The harsh reality behind Hegseth's fine words in Singapore
Ten years ago this month, I was invited by the US government to travel in a US Marine Corp MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft transporting then US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter for a flight over the Malacca Strait – a gesture meant to emphasise America's muscular commitment to South-east Asia, and determination to keep the sea lanes of communication open.
Mr Carter, a veteran Pentagon official who rose to the top job after serving 11 secretaries of defence, had told the American media just weeks earlier that in terms of the Barack Obama administration's 'rebalance' to Asia, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement 'is as important to me as another aircraft carrier. It would deepen our alliances and partnerships abroad and underscore our lasting commitment to the Asia-Pacific'.
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Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Russia readying nuclear-powered cruise missile test, Ukraine's military intelligence says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A satellite view showing equipment at the Pankovo test site in Yuzhny Island, on the Barents Sea archipelago of Novaya Zemlya, Russia, on Aug 7. LONDON/WASHINGTON - Russia is preparing to test its new nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered cruise missile and if successful, plans to use the results to bolster its negotiating position with the West, Ukrainian military intelligence said on Aug 15. Mr Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for the service, issued the written statement to Reuters just before US President Donald Trump was due to hold talks in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending Moscow's war in Ukraine. He did not give an assessment of the possible timing of the test in the statement, given in response to questions submitted by Reuters for a report published on Aug 12 that Moscow was preparing to test the 9M730 Burevestnik cruise missile. He did not say how his service arrived at its assessment. It has for years received intelligence from the United States and its Nato allies, and it has its own networks inside Russia. Reuters on Aug 12y reported two US researchers and a Western security source as saying that Moscow was readying a test of the Burevestnik at its Pankovo test site on the Barents Sea archipelago of Novaya Zemlya. The researchers said imagery from Planet Labs, a commercial satellite firm, showed extensive activities at the site, increases in personnel and equipment and the presence of ships and aircraft associated with previous tests of the weapon dubbed the SSC-X-9 Skyfall by Nato. The Russian defence ministry, the Pentagon and the CIA declined to comment for that report. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Ong Beng Seng fined $30k in case linked to ex-minister Iswaran after judge cites judicial mercy Singapore Why was Ong Beng Seng fined instead of jailed? Key points from the case Singapore ICA to review Ong Beng Seng's PR status after he is fined for abetting obstruction of justice Singapore Drug trafficker gets death sentence commuted after President Tharman grants clemency Asia Former China envoy to Singapore Sun Haiyan reappears after reported questioning Life Founder of Singapore Symphony Orchestra Choo Hoey dies at 90 Singapore Hawkers at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre will not need to provide free meals under new contracts The White House did not comment directly on whether a test was being prepared, saying in response to a question about it that Mr Trump wanted peace in Ukraine. Mr Yusov said Moscow, which has threatened to use nuclear weapons over the Ukraine war, saw a test as diplomatic leverage. 'Russia is preparing for another round of tests of the 9M730 Burevestnik,' his statement said. 'The purpose of these tests is to validate scientific and technical solutions implemented by the missile.' 'If successful, Russia will leverage the test results to defend its interests in negotiations with the West,' he continued. Mr Putin has said the weapon is 'invincible' to missile defences, with an almost unlimited range and unpredictable flight path. But many experts say it is unclear if the missile can evade defences, would not give Moscow capabilities it does not already have, and would spew radiation. The Burevestnik has a poor test record, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative advocacy group, with two partial successes among 13 known tests. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
US mulled use of Russia icebreakers for gas development ahead of summit-sources
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: A view shows the nuclear-powered icebreaker \"Yakutia\" during the launch ceremony at the Baltic Shipyard in Saint Petersburg, Russia November 22, 2022. REUTERS/Igor Russak/File Photo LONDON - The United States has had internal discussions on using Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker vessels to support the development of gas and LNG projects in Alaska as one of the possible deals to aim for when President Donald Trump meets Vladimir Putin on Friday, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Trump landed in Alaska on Friday for what he called a "high stakes" summit with Russia's Putin to discuss a ceasefire deal for Ukraine and end the deadliest war in Europe since World War Two. Both the U.S. and Russian presidents, due to meet at a Cold War-era air force base in Alaska's largest city, are seeking wins from their first face-to-face talks since Trump returned to the White House. The icebreaker idea has been discussed among White House officials as one of the potential deals to try to strike with Russia at the Alaska summit, one of the sources said. The ongoing talks between the U.S. and Russia over Ukraine have included discussions about business deals. The White House is planning to continue this approach at the summit on Friday, said the source, who like the others spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Kremlin officials were not available for comment. Russia operates the world's only fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers, which play a central role in maintaining year-round shipping access along the Northern Sea Route, a strategic path for global energy and trade flows. