Latest news with #F-35
Boston Globe
22 minutes ago
- Business
- Boston Globe
Soft power delivers big returns, but Trump is slashing it anyway
Studies in many countries show that spending on diplomacy, cultural engagement, and humanitarian relief generates a huge economic return on investment —at least six times greater than the dollars invested. Advertisement The European Union's Creative Europe program produced three to four times the amount invested in cultural diplomacy. Advertisement The United States has not measured its soft power directly, but there is no doubt that it boosts its image by providing humanitarian and disaster aid. In 2003, the United States spent $400 million to help Indonesia recover from the massive tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Public approval of the United States in Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim country, Today, the United States is turning away from such opportunities. What may look like savings through layoffs and grant rescissions will in fact cost billions in lost trade, weakened alliances, and diminished global influence. In nearly every other policy domain — whether approving a medicine, a public safety regulation, or building new infrastructure — government decisions are informed by cost-benefit analysis. No such analysis has been performed here. If cost-benefit thinking were applied to soft power, it would be clear that the benefits of soft power far outweigh the costs. Advertisement The concept is well understood in the private sector. Businesses spend heavily to acquire 'goodwill' — brand value, reputation, and customer trust. Such intangible assets drive future profits and provide protection against commercial competitors. Governments should treat soft power the same way: as a hedge that reduces economic and military conflict. When nations trust America and see us as a partner rather than a threat, they are far less likely to take hostile actions that would require costly military responses. Soft power investments provide a double dividend that pays off in both economic gains and reduced defense spending. The full value of America's global engagement may only become evident once it is withdrawn. The Trump administration is working hard to achieve this end. The Trump administration has laid off government scientists, educators, and health experts, including last week's As the United States slashes its soft power budget,China is scaling up. The Chinese Belt and Road Initiative has committed more than $1 trillion in infrastructure spending. Chinese-funded rail projects in Malaysia, Advertisement The dollar 'savings' that Thune crowed about amount to less than the cost of a single F-35 fighter jet. But a fighter jet can't help refugees, teach Afghan girls to read, or persuade African leaders to choose American over Chinese technology. As Nye pointed out, soft power is easy to squander and difficult to recover. The cuts, combined with the Trump administration's sustained assault on the nation's leading universities, represent a colossal soft power miscalculation. They will cost America global influence that no amount of military spending can replace.
India.com
3 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
IAF Looking To Acquire 2-3 Squadrons Of Fifth-Generation Jets To Boost Combat Capabilities: Report
To enhance its combat capabilities until the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project becomes operational, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking to acquire two to three squadrons of fifth-generation fighter jets from international manufacturers. This development comes days after the Indian Army on Tuesday inducted the first batch of Apache helicopters into its Aviation fleet. Notably, the Indian Air Force already operates a fleet of 22 Apache helicopters, which have been deployed in Ladakh and western sectors. The IAF recently made a detailed presentation to the government outlining its future requirements for maintaining an edge over adversaries, defence sources told ANI. They said the IAF is looking to acquire around two to three squadrons (40-60 aircraft) in the interim till the indigenous project gets ready to meet its operational requirements. An empowered committee led by Defence Secretary RK Singh recommended the induction of fifth-generation fighter jets to enhance the force's deterrence and preparedness, especially along the northern and western borders. The Indian side is showing interest in acquiring the fifth-generation fighter aircraft, when reports suggest that China is already working on sixth-generation fighter jets and may also provide its fifth-generation fighters to the Pakistan Air Force in the next few years. The two countries from which India could potentially procure fifth-generation aircraft were the United States and Russia. However, the government has not taken any decision on the issue of fifth-generation fighter jets, but discussions are going on in this regard. The US has offered the F-35 fighter jet, while Russia has proposed its Su-57 jets for India's consideration. India had opted out of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGfA) project many years ago, but there is an option to rejoin it. The F-35 has been sold to various countries by the US in Europe and outside. India is also looking at a programme to build 114 modern 4.5 plus generation fighters in partnership with a foreign country under Make in India, and may go for a government-to-government deal after a tender. The Indian Air Force is looking to use these planes to prepare a strong deterrence along the western and northern fronts.
