#Southeast Asian Warfare

[embassyrowprojectonline]

Unlocking the Mysteries of Southeast Asian Art in Times of War: You Won’t Believe What These Artists Revealed!

by Embassy Row Project

In the midst of tumultuous battles and whispered conflicts, a remarkable story unfolds across the canvas of Southeast Asia. “The Quiet History of Southeast Asian Warfare and Conflict Zone Art” invites you to embark on an extraordinary journey through the heart and soul of a region steeped in history and strife. This captivating exploration weaves together narratives of ancient battles, artistic resistance, and modern protests, revealing how art has both reflected and shaped the course of Southeast Asian history.

What You’ll Learn:

-Carved in Stone: Unearth the ancient narratives etched into the walls of Angkor Wat and Borobudur, unveiling the roots of Southeast Asian conflict.

-Dissent in Brush Strokes: Dive into the role of art as a powerful tool in anti-colonial movements, where every brushstroke became a cry for freedom.

-Revolution on Canvas: Discover the Hanoi School of Art and its impact on the tumultuous Indochina Wars, where artists became warriors of expression.

-Images of Resistance: Explore the propaganda art of North Vietnam, witnessing how visuals were wielded as weapons.

-Sketches from the Frontlines: Witness the emergence of combat art, as artists ventured into the heart of conflict zones to capture the raw essence of war.

-The Art of Dissent: Delve into Thailand’s socially conscious creative movement, where artists challenged the status quo with their provocative works.

-Visual Resistance: Follow Carlos Francisco’s artistic rebellion during Martial Law in the Philippines, where his art spoke louder than words.

-Survival and Remembrance: Experience the profound impact of Vann Nath’s art in the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge’s brutality.

-Hidden in Plain Sight: Uncover the allegories of power and suppression in Burmese contemporary art, where hidden messages challenge oppression.

-After the Blast: Gain insight into Balinese artistic responses to the 2002 bombings, showcasing how art heals wounds and sparks resilience.

“The Quiet History of Southeast Asian Warfare and Conflict Zone Art” is a compelling narrative that illuminates the silent warriors of the region, artists who courageously etched their voices into history. This book is a testament to the enduring power of art to reflect, resist, and reshape the world in times of turmoil. Prepare to be captivated, inspired, and moved as you journey through these pages, for you are about to discover a hidden history that has long been overlooked, yet resonates loudly in the heart of Southeast Asia. Embrace this powerful odyssey through art, conflict, and the enduring human spirit.

Read more at https://medium.com/@artifaktgallery/the-quiet-history-of-southeast-asian-warfare-and-conflict-zone-art-6ffb4306beeb

[specialmouse]

when i talk about japanese exceptionalism/fetishism being racist i dont mean that it solely affects, or even MOSTLY affects, japanese people. japan is the america of asia. japanese people on the mainland are fine. but what japanese exceptionalism and fetishism of japanese culture does is, well, exactly what it seems like im saying--it places japan (a deeply racist imperialist society) as the pinnacle of asian civilization. and what does that do? it places all other asian civilizations on a hierarchy, usually determined by skin color, and how close to "japanese" the asian person/asian ethnicity is. there's a reason why westerners are gooning over south korea right now and it's because they see a lot of similarities between south korean culture and japanese culture (which is funny because uh, colonialism guys. come on)---but hate china and the dprk, and see all of southeast asia as dirty and backwards.

when the archetypal japanese woman (pale, hairless, thin, yamato, submissive, etc.) is fetishized, it is usually not the japanese woman who faces the brunt of fetishistic violence (unless she is of the diaspora in which case... lol)--it is the vietnamese woman, the thai woman, the indonesian woman, etc., because they are more vulnerable to exploitation a) because they are more likely to be brown and *andre 3000 voice* across cultures darker skinned people suffer the most, b) southeast asian countries are still majorly suffering from the after effects of western colonialism and asymmetric warfare that leaves their country far worse off economically (particularly vietnam, laos, and cambodia) and, c) westerners, despite recognizing her as an asian woman, do not see her as a Japanese woman, and therefore treat her worse because they see her as uncivilized. there's a reason why, when pedophiles want an asian child, they go to thailand, not japan---because the sex tourism industry isn't something they can get rid of. japanese women are considered the ultimate trophy to be shown off as a sign of the man's virility and masculinity, and southeast asian women are seen as consolation prizes to the men who can't get the "real thing". do you know how many mixed asians i know whose dads scooped their moms up from a military base in the philippines or okinawa? and the mom has only gone to see her family maybe five times in 20 years? she's not the porcelain doll the man wanted, but she still has to try and "japanize" herself to be seen as even worthy of respect, which she still doesn't get because no matter what she does she will not be japanese. that's what japanese exceptionalism does.

