To All
Good Saturday Morning June 17 2023.
I hope that you all have a great weekend
Tomorrow Is Father's Day
Regards,
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On This Day in Naval and Marine Corps History June 17
1815 Commodore Stephen Decatur's squadron engages the Algerian flagship Mashouda near Cape de Gatt, Spain. Though the Algerian frigate maneuvers actively to escape, she surrenders after 20 men, including her commander, are killed.
1833 The ship of the line, USS Delaware, becomes the first warship to enter a public drydock in the United States when secured at Gosport Navy Yard in Portsmouth, Va.
1870 Under the command of Lt. Willard H. Brownson, six boats from the steam sloop-of-war USS Mohican attack a group of pirates in the Teacapan River, Mexico.
1898 President William McKinley signs into law a Congressional bill authorizing the establishment of the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps.
1944 TBF (VC 95) from USS Croatan (CVE 25) damages German submarine (U 853) in the North Atlantic. On May 6, 1945, USS Atherton (DE 169) and USS Moberly (PF 63) sink (U 853) off Block Island.
2017 The guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) is involved in a collision with the Philippine-flagged merchant vessel ACX Crystal while operating about 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka, Japan. Seven Sailors lose their lives and the ship is damaged on her starboard side above and below the waterline.
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Today in World History June 17
0362 Emperor Julian issues an edict banning Christians from teaching in Syria.
1579 Sir Francis Drake claims San Francisco Bay for England.
1775 The British take Bunker Hill outside of Boston, after a costly battle.
1799 Napoleon Bonaparte incorporates Italy into his empire.
1848 Austrian General Alfred Windisch-Gratz crushes a Czech uprising in Prague.
1854 The Red Turban revolt breaks out in Guangdong, China.
1856 The Republican Party opens its first national convention in Philadelphia.
1861 President Abraham Lincoln witnesses Dr. Thaddeus Lowe demonstrate the use of a hot-air balloon.
1863 On the way to Gettysburg, Union and Confederate forces skirmish at Point of Rocks, Maryland.
1872 George M. Hoover begins selling whiskey in Dodge City, Kansas--a town which had previously been "dry."
1876 General George Crook's command is attacked and bested on the Rosebud River by 1,500 Sioux and Cheyenne under the leadership of Crazy Horse.
1912 The German Zeppelin SZ 111 burns in its hangar in Friedrichshafen.
1913 U.S. Marines set sail from San Diego to protect American interests in Mexico.
1917The Russian Duma meets in secret session in Petrograd and votes for an immediate Russian offensive against the German Army.
1924 The Fascist militia marches into Rome.
1926 Spain threatens to quit the League of Nations if Germany is allowed to join.
1930 The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Bill becomes law, placing the highest tariff on imports to the United States.
1931 British authorities in China arrest Indochinese Communist leader Ho Chi Minh.
1932 The U.S. Senate defeats the Bonus Bill as 10,000 veterans mass around the Capitol.
1940 The Soviet Union occupies Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.
1942 Yank a weekly magazine for the U.S. armed services, begins publication.
1944 French troops land on the island of Elba in the Mediterranean.
1950 Surgeon Richard Lawler performs the first kidney transplant operation in Chicago.
1953 Soviet tanks fight thousands of Berlin workers rioting against the East German government.
1963 The U.S. Supreme Court bans the required reading of the Lord's prayer and Bible in public schools.
1965 27 B-52s hit Viet Cong outposts, but lose two planes in South Vietnam.
1970 North Vietnamese troops cut the last operating rail line in Cambodia.
1972 Five men are arrested for burglarizing Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C.
1994 Millions of Americans watch former football player O.J. Simpson--facing murder charges--drive his Ford Bronco through Los Angeles, followed by police.
On June 17, 1885, the dismantled Statue of Liberty, a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of America, arrives in New York Harbor after being shipped across the Atlantic Ocean in 350 individual pieces packed in more than 200 cases. The copper and iron statue, which was reassembled and dedicated the following year in a ceremony presided over by U.S. President Grover Cleveland, became known around the world as an enduring symbol of freedom and democracy.
Intended to commemorate the American Revolution and a century of friendship between the U.S. and France, the statue was designed by French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi (who modeled it after his own mother), with assistance from engineer Gustave Eiffel, who later developed the iconic tower in Paris bearing his name. The statue was initially scheduled to be finished by 1876, the 100th anniversary of America's Declaration of Independence; however, fundraising efforts, which included auctions, a lottery and boxing matches, took longer than anticipated, both in Europe and the U.S., where the statue's pedestal was to be financed and constructed. The statue alone cost the French an estimated $250,000 (more than $5.5 million in today's money).
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ROLLING THUNDER REMEMBERED Thanks to the Bear … Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post
Skip… For The List for Saturday, 17 June 2023… Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER (1965-1968)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post for 17 June 1968… "The Terrible Toll of Violence" circa 1968 sustained for 55-years, and continuing…
This following work accounts for every fixed wing loss of the Vietnam War and you can use it to read more about the losses in The Bear's Daily account. Even better it allows you to add your updated information to the work to update for history…skip Vietnam Air Losses Access Chris Hobson and Dave Lovelady's work at: https://www.VietnamAirLosses.com.
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Thanks to Interesting Facts..Star Wars
I was on cruise on USS Constellation in 1977 with the New F-14s when the movie came out and knew nothing about it. Went into The PI and a group of us caught a helo from the ship to Manila to meet our wives who were coming over to meet us and then meet us again in Singapore. We arrived with hours to spare and were looking for something to do when we spotted a movie theatre. None of the shows look appealing but one of them looked interesting to a bunch of fighter pilots and it was called Star Wars. We all watched it and thought it was great. We then met our wives and told them about the movie and they went nuts and told us about the lines and furor about the move at home and they wanted to go see it so we did. They liked it and so did we again.
Few films have had as profound an impact on cinema as the original Star Wars and the multibillion-dollar franchise it inspired. For nearly 50 years, fans have been dressing up as Jedi, stormtroopers, and Sith, and imagining their own adventures in a galaxy far, far away. In fact, the films have had such a cultural impact that May 4 ("May the Fourth Be With You") is essentially an official holiday for Star Wars fans the world over. Here are seven little-known facts about Star Wars, exploring both the production of the films and the inspiration behind the saga's most iconic characters.