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Ong Beng Seng fined $30k in case linked to ex-minister Iswaran after judge cites judicial mercy Singapore Why was Ong Beng Seng fined instead of jailed? Key points from the case Singapore ICA to review Ong Beng Seng's PR status after he is fined for abetting obstruction of justice Singapore Drug trafficker gets death sentence commuted after President Tharman grants clemency Asia Former China envoy to Singapore Sun Haiyan reappears after reported questioning Life Founder of Singapore Symphony Orchestra Choo Hoey dies at 90 Singapore Hawkers at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre will not need to provide free meals under new contracts Trump's administration is pushing to transport gas from Alaska's remote north to Asian clients. Trump has pitched Alaska LNG, a proposed $44 billion project to ship liquefied natural gas along a 800-mile pipeline from Alaska, to Asian buyers as a way to reduce their dependence on Russian LNG. Another project, similarly aimed at Asian markets, is Qilak LNG, which is targeting 4 million tons per annum of LNG. Qilak did not immediately respond to a request for comment. An industry source said that Alaska LNG had "no identified needs for Russian icebreakers." Reuters was not immediately able to establish which, if any, specific project would benefit if a deal was reached in the Alaska talks. The nuclear icebreakers could also facilitate the transport of construction materials and equipment to remote areas in Alaska, where infrastructure is limited and weather conditions are harsh. REUTERS
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Russia readying nuclear-powered cruise missile test, Ukrainian military intelligence says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox LONDON/WASHINGTON - Russia is preparing to test its new nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered cruise missile and if successful, plans to use the results to bolster its negotiating position with the West, Ukrainian military intelligence said on Friday. Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for the service, issued the written statement to Reuters just before U.S. President Donald Trump was due to hold talks in Alaska with Russian President Vladimir Putin on ending Moscow's war in Ukraine. He did not give an assessment of the possible timing of the test in the statement, given in response to questions submitted by Reuters for a report published on Tuesday that Moscow was preparing to test the 9M730 Burevestnik cruise missile. He did not say how his service arrived at its assessment. It has for years received intelligence from the United States and its NATO allies, and it has its own networks inside Russia. Reuters on Tuesday reported two U.S. researchers and a Western security source as saying that Moscow was readying a test of the Burevestnik at its Pankovo test site on the Barents Sea archipelago of Novaya Zemlya. The researchers said imagery from Planet Labs, a commercial satellite firm, showed extensive activities at the site, increases in personnel and equipment and the presence of ships and aircraft associated with previous tests of the weapon dubbed the SSC-X-9 Skyfall by NATO. The Russian defense ministry, the Pentagon and the CIA declined to comment for that report. The White House did not comment directly on whether a test was being prepared, saying in response to a question about it that Trump wanted peace in Ukraine. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Ong Beng Seng fined $30k in case linked to ex-minister Iswaran after judge cites judicial mercy Singapore Why was Ong Beng Seng fined instead of jailed? Key points from the case Singapore ICA to review Ong Beng Seng's PR status after he is fined for abetting obstruction of justice Singapore Drug trafficker gets death sentence commuted after President Tharman grants clemency Asia Former China envoy to Singapore Sun Haiyan reappears after reported questioning Life Founder of Singapore Symphony Orchestra Choo Hoey dies Singapore Hawkers at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre will not need to provide free meals under new contracts Yusov said Moscow, which has threatened to use nuclear weapons over the Ukraine war, saw a test as diplomatic leverage. "Russia is preparing for another round of tests of the 9M730 Burevestnik," his statement said. "The purpose of these tests is to validate scientific and technical solutions implemented by the missile." "If successful, Russia will leverage the test results to defend its interests in negotiations with the West," he continued. Putin has said the weapon is "invincible" to missile defenses, with an almost unlimited range and unpredictable flight path. But many experts say it is unclear if the missile can evade defenses, would not give Moscow capabilities it does not already have, and would spew radiation. The Burevestnik has a poor test record, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative advocacy group, with two partial successes among 13 known tests. REUTERS