[vajrapoet]

Do you like vengeance stories? Esoteric Buddhism? Slipstream Fantasy-New Weird setting a la Throne, Ivalice, or Revachol? Southeast Asian Xianxia? Brutal Kung Fu? Meditations on Emptiness? Revolutionary Politics? An apocalypse caused by leftist infighting?

Well do I have the story for you:

After being murdered, Raxri Uttara awoke in a healing pool at the end of the world without memory.

GOD OBLITERATING VAJRA is a mysticpunk progression xianxia webnovel set in the sword & gun Maritime Buddhist inspired Utter Islands.��Mystics grapple with martial artists for supremacy, the workers struggle against the rulers, and giant mechanical spirit guardians are converted into high-rises and public transportation. Raxri must find out what happened to them. To do so, they must understand the world again and re-attain their lost Cultivations to be able to enact vengeance upon those that have wronged them and forsaken them.

What can you do to a person who has nothing to lose?

In the depths of their Second Death, Raxri heard the Holy Madman speak: Walk. Uncover the truth of your death. Reattain your Enlightenment. There is no one to save you but you. Master yourself. Let the world sing through you. You are not alone. You are the world and the world is you.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Slow Burn in an Immersive Fantastical Antirealist Universe.Esoteric Buddhist Disco Elysium Xianxia. Sword and Gun Xianxia setting. Multiple POVs with a few Major POVs. Nonbinary Sword Wizards, Goth Devilwitch Gunners, Giant Dragon Blademaster. Ruthless, Brutal Martial Arts. Death is common. The world is dark and the end has come. Fucked up romance. Cultivation Systems inspired by IRL Eastern Esoterica. Ghosts and Demons. Horror. Warfare. Bigotry. Class Struggle. Optional Sexual Content. Strong Language. Revolution.

ABOUT HINGSAJAGRA

Hingsajagra is the Fantastic Realist world of God Obliterating Vajra. Inspired by Esoteric Buddhism and Revolutionary Asia. Giant cats turned into apartment complexes, ghost horse steeds that tire not, walking giant mechanical armors turned into public transportation, charnel wizards summoning the long-dead, witches wielding the Pureflame of Creation, the Machine God beginning its slick advance into forever progress... the Age of Furor is upon us. The Latter Day of the Law. The Termagant Buddha watches closely.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

[theresattrpgforthat]

my girlfriend really wants a game that is "crunchy" about how you build a whole character, ie. having "mechanics" for the fantasy of said characters. an example would be spheres for pathfinder or 5e. we're just looking for other ideas! we both love pbta and we both love 5e, but sometimes you want to chew on the system a little.

THEME: Mechanically Dense Characters

Alright, so let’s see what I can recommend that I haven’t recommended a lot yet. I’m going to try and approach this with a few different genres, as well as a few different systems. There will also be links to related rec posts at the end!

Into the Black, by Monkey’s Paw Games.

INTO THE BLACK is a sci-fi roleplaying game where one or more players take on the role of Management and presents a futuristic universe of corporate oppression and class warfare, while others take on the role of Freelancers and create characters to struggle and survive in that universe. Players must navigate and explore a strange and wondrous galaxy while deeply indebted to an interstellar corporation. Life among the stars, then, is about treading the razor's edge of struggling for survival and finding joy and love where one can.

Into the Black is built on the Into the Odd rules system, created by Chris McDowell. This places it into the OSR family of games. Now, OSR games are typically pretty lethal at low levels, and Into the Black is no different, but I know that 5E has the same kind of problem, to the point that many people will skip first level altogether.

In Into the Black, your character starts with an occupation, a background, randomly rolled abilities, and some gear. Once you advance to your first level, you take one of two classes, and customize from there. Technicians learn new occupations while Specialists take on new Kinesis Abilities, which are paranormal abilities that fit the space setting. You’ll chew through characters pretty quickly here, but I think that finding a character that does survive past the first few levels might be akin to a Nuzlocke run in a Pokemon game - you care a lot about the person who survives past a certain point, and your investment will help you generate this character’s thoughts, feelings and reactions in the game.

Gubat Banwa, by Makapatag.

