Latest news with #NATO-style
Economic Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Australia, India, Japan, US declare economic war on China's rare earth empire
Foreign ministers from the Quad nations- Australia, India, Japan, and the United States- convened in Washington earlier this month and unveiled a robust strategy designed to counteract China's coercive influence in the Indo-Pacific, as reported by The Japan Times earlier this month. The leaders launched the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative, explicitly targeting China's monopolistic dominance of rare earths and critical materials vital to defence and high-tech industries. The joint statement affirmed their determination "to uphold a region free from coercion" and oppose "any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion". In language thinly veiled yet unmistakably directed at Beijing, the Quad ministers expressed "deep concern" about the reliability of supply chains dependent on a single actor and criticised China's economic pressure tactics, price manipulation, and threat to critical infrastructure the summit hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Quad countries committed to diversifying their sources of lithium, nickel, graphite, and other strategic minerals. Rubio emphasised that resilience in supply chains is essential to safeguard against Beijing's ability to weaponise trade flows, reinforcing the need for allied cooperation to break free from China's industrial see this move as part of a broader strategy to economically sideline China. The Japan Times in its article on July 2 noted that the initiative is "an ambitious expansion" of the Quad's partnership and a clear attempt to undercut Beijing's regional leverage. China's dominance in critical mineral processing has raised alarms about future industrial disruption and geopolitical manipulation. Strategic voices within and outside of the group warn against complacency. Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, speaking at a US congressional hearing, recalled Beijing's retaliatory trade sanctions against Australia and urged deeper coordination with Quad partners to counter Chinese economic coercion. Likewise, former US ambassador Rahm Emanuel advocated for a NATO-style "anti-coercion coalition" pooling diplomatic and economic power to deter Beijing's global muted response to the Quad communique marks a notable departure from its past alarm, leading analysts to suggest that Beijing may be quietly assessing its options as its dominance over rare earth markets comes under critical minerals, the Quad summit addressed broader challenges: increasing military assertiveness in the East and South China Seas, cyber threats, and North Korea's destabilising activity. All ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and rule-of-law principles in the region. While still informal, the Quad's evolving cohesion signals a significant shift in the Indo-Pacific security architecture. As The Japan Times reports, its bold new initiative sends a clear message: regional democracies will not tolerate Beijing's attempts at economic subjugation and geopolitical coercion.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Australia, India, Japan, US declare economic war on China's rare earth empire
Foreign ministers from the Quad nations- Australia, India, Japan, and the United States- convened in Washington earlier this month and unveiled a robust strategy designed to counteract China's coercive influence in the Indo-Pacific, as reported by The Japan Times earlier this month. The leaders launched the Quad Critical Minerals Initiative , explicitly targeting China's monopolistic dominance of rare earths and critical materials vital to defence and high-tech industries. The joint statement affirmed their determination "to uphold a region free from coercion" and oppose "any unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion". Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category In language thinly veiled yet unmistakably directed at Beijing, the Quad ministers expressed "deep concern" about the reliability of supply chains dependent on a single actor and criticised China's economic pressure tactics, price manipulation, and threat to critical infrastructure security. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas In Dubai | Search Ads Get Rates Undo At the summit hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Quad countries committed to diversifying their sources of lithium, nickel, graphite, and other strategic minerals. Rubio emphasised that resilience in supply chains is essential to safeguard against Beijing's ability to weaponise trade flows, reinforcing the need for allied cooperation to break free from China's industrial grip. Analysts see this move as part of a broader strategy to economically sideline China. The Japan Times in its article on July 2 noted that the initiative is "an ambitious expansion" of the Quad's partnership and a clear attempt to undercut Beijing's regional leverage. China's dominance in critical mineral processing has raised alarms about future industrial disruption and geopolitical manipulation. Live Events Strategic voices within and outside of the group warn against complacency. Former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, speaking at a US congressional hearing, recalled Beijing's retaliatory trade sanctions against Australia and urged deeper coordination with Quad partners to counter Chinese economic coercion. Likewise, former US ambassador Rahm Emanuel advocated for a NATO-style "anti-coercion coalition" pooling diplomatic and economic power to deter Beijing's global bullying. China's muted response to the Quad communique marks a notable departure from its past alarm, leading analysts to suggest that Beijing may be quietly assessing its options as its dominance over rare earth markets comes under strain. Beyond critical minerals, the Quad summit addressed broader challenges: increasing military assertiveness in the East and South China Seas, cyber threats, and North Korea's destabilising activity. All ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and rule-of-law principles in the region. While still informal, the Quad's evolving cohesion signals a significant shift in the Indo-Pacific security architecture. As The Japan Times reports, its bold new initiative sends a clear message: regional democracies will not tolerate Beijing's attempts at economic subjugation and geopolitical coercion.
