To All,
Good Wednesday Morning April 3, 2025. The day has dawned cloudy as advertised this morning. The rain is coming tomorrow. Bubba Breakfast is tomorrow.
Regards,
Skip
HAGD
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This day in Naval and Marine Corps History (thanks to NHHC)
Here is a link to the NHHC website: https://www.history.navy.mil/
This day in Naval and Marine Corps History April 4
1776 Continental Navy Frigate Columbus captures the British schooner HMS Hawk, making the first American capture of a British armed vessel. Columbus later captures the British brig Bolton.
1854 - American and British naval brigades of 90 and 150 men engage Chinese Imperial troops at Shanghai after acts of aggression against American and British citizens. The American party fell under the command of Cmdr. J. Kelly, the commanding officer of USS Plymouth.
1933 USS Akron (ZRS-4)crashes tail-first into the sea due to a violent storm coming off the New Jersey coast, killing Rear Adm. William A. Moffett, Medal of Honor recipient and the first Chief of the Bureau of Aeronautics, along with 75 others. Only three survive.
1943 USS Porpoise (SS 172) sinks the Japanese whaling ship Koa Maru near Eniwetok.
1949 The North Atlantic Treaty is signed in Washington, D.C., establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The treaty promotes peace, stability, and well-being in the North Atlantic area with a collective defense effort.
1981 USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29) is launched and commissioned the following year. She is named in honor of Ensign Groves for "fearlessly plunging into aerial combat against large formations of enemy aircraft threatening the American carriers in the Battle of Midway."
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This Day in World History
April 4
527 In Constantinople, Justin, seriously ill, crowns his nephew Justinian as his co-emperor.
1581 Francis Drake completes circumnavigation of the world.
1812 The territory of Orleans becomes the 18th state and will become known as Louisiana.
1818 The United States flag is declared to have 13 red and white stripes and 20 stars.
1841 President William Henry Harrison, aged 68, becomes the first president to die in office, just a month after being sworn in.
1862 The Battle of Yorktown begins as Union gen. George B. McClellan closes in on Richmond, Va.
1917 The U.S. Senate votes 90-6 to enter World War I on Allied side.
1918 The Battle of the Somme ends.
1941 Field Marshal Erwin Rommel captures the British held town of Benghazi in North Africa.
1949 The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) treaty is signed.
1968 Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.
1974 Hank Aaron ties Babe Ruth's home-run record.
1979 Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the president of Pakistan is executed.
1985 A coup in Sudan ousts President Nimeiry and replaces him with General Dahab.
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OPERATION COMMANDO HUNT Thanks to the Bear
Skip… For The List for the week beginning Monday, 1 April 2024 and ending Sunday, 7 April 2024… Bear🇺🇸⚓️🐻
OPERATION COMMANDO HUNT (1968-1972)…
From the archives of rollingthunderremembered.com post of 23 June 2019… Two great Song Books of the Vietnam War: Lydia Fish and Joseph Tuso…
Thanks to Micro
To remind folks that these are from the Vietnam Air Losses site that Micro put together. You click on the url below and can read what happened each day to the aircraft and its crew. ……Skip
From Vietnam Air Losses site for "Thursday 4 April
4 https://www.vietnamairlosses.com/loss.php?id=1073
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.
This is a list of all Helicopter Pilots Who Died in the Vietnam War . Listed by last name and has other info https://www.vhpa.org/KIA/KIAINDEX.HTM
MOAA - Wall of Faces Now Includes Photos of All Service members Killed in the Vietnam War
(This site was sent by a friend . The site works, find anyone you knew in "search" feature. https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces/ )
Wall of Faces Now Includes Photos of All Service members Killed in the Vietnam War
By: Kipp Hanley
AUGUST 15, 2022
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Thanks to Interesting Facts
7 Contributions From Indigenous Nations That Changed America
The human history of the United States begins with Native Americans. After stewarding the land for generations, Indigenous peoples introduced Europeans to "new food plants, new drugs, new dyes, tobacco, unheard-of languages, novel modes of life," and much more, as the historian A. Irving Hallowell wrote back in 1957. Here's a look at just a few of the ways Indigenous peoples impacted American culture.
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Powhatan and Patuxet: Aided in the Survival of Early Settlers
The survival of America's first white settlements hinged on the knowledge of the native population. The settlers at Jamestown would have likely perished during the brutal winter of 1609-1610 were it not for the help of Powhatan captives, who managed 40 acres of maize. The same was true of the Mayflower pilgrims in Massachusetts, who learned how to plant corn thanks to the teachings of the famed Patuxent interpreter, Squanto. The settlers, however, did not return the favor, and continued to take more and more of the natives' land.
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Iroquois: Influenced Federal Power
Today, students are often taught that American democracy has its roots in ancient Rome or Greece. But the American republic also took cues from the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. Philosophers like John Locke, whose writings influenced the creation of the United States, wrote with amazement about how the Iroquois Confederacy vested power in people, not a monarch. Meanwhile, Benjamin Franklin wrote letters to the Iroqouis, seemingly calling out how people incorrectly viewed them as "ignorant savages," and spent significant time learning about their federal-style government. In 1751, Franklin wrote, "It would be a strange thing if Six Nations of ignorant savages should be capable of forming a scheme for such an union, and be able to execute it in such a manner as that it has subsisted ages and appears indissoluble; and yet that a like union should be impracticable for ten or a dozen English colonies."
The idea that the American republic was influenced by the Iroquois can be polarizing, and is often over- or understated. Some argue that American democracy was copy-and-pasted from the Six Nations. Others argue that the Iroqouis had no influence at all. Most historians, however, occupy a middle ground. "It is a fairly important idea that a great many societies and networks influenced American constitutional thought, the Iroquois among them," historian Gautham Rao tells Politifact.
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Pima: Developed Farm Irrigation
Without water, there can be no agriculture — and no civilization, for that matter. The Pima understood this challenge intimately. Around 1,500 to 2,000 years ago, the nation developed sophisticated irrigation systems across the arid deserts of Arizona, making the region habitable. (And establishing life in what is now Phoenix.) Those technologies paid off. Today, agriculture first cultivated by Native Americans makes up 60% of the world's food supply, including pumpkins, cranberries, squash, pineapple, avocados, peanuts, and, of course, corn.
