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Miami Herald
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Ally Plans Long-Range Missile Test Amid China and Russia Threats
Japan is set to conduct an anti-ship missile firing drill on its territory, as Chinese and Russian naval forces continue operating in waters surrounding the United States ally. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Russia's Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a Newsweek written request for comment. Japan forms part of the First Island Chain, along with Taiwan and the Philippines. This is part of a U.S. containment strategy aimed at restricting China's and Russia's military access to the broader Western Pacific Ocean through the use of Washington-aligned territories. A total of five waterways around the Japanese archipelago are designated by Tokyo as what it calls "international straits," which Chinese and Russian naval vessels have used for transit. The Japanese Defense Ministry has regularly monitored and reported their movements. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force announced on Tuesday that its annual surface-to-ship missile firing training is scheduled to take place from June 19 to 30 on the southern coast of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island, with the aim of improving its anti-ship capabilities. The training will involve the Type 88 surface-to-ship missile, which is capable of striking targets over 62 miles away, Japanese daily newspaper The Asahi Shimbun reported on Wednesday. A pair of launch events have been planned, during which unarmed missiles will be fired at targets in waters within a 24-mile radius southwest of the range, according to the report. The range is northeast of the Tsugaru Strait, which connects the Sea of Japan in the west-referred to as the East Sea in South Korea-with the Pacific Ocean in the east. The strait separates two of Japan's main islands: Hokkaido to the north and Honshu to the south. Due to "space constraints and safety concerns," Japan's missile firing events had previously been held in the U.S. and other overseas locations, the report said. The upcoming event will mark the first-ever launch of the indigenous Type 88 missile to be carried out in the country. China's expansion of its warship fleet and increased naval activities have pushed Japan to enhance its ship-sinking capabilities. Japan is developing an upgraded version of the Type 12 missile and has ordered two types of American missiles with maritime strike capabilities. Japan's defense white paper 2024 read: "China is further strengthening cooperation with Russia, including in military activities. It has also conducted joint bomber flights and naval navigations with Russia in the vicinity of Japan. These repeated joint activities are clearly intended for demonstration of force against Japan and are a grave concern from the perspective of the national security of Japan." Senior Colonel Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Defense Ministry, said: "Japan has been closely tracking, monitoring, and interfering with Chinese vessels and aircraft for a long time, jeopardizing the safety of Chinese vessels and aircraft and easily causing maritime and air security problems." The Russian Foreign Ministry said: "With regard to resuming the bilateral political dialogue, it was again emphasized that the path to full-fledged cooperation can only be opened if Japan drops its hostile policy [toward] Russia, confirmed by concrete steps." It remains to be seen whether Japan will schedule additional missile-firing drills on its own soil. Related Articles US Ally Receives F-35 Boost for Future China FightChina Builds New Structure in Disputed Waters Claimed by US AllyUS Ally Confronts Armed Chinese Ships in Disputed WatersMap Shows Countries That Prefer China to the US 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Miami Herald
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Anti-Ship Missiles Challenge Nearby Chinese Aircraft Carrier
The United States deployed anti-ship missiles on a strategic Philippine island during a drill while a Chinese aircraft carrier staged a show of force against the allies in the nearby waters. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. The Philippines, a U.S. ally that has territorial disputes with China over the South China Sea, forms the first island chain with Taiwan and Japan under a U.S. containment strategy that seeks to restrict China's military access to the Pacific Ocean using Washington-aligned territories. The Chinese military-which has the world's largest navy by hull count-has been expanding its reach and presence beyond the first island chain. The U.S. is arming its regional allies and partners with ship-sinking missiles to counter China's navy. The Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) was deployed for the first time during a bilateral exercise, code-named Balikatan 2025, on Batan Island in the northern Philippines on April 26, the U.S. Marine Corps announced on Sunday. The NMESIS is a ground-based