The Print
28-07-2025
- Politics
- The Print
India wanted a stable, prosperous Pakistan but our peace efforts were mistaken for weakness: Rajnath
'After reaching Lahore, Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji had written at Minar-e-Pakistan that India aspires for lasting peace and friendship with Pakistan. He had said that a stable and prosperous Pakistan is in India's best interest. The Defence Minister, who opened the debate on Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha, recalled that former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had even undertaken a bus journey to Lahore with the message of peace. New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that India knows the language of both peace and force and underlined that the country wanted a stable and prosperous Pakistan, an effort which Islamabad saw as weakness. 'This was our thought. This reflected our thinking and India's civilisational values, which view peace as a strength. However, it was misunderstood, our efforts for peace were mistaken for weakness,' Singh said Monday. The Modi government, he said, had also made numerous efforts to establish peace with Pakistan. But later, through the 2016 surgical strike, the 2019 Balakot air strike, and the 2025 Operation Sindoor, 'we have adopted a different path to establish peace,' he said, adding that 'the stand of the Narendra Modi government is clear—talks and terror cannot go together'. 'If we know how to make efforts for peace, we also know how to speak and explain in the language that the vicious understand. In an hour-long speech to open the debate on Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha, Singh pulled up the Opposition saying the questions that should have been asked were 'how many enemy aircraft were shot down' and 'did India destroy terrorist bases'. Singh also praised the Indian military and underlined precision strikes that destroyed nine terror camps in Pak and Pak-occupied Kashmir and killed over 100 terrorists. He said that India's air defence systems including counter drone and electronic warfare had together 'foiled Pakistan's attacks'. 'Pakistan could not hit our targets… there was no damage to any of our important assets,' he said, regarding the multiple waves of drones and missiles that Pakistan launched. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan likely used NATO-style aerial tactics taught by China
Axios
25-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Chicago builds smoother path to 4-year degree
Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges have deepened a partnership with the University of Illinois at Chicago aimed at getting more local students through a bachelor's program. Why it matters: With college costs soaring and the Trump administration referring borrowers in default to debt collectors, many families are looking for smoother paths to more affordable degrees that can be partially earned with credit from high school and community college classes. State of play: Since first launching in 2020, CPS says, the program has: Increased early college enrollment by CPS students by 62%. Expanded access in 20 CPS schools to more in-demand career pathways in tech, health care, manufacturing and construction. Offered Spotlight Days to allow 3,000 middle and high schoolers to explore future careers. Expanded help from postsecondary navigators to 91 schools. Driving the news: This updated iteration, called Chicago Roadmap 2.0, adds additional support to guarantee transfer admissions, ensure credits are transferable, keep students on track and launch an AI-powered degree planner. What they're saying:"By strengthening this pipeline, we are making higher education more accessible, affordable and attainable," CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said in a statement. The intrigue: The updated program is being rolled out a month after Gov. JB Pritzker's plan to allow some community colleges to offer bachelor's degrees hit a snag. The proposal failed to get a House committee vote last month after four-year colleges, including Northeastern Illinois and Chicago State, voiced concerns in a joint letter about "duplicating efforts and increasing costs at a time of limited resources." Yes, but: The bill's not dead, Pritzker's deputy chief of staff Matt Hill tells Axios. "There is still much time this legislative session, and the governor looks forward to continuing discussions with lawmakers in both chambers and other stakeholders to advance shared goals" of boosting job training and making college more affordable. Zoom out: Colleges are facing other financial threats from the Trump administration for policies allegedly out of alignment with the administration on DEI and antisemitism. Some higher education institutions have lost millions in research grants from federal agencies whose budgets have been cut by the administration. In response: About 200 university leaders this week signed a letter decrying the Trump administration's "undue intrusion into education." The latest: This week, faculty leaders at six Big Ten schools joined forces to adopt a NATO-style alliance to jointly defend against the Trump administration's attacks on higher education. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's faculty senate has set a vote on joining the alliance for Monday.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
North Korea to expand nuclear weapons programme, says Kim Jong-un
Kim Jong-un has said he will bolster North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, after calling a security alliance between the United States, South Korea, and Japan a severe threat to his country. In a speech on Saturday marking the 77th anniversary of the Korean People's Army, Kim accused Washington of orchestrating a NATO-style military bloc in the region. Kim said the trilateral security arrangement between Washington, Seoul and Tokyo was "raising a grave challenge to the security environment of our state," according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). Amid stalled diplomatic efforts in recent years, Kim has prioritised the expansion and modernisation of North Korea's nuclear capabilities. In response, the US and South Korea have intensified their joint military exercises, including trilateral drills with Japan. Since assuming office on 20 January, Trump has expressed a willingness to re-engage with Kim, frequently referencing his previous summits with the North Korean leader. "We will have relations with North Korea, with Kim Jong-un. I got along with him very well, as you know," Trump said at a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday. However, the US president and his Japanese counterpart reaffirmed their "resolute commitment to the complete denuclearisation of the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)." Trump and Kim held three summits between 2018 and 2019 in what were the first-ever meetings between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader. However, talks collapsed when Trump rejected Kim's proposal to dismantle his main nuclear complex in exchange for sweeping sanctions relief. North Korea has yet to issue a direct response to Trump's recent statements. Analysts suggest Kim is currently focused on his military alliance with Russia. In recent months, he has deployed thousands of troops to support Vladimir Putin's war against Ukraine. However, some believe Kim may eventually reconsider diplomacy with Trump if maintaining close ties with Russia proves unsustainable. Related North Korea's Kim Jong-un inspects nuclear facility, increasing pressure on US and South Korea North Korea vows 'toughest' anti-US policy weeks before Trump enters White House In his speech on Saturday, Kim reaffirmed his unwavering support for Russia's war effort, stating North Korea "will invariably support and encourage the just cause of the Russian army and people to defend their sovereignty, security and territorial integrity." He further accused Washington of fuelling the conflict, describing the US as "the war machine which is stirring up the tragic situation of Ukraine."