1 of 6
Filming the Original "Star Wars" Almost Caused an International Conflict
Although Star Wars is famously set in a galaxy far, far away, George Lucas used real-world sets and locations to stand in for extraterrestrial locales throughout the original trilogy. The ice planet Hoth in Empire Strikes Back was filmed near the town of Finse, Norway, while the forest moon of Endor scenes made use of the giant redwoods near Crescent City, California.
One of the most iconic locations in all nine films is the Skywalker homestead on the desert planet of Tatooine. Lucas decided to shoot these scenes, which kick off the entire Star Wars franchise, in the desert of Tunisia (though parts were also filmed in Death Valley, California). In the mid-1970s, Tunisia had a tense relationship with the Libyan government, run by Muammar Gaddafi. Star Wars filmed in Nefta, Tunisia, not far from the Tunisian-Libyan border. The biography George Lucas: A Life details how the Libyan government originally perceived the production as a military buildup along the border, mistaking a Jawa Sandcrawler for military hardware. Libyan inspectors even crossed the border to confirm that these otherworldly vehicles posed no real military threat. Thankfully, the matter ended smoothly.
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Darth Vader's Look Is Based on a Real Japanese Samurai
The inspiration behind the original Star Wars is famously pulled from a variety of sources. The iconic title crawl that sets up the space drama in the film's opening seconds can be found in 1930s adventure serials like Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers. The space battles between TIE fighters and X-Wings are a direct reference to WWII dogfighting, and the concept of the Jedi is likely lifted from the pages of Frank Herbert's Dune.
But the most iconic character in the entire saga is undoubtedly Darth Vader, and his look is based on a very real historical figure — a Japanese samurai warlord named Date Masamune. Ralph McQuarrie, the concept artist behind the original trilogy of films, was influenced by Japanese samurai armor, and especially the jet-black armor of Masamune, who was born in 1567. The helmets are the most alike, but McQuarrie also borrowed the extended neck piece from Masamune's armor. Vader's helmet includes additional influences from helmets worn by the German army during WWII, all used to create the most ominous villain the galaxy (and moviegoers) have ever seen.
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"I Have a Bad Feeling About This" Is Said in Every "Star Wars" Film
The entire Star Wars saga is filled with little Easter eggs and references to other characters and events throughout the franchise. One that can be easily missed is the phrase "I have a bad feeling about this," said in every single Star Wars film (and sometimes even uttered multiple times). The phrase is also found in one-off live-action films, animated TV shows, video game series, and novels, and has become a kind of "in-joke" among Star Wars creators.
Notably, The Last Jedi, the eighth film in the Star Wars saga, appears to be the only exception, as no character seemingly utters the famous phrase on screen. But director Rian Johnson confirmed that BB-8 actually delivers the line in binary, after which Poe Dameron, played by Oscar Isaac, retorts, "Happy beeps here, buddy, come on."
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"The Last Jedi" Invented Porgs To Digitally Mask Real-Life Puffins
One of the most important locations in Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi is the remote island on the planet Ahco-To, where a disgruntled Luke Skywalker spends his self-imposed exile and subsequently trains an adamant Rey. These scenes were shot on a very real Irish island called Skellig Michael. Although perfect for creating a much-needed sense of isolation, the island is also a wildlife preserve for puffins. The puffins became a real problem during the many scenes filmed on the island, as they constantly flew into shots and disrupted production. By law, The Last Jedi crew couldn't mess with them, so according to Jake Lunt Davies, a creature concept designer on the film, the team decided to design an in-universe creature that lived on the island and digitally replaced any puffins that got in the shot with them. Hence, Porgs were born.
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'N Sync Was Almost in "Attack of the Clones"
Turn back the clock to 2001, and pop culture was obsessed with both the new Star Wars prequel franchise and the boy band 'N Sync. At the behest of George Lucas' daughter (along with the daughter of producer Rick McCullum), the members of 'N Sync were offered minor roles during the final battle on Geonosis. Justin Timberlake and Lance Bass declined the invitation, supposedly too tired from touring, but the other three band members — Joey Fatone, JC Chasez, and Chris Kirkpatrick — donned Jedi robes and shot their scenes for the film. The moment was particularly special for Fatone, who had an entire room of his house dedicated to Star Wars memorabilia. Sadly, the footage wasn't used in the final cut, and the blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo instead became a little-known piece of Star Wars history.
6 of 6
The Original "Star Wars" Almost Wasn't Made
It's almost unfathomable that a movie studio would pass up the opportunity to make Star Wars, but in the mid-1970s, George Lucas' little indie film was perilously close to never being made. Lucas first tried to get the rights to Flash Gordon in order to make his own big-screen version, but when he was unable to secure a deal, he decided to make his own space adventure. Once he had the idea, he needed the money, but United Artists, Universal, and even Disney (which later bought the franchise rights for $4.05 billion in 2012) all passed on funding the film.
Finally, 20th Century Fox agreed to finance the project, not because they thought the film would be any good, but mostly to secure a relationship with the up-and-coming director. With an initial budget of only $8 million (eventually bumped up to $11 million) and plenty of disasters during filming and post-production, Star Wars was born from both financial and artistic adversity, yet it has gone on to inspire generations of fans around the globe.
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Thanks to Brett
Geopolitical Futures:
Keeping the future in focus
https://geopoliticalfutures.com
Daily Memo: Growing Nuclear Arsenals
China's arsenal may match America's and Russia's by 2030.
By: GPF Staff
June 16, 2023
Amid the war in Ukraine and intensifying geopolitical competition, the world's nuclear powers are scaling up and modernizing their arsenals. The countries with the most nuclear warheads deployed are the United States and Russia. Together, they possess close to 90 percent of all nukes. In 2022, Russia deployed an additional 86 nuclear warheads, bringing its total to 1,674. The U.S. added 26 – a reversal of its longstanding downward trend – giving it a total of 1,770 deployed warheads.
However, China is trying to catch up. Its nuclear arsenal grew to 410 from 350 last year, and according to SIPRI, it may catch up with the Russians and Americans by the end of the decade. At the same time, the major powers are reducing transparency about their nuclear weapons, and Moscow and Washington suspended dialogue on strategic stability. Nevertheless, the number of nuclear weapons around the world is well below past decades and is not growing significantly. In addition, the U.S. and Russia remain committed to avoiding armed confrontation – and especially nuclear escalation.