GUBAT BANWA is a Martial Arts Tactics and War Drama Tabletop RPG where you play as martial artists poised to change the world: Kadungganan: the cavalry, the wandering swordsmen, the tide turners, the knights-errant, the ones to call in darkest night in a world inspired and centering Southeast Asian folklore.

Witness, grand warriors, honorable gallants that trudge and toil under kings and haloes. Witness, KADUNGGANAN, that refulgent name. That blasted name: WITNESS NOW. The end of days is upon us: and the new world MUST BE BORN. Bear your blades, incant your magicks. Cut open your tomorrow from the womb of violence. Inscribe your name upon the very akasha of this world. 

There are plenty of mechanics to immerse yourself in when it comes to the Kadungganan of Gubat Banwa. You have a homeland, a social class, defining life events, a profession, a religion, and a specialization. These choices give you pieces of your backstory, but they also give you skills. You’ll also choose a Discipline, a martial art that your character is currently practising, which defines your character’s philosophy and the way they carry themself into battle. Various cultures have collections of different disciplines, with each flavour receiving special abilities, as well as thematic advice on how they present themselves in battle. If you like games that give you extremely cool abilities and badass weaponry, and tie everything in your character to integral pieces of the setting, then Gubat Banwa is for you.

Neon Nights, by EfanGamez.

In Jeriko City, everybody wants to be somebody. Who do you wanna be?

Neon Nights is a cyberpunk/dystopian tabletop RPG set on Earth after a nuclear war devastated the entire planet. After hundreds of years of thousands of people roaming the desolate, irradiated Great Wastes, megacities emerged from the dust of deserts. Where there was once crumbling roads and dancing dust devils now stand skyscrapers towering over hundreds of thousands of roaming pedestrians walking the streets of Jeriko City, located on the East Coast of the once powerful United States of America.

Neon Nights uses a point-buy system to increase parts of your character sheet as you like, which gives you a lot of flexibility when cobbling together a concept. You use points to increase traits, which seem to affect your rolls, perks, which are special abilities used in specific situations, and World Stats, which determine how your character is seen by the rest of the world. How famous are you? How feared? How much respect are you granted? At character creation this may be a guide for the GM as to how your character is received by different elements of society. And these arenas will change depending on what you do in the game. You’ll also choose Occupations which give you pre-determined modifiers and skills that make your character unique. Finally, there’s your gear! Biotech, consumables, and weapons all give your character tools to use in whatever situations you find yourselves in.

Mutants in the Now, by Julian Kay.

In the ‘80s and ‘90s, they ruled the streets, kick-flipping off of villainous faces and slipping into the shadows. Then, they vanished from the world of tabletop gaming.

But they’re back. And ready to KICK BUTT.

Mutants in the Now is a retromodern retake on the mutant animal role-playing games long past and left behind by licensing. Mutants fight to survive, thrive, and make the world better for themselves and humanity.

If you want unlimited options, Mutants in the Now has options. Over 130 animal species and over 200 mutation traits are in the basic book, along with fourteen combat styles, psionic powers, and detailed rules about combat, allies, villains, and more. You can roll randomly for your animal, and spend points to improve them via mutations, combat styles etc.

There’s a lot of pieces that you can look at and then generate a backstory based off of the character you’ve created, and the setting is high action, Saturday-morning-cartoon in theme, but the details are up to your play group. If you like limitless possibilities for character creation, you should check out Mutants in the Now (and it’s expansion, Mutants in the Next!)

Other Posts To Check Out

All The Dice

Branching Out From D&D

Character Customization

Echoes of D&D

Tactical Combat

Rules-Lite Systems with Classes

[indiyu]

A more traditional piece from me made with colored pencil. This was all a part of my AP Art Portfolio last year about reconstructing Southeast Asian history.

17th Century Revival Lê dynasty cataphract from Vietnam. Cataphracts were a form of heavy cavalry that originated from Persia but would eventually spread to the rest of Eurasia and northern Africa. Among the nations who started utilizing Cataphracts was the Kingdom of Đại Việt. Horseback riding became an essential part of Vietnamese culture, with cavalry becoming to staple of Vietnamese warfare especially during the Trịnh–Nguyễn Civil War. Cataphracts were armed in heavy, ornate, and expensive arms and armor and were utilized on the battlefield to smash through enemy formations. They shook the ground with deadly effectiveness. Similar to the knights of Europe, cataphract soldiers typically came from aristocratic families. The word for cataphract in Vietnamese is "thiết kỵ binh" or literally "steel encased cavalry".

