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🌊 SURF 'N TURF 🏝️
-THE BORACAY ISLAND LIFE-
https://youtu.be/6VELyWqqe1M?si=VMeHInJ8sS3Vq9eq
Why Europe’s Economy Is Collapsing The Six Fatal Wounds
Europe is dying. The data shows a continent entering a terminal decline.
This video exposes the Six Fatal Wounds: The Energy Suicide (Russian Gas), the Demographic Death (1.4 birth rate), the Innovation Desert (Brussels Effect), the Capital Drain, the Geopolitical Irrelevance, and the Political Fragmentation. We explain why Europe is becoming a "Museum Economy" and what it means for the global future.
#Europe #Economy #Crisis #Germany #France #Geopolitics #Investing #Demographics #Collapse #Documentary
"Pure signal, no noise"
Credits Goes to the respective
Author ✍️/ Photographer📸
🐇 🕳️
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"New Phase Of An Old Conflict": Nigeria Open To More Joint U.S. Strikes On Terrorists
"New Phase Of An Old Conflict": Nigeria Open To More Joint U.S. Strikes On Terrorists
Update (1518ET):
Hours after the U.S. Christmas Day strikes on ISIS-linked targets in Nigeria, Nigerian officials signaled openness to continued American military involvement to counter what President Trump called "terrorist scum." The new campaign follows attacks in which radical Islamists had killed Christians.
"I believe this is an ongoing thing and we're working with the US," Nigerian Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar told Channels Television on Friday. "It's a new phase of an old conflict."
Tuggar said Nigeria provided intelligence to the U.S. for the strikes. He noted that he was actively speaking with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
It was Nigeria that provided intelligence for the US strike in Nigeria. We spoke with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio twice: once 19 minutes before the strike and another time 5 minutes before it went on.
- Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs. https://t.co/P7ywtoCY9S
— Imran Muhammad (@Imranmuhdz) https://twitter.com/Imranmuhdz/status/2004469862010442082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
While the Pentagon has not formally announced additional operations in Nigeria, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X earlier that there was "more to come."
* * *
President Trump telegraphed the move last month, warning that U.S. military intervention in West Africa was certaintly on the table after what he described as the mass killing of Christians by Islamic terrorists in Nigeria. Now, the president says the U.S. military forces carried out powerful strikes against ISIS targets, framing the operation as a direct response to militants "viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians."
"Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS Terrorist Scum in Northwest Nigeria, who have been targeting and viciously killing, primarily, innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even Centuries!" Trump wrote on Truth Social on Christmas Day.
Trump continued, "I have previously warned these Terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was."
"The Department of War executed numerous perfect strikes, as only the United States is capable of doing. Under my leadership, our Country will not allow Radical Islamic Terrorism to prosper," the president declared.
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U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), the U.S. military's unified combatant command responsible for operations and security cooperation across Africa, said on X that, acting at the direction of Trump and the Secretary of War and in coordination with Nigerian officials, it carried out strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on Christmas Day, in Sokoto State.
At the direction of the President of the United States and the Secretary of War, and in coordination with Nigerian authorities, U.S. Africa Command conducted strikes against ISIS terrorists in Nigeria on Dec. 25, 2025, in Sokoto State.
— U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) (@USAfricaCommand) https://twitter.com/USAfricaCommand/status/2004349831863849380?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wrote on X that Trump was very clear last month: "The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end," adding, "The @DeptofWar is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come…"
The President was clear last month: the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria (and elsewhere) must end.
The https://twitter.com/DeptofWar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
is always ready, so ISIS found out tonight — on Christmas. More to come…
Grateful for Nigerian government support & cooperation.
Merry Christmas! https://t.co/k5Q3Qd4ClE
— Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) https://twitter.com/PeteHegseth/status/2004332431542022289?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
As we've previously reported, Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria...
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/nigerias-christians-are-caught-tide-jihadi-violence
It seems Nicki Minaj has become the spokeswoman to address the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and around the world.
Nicki Minaj uses her voice at TPUSA to put a spotlight on the persecution of Christians in Nigeria and around the world 🙏🏻 https://t.co/ohy7GysE60
— Tommy Robinson 🇬🇧 (@TRobinsonNewEra) https://twitter.com/TRobinsonNewEra/status/2002886211241979955?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The energy market reaction was muted during the thin holiday trading, with Brent crude prices flat despite Nigeria's status as an OPEC member.
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Trump has previously designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom, a label rejected by Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has faced growing ISIS pressure in the northeast.