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Plains Indians: Initiated Early Sign Language
Native Americans communicated through sign language centuries before the development of ASL. First recorded in the 1520s, the system — now called Plains Indian Sign Language — was used as a lingua franca by dozens of native nations across the American continent, including the Navajo, Cree, and Crow. The system allowed disparate tribes — many of which spoke completely foreign languages — to communicate and trade. While American Sign Language would later take inspiration from multiple language systems, the sign language developed by Native Americans remains one the world's oldest and most widespread.
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Algonquin: Created Lacrosse
First played in southern Canada more than 200 years ago, early lacrosse games were a chaotic ballsport consisting of hundreds — and sometimes thousands — of participants at one time. When Europeans began settling on North America, some tribes used the game to win the newcomers' trust. In 1763, the Ojibwa people of Michigan used lacrosse as a Trojan Horse. With the British troops watching in the audience, the native athletes slowly worked their way to Fort Michilimackinac, and once they got close enough, they took the fort.
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Native Nations: Promoting Conservation
Writers often attribute the rise of the American conservation and environmental movement to Rachel Carson's 1962 book, Silent Spring. However, Native Americans have been promoting conservation since the beginning of time. In fact, some tribes, like the Anishinaabe, don't have a word for "conservation" because, to them, it's much more than a political philosophy — it's simply a fact of life. A 2019 U.N. report found that land managed by Indigenous populations had stronger biodiversity than land managed through modern agricultural methods.
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Native Nations: Shaped Modern-Day Words
You cannot drive around the United States or speak English without bumping into a Native American contribution. At least 26 state names have native origins, including Arkansas ("downstream people"), Mississippi ("great water"), and Ohio ("beautiful river"). English words that have native origins include "chipmunk," "hammock," "chocolate," "tequila," "canoe," and "opossum."
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Thanks to Brett
Geopolitics and the Moon
By George Friedman
April 2, 2024
The moon will soon totally eclipse the sun – an event rare enough to be measured in centuries. This is a suitable occasion, then, to think about the moon, Earth and humanity. But I also have a more prosaic reason to do so: I am in the process of writing a book on the geopolitics of the moon, so the eclipse has given me an excuse to flesh out some early thoughts. (I assure you that, psychologically, writing for immediate public consumption is dramatically different from endlessly sawing away for the future.)
The primary issue at stake is the relationship of the moon to Earth. Indeed, the moon is intimately connected to Earth. Long ago, a planet roughly the size of Mars brushed by Earth, tore a large chunk of our planet away and placed it in orbit around Earth – or so the dominant theory goes. Though this seems cosmically unlikely, people who know about such things insist that it is true and that it undoubtedly affected the shape of Earth, its climate and perhaps even global agriculture.
The most striking theory is that the moon is filled with valuable minerals on which much of Earth's economy is built. If it indeed struck Earth many years ago, it must be assumed that a substantial amount of Earth's mineral structure was torn away with it. If this is true, the moon must be a mineral-rich planet and thus a foundation of wealth. It is known that the moon has substantial amounts of water, for the most part frozen, as well as the ability to capture enormous amounts of energy, radiated by the sun, that could drive industry on the moon and a great deal of Earth's energy, assuming it is retransmitted to Earth.
The moon is also an excellent place from which to influence or even dominate Earth. It could become a military base from which a hostile enemy could bombard Earth with solar power or boulders procured from the surface of the moon. Equally important, it is an excellent defensive point with offensive weapons hidden beneath its crust, able to withstand attacks – even nuclear attacks – by digging into its surface. Rather than a vast wasteland, a well-defended lunar base would be able to intersect attacks in the Earth-moon area of space and protect mining and industrial installations.
This is a primitive sketch of the significance of the moon. Much must still be learned. But the interest, especially the interest of the United States, is there. In fact, Washington will launch a series of manned missions ultimately designed to establish a base that might stand for a substantial amount of time.
"He who controls Eastern Europe controls the world" has long been a common refrain in the history of geopolitics. I am not sure how true this is, but it sounds definitive. I take much more seriously the principle that, "He who controls the moon controls Earth." If, as it is assumed, the moon has the resources needed to sustain a long-term presence, energy to control near space and weapons with which to defend it, the proposition makes some sense. After all, the moon is the ultimate high ground, providing clear vision to detect attacks and material that might attract Earth-based powers to seek an alliance with the moon – assuming the proposition that humans might live on the moon merely to become wealthy. There are obvious and not-so-obvious reasons why this might not work, but it should be remembered that Europeans went to South America seeking gold, silver and all the rest. Given current technologies, the relative distance between Portugal and Brazil and between the moon and Portugal is not wildly different. The voyage to the moon may even seem less daunting.
Humans pursue wealth and will use military power to attain it. The history of the world is the history of movement and the struggle for wealth. It seems to me that, if the value many assume the moon possesses comes to fruition, geopolitics might continue to govern in a new game.
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Thanks to Kit,
This is a real treat for you all. Kit wrote "Flying Black Ponies" and I have mentioned it before in The List.
He has provided some links to a few chapters in the book. There is a good chance that he will be at the Bubba Breakfast tomorrow as I am going to pick him up…Skip
Skip Let me know if these links work for you. The first is a link to the two Prefaces to "Flying Black Ponies "book, and the first chapter about Bubba Segars' shoot down. and a couple more chapters:
The second link is to Smithsonian Channel "Air Warriors" Season 6, Episode 5 about the OV-10. It includes the OV-10 that was taken by DEVGRU to Iraq. It also includes an interview with me about a night mission that Bubba and I flew in 1971 where we expended all of our ordnance and we were called half way home to return and save the the outpost from being overrun, with NO ordnance:
https://www.yidio.com/show/air-warriors/season-6/episode-5/links.html
https://www.smithsonianchannel.com/episodes/99it4a/air-warriors-ov-10-bronco-season-6-ep-5
I think one can get a free pass to view the episode.