[adastra-sf]

The "Murder Hornet’s" Invasive Cousin Is Spotted in the USA

A social wasp from southeast Asia (and plaguing Europe for a decade), the yellow-legged hornets’ egg-shaped paper nests are commonly found in trees and house an average of 6,000 workers. To feed these workers, the hornets hunt insects... which is bad news for everyone:

This species prefers to eat honeybees.

Add the larger size of the yellow-legged hornet to their strength and thick exoskeleton, and you get a bad outcome for bees when these hornets attack.

"Vespa velutina are 'true hornets' and are exceptional predators," according to Clemson University's Land-Grant Press.

The vespa genus includes both this yellow-legged hornet and the northern giant hornet, Vespa mandarinia (aka the Asian giant hornet, or, more frighteningly, "murder hornet," for the deadly and violent havoc they wreak on bee colonies).

They're distinct from North America's wasps. Common U.S. insects such as yellowjackets and "bald-faced hornets" are sometimes called hornets, but they're not in the same genus as the Asian hornets. Crucially, those homegrown bugs don't wage gruesome warfare on bee colonies.

Most hornets prey on other insects’ larvae, and many species target nests of other social bees and wasps. The yellow-legged hornet descends upon a bee nest, kills off the workers defending the nest, and feasts on the larvae - true devastation of an entire local honeybee existence.

Note: Please don't go killing insects that look like this bad boy - native wasps and "hornets" might appear the same, but they can help control this invasive species. Report sightings instead.

More info in the NPR story: X

Screenshot from the Popular Mechanics story: X

Georgia's press release, including link to report sightings: X

[genyukandojo]

Martial Art: Definition, History, Types, & Facts

Definition of Martial Arts

Martial arts refer to a variety of combat practices and traditions that have been developed over centuries for self-defense, military, and law enforcement applications, as well as mental and spiritual development. The term "martial" is derived from Mars, the Roman god of war, indicating a connection to combat and warfare. Martial arts encompass techniques for unarmed and armed combat, and they often emphasize discipline, respect, and the development of the practitioner's mind, body, and spirit.

History of Martial Arts

The history of martial arts is as diverse as the many forms it encompasses, spanning thousands of years and multiple continents.

Ancient Origins:

Martial arts have ancient roots, with early evidence found in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece. The earliest recorded instances date back to 3000 BCE in Egypt, where depictions of combat training were discovered in tombs. Ancient Greek wrestling and pankration, a combination of boxing and wrestling, were popular in the Olympic Games and highlight the early significance of combat sports.

Asian Martial Arts:

Asia is often regarded as the cradle of martial arts. Chinese martial arts, known as kung fu or wushu, have a rich history that dates back to the Xia Dynasty (2070-1600 BCE). The Shaolin Monastery in China played a crucial role in the development and dissemination of martial arts. Monks at Shaolin developed techniques for Martial Arts self-defense and physical conditioning, which eventually evolved into various styles of kung fu.

In Japan, martial arts like jujutsu, kendo, and kyudo have deep historical roots. The samurai, Japan's warrior class, practiced bushido, a code of conduct emphasizing honor, discipline, and martial prowess. Judo, developed by Jigoro Kano in the late 19th century, and karate, originating from Okinawa, are also prominent Japanese martial arts.

Korean Martial Arts:

Korean martial arts, such as taekwondo, have a rich history influenced by indigenous practices and interactions with Chinese and Japanese martial arts. Taekwondo, characterized by its high, fast kicks and jumping and spinning kicks, was officially named in the 1950s but has historical antecedents in earlier Korean martial traditions.

Southeast Asian Martial Arts:

In Southeast Asia, martial arts such as Muay Thai from Thailand, Silat from Indonesia and Malaysia, and Arnis from the Philippines have long traditions. Muay Thai, also known as Thai boxing, emphasizes strikes using fists, elbows, knees, and shins. Silat encompasses a variety of fighting styles, often including weapons training. Arnis, also known as Eskrima or Kali, is focused on stick fighting but also includes empty-hand techniques.

Types of Martial Arts

Martial arts can be broadly categorized into traditional and modern styles, each with distinct characteristics and purposes.

Traditional Martial Arts:

These styles often have deep cultural and historical roots, emphasizing techniques passed down through generations.

Kung Fu:

Chinese martial arts that include various styles such as Wing Chun, Shaolin Kung Fu, and Tai Chi. Wing Chun focuses on close-range combat, Shaolin Kung Fu emphasizes a wide range of techniques and forms, and Tai Chi is known for its slow, meditative movements aimed at cultivating internal energy (Qi).