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This Day in U S Military History…….June 17
1579 – During his circumnavigation of the world, English seaman Francis Drake anchors in a harbor just north of present-day San Francisco, California, and claims the territory for Queen Elizabeth I. Calling the land "Nova Albion," Drake remained on the California coast for a month to make repairs to his ship, the Golden Hind, and prepare for his westward crossing of the Pacific Ocean. On December 13, 1577, Drake set out from England with five ships on a mission to raid Spanish holdings on the Pacific coast of the New World. After crossing the Atlantic, Drake abandoned two of his ships in South America and then sailed into the Straits of Magellan with the remaining three. A series of devastating storms besieged his expedition in the treacherous straits, wrecking one ship and forcing another to return to England. Only the Golden Hind reached the Pacific Ocean, but Drake continued undaunted up the western coast of South America, raiding Spanish settlements and capturing a rich Spanish treasure ship. Drake then continued up the western coast of North America, searching for a possible northeast passage back to the Atlantic. Reaching as far north as present-day Washington before turning back, Drake paused near San Francisco Bay in June 1579 to repair his ship and prepare for a journey across the Pacific. In July, the expedition set off across the Pacific, visiting several islands before rounding Africa's Cape of Good Hope and returning to the Atlantic Ocean. On September 26, 1580, the Golden Hind returned to Plymouth, England, bearing its rich captured treasure and valuable information about the world's great oceans. In 1581, Queen Elizabeth I knighted Drake during a visit to his ship.
1775 – During the American Revolution, British General William Howe lands his troops on the Charlestown peninsula overlooking Boston and leads them against Breed's Hill, a fortified American position just below Bunker Hill. As the British advanced in columns against the Americans, Patriot General William Prescott reportedly told his men, "Don't one of you fire until you see the whites of their eyes!" When the Redcoats were within 40 yards, the Americans let loose with a lethal barrage of musket fire, cutting down nearly 100 enemy troops and throwing the British into retreat. After reforming his lines, Howe attacked again, with much the same result. However, Prescott's men were now low on ammunition, and when Howe led his men up the hill for a third time, they reached the redoubts and engaged the Americans in hand-to-hand combat. The outnumbered Americans were forced to retreat. The British had won the so-called Battle of Bunker Hill, and Breed's Hill and the Charlestown peninsula fell firmly under British control. Despite losing their strategic positions, the battle was a morale-builder for the Americans, who had suffered far fewer casualties than their enemy while demonstrating that they could conduct war effectively against the British.
1944 – The US 1st Army cuts off the Contentin Peninsula. The US 9th Division (part of US 7th Corps) reaches the west coast to the north and south of Barneville. German divisions isolated to the north are not permitted to attempt to break out. Hitler meets with Rundstedt, Commander in Chief (West), and Rommel, commanding Army Group B. Both Field Marshals seek a withdrawal to more defensible positions inland. Hitler refuses to allow a retreat in Normandy. He suggests that the V1 bombing of Britain will force it out of the war.
1944 – The US 27th Infantry Division lands on Saipan to reinforce the American beachhead.
1944 – The carriers led by Admiral Clark and the rest of the main US carrier forces sail for a rendezvous to the west of the Mariana Islands.
1945 – On Okinawa, reinforced American units advance in the Kuishi Ridge area which has been stubbornly defended by forces of the Japanese 32nd Army. Along the line of the US 24th Corps, the last Japanese defensive line is broken. The US 7th Division completes the capture of Hills 153 and 115. The commander of the Japanese naval base on Okinawa, Admiral Minoru Ota, is found dead, having committed suicide.
1945 – On Luzon, elements of the US 37th Division, US 1st Corps, captures Naguilian after making a forced crossing of the Cagayan river, near the town of Cagayan.
1945 – General Arnold orders General Chennault to be replaced by General Stratemeyer as Commander in Chief of the US air forces operating in China. Japanese troops in southern China begin withdrawing northward in five long columns between the Yellow and Yangtze rivers.
1965 – For the first time, 27 B-52s fly from Guam to bomb a Vietcong concentration in a heavily forested area of Binhduong Province. Such flights, under the aegis of the Strategic Air Command, are known as Operation Arc Light.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
BROSNAN, JOHN
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company E, 164th New York Infantry. Place and date: At Petersburg, Va., 17 June 1864. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 18 January 1894. Citation: Rescued a wounded comrade who lay exposed to the enemy's fire, receiving a severe wound in the effort.
CHANDLER, HENRY F.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company E, 59th Massachusetts Infantry. Place and date: At Petersburg, Va., 17 June 1864. Entered service at: ——. Birth: Andover, Mass. Date of issue: 30 March 1898. Citation: Though seriously wounded in a bayonet charge and directed to go to the rear he declined to do so, but remained with his regiment and helped to carry the breastworks.
STRAUSBAUGH, BERNARD A.
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company A, 3d Maryland Infantry. Place and date: At Petersburg, Va., 17 June 1864. Entered service at: Warfordsburg, Pa. Birth: Adams County, Pa. Date of issue: 1 December 1864. Citation: Recaptured the colors of 2d Pennsylvania Provisional Artillery.
WAGEMAN, JOHN H.
Rank and organization: Private, Company I, 60th Ohio Infantry. Place and date: At Petersburg, Va., 17 June 1864. Entered service at: Amelia, Ohio. Birth: Clermont County, Ohio. Date of issue: 27 July 1896. Citation: Remained with the command after being severely wounded until he had fired all the cartridges in his possession, when he had to be carried from the field.
YOUNG, BENJAMIN F.
Rank and organization: Corporal, Company I, 1st Michigan Sharpshooters. Place and date: At Petersburg, Va., 17 June 1864. Entered service at: Canada. Born: 1844, Canada. Date of issue: December 1864. Citation: Capture of flag of 35th North Carolina Infantry (C.S.A.).
McGANN, MICHAEL A.
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company F, 3d U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Rosebud River, Mont., 17 June 1876. Entered service at:——. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 9 August 1880. Citation: Gallantry in action.
PARNELL, WILLIAM R.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, 1st U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At White Bird Canyon, Idaho, 17 June 1877. Entered service at: New York. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 16 September 1897. Citation: With a few men, in the face of a heavy fire from pursuing Indians and at imminent peril, returned and rescued a soldier whose horse had been killed and who had been left behind in the retreat.
ROBINSON, JOSEPH
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Company D, 3d U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Rosebud River, Mont., 17 June 1876. Entered service at: ——. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 23 January 1880. Citation: Discharged his duties while in charge of the skirmish line under fire with judgment and great coolness and brought up the lead horses at a critical moment.