Kit
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"From the archives
Thanks to Ralph, Glen and Mark
This is another great UTube from Ward Carrol
Essentially this was a "small guy" conflict that I'm sure elevated everyones' blood pressure. Amp that up to a major-power conflict and everything gets ramped up to an extreme level.
I'm glad it was planned and executed as a "small guy" conflict.
Thanks. Ralph
On Monday, April 3, 2023 at 10:23:51 AM PDT, Mark A. Russell <mark85749@gmail.com> wrote:
Some crazy times in that small stretch of the Strait. I cannot believe Iran didn't launch at least some of the hundreds of Silkworm missiles along their coastline. Maybe they don't have confidence for the targeting? In other words launching into crowded shipping lanes, civilian ships mixed with military, who's who?
There are a few pieces missing in this rendition, but none that were huge. Ex. US Specs Ops (other than assigned SEALS) from the US and a couple allied nations played a part. A friend of mine shimmied up one of the anchoring lines to one of the platforms. He's Army SOF. They did so at night to plant charges. US Army 160th spec ops Little Birds did a wee bit of chasing and shooting at the Iranian boghammar boats. Another friend "Big Neil" (ex. Delta Force pilot) gleefully spoke about "sawing those dang boats in half with the minigun". He was operating with and out of the UAE.
Anyway, crazy incidents and something tells me there will be more. Mark
On Sun, Apr 2, 2023 at 9:31 PM Glenn Russell
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Thanks to Mike
Interesting commentary.
by William Hamilton, Ph.D.
Vietnam remembered: 50 years later
When the order came to withdraw from Cambodia, we were in our 57th day of literally decimating the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) under Rules of Engagement (ROE) denied to us in South Vietnam. And, oddly enough, we Grunts had always been forbidden to attack the North Vietnamese Army in its homeland. How strange that President Johnson (LBJ) ordered Navy and USAF pilots to drop more bombs in the homeland of our ally than in the homeland of our enemy.
But then, LBJ and Secretary of State Dean Rusk were repeatedly telling President Ho Chi Minh that his job was safe j, unlike the victors of previous wars, we had no plans to invade North Vietnam. Our allies, the South Vietnamese, would have to suffer the inevitable collateral damage that attends bombing and strafing of the enemy.
We GIs, during my two years with the 1st Air Cavalry Division, went far out of our way to protect "our little allied brothers," for whom we held a wary affection. Wary because the NVA sometimes had its spys hidden in their ranks.
Most South Vietnamese just wanted to be left alone. But the over two million North Vietnamese Roman Catholics who fled south rather than be killed by the atheist Ho Chi Minh and his fellow communists wanted us to "win" and, thereby, allow them to go back home.
Such a convoluted geopolitical mess was the work of Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, of his "whiz kids," and the work of a corrupt politician who, by the blast of an assassin's bullet, was thrust into a Commander-in-Chief's role for which he was totally unsuited. On March 31,1968, LBJ admitted as much, throwing in his presidential towel.
While the passage of 50 years makes these realities abundantly clear today, the statesmen who stumbled our Armed Forces into the Vietnam War did not possess the wisdom of General von Clausewitz, or Sun Tsu or that of Sir Halford John MacKinder, the founder of geopolitics. We GIs and the South Vietnamese were to suffer for that.
Nevertheless, we who had sworn an oath to protect and defend the United States and to obey the orders of those appointed over us, went off to do our duty in a war that lasted for ten years. History records we did our duty exceedingly well.
In 1975, when the Democrat-controlled Congress pulled the rug out from under the South Vietnamese, the "boat people" fled toward those who had fought beside them. That's us. Ironically, we GIs ended up generally beloved by our former allies and hated by the mostly upper-class elites and a few Bubbas like Bill Clinton who dodged military service.
It took this veteran 50 years to mull over the Vietnam/Cambodia experience and put it down on paper. Because the proceeds from this book go to disabled veterans, I do not shy away from citing it here: War During Peace: A Strategy for Defeat. The title says it all: Trying to be at war and at peace at the same time is a strategy for defeat. Either win or stay home because the consequences of an unwinnable strategy are the internal strife and discord from which our nation has yet to recover.
Suggested reading: War During Peace: A Strategy for Defeat, by William Hamilton, Ph.D., 2021. https://www.amazon.com/WAR-DURING-PEACE-Strategy-Defeat-ebook/dp/B09C1LRPGY/ref=sr_
©2023. William Hamilton.
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This Day in U S Military History April 4
1776 – The first Columbus, a 24-gun armed ship, was built at Philadelphia in
1774 as Sally; purchased for the Continental Navy in November 1775, Captain Abraham Whipple in command. Between 17 February and 8 April 1776, in company with the other ships of Commodore Esek Hopkins' squadron, Columbus took part in the expedition to New Providence, Bahamas, where the first Navy-Marine amphibious operation seized essential military supplies. On the return passage, the squadron captured the British schooner, Hawk.
1918 – During World War I, the Second Battle of the Somme, the first major German offensive in more than a year, ends on the western front. On March 21, 1918, a major offensive against Allied positions in the Somme River region of France began with five hours of bombardment from more than 9,000 pieces of German artillery. The poorly prepared British Fifth Army was rapidly overwhelmed and forced into retreat. For a week, the Germans pushed toward Paris, shelling the city from a distance of 80 miles with their "Big Bertha" cannons. However, the poorly supplied German troops soon became exhausted, and the Allies halted the German advance as French artillery knocked out the German guns besieging Paris. On April 2, U.S. General John J. Pershing sent American troops down into the trenches to help defend Paris and repulse the German offensive. It was the first major deployment of U.S. troops in World War I. Several thousand American troops fought alongside the British and French in the Second Battle of Somme. By the time the Somme offensive ended on April 4, the Germans had advanced almost 40 miles, inflicted some 200,000 casualties, and captured 70,000 prisoners and more than 1,000 Allied guns. However, the Germans suffered nearly as many casualties as their enemies and lacked the fresh reserves and supply boost the Allies enjoyed following the American entrance into the fighting.
1945 – On Okinawa, the forces of US 10th Army begin to meet the first real Japanese resistance on the ground. Troops of US 24th Corps are brought to a halt on a line just south of Kuba while the forces of 3rd Amphibious Corps have reached the Ishikawa Isthmus. A storm damages many landing craft and hampers further reinforcement.