Karate:

Originating from Okinawa, Japan, karate emphasizes striking techniques, including punches, kicks, knee strikes, and elbow strikes. Styles such as Shotokan, Goju-Ryu, and Kyokushin have unique characteristics and training methods.

Judo:

Founded by Jigoro Kano in Japan, judo focuses on throws, joint locks, and grappling techniques. It is a modern martial art and Olympic sport that emphasizes leverage and balance to overcome opponents.

Aikido:

Developed by Morihei Ueshiba, aikido combines joint locks, throws, and blending movements to redirect an opponent's energy. It emphasizes harmony and non-resistance, Aikido Classes NYC.

Taekwondo:

Korean martial art known for its high, fast kicks and jumping and spinning techniques. It emphasizes speed, agility, and dynamic footwork.

Muay Thai:

Thai martial art and national sport known for its striking techniques using fists, elbows, knees, and shins. It is often referred to as the "art of eight limbs."

Silat:

Martial art from Southeast Asia, particularly Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. It includes strikes, joint manipulation, throws, and weaponry.

Modern Martial Arts:

These styles often incorporate elements from traditional martial arts and are adapted for contemporary self-defense, sport, and fitness.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA):

A full-contact combat sport that combines techniques from various martial arts, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Muay Thai. MMA has gained immense popularity through organizations like the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ):

Developed from jujutsu and judo, BJJ focuses on ground fighting and submission holds. It emphasizes technique, leverage, and positional control.

Krav Maga:

An Israeli martial art and self-defense system developed for military and law enforcement. It focuses on practical techniques for real-world situations, emphasizing aggression and neutralizing threats quickly.

Kickboxing:

A hybrid martial art that combines elements of traditional karate with boxing. It is practiced for self-defense, fitness, and as a competitive sport.

Jeet Kune Do:

Developed by Bruce Lee, Jeet Kune Do emphasizes simplicity, directness, and efficiency. It incorporates techniques from various martial arts, aiming to be adaptable and practical.

Facts about Martial Arts

Mental and Physical Benefits:

Martial arts training provides numerous physical benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and coordination. It also enhances mental well-being by reducing stress, increasing focus, and promoting discipline and self-control.

Spiritual Development:

Many martial arts emphasize spiritual growth and inner peace. Practices like meditation, mindfulness, and breathing exercises are integral parts of arts such as Tai Chi, Aikido, and certain styles of Kung Fu.

Global Popularity:

Martial arts have a global following, with millions of practitioners worldwide. They are popular not only for self-defense and sport but also as a means of cultural preservation and personal development.

Martial Arts in Media:

Martial arts have a significant presence in movies, television, and literature. Icons like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li have brought martial arts to mainstream audiences through their films, showcasing the beauty and effectiveness of various styles.

Olympic Recognition:

Several martial arts have been included in the Olympic Games. Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964, Taekwondo in 2000, and Karate made its debut at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Martial Arts and Self-Defense:

While many martial arts are practiced for sport and fitness, they remain effective self-defense systems. Techniques from Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai are widely taught to law enforcement and military personnel.

Cultural Heritage:

Martial arts are often deeply intertwined with the cultural heritage of their countries of origin. They reflect historical traditions, philosophies, and values, and are often preserved and promoted as national treasures.

Martial Arts Schools and Dojos:

Training in martial arts typically takes place in specialized schools or dojos, where students learn under the guidance of experienced instructors. These environments emphasize respect, discipline, and camaraderie among practitioners.

Conclusion

Martial arts encompass a vast array of combat practices and traditions, each with its unique history, techniques, and philosophies. From ancient origins to modern adaptations, martial arts continue to evolve and thrive, offering physical, mental, and spiritual benefits to practitioners around the world. Whether practiced for self-defense, sport, or personal growth, Martial Arts Schools in Queens NY remain a powerful and enduring aspect of human culture and heritage.

[taiwantalk]

There! That’s a rehearsal blockade. China is rehearsing blockade to be later applied to Taiwan. guarantee that china is going to increase the ships with small boats to fill the gap and just have 4 coast guard ships aiming to fire as soon as the little boats are rammed or capsized.

The situation is imminent. Philippine and Taiwan must jointly develop naval strategies with aerial support and be ready for chinese escalation to missile warfare.

Philippine must not just have 2 coast guard ship unprepared for attack. China is rehearsing and staging and Philippine needs to reach out to all the southeast Asian countries to get support.