SHINGLE, JOHN H.
Rank and organization: First Sergeant, Troop 1, 3d U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Rosebud River, Mont., 17 June 1876. Entered service at: ——. Birth: Philadelphia, Pa. Date of issue: 1 June 1880. Citation: Gallantry in action.
SNOW, ELMER A.
Rank and organization: Trumpeter, Company M, 3d U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Rosebud Creek, Mont., 17 June 1876. Entered service at: ——. Birth. Hardwick, Mass. Date of issue: 16 October 1877. Citation. Bravery in action; was wounded in both arms.
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This Day in Aviation History" brought to you by the Daedalians Airpower Blog Update. To subscribe to this weekly email, go to https://daedalians.org/airpower-blog/.
June 16, 1936
Seversky Aircraft Company won a contract to provide the Air Corps with P–35 airplanes—the Army's first single-seat fighters with enclosed cockpits and retractable landing gear.
June 17, 1986
After being returned to flyable condition, B-47E-25-DT Stratojet serial number 52-166, made the last flight of a B-47. It was flown by Maj. Gen. John D. ("J.D.") Moore and Lt. Col. Dale E. Wolfe from the Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in the high desert of Southern California, to Castle AFB in California's San Joaquin Valley, to be placed on static display. Click HERE to learn more about this historic mission.
June 18, 1981
The first Full Scale Development Lockheed YF-117A Nighthawk, 79-10780, made its first flight at Groom Lake, Nevada, with Skunk Works test pilot Harold "Hal" Farley Jr. at the controls. The super-secret airplane was made of materials that absorbed radar waves, and built with the surfaces angled so that radar signals are deflected away from the source. Commonly called the "Stealth Fighter," the Nighthawk is actually a tactical bomber. Five developmental aircraft and 59 operational F-117As were built. They were in service from 1983 until 2008, when the Lockheed F-22 Raptor was planned to assume their mission. They are mothballed and could be returned to service if needed.
June 19, 1968
Lt. j.g. Clyde Everett Lassen was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions as the pilot and aircraft commander of a search and rescue helicopter during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. In part, the citation reads: "Although enemy fire was being directed at the helicopter, he initially landed in a clear area near the base of the hill, but, due to the dense undergrowth, the survivors could not reach the helicopter. With the aid of flare illumination, Lieutenant Lassen successfully accomplished a hover between two trees at the survivor's position. Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended, and the helicopter collided with a tree, commencing a sharp descent. Expertly righting his aircraft and maneuvering clear, Lieutenant Lassen remained in the area, determined to make another rescue attempt, and encouraged the downed aviators while awaiting resumption of flare illumination. After another unsuccessful, illuminated, rescue attempt, and with his fuel dangerously low and his aircraft significantly damaged, he launched again and commenced another approach in the face of the continuing enemy opposition." Click HERE to read the full story of this historic mission.
June 20, 1941
The Department of War established the United States Army Air Forces. The new organization consisted of Headquarters Army Air Forces, the newly formed Air Force Combat Command, and the existing United States Army Air Corps. The U.S.A.A.F. was placed under the command of Maj. Gen. Henry H. "Hap" Arnold, Chief of the Air Forces. At the end of 1941, the U.S. Army Air Forces had a strength of 354,161 (24,521 officers and 329,640 enlisted) and 12,297 aircraft, with 4,477 of these classified as combat aircraft.
June 21, 1993
Lt. Col. Nancy J. Currie-Gregg, the first female Army aviator to become an astronaut, made her first space flight.
June 22, 1962
The last of 744 Boeing B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers, B-52H-175-BW, serial number 61-0040, was rolled out at the Boeing Military Airplane Company plant in Wichita, Kansas. The U.S. Air Force contracted 62 B-52H Stratofortresses, serial numbers 60-0001 through 60-0062, on May 6, 1960. A second group of 40, serials 61-0001 through 61-0040, were ordered later. All were built at the Boeing Wichita plant.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for June 17, 2021 FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
17 June
1909: Orville and Wilbur Wright received special gold medals from Congress. (24)
1917: The Aeronautical Mission (known as the Bolling Mission), under Maj Raynal Cawthorne Bolling, sailed for Europe. It determined the types of aircraft the US should build and surveyed foreign manufacturing techniques. (21)
1922: RAdm William A. Moffett became the first Naval Aviation Observer. (24)
1928: FIRST WOMAN TO CROSS THE ATLANTIC: Amelia Earhart flew her airplane, the Friendship, with Wilmer Stultz and Lou Gordon (navigator) from Newfoundland to Wales in 20 hours 40 minutes. (9) (24)
1942: Army Air Corps tow planes picked up their first gliders.
1943: PROJECT WINDOW. Tinfoil strips (chaff) were used to confuse German radar so American bombers could strike targets. (4)
1952: Goodyear delivered the world's largest nonrigid airship, ZPN-1, 324 feet long and 94 feet 5 inches high, to the Navy at Lakehurst, N. J. (24)
1957: The formation of the International Council of Aeronautical Services officially announced.
1958: The USAF accepted the Martin Company's first Titan I. (6) The Air Force picked the Boeing and Martin companies to be competing prime contractors on the X-20 Dyna-Soar boost-glide space vehicle. (20)
1963: The Polaris A3 made its first successful firing at sea from the USS Observation Island. (5)(16)
1964: The triservice XC-142A, a vertical takeoff and landing VTOL aircraft, made its roll-out in Dallas, Texas.