launcher. It consists of a remote-operated vehicle equipped with two Naval Strike Missile containers and is designed for facilitating sea denial and sea control by striking enemy ships from a distance of more than 100 nautical miles (115 miles). Batan Island is north of the Luzon Strait, which is an important waterway for China's navy to accomplish a breakthrough of the first island chain. The strait is situated between Taiwan and the Philippines, linking the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea. The American anti-ship weapon held a simulated fire mission during the deployment. "We're not here practicing a war plan. We're practicing for the defense of the Philippines," U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Michael Cederholm told reporters. Washington and Manila signed a mutual defense treaty in 1951, which says an attack on either side in the Pacific region would prompt the partnered countries to take action. This includes attacks on Philippine military, public vessels or aircraft in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, the Japanese Defense Ministry reported that a Chinese naval strike group, which was led by the aircraft carrier CNS Shandong, sailed toward the South China Sea on Friday, following its deployment to east of Luzon, an island in the northern Philippines, on Wednesday. The Shandong and three escorting warships transited the Luzon Strait as they were spotted 323 miles south of Yonaguni Island in southwestern Japan, a map by Newsweek shows. During its three-day deployment in the Philippine Sea, the Shandong's carrier-based fighter jets and helicopters conducted 70 and 60 takeoffs and landings, respectively, Tokyo added. U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Michael Cederholm said: "We don't broadcast when we're going in, when we're coming out and how long things are going to stay. All I'll say is we're here at the invitation and with the support of the Philippine government." Philippine Brigadier General Michael Logico said: "A peaceful region can only be maintained through a proper balance of strength between opposing forces until such time that … both countries decide that it's not going to be worth it to fight over this area." It remains to be seen whether the NMESIS will stay behind following the conclusion of the exercise. Another American missile system, the U.S. Army Mid-Range Capability, has been stationed in the Philippines since April 2024, which was deployed for drills at first. Related Articles Americans Share Best Financial Advice They Ever Received-It's Eye-OpeningUber Could Be Halted For Millions of AmericansMap Shows US and Chinese Aircraft Carriers in Pacific This WeekWhat's at Stake for the U.S. if India and Pakistan go to War? 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Anti-Ship Missiles Challenge Nearby Chinese Aircraft Carrier
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States deployed anti-ship missiles on a strategic Philippine island during a drill while a Chinese aircraft carrier staged a show of force against the allies in the nearby waters. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters The Philippines, a U.S. ally that has territorial disputes with China over the South China Sea, forms the first island chain with Taiwan and Japan under a U.S. containment strategy that seeks to restrict China's military access to the Pacific Ocean using Washington-aligned territories. The Chinese military—which has the world's largest navy by hull count—has been expanding its reach and presence beyond the first island chain. The U.S. is arming its regional allies and partners with ship-sinking missiles to counter China's navy. What To Know The Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) was deployed for the first time during a bilateral exercise, code-named Balikatan 2025, on Batan Island in the northern Philippines on April 26, the U.S. Marine Corps announced on Sunday. A United States Marine Corps Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System staged on Batan Island in the Philippines on April 26. A United States Marine Corps Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System staged on Batan Island in the Philippines on April 26. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Trent Randolph/U.S. Marine Corps The NMESIS is a ground-based launcher. It consists of a remote-operated vehicle equipped with two Naval Strike Missile containers and is designed for facilitating sea denial and sea control by striking enemy ships from a distance of more than 100 nautical miles (115 miles). Batan Island is north of the Luzon Strait, which is an important waterway for China's navy to accomplish a breakthrough of the first island chain. The strait is situated between Taiwan and the Philippines, linking the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea. The American anti-ship weapon held a simulated fire mission during the deployment. "We're not here practicing a war plan. We're practicing for the defense of the Philippines," U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Michael