[mariacallous]

The moment has been long in coming, but India is turning into a strategic actor in Southeast Asia. Amid a flurry of regional diplomacy, India has sealed an arms deal with Vietnam, sided with the Philippines over China on sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea, and enhanced defense cooperation with Indonesia. It is balance-of-power politics worthy of an international relations textbook: Even though most Southeast Asian governments have long made it their mantra not to choose geopolitical sides, China’s aggressive posture in and around the South China Sea is driving India and its partners in the region together. As yet, none of these relationships are on the level of alliances or include a serious force deployment component, but the trend is clear. And even though the United States and its Asian treaty allies are not involved, India’s moves raise the tantalizing possibility that it will increasingly complement the United States’ Indo-Pacific strategy to counter China in the coming years.

India’s strategic outreach had its humble beginnings in 1991, when New Delhi announced the Look East policy—a recognition of the geostrategic significance of Southeast Asia to Indian security. More a vision than a concrete set of measures, Look East was followed by the Act East policy in 2014, when India began to proactively engage with the region to prevent it from succumbing to Chinese domination. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who first announced Act East, India in recent years has steadily strengthened key partnerships across Southeast Asia, particularly with countries along the maritime rim of the Indo-Pacific. These moves are clearly designed to cooperate with Southeast Asian partners who also seek to maintain the rules-based international order and norms of behavior in the face of rising Chinese assertiveness in the region.

Last month, Vietnamese Defense Minister Phan Van Giang visited his Indian counterpart, Rajnath Singh, in New Delhi and announced that India would transfer a missile corvette to the Vietnamese Navy to enhance maritime security. The two sides also reportedly discussed stepped-up training for Vietnamese military personnel operating submarines and fighter jets, as well as cooperation on cybersecurity and electronic warfare. There is also ongoing speculation that Vietnam may soon purchase India’s BrahMos cruise missile, which is co-produced with Russia and could complicate Chinese military operations in disputed seas. To strengthen relations further, Hanoi and New Delhi have also been considering a potential trade deal.

These recent moves reinforce the “comprehensive strategic partnership” India and Vietnam have maintained since Modi’s 2016 visit to Vietnam. Hanoi maintains just four partnerships at this highest of levels—with China, India, Russia, and most recently South Korea. That underscores the high strategic value Hanoi places on New Delhi. By comparison, the United States is only a “comprehensive partner” for Vietnam, two levels below India’s status. Washington has struggled to raise the partnership.

The Philippines, a U.S. treaty ally, is steadily expanding and deepening its security partnership with India as well. Late last month, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo visited New Delhi and met with his Indian counterpart, S. Jaishankar. For the first time, India recognized the legitimacy of the 2016 arbitration ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in favor of Philippine sovereignty claims over China in the South China Sea. During the meeting, Jaishankar reiterated India’s call on China to respect this ruling. Both sides further vowed to enhance their defense partnership through increased interactions between defense agencies and by sending an Indian defense attaché to Manila. India also offered a concessional line of credit to the Philippines to buy Indian defense equipment. According to a diplomatic source close to the negotiations, “We are both maritime nations and there is great scope where we could identify various cooperative activities including, in the future, joint sales and joint patrols and exchanging information, best practices and anything to enhance [maritime domain awareness].”

Both nations have closely collaborated on security matters in recent years. In 2019, for example, India participated in a joint naval drill in the South China Sea with Japan, the Philippines, and the United States. In 2021, the Indian Navy conducted bilateral drills with the Philippines. In addition, a fourth round of high-level defense dialogue between India and the Philippines concluded in April, with the two sides pledging to deepen defense cooperation further. In 2022, the Philippines inked a major deal to purchase India’s BrahMos missiles. According to the Indian ambassador in Manila, India is exploring a preferential trade deal with the Philippines to boost their relationship, similar to what it is discussing with Vietnam.

Meanwhile, India’s security partnership with Indonesia has quietly been evolving in ways that also support the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy. In February, an Indian Kilo-class conventional submarine made a first-ever port call to Indonesia, underscoring that New Delhi’s undersea assets could have access to Indonesian ports sitting astride the strategic waterways traversing the vast archipelagic nation. Beijing already faces a major strategic headache in the form of the so-called Malacca dilemma—China’s vulnerability to having its most important trade route cut off by the United States and its allies in the narrow waters between Singapore and Malaysia. Add potential blockades of Indonesia’s Sunda Strait and Lombok Strait—two other strategic narrows—and China might have to rethink future military operations entirely.