1968: MAC's first C-9 Nightingale aeromedical evacuation aircraft rolled out at the McDonnell Douglas facility at Long Beach. (16) (21)
1975: Detachment 5, 37 ARRS, saved 131 flood victims from a 13-county flood in Montana. (16) (26)
1983: The USAF launched the first Peacekeeper ICBM from Vandenburg AFB. Its unarmed reentry vehicles landed in the Kwajalein target area. (21)
1985: SAC initiated studies of five alternative basing modes in case Congress approved the second installment of 50 Peacekeeper missiles. The modes included superhardened silos in pattern array, superhard silos in Minuteman spaced basing, rail mobility, multiple protective shelters, and ground mobility. (16)
1986: Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio, retired the last operational UC-123K Provider. (18)
1993: At Minot AFB, Lt Col Patricia Fornes became the 740th Missile Squadron commander. She was the first woman to command a combat missile unit. Her father, Lt Col Glenn L. Fornes, also commanded the 740th from 1969 thru 1971. (16) (26)
1996: The USAF selected Lockheed-Martin Integrated Systems of Orlando, Fla., and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace of St. Louis to compete to build the new JASSM. (AFNEWS)
1997: Operation PROVIDE HOPE. A C-5A Galaxy from the 436 AW at Dover AFB flew from Andrews AFB to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on the 500th humanitarian airlift mission supporting this operation. (22)
2003: DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSSES. The USAF awarded 34 aircrew members from Charleston AFB the DFC for actions in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Eight recipients earned the DFC during the first night of humanitarian relief operations in Afghanistan (7 October 2001), while the others received the DFC for inserting Marine forces at the Rhino Landing Zone near Kandahar on 28-30 November 2001. The crews flying to the landing zone performed the deepest insertion of Marines into hostile territory in Marine Corps history. They also accomplished three C-17 operational milestones: (1) the first C-17 combat landings on an unimproved dirt strip; (2) the first missions by C-17 special operations low-level aircrews in hostile conditions; and (3) the first use of night vision goggles by C-17 aircrews to make blacked-out approaches and landings in hostile territory. (22) An AFFTC B-1B dropped two JSOWs, the first time the new long-range glide weapon had been dropped from a Lancer, as part of a separation test. (3)
2007: The 555th Fighter Squadron deployed 300 airmen and 18 F-16 Fighting Falcons to Kunsan AB, Republic of Korea, making it the first U.S. Air Forces in Europe unit to deploy to a Pacific Air Forces unit for an air expeditionary force rotation. During its deployment to Kunsan, the 555th from Aviano AB, Italy, reunited with the 8th Fighter Wing for the first time since 1966, when the squadron joined the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Ubon AB, Thailand. (AFNEWS, "USAFE Fighter Squadron Deploys to Kunsan," 20 Jun 2007.)
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Thanks to Brett………What is happening in the world
Stratfor snippets - Spain, EU, Japan, Kosovo/Serbia, Zambia,
Spain: Regional Coalition Deal Offers Preview of Madrid's Next Possible Government
What Happened: Spain's conservative People's Party (PP) and the far-right Vox party agreed to govern together in the Valencian Community, Spain's fourth most populous autonomous community, following a strong performance in the country's May 28 regional and municipal elections, El Mundo reported on June 13. According to the agreement, PP politician Carlos Mazon will be appointed regional president, while Vox will receive an undisclosed number of positions in Mazon's government.
Why It Matters: PP and Vox are expected to perform strongly in Spain's July 23 general election, which means they could form a similar coalition government at the federal level if PP does not earn enough votes to govern alone. A PP-Vox government in Spain could result in a reduction of some taxes, but also in higher levels of social unrest, a reignition of secessionism in Catalonia, and tenser relations with the European Union over issues such as migration and the energy transition.
Background: PP and Vox won enough seats in the Valencian Community's regional parliament to oust a center-left government after eight years. Vox entered the regional government of Castile and Leon in 2022, also through a pact with PP.
EU: Regulations Threaten to Slow AI Adoption
What Happened: The European Parliament approved the Artificial Intelligence Act, one of the world's first major laws aimed at regulating artificial intelligence (AI), Euractiv reported on June 14. A day earlier, the Irish Data Protection Commission delayed Google's plans to launch Bard, the company's artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot, the week of June 12 over privacy concerns.
Why It Matters: The European Union is expected to pass a final version of the Artificial Intelligence Act later in 2023, which will help the bloc shape global AI regulations. However, the act's regulations risk stifling AI adoption and innovation in the European Union (and potentially beyond), and the fast pace of AI innovation risks outpacing even European regulations. Additionally, the new roadblock for Google to launch Bard in the European Union demonstrates how high standards for data privacy will further slow down the rollout of AI systems in the bloc. These obstacles to the introduction of AI systems in the European Union mean the bloc may adopt the technology more slowly than the United States, putting it at a competitive disadvantage.
Background: The Artificial Intelligence Act places restrictions on what the European Union views as the riskiest aspects of AI, such as facial recognition software, the use of copyrighted material in training AI models and AI's use in human resource functions. The European Union was forced to quickly re-write its AI act to address AI chatbots after the meteoric rise of ChatGPT since November 2022, as the original act did not include many regulations around generative AI.
Japan: Government Approves First Space Security Policy
What Happened: The Japanese government approved its first space security blueprint, which is aimed at boosting efforts to utilize space for defense purposes over the next decade, The Japan Times reported on June 13. One main pillar of the plan is to use space technology to enhance Japan's counterstrike capabilities.
Why It Matters: The adoption of the new space security policy continues Japan's militarization efforts amid the changing regional strategic landscape. It is also in line with Japan's decade-long efforts to grow its space technology and related capabilities due to growing strategic and commercial needs.
Background: The plan aims to develop missile detection and tracking technology, use artificial intelligence to improve the analysis of satellite imagery, and grow the private sector. Tokyo revamped its national security strategy, national defense strategy and the defense buildup program in December 2022.
Kosovo, Serbia: Pristina Presents Plan to Defuse Tensions in Kosovo's Serb-Majority North
What Happened: Kosovar Prime Minister Albin Kurti presented a five-point plan to de-escalate tensions in the country's Serb-majority north that would include new local elections and a reduction in special police units in the region following pressure from the European Union and the United States, Reuters reported on June 13.
Why It Matters: Kurti's plan may help temporarily defuse tensions in northern Kosovo, but it does not address the Serb minority's primary demand that the government implement a 2013 agreement by creating an association of autonomous Serb municipalities. Kosovo's refusal to follow through on the agreement is among the factors preventing normalization talks between Pristina and Belgrade from moving forward, so Kosovo's key Western allies will exert increasing pressure on Kurti to uphold the agreement. This pressure could take the form of sanctions against the country that could include freezing EU funds, halting the visa liberalization process and stalling Kosovo's membership processes for international institutions.
Background: The security situation in northern Kosovo deteriorated again on June 13 following the arrest of a Serb allegedly responsible for instigating clashes against Kosovo's police and NATO troops on May 29 that led to the injury of more than 30 international peacekeepers and 52 ethnic-Serb demonstrators in the Serb-majority district of Zvecan. Violence had erupted as ethnic Serbs tried to prevent ethnic Albanian mayors — who were elected in an April 2023 vote boycotted by local Serbs — from taking office.