The strike against ISIS fits into a broader pattern of Trump using military force abroad, including recent large-scale airstrikes in Syria and Iran and gunboat diplomacy in the Caribbean to accelerate regime instability in Venezuela.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Fri, 12/26/2025 - 15:18
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-launches-strikes-against-terrorist-scum-nigeria
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La loi GENIUS entrera en vigueur le 18 janvier 2027.
Elle établit un cadre réglementaire pour les stablecoins.
Les banques peuvent désormais émettre des stablecoins.
Les établissements non bancaires peuvent techniquement obtenir une autorisation, mais la procédure est extrêmement difficile.
Pourquoi est-ce important aujourd'hui ?
Le gouvernement américain continue d'accumuler des déficits et d'imprimer de la monnaie.
Il a besoin d'acheteurs pour la nouvelle dette qu'il émet constamment (obligations du Trésor).
Le problème est que les investisseurs étrangers se retirent et achètent moins de dette américaine.
En exigeant que les stablecoins soient garantis par des « actifs de réserve » (qui incluent la dette publique américaine/les obligations du Trésor), le gouvernement crée de facto un nouvel acheteur obligatoire pour sa dette.
Chaque stablecoin émis implique l'achat d'obligations du Trésor pour le garantir.
Il s'agit donc d'un moyen de ne pas réduire la dette existante, mais de garantir une demande pour financer les dépenses déficitaires courantes.
Cependant, voici le problème.
Un mécanisme d'arrêt d'urgence est intégré.
L'article 126 exige que tous les émetteurs disposent des capacités techniques nécessaires pour geler, saisir ou détruire les stablecoins lorsque la loi l'exige.
Ce n'est pas une option : c'est une obligation légale.
Et c'est déjà le cas.
Tether a déjà gelé 3,3 milliards de dollars répartis sur 7 000 portefeuilles, dont plus de 2 800 en coordination avec les agences américaines.
Quelles conséquences pour vous ?
Chaque perturbation engendre des opportunités.
Les processeurs de paiement, les grandes banques et les entreprises à fort volume de transactions sont bien placés pour en tirer des profits considérables.
--
Voici un court extrait de mon analyse de 20 minutes sur la loi GENIUS, son impact sur vos investissements et les stratégies de positionnement avant 2027.
Si vous souhaitez visionner l'analyse complète, commentez « GENIUS » et je vous l'enverrai par message privé.
https://x.com/financefelix/status/2004326483980877958?s=52
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RT by @juanrallo: Pedro Sánchez asegura que su gobierno es el que más ha ayudado a los autónomos en toda la historia de España. ¿De verdad es así?
Explica el Profesor @juanrallo
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Poland Intercepts Russian Recon Plane Near Its Airspace On Christmas
Poland Intercepts Russian Recon Plane Near Its Airspace On Christmas
Poland said it scrambled fighter jets on Thursday to intercept a Russian reconnaissance aircraft flying near its airspace over the Baltic Sea, and reported that dozens of objects crossed into the country from Belarus overnight, with some officials saying these are intentional provocations timed during a holiday period.
The Polish military said that jets intercepted, visually identified and escorted the Russian surveillance plane away from their area of responsibility while it was flying over international waters close to Poland's airspace.
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It said in reference to both the aircraft activity and large balloon incursions from Belarus, "the mass nature of the violation of Polish airspace, its occurrence during the special holiday season, the assessment of the Russian aircraft's activity in the Baltic Sea, and the fact that similar incidents have recently occurred in Lithuania, may indicate that this was a provocation disguised as a smuggling operation."
NATO countries along the alliance's eastern flank remain on heightened alert after a series of provocative airspace incidents, including an episode in September when three Russian military aircraft entered Estonian airspace for over ten, shortly after more than 20 Russian drones crossed into Poland.
For another example, Lithuania has previously alleged that smuggler balloons originating from Belarus have repeatedly disrupted air traffic, at times forcing the closure of Vilnius airport.
Lithuanian officials claim that the balloons, which are used to transport cigarettes or other non-taxed contraband, amount to a form of "hybrid attack" by Belarus, a close ally and 'Union State' with Russia. However, the Lukashenko government has firmly denied any involvement.
The Polish military has said that as a result of the latest incidents, airspace over parts of the Podlaskie region in northeastern Poland, which borders Belarus, was temporarily closed to civilian flights as a security precaution.