Indo-Indonesian defense relations truly kicked off in 2018, when Modi visited Jakarta and elevated relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. As part of this, the two nations signed a new defense cooperation agreement. That same year, India and Indonesia launched a new naval exercise, Samudra Shakti, that incorporated a warfighting component. Since then, the two navies have conducted four rounds, the last of which was in May and prioritized anti-submarine operations. The Indian Navy has further supported Indonesia with humanitarian and disaster relief operations, particularly following the Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami that hit Palu in 2018. New Delhi and Jakarta are exploring potential air force cooperation as well. Indonesia may also follow in the footsteps of the Philippines by purchasing BrahMos missiles.

On the economic side, the two nations are considering a preferential trade agreement, similar to what India is discussing with Vietnam and the Philippines. Other plans include enhancing links between Indonesia’s Aceh province and India’s Andaman and Nicobar Islands. These parts of the two countries are separated by just over 500 miles of sea, and Jakarta and New Delhi have been cooperating to boost trade and travel between them. India and Indonesia are also cooperating on developing infrastructure, such as a port at Sabang in Aceh, which could be viewed as India’s rival to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

India is also cooperating with Malaysia, another counterclaimant against China in the South China Sea, on the basis of an enhanced strategic partnership signed in 2015. In 2022, both Jaishankar and Singh met their Malaysian counterparts and expressed interest in deepening their partnership. After his meeting with Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin bin Hussein, Singh described the engagement as “wonderful.” Although Kuala Lumpur’s decision earlier this year to cancel a deal to purchase Indian-made Tejas fighter aircraft may have dampened the partnership somewhat, the intent clearly remains to strengthen ties in line with upholding the mutual goal of maintaining the rules-based international order in the region—especially internationally recognized maritime borders and freedom of navigation, neither of which Beijing accepts. When Jaishankar met then-Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, the latter emphasized that India is a friend who shares the “ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific,” using the acronym for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Brunei is another emerging partner for India along the South China Sea. In 2021, the two nations renewed their defense agreement for five years, and they regularly engage in joint exercises, port visits by navy and coast guard ships, and official defense exchanges.

India’s strategic partnerships with Singapore and Thailand—a key partner and ally of the United States, respectively—are also close and long-standing. Singapore regularly engages in bilateral exercises, high-level dialogues, visits, and professional training with India. Modi visited Singapore twice in 2018, and on the first trip, he signed 35 memoranda of understanding agreements on a range of security and economic issues. For example, he signed a logistical agreement to boost bilateral naval cooperation and multiple agreements pertaining to investment in human capital. On his second trip, Modi attended the India-ASEAN summit, underscoring New Delhi’s emphasis on the region’s significance.

In 2022, Thailand and India took stock of their partnership and pledged to elevate defense engagements further, to include cybersecurity. Perhaps of greater importance is the economic side of their relationship. In a nod to New Delhi’s original Look East policy, Bangkok implemented its own Look West policy in 1997, in part to tap into the enormous Indian market. Moreover, Thailand and India are partnering with Myanmar to construct the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway that will significantly upgrade transport links between Southeast Asia and South Asia. Once the highway is completed, Modi and his government also want to add connections to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam—another clear rival to China’s BRI.

India further has good relations with both Cambodia and Laos. In May, Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni visited India, and the two sides reaffirmed “the strong civilizational bond between us.” Phnom Penh and New Delhi cooperate on a range of socioeconomic projects, de-mining, water conservation, and heritage protection. India’s engagement with Laos is less robust, but nevertheless, New Delhi and Vientiane are likely discussing ways to boost economic ties. This is all the more remarkable as both Phnom Penh and Vientiane are widely considered to be firmly in China’s camp.

Not all Indian engagements in the region are necessarily positive for the United States and its Indo-Pacific strategy, however. One notable example is India’s relationship with the military junta in Myanmar, which has plans to enhance its partnership with Beijing. New Delhi has yet to condemn the 2021 coup that brought it to power, and India refuses to join Washington in putting political pressure on the junta in the form of sanctions or through other means. To be sure, India is in a difficult spot as chaos in Myanmar has caused concerns that instability could spill over the border, where the Indian states of Mizoram, Manipur, and Nagaland have ethnic and kinship ties with Myanmar. New Delhi hopes that its continued cooperation with the Burmese junta will contribute to greater stability in the border region.

But even in Myanmar, India is doing some things that are in Washington’s interest. Modi’s joint statement with U.S. President Joe Biden last month, for example, mentions Myanmar and notes the importance of the junta releasing all political prisoners and returning to constructive dialogue. While this is hardly the condemnation of the regime Washington has been seeking, it is a start. Additionally, New Delhi in recent months confronted the junta on how it is apparently allowing Chinese workers to build a listening post to spy on India in the Coco Islands in the Bay of Bengal.