1973 – A Lockheed C-141 Starlifter, dubbed the Hanoi Taxi, makes the last flight of Operation Homecoming. Operation Homecoming was a series of diplomatic negotiations that in January 1973 made possible the return of 591 American prisoners of war held by North Vietnam. On Feb. 12, 1973, three C-141 transports flew to Hanoi, North Vietnam, and one C-9A aircraft was sent to Saigon, South Vietnam to pick up released prisoners of war. The first flight of 40 U.S. prisoners of war left Hanoi in a C-141A, later known as the "Hanoi Taxi" and now in a museum. From February 12 to April 4, there were 54 C-141 missions flying out of Hanoi, bringing the former POWs home. Each plane brought back 40 POWs. During the early part of Operation Homecoming, groups of POWs released were selected on the basis of longest length of time in prison. The first group had spent 6-8 years as prisoners of war. After Operation Homecoming, the U.S. still listed about 1,350 Americans as prisoners of war or missing in action and sought the return of roughly 1,200 Americans reported killed in action and body not recovered. These missing personnel would become the subject of the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue. The Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines each had liaison officers dedicated to prepare for the return of American POWs well in advance of their actual return. These liaison officers worked behind the scenes traveling around the United States assuring the returnees well being. They also were responsible for debriefing POWs to discern relevant intelligence about MIAs and to discern the existence of war crimes committed against them.
1975 – The first group of boat people from Vietnam began arriving in Malaysia. More than 1 million people fled from the close of the war to the early 1980s.
1975 – A major U.S. airlift of South Vietnamese orphans begins with disaster when an Air Force cargo jet crashes shortly after departing from Tan Son Nhut airbase in Saigon. More than 138 passengers, mostly children, were killed. Operation Baby Lift was designed to bring 2,000 South Vietnamese orphans to the United States for adoption by American parents. Baby Lift lasted for 10 days and was carried out during the final, desperate phase of the war, as North Vietnamese forces closed in on Saigon. Although this first flight ended in tragedy, all subsequent flights were completed safely, and Baby Lift aircraft brought orphans across the Pacific until the mission's conclusion on April 14, only 16 days before the fall of Saigon and the end of the war.
1983 – The space shuttle Challenger roared into orbit on its maiden voyage and the first US female into space was Sally Ride. Space Shuttle Challenger (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-099) was the second orbiter of NASA's space shuttle program to be put into service following Columbia. The shuttle was built by Rockwell International's Space Transportation Systems Division in Downey, California. It launched and landed nine times before breaking apart 73 seconds into its tenth mission, STS-51-L, on January 28, 1986, resulting in the death of all seven crew members. It was the first of two shuttles to be destroyed. The accident led to a two-and-a-half year grounding of the shuttle fleet; flights resumed in 1988 with STS-26 flown by Discovery. Challenger itself was replaced by Endeavour which was built using structural spares ordered by NASA as part of the construction contracts for Discovery and Atlantis. Endeavour launched for the first time in May 1992.
2001 – Chinese President Jiang Zemin demanded the United States apologize for the collision between a U.S. Navy spy plane and a Chinese fighter jet; the Bush administration offered a chorus of regrets, but no apology.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
BREWER, WILLIAM J.
Rank and organization: Private, Company C, 2d New York Cavalry. Place and date: At Appomattox campaign, Va., 4 April 1865. Entered service at: ——. Birth: Putnam County, N.Y. Date of issue: 3 May 1865. Citation: Capture of engineer flag, Army of Northern Virginia.
RILEY, THOMAS
Rank and organization: Private, Company D, 1st Louisiana Cavalry. Place and date: At Fort Blakely, Ala., 4 April 1865. Entered service at: ——. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 8 June 1865. Citation: Captured the flag of the 6th Alabama Cavalry.
BUCKLEY, HOWARD MAJOR
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. Born: 23 January 1868, Croton Falls, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 55, 19 July 1901. Citation: For distinguished conduct in the presence of the Enemy in battle while with the Eighth Army Corps on 25, 27, 29 March, and 4 April 1899.
LEONARD, JOSEPH
Rank and organization: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. (Enlisted as Joseph Melvin). Born: 28 August 1876, Cohoes, N.Y. Accredited to: New York. G.O. No.: 55, 19 July 1901. Citation: For distinguished conduct in the presence of the enemy in battles, while with the Eighth Army Corps on 25, 27, and 29 March, and on 4 April 1899.
CONDE-FALCON, FELIX M.
Rank and Organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company D, 1st Battalion, 82d Division. Place and Date: April 4, 1969, Ap Tan Hoa, Vietnam. Born: February 24, 1938, Juncos, Puerto Rico. Departed: Yes (04/04/1969). Entered Service At: Chicago, IL. G.O. Number: . Date of Issue: 03/18/2014. Accredited To: . Citation: Conde-Falcon distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions, April 4, 1969, while serving as platoon leader during a sweep operation in the vicinity of Ap Tan Hoa, Vietnam. Entering a heavily wooded section on the route of advance, the company encountered an extensive enemy bunker complex, later identified as a battalion command post. Following tactical artillery and air strikes on the heavily secured communist position, the platoon of Conde-Falcon was selected to assault and clear the bunker fortifications. Moving out ahead of his platoon, he charged the first bunker, heaving grenades as he went. As the hostile fire increased, he crawled to the blind side of an entrenchment position, jumped to the roof, and tossed a lethal grenade into the bunker aperture. Without hesitating, he proceeded to two additional bunkers, both of which he destroyed in the same manner as the first. Rejoined with his platoon, he advanced about one hundred meters through the trees, only to come under intense hostile fire. Selecting three men to accompany him, he maneuvered toward the enemy's flank position. Carrying a machine-gun, he single-handedly assaulted the nearest fortification, killing the enemy inside before running out of ammunition. After returning to the three men with his empty weapon and taking up an M-16 rifle, he concentrated on the next bunker. Within ten meters of his goal, he was shot by an unseen assailant and soon died of his wounds. His great courage, his ability to act appropriately and decisively in accomplishing his mission, his dedication to the welfare of his men mark him as an outstanding leader Conde-Falcon's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty, at the cost of his life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.