Cederholm told reporters. Washington and Manila signed a mutual defense treaty in 1951, which says an attack on either side in the Pacific region would prompt the partnered countries to take action. This includes attacks on Philippine military, public vessels or aircraft in the South China Sea. Meanwhile, the Japanese Defense Ministry reported that a Chinese naval strike group, which was led by the aircraft carrier CNS Shandong, sailed toward the South China Sea on Friday, following its deployment to east of Luzon, an island in the northern Philippines, on Wednesday. The Shandong and three escorting warships transited the Luzon Strait as they were spotted 323 miles south of Yonaguni Island in southwestern Japan, a map by Newsweek shows. During its three-day deployment in the Philippine Sea, the Shandong's carrier-based fighter jets and helicopters conducted 70 and 60 takeoffs and landings, respectively, Tokyo added. What People Are Saying U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant General Michael Cederholm said: "We don't broadcast when we're going in, when we're coming out and how long things are going to stay. All I'll say is we're here at the invitation and with the support of the Philippine government." Philippine Brigadier General Michael Logico said: "A peaceful region can only be maintained through a proper balance of strength between opposing forces until such time that … both countries decide that it's not going to be worth it to fight over this area." What Happens Next It remains to be seen whether the NMESIS will stay behind following the conclusion of the exercise. Another American missile system, the U.S. Army Mid-Range Capability, has been stationed in the Philippines since April 2024, which was deployed for drills at first.
Budapest Times
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Budapest Times
The NGO that cried fraud
Dániel Hegedüs's latest essay for the German Marshall Fund marks a dramatic escalation. For years, their narrative was that Hungary's elections were 'unfair.' Now, without evidence, he suggests that the 2026 election might be stolen outright—with fabricated results and a rigged outcome. This isn't analysis. It's a premeditated excuse for failure. In 2022, Hungary held its elections under full international scrutiny. A complete OSCE-ODIHR mission monitored the vote. Nearly 20,000 independent ballot counters were deployed. The process was transparent. The result was clear. And not even the most critical observers could dispute it. Everything was done by the book. So why float this now? Because the 2022 election delivered a result that foreign-funded NGOs, Brussels ideologues, and Washington-aligned networks could not accept. Despite media pressure, activist campaigning, and billions of forints in foreign financial support for the opposition, the Hungarian electorate stood firm. Their attempt failed. The State Audit Office later confirmed that the opposition campaign was illegally financed through a foreign network, including U.S.-linked NGOs. It was the largest financing scandal in Hungary's democratic history—not an allegation, but a documented fact. Since then, the funding streams have shifted—but not the agenda. With U.S. money drying up, Brussels has stepped in. The European Commission's CERV program is now the main vehicle for influence. According to the European Court of Auditors, more than €7 billion in NGO contracts were awarded across the EU between 2021 and 2023. Forty percent of that went to just 30 groups. These aren't neutral actors—they're politically engaged organizations, many active in Hungary. These groups don't represent civil society. They represent Brussels. They push ideological campaigns, file lawsuits against elected governments, and lobby against national sovereignty—funded almost entirely by EU taxpayers. And they do so without real accountability. Even the Court of Auditors found it's nearly impossible to trace how much these groups receive or what they're paid to do. Hungary's formal information requests were brushed aside with bureaucratic excuses. In any national government, that level of opacity would be a scandal. In Brussels, it's standard. The same people who couldn't win in 2022 now want to pre-write the narrative for 2026. Demanding 'robust international observation' is not about fairness. It's a pretext. If the result isn't what they want, the accusation of fraud is already waiting. Ironically, that is what truly undermines trust in democratic institutions. The Sovereignty Protection Law targets foreign political financing—not election observers. Hungary has never blocked international missions, and it won't start now. Hungary's future will be decided by its voters—not by foreign-funded NGOs or Brussels insiders. Every Hungarian election since 2010 has been called the 'last chance for democracy'—yet voters continue to let their voices be heard, and democratic institutions continue to function. The real threat isn't inside Hungary. It's the unaccountable network trying to discredit the next vote before it even happens.