Zambia: IMF Says Creditors Are Close to a Deal
What Happened: Zambia's external creditors are reportedly close to reaching a debt restructuring deal that will enable the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to disperse $188 million to the government, Bloomberg reported on June 13.
Why It Matters: A debt restructuring arrangement among Zambia's external creditors appears unlikely to forgive significant portions of the country's debt, but it will likely include extended time horizons and perhaps reduced interest rates that enable Zambia to resume payments on debt maturities. The arrangement and disbursement of IMF funds will also help restore investor confidence in Zambia.
Background: Zambia's IMF disbursement has been stalled for nearly a year as private, European and Chinese creditors have so far failed to restructure Zambia's $32 billion in external debt. Since Zambia defaulted on $3 billion in eurobonds in November 2020, Zambian President Haikande Hichilema has pursued domestic economic reforms to bolster revenue collection and support growth.
China: Business Consultations Suggest Limited Stimulus on the Horizon
What Happened: In recent weeks, senior Chinese officials have queried business leaders in at least six private meetings for ideas about how to spur economic recovery, with many officials expressing support for more economic stimulus, Bloomberg reported on June 14.
Why It Matters: China may very soon release new stimulus measures, but structural constraints on stimulus remain, as China's economic recovery remains largely dependent on consumer sentiment and fixed asset investment, which depend on more than just stimulus. Specifically, China's local governments, which are the primary financiers of fiscal stimulus, are at high risk of default in 2023, while monetary measures will have diminishing returns after years of eased credit access. If Beijing backtracks on debt austerity measures for local governments and the real estate sector in the name of stimulus, it would be a clear sign that China's economic recovery is in dire straits.
Background: Bloomberg reported on June 13 that the State Council might discuss new stimulus measures as early as June 16. China's producer price index fell by 4.6% year-on-year in May, the largest drop since February 2016, signaling weak industrial activity.
Germany: Berlin Unveils Comprehensive National Security Strategy
What Happened: The German government unveiled the country's first comprehensive national security strategy since World War II at a press conference, Reuters reported on June 14.
Why It Matters: The strategy highlights Berlin's intention to evolve its strategic culture by adopting a holistic and more active security and defense policy while committing to higher military spending (defense spending is set to increase to 2% of gross domestic product from 2024). It also aims to bolster Germany's resilience amid an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape by reducing strategic dependencies on rivals. Additionally, the document confirms deepening EU integration and collaboration with the United States as key strategic goals for Germany, with NATO remaining the cornerstone of its security strategy despite an opening to a more proactive EU military cooperation under Article 44 of the Treaty on European Union. Finally, the strategy labels Russia as the main threat to the European Union and describes relations with China using the "partner, competitor, systemic rival" formula, reiterating that China is becoming more aggressive in its attempt to reshape the international rules-based order. Germany is set to release a new China-specific strategy in July.
Background: Germany intends to overhaul its defense and foreign policy in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and in response to a changing geopolitical landscape. The Russia-Ukraine war exposed some of Germany's many vulnerabilities, including deficiencies in its military, overreliance on Russia for energy, and overreliance on China for trade and critical raw materials. Germany was supposed to unveil the strategy in 2022, but internal disagreement within the ruling coalition delayed its publication.
Malaysia: Authorities Brace for State Election Disruptions, Launch Special Operation
What Happened: Malaysian police classified 190 locations as potential "hotspots" for political violence ahead of six state elections in the coming months, the Malay Mail reported on June 13. Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani said the police have launched a special operation to protect voters, polling stations and vote counting locations involving over 94,000 Royal Malaysia Police and Malaysian Armed Forces personnel.
Why It Matters: Authorities are worried that the religious and ethnic rhetoric of opposition coalition Perikatan Nasional could lead to race riots or other forms of sectarian violence. Such violence and possible mass demonstrations during elections would harm business outlooks in areas containing the most hotspots, such as Selangor state, in which police classified 70 hotspots. Even in the absence of political violence, the high level of security may cause business and supply chain disruptions in Selangor, especially in the capital Kuala Lumpur.
Background: These state elections will serve as a barometer for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's cobbled-together unity government that came out of the hung parliament of November's 2022 parliamentary elections. Religious populism enabled the upstart Perikatan Nasional party to make massive gains in 2022.
Hong Kong: Content Moderation Could Spur Western Retaliation, National Security Law Expansion
What Happened: Swedish music streaming company Spotify said the pro-democracy anthem "Glory to Hong Kong" had been removed from its platform, though the reason was unknown, the Hong Kong Free Press reported on June 15. The week prior, Hong Kong's Department of Justice sought a court order to require Google to remove 32 videos of the anthem from its YouTube platform.
Why It Matters: Technology firms' actions regarding content moderation in Hong Kong could spur Western legislative scrutiny and possible sanctions on Hong Kong officials. Such foreign retaliation could push Hong Kong authorities to accelerate their expansion of the National Security Law to stop "foreign political influence." This would worsen Hong Kong's operating environment, further eroding the territory's status as a global business hub.
Background: The Wall Street Journal on June 12 reported that Google and Microsoft had restricted access to generative artificial intelligence tools in Hong Kong, with observers highlighting the risk that generative content could violate Hong Kong's National Security Law
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Turkey, Sweden: Erdogan Throws Cold Water on Sweden's NATO Hopes
What Happened: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said during negotiations between Turkish, Finnish and Swedish officials that Sweden "has expectations [about its NATO accession bid]. It doesn't mean we will comply with them," Al Jazeera reported on June 14. Even so, the director of NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's office said the talks were "good and constructive."
Why It Matters: Turkey is continuing to push Sweden to withdraw perceived support from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which Turkey considers a terrorist organization, before Ankara approves Sweden's NATO bid. However, Sweden's domestic policies regarding the PKK are unlikely ever fully to align with Turkey's demands, so Erdogan will eventually have to compromise or deny Sweden's bid altogether. Sweden and many NATO members hope Turkey will approve Sweden's accession at the upcoming NATO summit in Lithuania on July 11-12.
Background: Sweden's free media policies allow individuals associated with or sympathetic to the PKK to demonstrate and publish media. However, Sweden's Supreme Court earlier the week of June 12 said there were "no obstacles" to the extradition of a man that the Turkish government says is a PKK member.
U.S.: Negotiators Reach Tentative Agreement to Ease West Coast Port Disruption
What Happened: The U.S. Pacific Maritime Association, which represents employers of the Pacific coast shipping industry, and the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) reached a tentative deal on June 14 on a new labor contract, Reuters reported the next day.