SMITH, PAUL RAY
Rank and Organization: Sergeant First Class, 2nd Platoon, B Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. Place and Date: At Baghdad, Iraq, 4 April 2003. Citation: Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith distinguished himself by acts of gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action with an armed enemy near Baghdad International Airport, Baghdad, Iraq on 4 April 2003. On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith was engaged in the construction of a prisoner of war holding area when his Task Force was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force. Realizing the vulnerability of over 100 fellow soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers. As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round. Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved under withering enemy fire to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier. In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded. His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers. Sergeant First Class Smith's extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the Third Infantry Division "Rock of the Marne," and the United States Army.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for April 4, FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
4 April
1933: The Navy dirigible Akron crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the New Jersey coast, killing 73 people. Rear Admiral William A. Moffett, Chief of the Navy's Bureau of Aeronautics, was one of the casualties. (21)
1944: Fifteenth Air Force conducted the first American bombing raid on Bucharest, Rumania. (24)
1957: The USAF announced that Rocketdyne Division of North American Aviation would study the use of ions as a power source for spaceships and missiles. (16) (24)
1963: In a fourth successful system trial, a Kwajalein-based Nike-Zeus anti-ICBM missile intercepted a Titan I ICBM launched from Vandenberg AFB. AMERICAN
1964: After an earthquake hit Anchorage and Seward, Alaska, C-124s airlifted 235,000 pounds of supplies from McChord AFB to the area. The Air Rescue Service flew medical supplies, reconnaissance, and evacuated injured or homeless people. (2)
1966: NASA selected eight new astronauts: Capt Joe H. Engle, Maj William R. Pogue, Capt Charles M. Duke, Jr., Capt Alfred M. Worden, Capt Stuart A. Roosa, Navy Lt Cmdr Edgar D Mitchell and Lt Thomas K. Mattingly, and Mr. Fred W. Haise, Jr.
1969: The X-24 Lifting Body completed its first captive flight with test pilot Maj Jerauld R. Gentry at the controls. The Martin Marietta X-24 was an American experimental aircraft developed from a joint United States Air Force-NASA program named PILOT (1963–1975). It was designed and built to test lifting body concepts, experimenting with the concept of unpowered reentry and landing, later used by the Space Shuttle. Originally built as the X-24A, the aircraft was later rebuilt as the X-24B
The X-24 was drop launched from a modified B-52 Stratofortress at high altitudes before igniting its rocket engine; after expending its rocket fuel, the pilot would glide the X-24 to an unpowered landing.
1969:. Through 10 April, from Spangdahlem AB the 49 TFW redeployed its 72 F-4Ds to Holloman AFB, using 504 refuelings. The unit earned the Mackay Trophy for this event. (21)
1972: The USAF renamed the Advanced ICBM as Missile-X. (6)
1974: Northrop's YF-17 prototype lightweight fighter rolled out at Hawthorne, Calif. (3)
1975: Operation NEW LIFE. To evacuate Cambodia and Vietnam, SAC flew tanker and reconnaissance sorties to support the US withdrawal. Through 30 April, MAC C-141s and C-130s, under PACAF's operational control, flew 375 missions to carry 50,493 Vietnamese and Cambodian refugees from Indochina to Pacific staging areas. From 12 April to 16 August, Andersen AFB became a temporary haven for some 110,000 refugees who traveled to the US. (1) (18) Operation BABYLIFT/AIR FORCE CROSS: A MAC C-5 crashed in an emergency landing near Saigon, while flying the first mission in this operation. It carried South Vietnamese children and their escorts from Tan Son Nhut AB in Saigon to Clark AB. Of the 314 passengers, 176 survived the crash. 1Lt Regina C. Aune, a flight nurse aboard the C-5, ignored broken leg and other injuries to help evacuate nearly 80 children from the plane's wreckage. She received the 1975 Cheney Award for her efforts. The pilot and copilot, Captains Dennis W. Traynor III and Tilford W. Harp, also received the Air Force Cross for extraordinary heroism. Despite this tragedy, the operation succeeded as C-141s and commercial planes moved 1,794 orphans from South Vietnam and Thailand to the US West Coast through 9 May. (2) (18)
1983: From 4-9 April, in the Space Shuttle Challenger's first mission the crew completed the first American spacewalk in nine years and launched NASA's first tracking and data relay satellite, which failed to reach its proper orbit due to a rocket malfunction. The shuttle landed on 9 April at Edwards AFB. This landing, however, represented the first time a shuttle had to be diverted into Edwards. (3)
1990: McDonnell Douglas provided the last of 60 KC-10A Extenders to the USAF. (16) (26)
1991: SAC assigned KC-10s to TAC's 4th Wing, the first composite wing. SAC remained the single air refueling manager. (18)
1999: Operation SUSTAIN HOPE or SHINING HOPE. A C-17 Globemaster III started this operation by airlifting relief supplies from Dover AFB to Tirana, Albania. By the 8 July end of the humanitarian airlift component of Operation ALLIED FORCE, Air Mobility Command had used C-5s, C-17s, and C-130s to airlift 913 passengers and 5,939 short tons of food and supplies to refugee camps in Albania, Macedonia, and Montenegro. (21) (22)
2003: At Edwards AFB, the CV-22 Osprey completed a milestone by successfully flying a terrain following radar sortie. (3)
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Thanks to Brett
Quick look at what is going on in the rest of the world
Stratfor snippets - Israel, Peru, China, Somalia, India, Romania/Bulgaria, Portugal, Congo, Bangladesh, ASEAN, Iran/Israel/Syria, U.S./China, Ukraine/Russia
Israel: Anti-Government Protests Escalate as Ultra-Orthodox Conscription Begins
What Happened: Over the weekend of March 29-31, Israel experienced its largest nationwide protests since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, with protesters calling for an immediate hostage deal with Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's resignation and early elections, The Times of Israel reported on March 31. Meanwhile, Israel's Attorney General ordered the Israel Defense Forces to start conscripting ultra-Orthodox youth on April 1 in accordance with a March 28 Supreme Court order, and some pro-conscription protesters clashed with ultra-Orthodox citizens in Jerusalem.