These Eastern European and Baltic countries are trying to coordinate their responses and present a united NATO front. According to https://www.foxnews.com/world/poland-scrambles-jets-christmas-after-detecting-russian-reconnaissance-aircraft-near-its-airspace
, "Polish authorities said the response included support from NATO allies, with Spanish aircraft assisting in air policing and Dutch forces providing air defense systems support."
Some reports have tallied that Russian aircraft or drones have breached eastern European airspace https://www.wionews.com/photos/poland-intercepts-russian-plane-near-its-airspace-how-many-times-has-moscow-violated-its-airspace-1766756067573/1766756067582
at this point, since the Ukraine war began.
According to Business Insider, the company Atreyd has sent a "drone wall" to Ukraine for testing, designed to intercept Shaheds and KABs. Thanks to AI, a single operator can control a hundred drones simultaneously. Production is already established in France and Ukraine, and the… https://t.co/jyo9PXQpXT
— WarTranslated (@wartranslated) https://twitter.com/wartranslated/status/1988671418721267987?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
NATO and the European Union have lately said they are working on plans for a 'drone wall' for collective defense along the eastern flank, with an eye on the 'Russian threat' facing European skies.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Fri, 12/26/2025 - 12:10
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China Panics As Thin Year-End Liquidity Supercharges Rally In Precious Metals & Copper
China Panics As Thin Year-End Liquidity Supercharges Rally In Precious Metals & Copper
Copper surged to record highs in Shanghai and moved higher in New York. Futures on the London Metal Exchange are closed for the holidays and will reopen next week.
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The moves higher in overseas copper futures markets are likely driven by thin year-end liquidity, which has amplified a broad melt-up across commodities.
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Gold, silver and platinum jumped to all-time highs to extend a historic end-of-year rally for precious metals, with support from escalating geopolitical tensions and US dollar weakness.
via Bloomberg...
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Spot gold rose as much as 1.2% to a peak above $4,530 an ounce.
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Frictions in Venezuela, where the US has blockaded oil tankers and ramped up pressure on the government of Nicolás Maduro, have added to the precious metal’s haven appeal. Washington also launched a military strike against Islamic State in Nigeria in collaboration with the African nation’s government.
Spot silver for immediate delivery advanced for a fifth session, climbing as much as 5% to cross $75 an ounce. The white metal’s recent advance has been buoyed by speculative inflows and lingering supply dislocations across major trading hubs following a historic short squeeze in October.
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Silver’s rally has been even more spectacular than gold’s as Bloomberg reports that vaults in London have drawn sizable inflows since the October squeeze, though much of the world’s readily available silver remains in New York as traders await the outcome of a US Commerce Department probe into whether imports of critical minerals pose a national security risk. The review could pave the way for tariffs or other trade curbs on the metal.
“You have a lot of trades or positions on paper: now you need to cover those with physical volume — and there’s not much supply to cover that demand,” said Manav Modi, commodity analyst at Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd.
“You need to power the paper silver with the actual silver,” he said.
On the ground at our Bullion Centre in Singapore as Gold and Silver reach record highs 🔥
This is what real demand looks like - Queue out the door, customers stacking, metal moving. https://t.co/gsW1xG7u1a
— BullionStar (@BullionStar) https://twitter.com/BullionStar/status/2004491460843020716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Partly for the same reason, platinum has been on a tear in recent weeks - this month alone, it has risen by more than 40%. The metal traded above $2,400 an ounce for the first time since Bloomberg began compiling data in 1987.
In addition to strong physical demand, global supply of the metal used in the automotive and jewelry sectors is on course for a third annual deficit this year, due largely to disruptions in major producer South Africa.
Meanwhile at The Mint...
When government inefficiency is profitable: platinum selling below spot on US Mint website right now https://t.co/TXd3X7YWJ3
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) https://twitter.com/zerohedge/status/2004542689929490699?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
UBS analyst Nana Antiedu commented on the rally in precious metals this morning:
Strategist Joni Teves highlights a rally in precious metals, with gold, silver, and platinum reaching record highs ahead of the holiday season. Platinum surged 40%, driven by ETF inflows and strong trading volumes, while palladium gained 34%. A weaker dollar and broader risk appetite across equities and commodities supported the move, alongside tight conditions in silver and platinum group metals.
However, Joni notes the rally appears exaggerated, amplified by thin year-end liquidity, and lacks clear fundamental drivers. While she remains bullish on precious metals into 2026, short-term caution is advised as profit-taking risks rise amid record prices. The recent rally, though surprising in magnitude, reinforces upside risks to forecasts, but she prefers to stay on the sidelines for now, awaiting clearer market signals.