Why It Matters: The tentative agreement ends two weeks of slowdowns of port operations along the U.S. West Coast that risked becoming more disruptive the longer the labor dispute went on. While the agreement ends the dispute, it will take days to clear the congestion at ports, which are operating at about 70% capacity. Both parties still need to approve the tentative deal.
Background: While the agreement eases pressure in the United States, on June 9-10, ILWU Canada's workers backed strike action at Canada's western ports, and a 72-hour strike could occur as early as June 24. The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest port.
Russia: Kremlin Considering New Measures to Threaten Western Business With Nationalization
What Happened: The Kremlin secretly ordered work to begin on a decree that would enable Moscow to appropriate Western assets at a low cost, and the government is discussing even more draconian measures to fully nationalize Western businesses that do not align their operations with Russian goals, the Financial Times reported on June 14. The Kremlin's threat of nationalization is reportedly part of a carrot-and-stick approach aimed at punishing Western countries that seize Russian assets while rewarding those that follow the Kremlin's rules and maintain operations in Russia.
Why It Matters: Expropriations may offer Moscow additional short-term budget revenue to finance the Russia-Ukraine war and could serve as a form of retaliation against U.S. and EU efforts to expropriate Russian government assets to finance Ukraine's reconstruction. However, increased expropriations and nationalizations would inevitably increase state control over the economy, which could prompt Western companies still operating in Russia to leave. Additionally, these actions could dissuade new foreign investments, even from parties outside the West.
Background: On June 15, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said, "if a company doesn't fulfill its obligations, then, of course, it goes in the category of naughty companies," noting that some Western firms have stopped paying salaries or left Russia at a significant loss. "We say goodbye to those companies. And what we do with their assets after that is our business," he added. The Kremlin has debated nationalizing Western companies since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but it has rarely done so.
China, U.S.: U.S. Chipmaker Accused Chinese Company of Corporate Espionage
What Happened: U.S.-based semiconductor firm Applied Materials Inc. is reportedly suing a Chinese-owned rival chipmaking firm, Mattson, over alleged corporate espionage, Bloomberg reported on June 15. The lawsuit, which was filed in March 2022, details evidence of a 14-month-long espionage campaign involving employee-poaching activities and the transfer of sensitive information pertaining to semiconductor equipment designs.
Why It Matters: Although this case details incidents from over a year ago, the lawsuit points to China's corporate espionage activities, which will likely continue to be highly active and even increase amid high geopolitical and economic tensions between China and the United States. In addition to employee poaching, Chinese threat actors are also likely to leverage cyber tools and insider threats to conduct these campaigns. All of these tactics pose heightened reputational and financial risks to targeted organizations.
Background: On June 12, South Korean prosecutors accused a former Samsung Electronics Co. executive of trying to set up a semiconductor plant in China based on stolen blueprints and designs. In February, Dutch multinational chipmaker ASML Holding accused a former China-based employee of helping to steal confidential technological information.
China, Palestinian Territories: Beijing Flexes 'Strategic Partnership' and Peace Plan
What Happened: China announced that it and the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the West Bank, signed a "strategic partnership," The Guardian reported on June 14. China also unveiled its latest peace proposal to resolve the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Territories.
Why It Matters: Though actual peace prospects are slim, this diplomatic play is intended to demonstrate China's enhanced status as a global power and peacemaker following the Chinese-brokered renormalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as Xi's prowess as a statesman. The announcements also show China's interest in a stable Middle East from which it can trade and extract needed civilian and military exports, such as energy products. The bilateral upgrade will pave the way for enhanced economic cooperation between China and Palestine, including providing the latter with financial aid and further integrating it into China's Belt and Road Initiative, through which Beijing invests in regional infrastructure.
Background: Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is in Beijing for a state visit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping until June 16. Notably, Abbas affirmed his opposition to interfering in China's internal affairs, including the mistreatment of China's Muslim Uyghur minority in Xinxiang province.
EU, China: Brussels Excludes Huawei, ZTE From Corporate Networks, Research Funding
What Happened: The European Commission announced measures to block Chinese telecom firms Huawei and ZTE from accessing EU research funding and to stop contracting operators from using Chinese equipment, Politico reported on June 15.
Why It Matters: These measures will increase pressure on EU member states to phase out Chinese equipment from their telecom networks, but they do little to force member states in line with compliance. This may change if the commission presents a rumored proposal for an EU-wide mandatory ban on 5G telecommunications gear from companies deemed to present a security risk to the bloc, which would de facto target Chinese companies. But it remains unclear what level of support such a measure would enjoy across the bloc, as countries would be concerned about economic retaliation from China.
Background: The announcement came alongside a report reviewing the European Union's 5G security "toolbox" that the bloc adopted in 2020 under unanimous approval by member states. The report highlights how only 10 out of 27 member states have so far used the prerogatives of the toolbox to implement restrictions on high-risk vendors. For this reason, on June 15, EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton urged member states to adopt measures to restrict or exclude high-risk vendors.
China: Premier Li Confirms Impending Stimulus, May Have Limited Impact
What Happened: Chinese Premier Li Qiang noted that "more forceful measures" were needed to promote economic recovery and that they should be "implemented as soon as possible," state-run Xinhua News reported on June 16. Li and the broader State Council proposed "Increasing the intensity of macro-policy regulation," "expanding effective demand," "strengthening and optimizing the real economy," and "defusing risks in key areas."
Why It Matters: Li's words suggest stimulus may come sooner than the July Politburo meeting, when economic policies are usually revealed, revealing the depth of Beijing's concern for China's slow post-COVID-19 economy. But the premier's comments also suggest that Beijing's financial prudence may limit this stimulus, leaving China's domestic consumption-driven economic recovery to progress naturally, which is to say, slowly. Any stimulus measures aimed at boosting consumer demand, and to a lesser extent the real estate sector recovery, will be crucial to watch for gauging the efficacy of stimulus.
Background: The Wall Street Journal claimed on June 15 that China's new stimulus may involve $140 billion in special treasury bonds for infrastructure.
Bahrain: Bahrain Grants Inaugural Golden Licenses
What Happened: Bahrain granted "golden licenses" to five companies who made large-scale investment promises totaling $1.4 billion, Al Arabiya reported June 15. Citi, Eagle Hills Diyar W.L.L., Infracorp, Saudi Telecommunications Company and Whampoa Group received the licenses, which will fast-track them through the bureaucracy in a handful of ministries and agencies.