Why It Matters: Strengthened anti-government protests are likely, some of which may be similar to the crippling ones of 2023 despite the wartime mobilization in the coming months. These protests could overlap with sustained anti-draft protests by the ultra-Orthodox, which could be violent at times. In the near term, this sustained political turmoil will hamper Israel's economic recovery from its wartime mobilization and potentially spark emigration from Israelis who believe their way of life is under threat. This political pressure will also eventually bring down the Netanyahu government.
Background: Israel's government is under intense political pressure as internal factions wrestle with the future of ultra-Orthodox Jews in the country and the opposition pushes for new leaders. Externally, the government is also coming under increasing pressure from the United States, which has been more vocal about its disapproval of Israel's war strategy and its current government. Ultra-Orthodox groups have long resisted entering the army, arguing their religious studies are critical to Israel's identity as a Jewish state, and some groups have carried out widespread protests and riots in reaction to attempts to draft them.
Peru: Rolexgate Threatens Peruvian President
What Happened: Peruvian President Dina Boluarte dismissed charges against her of illegally enriching herself using her position of power as "sexist" and stated that she intends to stay in office until her term concludes in 2026, El Pais reported on March 31. Her announcement comes after more than 40 security officials broke down her door in the early hours of March 30 and raided her private residence and conducted a search in the presidential palace.
Why It Matters: Although the Rolex scandal will do little to help Boluarte's low approval ratings, she is unlikely to face impeachment proceedings as the right-wing and far-right wing parties in Congress, including Popular Force, Popular Renovation, We Are Peru and Alliance for Progress, which have traditionally worked with the president to pass legislation approving the switch to a bicameral congressional system and providing for the reelection of lawmakers, will likely protect her. These parties are further disincentivized to approve any motion to vacate, as doing so would result in fresh elections (and current congressmen/women would be unable to stand for reelection). However, if new details of the scandal come to light, or if the prosecutor's office is able to prove Boluarte enriched herself illegally, the scandal could push a greater number of legislators to back the motion, or in an extreme case, the president could resign, both of which would likely result in a high degree of political instability in Peru and governability issues that would negatively impact investment in the country.
Background: The investigation of alleged illicit enrichment into Boluarte started on March 18, after a local media report suggested the president owned multiple high-value watches, including a Rolex watch valued at $14,000, over three times greater than the presidential salary of approximately $4,200 per month. On March 30, the left-wing Peru Libre party, with 26 signatures of Peru's 130-member unicameral congress, submitted a motion for vacancy against the sitting president, but for the process to begin, 50 signatures are needed, and eventually, 87 votes would be required to impeach the president. Boluarte has survived motions to vacate before, such as one filed in January 2023, citing her "permanent moral incapacity."
China: Manufacturing Indices Hit Highest in a Year, but Recovery Too Early to Call
What Happened: China's official purchasing managers' indices (PMIs) and Caixin PMIs for March showed the highest expansion in manufacturing PMIs (50.8 for the official and 53.0 for Caixin) since March 2023 and February 2023, respectively, Reuters reported March 31. In early 2023, China's economy was undergoing its post-COVID-19 reopening.
Why It Matters: The PMI numbers are a preliminarily positive sign for China's 2024 growth, but sustained improvement in other indicators (like exports, real estate sales, retail sales and employment) is needed before this can be deemed a genuine recovery. Besides PMIs, other economic indicators confirm that it is too early to call this a recovery, with housing sales at top developers down 49% year-on-year in Q1 and China's exports up 7.1% year-on-year in January-February, but on top of low base effects (-6.8% growth in January-February 2023).
Background: This PMI uptick was driven by new orders, new export orders and production sub-indices, as well as a dip in producer prices, though the official manufacturing employment sub-index was still at 48.1, in contractionary territory.
Somalia: Puntland Region Withdraws Recognition of Federal Government Following Constitutional Changes
What Happened: Somalia's autonomous Puntland region withdrew its recognition of the country's federal government following the bicameral federal parliament's approval of changes to Somalia's provisional constitution, Reuters reported on March 31. Puntland's government added that it would act independently from Somalia's federal government until the dispute is resolved through a nationwide referendum on the constitutional changes voted on in the federal parliament.
Why It Matters: The organization of a nationwide referendum would face major security and logistical challenges, likely resulting in a protracted dispute between Puntland and the federal government. The United Arab Emirates will likely use this dispute to reinforce its influence in Puntland amid Abu Dhabi's strained relations with Mogadishu following the federal government's rapid rapprochement with Turkey in recent months. While Puntland's decision highlights the challenges the federal government faces in reinforcing its authority over the region, it is unlikely to portend a formal declaration of independence in the short term given that the nature of the dispute centers around the structure of Somalia's federal institutions. Should tensions between Puntland and the federal government result in armed clashes, this would create space for al Qaeda affiliate al Shabaab to expand its activity in the country.
Background: Somalia's bicameral federal parliament approved changes to the first four revised chapters of the country's 15-chapter constitution that strengthen Somalia's federal executive branch. Specifically, the changes allow the president to dismiss the prime minister, transition Somalia to a presidential system, depart from Somalia's clan-based electoral system, and allow for the president's election through direct universal suffrage. Somalia's current electoral system, known as the "4.5" system, allows the country's four main clans to receive an equal number of lawmakers, while a group of smaller clans receive around half the share of the country's four main clans.
Israel: Iraqi Militia Claims Drone Strike on Israeli Naval Base in Eilat
What Happened: The Israeli military announced that a drone attack targeted a naval base in the southern Israeli city of Eilat, lightly damaging a building but resulting in no casualties, Reuters reported on April 1. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq subsequently claimed its fighters carried out a drone attack on a vital Israeli target, likely in reference to the Eilat strike.
Why It Matters: The successful strike demonstrates Israel's persisting three-front challenge from Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen. Although most of these strikes have had little impact on Israel, pro-Iranian Iraqi militias and potentially Yemen's Houthi rebels will likely feel emboldened to launch more strikes targeting vital Israeli infrastructure. These threats will likely elevate personal safety risks in Israel, as well as travel and business disruptions, particularly if a similar attack hits infrastructure such as power grids, airports or ports. Against this backdrop, the April 1 strike will likely further fuel Israeli insecurity and encourage the Israelis to launch more airstrikes targeting pro-Iranian militia assets on the Iraq-Syria border. These potential Israeli reprisal attacks could heighten personal safety risks to travelers in Iraq from collateral damage.