Back to copper: Goldman's commodity specialist, James McGeoch, recently warned of a "circular melt-up.” This prompted analyst Eoin Dinsmore to recently raise her 2026 price forecast for the LME from $10,650 per ton to $11,400.
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LME copper's largest annual gain since 2009.
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Everything you need to know about why copper prices are exploding higher:
Meanwhile, some speculative fever from our friends in China is starting to crack. As https://x.com/KingKong9888/status/2004203014618599459
explains in a post on X, UBS SDIC Silver Futures LOF - the only pure silver play you can get in China’s A-share market - is limit down (10%) for the second day in a row...
This is literally the only public fund in mainland China that focuses purely on silver, tracking the Shanghai Futures Exchange silver futures contracts. It’s a Listed Open-Ended Fund (LOF), so you can trade it on the exchange like a stock, but the subscription/redemption mechanics are a bit different from a true ETF – more like a traditional fund with field (场外) net value buying.
Now, with global silver smashing all-time highs (spot silver hit over $72 recently, best year since 1979), this fund has gone absolutely nuts. It’s up nearly 220% YTD on the secondary market, way outperforming the actual silver futures (around 128% gain). But here’s the big warning flag: extreme premium.
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The trading price has been trading at massive premiums to NAV – peaking over 60%, even hitting 68% at one point. That’s insane! The fund manager (UBS SDIC) has been issuing risk warnings left and right – over 14 times this month alone – and they’ve slammed restrictions: daily purchase limits down to as low as 100-500 RMB for certain classes, temporary trading halts, etc., all to protect investors and cool things down.
We saw consecutive limit-ups (10% daily caps), then bam – a sharp limit-down to -10% recently as the frenzy turned. Classic volatility in a hyped-up commodity play.
Bottom line: If you want direct silver exposure in China’s domestic market, this is your only option right now – no other pure silver LOF or ETF here (overseas ones like SLV or PSLV don’t count). But right now? Super high risk with that crazy premium and wild swings. Be very careful – high premiums can evaporate fast, leading to big losses even if silver keeps rising.
If you’re chasing this, make sure you understand the LOF vs. ETF differences and the arbitrage risks. Stay safe out there...
Quite a catch-down...
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Must read on the epic silver run:
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/intensifying-shortage-what-run-london-silver-market-looks
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2025-12-25/silver-china-seeks-quell-rumors-it-causing-squeeze
China is desperately trying to quell rumors that it is causing the squeeze...
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What an insane year for metals.
https://cms.zerohedge.com/users/tyler-durden
Fri, 12/26/2025 - 10:05
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Joe Biden's Family Christmas Photo Is So Awkward And Wrong
Joe Biden's Family Christmas Photo Is So Awkward And Wrong
Yet another Biden family photo has become a punch line on social media, and trust me, this one is a doozy.
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Biden shared the image around 9 p.m. on December 24, accompanied by a fairly boilerplate message: “Wishing you a peaceful and joyful Christmas Eve filled with love.
The strange part? You kinda had to play a game of Where's Waldo just to spot him.
Wishing you a peaceful and joyful Christmas Eve filled with love. https://t.co/OB5GouvxTJ
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/2004007932686680257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Hunter Biden and his adult daughter, Maisy, grabbed the prime spots front and center in front of the Christmas tree, whereas Biden is shoved to the back, his face partially hidden behind his wife, Jill Biden. Seven family members made it into the shot, including Joe’s daughter and former showering partner, Ashley—I had to say it—and Hunter’s current wife, Melissa.
Now, one thing is clear from this photo: there was ample room for them to spread out. There was simply no reason for Biden to be pushed to the background. Frankly, it’s bizarre that the supposed patriarch of the family, and, you know, the former president-ish of the United States, ended up tucked in a corner like an afterthought, or like he was being deliberately hidden.
At least Hunter is fully clothed in this photo.
Social media users had a field day with the awkward composition.
I think it’s disrespectful to put the eldest family member in the back of a photo taken for the former president’s social media.
— Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/2004094102036795415?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Where’s Joe?