The National
4 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Emergency Gaza demo planned at Ian Murray's Edinburgh office
Edinburgh Action 4 Palestine (EAP) will stage the demo outside of Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray's office on Minto Street at 5pm. Organisers have encouraged participants to bring pots and pans along as they hand a letter to the Labour MP demanding the UK Government take action on the genocide happening in Gaza. READ MORE: Comedian cancels Fringe show over 'terror' charge bail conditions In a statement, the group said: 'Words are not enough. 'Thousands of people demonstrated on the streets on Edinburgh last Saturday calling for a permanent ceasefire and an end to the UK government's support of Israel's genocide and ongoing occupation. 'Our MPs should be representing their constituents, not supporting the party line.' In the letter addressed to Murray, seen exclusively by The National, the group have outlined a list of demands for the UK Government to address. These include suspending the sale of F-35 parts to Israel, stopping the use of RAF Akrotiri and ending military cooperation, and imposing 'comprehensive' economic sanctions on the country. EAP are also urging the Government to accept the ICJ ruling regarding the illegal occupation of Palestine, as well as acknowledging that war crimes are being committed in the enclave and fulfilling its 'legal obligations to prevent genocide'. READ MORE: News organisations express concern over starvation facing journalists in Gaza 'Empty words cannot hide the truth. Without action, the UK Government is complicit in crimes against humanity', the letter reads. Similar protests will reportedly be taking place across the UK, including outside Downing Street, where participants are set to urge Keir Starmer and David Lammy to intervene in the mass starvation currently being forced upon Gaza. The demo comes after MEPs demanded an emergency EU meeting to push for sanctions against Israel and a number of news outlets – including the BBC – signed an open letter condemning the starvation threat facing journalists in Gaza. A mass starvation expert recently called the man-made famine in Palestine the 'most severe' since the Second World War, with more than 1000 Gazans killed whilst trying to access food from US- and Israel-backed aid points.
India.com
6 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
Bad news for Pakistan, China as India to build 6th-gen fighter jet; better than F35, Rafale, even S-500 can't detect it, name is..., its capable of...
AMCA (Concept Image) AMCA project: After Operation Sindoor and the recent India-Pakistan conflict, India has ramped up efforts to upgrade its fighter aircraft fleet by acquiring 5th-generation fighter jets– either the US-made F-35 or Russian Sukhoi Su-57. However, apart from hashing out deals to procure 5th-gen aircraft from other countries, India has also launched its own 5th-generation fighter jet program, and discussions are underway for a 6th-gen aircraft that will render even the most advanced fighters currently in operation as obsolete and significantly boost the aerial superiority of the Indian Air Force. What is India's AMCA project? The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is a planned all-weather fifth-generation stealth, multirole combat aircraft being developed by the state-owned Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Ministry of Defence. The 5th-gen fighter will be equipped with indigenous technology, and the Narendra Modi government has allocated Rs 15,000 for the design and development of the first prototype of the futuristic warplane. The AMCA is expected to be inducted into service in the early 2030s and mass production is scheduled to begin by 2035. Once operational, it will also lay the outline for the development of a 6th-generation fighter plan, which is also being discussed among Indian defense circles. Does India have a 6th-gen fighter jet program? While India has not officially announced a 6th-gen fighter jet program, there are serious discussions among defense circles that the leap from 5th-gen to 6th-gen will not take much time after the AMCA is inducted into service. In an article published on defense website Indian Defense Research Wing (Idrw), Dr. Kota Harinarayan, the chief designer of Tejas fighter jet claimed that India has the technical know-how to develop a 6th-generation unmanned fighter aircraft, which will be based on the flying wing design. Dr. Harinarayan asserted that Indian aeronautical engineers have the capability to develop a 6th-gen fighter plane, and work on the matter has already started on the ground, adding that all they require is a go ahead from the government.
Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scots comedian cancels Fringe show after 'terror charges'
Susan Riddell and two other women were arrested after the stunt at an arms facility in Edinburgh. Scots comedian Susan Riddell has cancelled her Edinburgh Fringe show due to her bail conditions banning her from travelling into the city. Riddell, 42, Allegra Fitzherbert, 34, and Naomi Stubbs-Gorman, 31, were arrested in connection with driving a van into a fence at Leonardo's arms factory in Edinburgh on Crewe Road North last week. It is alleged that they performed the stunt as part of a pro-Palestine protest due to Leonardo's creating components of the F-35 (fighter jet) used by the Israeli Air Force. At a private hearing via video link at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, the trio made no plea to a charge of malicious mischief, aggravated by having a "terrorist connection". Riddell was also charged under the Road Traffic Act 1988, aggravated by having a "terrorist connection". The Fringe show show How Do You Sleep at Night? at Monkey Barrel at The Tron had been pencilled in for a month long run before it was axed. The hour-long show had a 19:15 slot from 28 July until 24 August. Riddell posted on Instagram: "Thanks to everyone who has shared my Edinburgh fringe show but unfortunately due to bail conditions I'm barred from Edinburgh for the foreseeable, so I won't be doing my show." Leonardo previously said it does not supply equipment directly to Israel and that its main customer is the UK Armed Forces. On Sunday Police Scotland said its counter-terrorism unit is leading the investigation into the incident, and that inquiries are ongoing. The force also issued an appeal for information to trace the movements of two vehicles. One is a blue Ford Transit van which was seen around Gorgie Road on Monday and Tuesday prior to the incident. The other is a white Honda CR-Z which was found in a car park on Gorgie Road after the incident. reference number 0416 of July 15.
