowa. Dangdai Haijun, 7.2023. The note at the bottom says production is sluggish due to contradictions in US defense industrial base that will not be resolved in the short term.