Why It Matters: The 'golden licenses' program is part of Bahrain's attempt to compete with its wealthier, larger Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) counterparts, which are all vying for foreign multinationals to establish a presence and invest in their countries. As Bahrain is known as one of the GCC states with a rather opaque regulatory environment, the existence of procedures that help cut through red tape will appeal to businesses already considering entering into or expanding within the Bahraini market.
Background: Bahrain announced earlier in 2023 that it would roll out the "golden licenses" program, which can be granted to companies proposing projects that will create more than 500 local jobs or that will see more than $50 million in investment in the first year. Similar to the other GCC states, Bahrain has a diversification strategy that relies on boosting non-oil sectors of the economy, which will require a lot of foreign investment to get off the ground.
EU: Member States Divided Over Bloc's Fiscal and Debt Rules Reform
What Happened: European Union (EU) member states clashed over how to reform the bloc's fiscal framework, known as the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP), during a meeting of EU finance ministers in Luxembourg, Reuters reported on June 16.
Why It Matters: The dispute, which comes at the first political discussion among EU member states of the reform proposal, highlights deep divisions within the bloc over an issue unlikely to be solved by the end of this year. This increases the likelihood of a return to the old fiscal rules in 2024 that would reduce some EU governments' capacity to provide fiscal stimulus to their economies amid slowing growth, tightening financial conditions and sluggish economic recovery expected in Europe next year. Moreover, should Brussels give in to the requests of more fiscally conservative member states and introduce the 1% annual debt reduction target that Germany is demanding, the resulting fiscal adjustment requirements could lead to intra-EU tensions and reduce fiscal space for public investment in key policy areas such as the green and digital transition as well as defense over the longer term.
Background: The European Commission proposed a reform to the SGP, establishing sovereign debt and fiscal deficit limits for member states that would introduce national bespoke debt reduction paths for each member state to negotiate bilaterally with Brussels. The new rules would allow EU countries to set their own fiscal targets as long as they ensure their public debt falls over four years and remains on a downward path for the following decade. However, Germany (at the helm of 10 other member states) is demanding numerical benchmarks and automatic rules for annual debt reduction, which the European Commission and most member states (including France, Italy, and Spain) oppose.
Kenya: Parliament Passes Biggest Budget in History
What Happened: Kenya's National Assembly passed the 2023-4 budget — the country's largest in history — amid walkouts by opposition lawmakers, Bloomberg reported on June 16. The budget totals 3.697 trillion Kenyan shillings ($26.3 billion) and will be financed in part by a slew of new and highly unpopular taxes that are expected to bring in about $2.2 billion.
Why It Matters: While the ruling party has the political support to implement its proposed budget, popular resistance to tax increases could prompt destabilizing unrest. President William Ruto is attempting to spur economic growth in the face of numerous economic headwinds, including mounting public debt ($65 billion, about 67% of gross domestic product), the worst drought in four decades, spillover effects of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a cost-of-living crisis and monetary tightening in Western economies. Higher taxes, however, are likely to trigger unrest in Nairobi and other parts of the country like Kisumu, as many Kenyans view the tax increases as Ruto abandoning campaign promises to lift up low- and middle-class Kenyans.
Background: The budget proposes increasing the value-added tax rate on fuel from 8% to 16%, imposing new taxes on digital media content and the transfer of virtual assets, and implementing a new mandatory 1.5% contribution to the national housing fund for all employees.
Tanzania: Government Plans 7% Spending Increase in 2023-4 Fiscal Year
What Happened: Tanzanian Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba said Tanzania plans a 7% increase in overall government spending in the 2023-4 fiscal year, Reuters reported on June 15.
Why It Matters: The budget prioritizes spending on railways, the national airline, electricity production and natural gas, which is in line with President Samia Suluhu Hassan's economic reopening. As a result, the budget will likely support the business environment, transportation infrastructure development, and progress on oil and gas projects, further advancing Tanzania's status as a desirable investment destination in East Africa.
Background: Despite the increase in spending, Tanzania's public debt to gross domestic product ratio is expected to remain around 30%, well below the International Monetary Fund's 55% threshold. Following decades of stalled investment and stagnant growth under former President John Magufuli, the economy is predicted to grow 5.2% in 2023, up from 4.7% in 2022.
South Africa: Eskom Agrees to 7% Wage Hike
What Happened: South Africa's state-owned electricity utility Eskom agreed to a 7% wage hike with the National Union of Mineworkers, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa and Solidarity for all non-managerial employees over the next three years, EyeWitness News reported on June 16.
Why It Matters: While wage disputes can quickly bring operations at Eskom's electricity plants to a standstill, the utility's willingness to grant 7% wage increases came as a surprise, given that Eskom leadership had previously refused to grant increases above 3.5%. Eskom is currently struggling with about $23 billion in debt, as well as poor investment and failing infrastructure, meaning the cost of wage increases will likely fall upon taxpayers' shoulders. This could trigger protests in the coming weeks against the backdrop of sustained blackouts due to increased demand during winter months.
Background: The wage agreement will go into effect in July and last until 2026. Eskom's acting CEO said on May 18 that South Africa could face record-high load shedding during the 2023-4 winter.
U.S., Papua New Guinea: Full Text of Defense Pact Reveals Significant U.S. Presence Incoming
What Happened: The Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) signed between the United States and Papua New Guinea affords the U.S. military "unimpeded access" to six strategically located Papua New Guinea air and seaports, among several other key provisions, The Jakarta Post reported on June 16. The United States can also station troops and assets at these locations, which will be used for training, transit, maintenance, refueling, intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance.
Why It Matters: The DCA renders Papua New Guinea the United States' deepest defense partner among Pacific Island countries, including the three with which it has Compacts of Free Association, and significantly boosts the United States' regional strategic capacity. For Papua New Guinea, the agreement will bring climate change and disaster relief assistance, as well as economic aid and its own national security contingency. However, in the event of a U.S.-China armed conflict in the Indo-Pacific region, Beijing could target areas in Papua New Guinea because of the DCA. As the largest Pacific Island country, Papua New Guinea's decision signals a preference for the West over China that may influence others in the region.
Background: The United States and Papua New Guinea signed the DCA on May 22 but did not immediately release the full text of the agreement. The deal is similar to the 2014 U.S.-Philippines Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, which the countries revived in 2022. Australia is also preparing to sign a security pact with Papua New Guinea.
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