Background: In recent weeks, pro-Iranian Iraqi militias have claimed numerous attacks against Israel, claiming that they targeted vital infrastructure including the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv and the port of Haifa, albeit with no meaningful impact. Additionally, the Israeli military conducted several airstrikes on the Iraq-Syria border on March 26, killing dozens of individuals.
India: Court Extends New Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's Judicial Custody Until April 15
What Happened: A Delhi court ordered Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of New Delhi and leader of the opposition Aam Aadmi Party — or AAP, to remain in judicial custody until April 15 in relation to the money laundering case involving New Delhi's liquor policy, The Economic Times reported on April 1. India's Enforcement Directorate previously extended Kejriwal's custody until April 1 but requested an additional 15-day extension, citing the chief minister's alleged uncooperative behavior in the investigation.
Why It Matters: The extension will likely further fuel allegations from opposition parties that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, is tampering with the April 19-June 1 general election and harassing opposition leaders. Consequently, the extension heightens the risk of protests, with the potential for violence, particularly if police use force to crack down on demonstrators. Amid significant support among its voter base, the BJP will likely encounter minimal electoral repercussions for the alleged tampering and potential crackdowns. Meanwhile, Kejriwal's arrest could sideline the AAP and the broader Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance's electoral prospects, although it may also strengthen unity within the opposition alliance and further galvanize supporters.
Background: The court instructed the investigation officer to conduct further interrogations promptly. The court's ruling came a day after the INDIA coalition convened a rally in New Delhi to denounce Kejriwal's arrest, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of attempting to manipulate the election.
Romania, Bulgaria: Countries Join Europe's Passport-Free Schengen Area for Air and Sea Travel
What Happened: Bulgaria and Romania joined Europe's passport-free Schengen area for air and sea travel, 13 years after their application, according to a March 31 press release by the European Commission.
Why It Matters: Removing internal border controls at Bulgaria's and Romania's sea and air borders will ease travel to and from the two countries within the European Union, likely boosting tourism and substantially enhancing the value of their visa and residence permits for non-EU citizens. This will improve the two counties' business environments and increase their overall attractiveness, somewhat contributing to economic growth. However, border checks will continue to apply to those traveling by land between the two countries and other Schengen area members, meaning Bulgaria and Romania will continue to miss out on the most consequential economic benefit of Schengen membership. The removal of border checks would facilitate the free flow of goods and people with other European countries, reducing transit times and transportation costs for companies moving goods across their borders. It would also allow goods and people to enter and leave Bulgaria and Romania from a larger number of crossing points because no border infrastructure would be needed, encouraging cross-border economic activities. The Austrian government will likely maintain its veto on the two countries' full Schengen accession ahead of EU elections in June and legislative elections expected for September 2024 given Austrian voters' broad support for a veto.
Background: EU member states agreed in December 2023 to partial Romanian and Bulgarian Schengen membership after Austria lifted its long-standing opposition to the two countries' bids to join the passport-free area over rule of law and illegal migration concerns. Talks to broaden the two countries' membership, which will eventually also include land borders, are ongoing.
Portugal: New Center-Right Minority Government Takes Office
What Happened: Portugal's new center-right minority government will be sworn in on April 2 following snap parliamentary elections on March 10, with new Prime Minister Luis Montenegro from the center-right Social Democratic Party (PSD) set to present his government's policy priorities, Expresso reported April 1.
Why It Matters: Portugal's new minority coalition government will have to rely on votes from opposition parties to get legislation through parliament. As a result, the new center-right administration will struggle to pass laws. It will be forced to compromise on key policy proposals in order to receive support from the opposition — either the outgoing center-left Portuguese Socialist Party (PS) or far-right Chega, depending on the specific legislation — which would increase government instability and significantly water down promised measures such as tax cuts, wage increases and deregulation. Against this backdrop, political uncertainty is set to increase in Portugal, possibly leading to a series of unstable governments in the coming years or even another early election over the medium term. Still, it is unlikely that there will be any significant changes to the country's economic and fiscal policies, as the country's high debt levels and economic constraints will compel the next Portuguese government to continue with fiscal consolidation and debt reduction.
Background: The center-right Democratic Alliance (AD), a coalition of conservative parties led by Montenegro's PSD with two other smaller parties, won the most votes in Portugal's snap general election but failed to secure an outright majority in Parliament. AD secured 79 seats in the country's 230-seat parliament, narrowly ahead of the incumbent center-left PS with 77 seats, while the far-right Chega party came in third, with 48 seats. Throughout the campaign, Montenegro repeatedly ruled out an agreement with Chega to form a government and confirmed his pledge after the vote. A post-electoral alliance between AD and the small Liberal Initiative party only gives the coalition control over 87 seats, far short of the 116 seats needed for a majority in parliament.
Congo: Tshisekdi Appoints Judith Suminwa Tuluka as Premier
What Happened: Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi appointed Judith Suminwa Tuluka as Prime Minister, Radio France International reported April 1. In her first public statement, Tuluka vowed to "hunt down" Congo's "hidden enemies" in the east of the country.
Why It Matters: Tuluka's next steps will involve forming a new government with Tshisekedi allies, but this process could be delayed by weeks given the highly fragmented nature of the president's parliamentary coalition. Once a government is formed, the Tuluka government will be tasked with forwarding plans to implement Tshisekedi's presidential campaign pledges, which have involved diversifying Congo's economy and creating more job opportunities. Tuluka's failure to form a government satisfying major coalition partners could pave the way for their departure from the ruling coalition, a move which would weaken Tshisekedi politically. The new prime minister's authority could be further weakened in the event of a military escalation with Rwanda should her government not be seen as reacting strongly enough against Kigali's perceived assertiveness.