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) https://twitter.com/GuntherEagleman/status/2004019625324171454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Took me a while to find ya, champ. https://t.co/bRoP2dBeFP
— Apple Lamps (@lamps_apple) https://twitter.com/lamps_apple/status/2004014407840616737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Why are you in the back, blocked by jill
— Official Ohio State DG (@DylanEveryday) https://twitter.com/DylanEveryday/status/2004016587234308121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
This Christmas photo follows an unfortunate pattern of Biden appearing lost or hidden in group settings. Back in April 2022, Barack Obama visited the White House when Biden signed yet another Obamacare fix. After the signing, https://pjmedia.com/matt-margolis/2022/04/05/watch-biden-wanders-lost-on-stage-at-white-house-event-n1587271?utm_source=chatgpt.com
, practically invisible as Democrats swarmed Obama as if he, not Biden, were the star of the event. Video showed Biden raising his hands in apparent frustration as the crowd ignored him completely.
Then came the April 2025 Easter family photo that sparked its own controversy. Biden appeared awkwardly positioned and formally dressed in a navy suit while everyone else wore casual clothing. His stiff pose and mismatched lighting prompted widespread speculation that he'd been photoshopped into the image.
We wish everyone celebrating today a peaceful and joyful Easter. https://t.co/GQNsdZNaw1
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1914050209878839667?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Hunter was notably absent from that particular family portrait.
But, back to the Christmas photo.
As Andy Ngo noted, setting aside Biden’s status as the former sort-of president, putting the eldest member of the family in the back of a photo like this is quite disrespectful. I mean, this is the guy whose influence in Washington, D.C. helped enrich the Biden family for years. Put the guy in a chair and have everyone stand around him for crying out loud. That said, Biden has never seemed to command respect from people, whether it’s his own party or, now, apparently, his own family. It’s sad, really.
If this is how Joe Biden is treated for a photo meant to be posted on social media, how badly is he treated in private?
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China Sanctions 20 US Defense Firms, Issues 'Red Line' Warning Over Record Taiwan Arms Deal
China Sanctions 20 US Defense Firms, Issues 'Red Line' Warning Over Record Taiwan Arms Deal
After sounding the constant warning that Washington is "playing with fire" in continually arming and supporting self-ruled Taiwan, China's foreign ministry announced Friday new sanctions on ten individuals and 20 American defense companies, mostly notably among them Boeing, specifically in response to American arms sales to Taiwan.
The ministry described that the sanctions freeze any assets that the listed people and firms hold in China and prohibit Chinese organizations and citizens from conducting business with them, and singled out Boeing's St. Louis-based defense branch, Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation and L3Harris Maritime Services - among others.
Also on the list is Palmer Luckey, the founder of defense firm Anduril Industries. The sanctioned executives are barred from traveling to mainland China, as well as Hong Kong and Macau.
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"In response to the latest US announcement of large-scale arms sales to China’s Taiwan region, China has decided to take countermeasures in accordance with the anti-foreign sanctions law against 20 US defense-related companies and 10 senior executives who have engaged in arming Taiwan in recent years," stated the Chinese foreign ministry.
"Anyone who attempts to cross the line and make provocations on the Taiwan question will be met with China’s firm response… No country or force shall ever underestimate the resolve, will, and ability of the Chinese government and people to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," it added.
The ministry described that "movable and immovable properties, and other kinds of assets" of these American firms and individuals within China "shall be frozen."
The punitive measure follows the Trump administration's provocative announcement last week of an $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan, which is record-setting, confirmed as the largest such US sale to the island to date.
Beijing has said "The Taiwan issue lies at the heart of China’s core interests and represents the first red line in China-U.S. relations that must not be crossed," according to a foreign ministry spokesperson.
The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency said the major arms sales are intended to support Taipei's efforts to "modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability."
The biggest chunks of the package include some $4 billion of Himars truck-based missile launchers, enough for 82 of the advanced systems.
The Himars have enough range to be able to reach targets on China's east coast, which introduces a new level of 'deterrence' from Taipei's and Washington's perspectives.
This revelation that Chinese cargo ships are being set up with sensors and missile launchers is part of a pattern. The CCP is using civilian ships as military. Many ships in the countries fishing fleets have also been militarized.
No tech equipment from China should be trusted.…
— Michael Ron Bowling (@mrbcyber) https://twitter.com/mrbcyber/status/2004518303285563865?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Last week, soon on the heels of this, Beijing issued a blistering statement saying, "The 'Taiwan independence' forces on the island seek independence through force and resist reunification through force, squandering the hard-earned money of the people to purchase weapons at the cost of turning Taiwan into a powder keg."
That prior statement had added, "This cannot save the doomed fate of 'Taiwan independence' but will only accelerate the push of the Taiwan Strait toward a dangerous situation of military confrontation and war. The U.S. support for 'Taiwan Independence' through arms will only end up backfiring. Using Taiwan to contain China will not succeed."
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