Background: Suminwa's appointment comes amid rising tensions between Felix Tshisekedi's ruling Union for Democracy and Social Progress (UDPS) party and partners of former Joseph Kabila's People's Party for Reconstruction and Democracy (PPRD). UDPS leader Augustin Kabuya accused Kabila on March 30 of supporting the Rwanda-backed M23 insurgency after three former high-profile PPRD figures rallied the Congo River Alliance (AFC), an M23 ally that aims to topple Tshisekedi through the use of force. While Tshisekedi's coalition regroups around 460 lawmakers in Congo's National Assembly, which comprises 500 seats, the UDPS only has 69 lawmakers, making Tshisekedi heavily reliant on coalition partners to pass legislation.
Bangladesh: Ready-Made Garment Workers Demand Higher Wages, Eid Bonuses
What Happened: Hundreds of ready-made garment employees in the Konabari area of Bangladesh's Gazipur city protested to demand overdue February salaries and unpaid bonuses that are due to be disbursed ahead of the April 9-10 celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which recognizes the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, The Daily Star reported on April 2.
Why It Matters: Protesters' remarks indicate that demonstrations will likely continue leading up to the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday, and given the notable discontent among textile and apparel workers, these protests could draw thousands of participants. As a result, protests could block major roads and factory entrances, potentially delaying production and shipping operations, as well as temporarily closing facilities. Building upon unresolved grievances from previous protests in the garment sector, workers' organizations may join the protests by using the upcoming Eid al-Fitr holiday to renew their wage increase demands.
Background: On April 1, textile and apparel workers staged a demonstration in the Jorun area of Konabari demanding unpaid wages. Bangladesh's textile and apparel workers demonstrated in late 2023 and early 2024, demanding wage increases and opposing the dismissal of participants. Bangladeshis typically spend more money to prepare for Eid al-Fitr festivities, so delayed payment of the bonus or normal wages commonly triggers demonstrations.
ASEAN: Annual Survey Shows Turn in Favor of China
What Happened: Slightly over half of respondents in the 2024 State of Southeast Asia Survey published by Singapore's ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute said that out of the world's major powers, they would prefer to partner with China, an increase of 11.6% since 2023 and topping the United States for the first time, Nikkei Asia reported on April 2. However, 50.1% of respondents still demonstrated skepticism toward China, with 45.5% expressing concerns that China might employ its economic and military might to jeopardize the interests and sovereignty of their respective countries.
Why It Matters: Policymakers outside the region, including those in Washington and Beijing, tend to use this survey to gauge Southeast Asian sentiment. The rise in China's popularity is primarily due to discontent in Southeast Asian countries (particularly in Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Laos) over U.S. policy in the Middle East amid the Israel-Hamas war. This discontent will likely continue to grow the longer the war endures. However, Filipino and Vietnamese respondents remain strongly supportive of the United States over China, showing bumps of 78.8% in 2023 to 83.3% in 2024 and 77.9% in 2023 to 79% in 2024, respectively. Additionally, respondents' ongoing concern about Chinese coercion indicates that the regional swing toward China remains tenuous.
Background: Region-wide, respondents ranked the Israel-Hamas war as their top geopolitical concern (46.5%), outweighing even the South China Sea (39.9%), despite it being local to the region, and the Russia-Ukraine war (39.4%). ISEAS releases the survey every year, polling citizens of ASEAN countries representing academia, think tanks, research institutions, civil society groups, nongovernmental organizations, media organizations, government officials, business leaders, and regional and international organizations.
Iran, Israel, Syria: Israeli Strikes Destroy Iranian Consulate in Damascus
What Happened: Suspected Israeli airstrikes destroyed the Iranian consulate adjacent to the Iranian Embassy in Damascus, Syria, killing two senior Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps generals and 13 other prominent IRGC commanders, Reuters reported on April 1.
Why It Matters: Israel's suspected attack on the Iranian consulate and the assassination of prominent generals will likely compel Iran to directly retaliate by attacking Israeli assets in the region but also possibly in Israel itself. Tehran would use this response to reestablish deterrence with Israel and save face domestically. Iran could also press its allies and proxies in the region to increase their attacks against Israeli assets, while also possibly pressing Iraqi militias to resume their attacks against U.S assets in Syria and Iraq, as Tehran holds the United States equally responsible for the April 1 attack. These escalating tit-for-tat exchanges and anticipated reprisal attacks will heighten security risks in Israel, particularly if Iran or pro-Iranian groups increase their attacks on Israeli infrastructure. These threats could also elevate personal safety risks for U.S individuals, soldiers and assets in countries like Iraq and Syria.
Background: One of the assassinated leaders was Gen. Mohammad Reza Zahedi, who commanded the IRGC's intelligence branch and was in charge of the branch in Syria and Lebanon that coordinates with Lebanon's Hezbollah. While Israel has regularly struck Iranian targets in Syria since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023, this attack marked the first time Israel has targeted the Iranian Embassy compound. The past few days were the deadliest in Lebanon and Syria since the war began due to Israeli strikes on numerous Hezbollah and IRGC commanders, as well as pro-Iranian militia members.
U.S., China: Biden-Xi Phone Call Precedes Treasury Secretary's China Trip
What Happened: U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a phone call during which Biden discussed China's "unfair trade practices" and pledged to take action to remediate national security risks stemming from U.S. technology ties to China, CNBC reported on April 2. This comes ahead of U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's trip to China, where she is expected to raise the issues of China's "industrial overcapacity" and price undercutting on key new energy technologies.
Why It Matters: Washington and Beijing both emphasized their commitments to lowering tensions but also focused on their grievances with one another, suggesting real progress toward tangibly scaling back economic restrictions remains a bleak prospect, especially in a U.S. election year. As Beijing aims to deflate domestic oversupply in high-tech industries (like electric vehicles) following years of ample state funding and other public support, greater exports will aggravate U.S. and European trade concerns, increasing the chance of new trade restrictions despite calls for economic reconciliation with China.
Background: This was the first Biden-Xi phone call since July 2022, although the leaders met in person at a summit in San Francisco in November 2023. At the summit, the two sides agreed to restore military dialogues and collaborate on climate change and drug interdiction issues.
U.S., China: Biden-Xi Phone Call Precedes Treasury Secretary's China Trip
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