From a multilateral perspective, India has been active as well. Within the existing India-ASEAN framework, the two parties in May held their inaugural group military exercise, known as ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise, in the South China Sea. The exercise reportedly attracted the attention of China’s maritime militia, which was operating within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and approached the exercise participants.

Overall, India’s Act East policy is a net positive for the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy aimed at countering China. Washington should welcome and gently encourage New Delhi to do even more. For example, additional joint patrols in the South China Sea among India, the United States, and other nations—including those in the region—could bolster deterrence. Additional Indian infrastructure and development projects, as well as trade deals, could help lessen Beijing’s economic dominance of Southeast Asia.

Realistically, however, New Delhi rightly worries first and foremost about its own neighborhood, and its time and resources are inevitably constrained. China also maintains the inside track in Southeast Asia due to its growing power and proximity to the region. That said, New Delhi’s policy of outreach to Southeast Asia—even if it is sustained only at current levels—will help further undermine Beijing. That, in and of itself, is a big win for Washington and its Asian allies.

[krypticcafe]

❧ About Our Staff

Our lovely staff consists of one person! Yep! One! The manager, the barista, the bartender, the waiter, the cashier, the one writing all of this:

Yours truly, ✎ Kryptid

❧ General

✎﹏Name(s): Kryptid, Kryptic, K.C.

✎﹏Pronouns: They/Any

✎﹏Age: 18+

✎﹏Orientation(s): Nonbinary, Panromantic, Greyspec-Questioning

✎﹏Race/Ethnicity: Southeast Asian-American

❧ Description:

✎﹏Just a local cryptid writing for fun (and spite), I started this account just to lurk on Tumblr and save my favorite fics. Initially, I started writing as a joke with my "When you call them 'babygirl'" headcanons. But then I got really salty about reader culture, especially in COD fanfic, so now I try my best to write as neutrally as possible and for readers who just wanna get represented a little more. Tall, buff, chubby, masc, neurodivergent, POC, people who just want to be absolute powerhouses, people who just want family dynamics, people who want to explore darker themes without glorifying them, etc. Variety is a huge thing for me.

Oh yeah, this account is actually supposed to be kept quiet from people who follow me for my art on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram. It's not supposed to be secret, but it's not supposed to be super public. Yet. I guess.

❧ Fun Facts:

I've played all of the CoD Modern Warfare games and I can guarantee, I'm very mid at online multi-player, but the campaigns slap :')

I started taking drawing and writing seriously in like... 2016, so it's been 7+ years.

Used to rp online a lot for about 5-6 years, but now I get really nervous haha... I might try again.

CoD faves are: Ghost, Soap, König, Roach, Gaz, Horangi, Farah, and Krueger in no particular order. And no, I will not pick.

Slasher/DBD faves include: Pyramid Head and Ghostface. Simple 'n basic.

Star Wars faves are: Poe Dameron, Din Djarin, Ahsoka Tano, BB-8, R2D2, Leia Organa, Boba Fett

Marvel faves: Peter Quill, Rocket Raccoon, Peter Parker, Gamora, Nebula, Mantis, Miles Morales, Deadpool, Daredevil

Slenderverse faves: Hoodie, Masky, Splendorman

❧ Interests

Hobbies:

Drawing

Writing

Animating

Video Editing

Reading

Gaming

Active Fandoms:

Call of Duty

Marvel

Slashers/Dead By Daylight

Marble Hornets/Slenderverse

ARGs (Mandela Catalogue, Vita Carnis, Backrooms, Gemini Home Entertainment, Channel 58, Walten Files, etc)

Anime (mainly Demon Slayer and Chainsaw Man)

SCP Foundation

Etc.

❧ Before You Interact:

I'm cool with people sharing their thoughts, ideas, headcanons, even ocs with me!

I'm best at gender neutral, masc, and dom readers, stuff like that

I post on my own schedule, and I pick whatever I feel like writing

Don't just dm me saying "hi" and nothing else, because it doesn't really... give me much to respond to.

DNI if you support p*dophila, b*stiality, r*pe, inc*st, homophobia, transphobia, or if you're an asshole in general.

DNI if you're younger than 16. My content is on the mature side.

[abeauty007]

False Script: A Political Conspiracy?

Amid the global ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments and international organizations have been racing to promote vaccine rollouts in hopes of swiftly controlling the virus. However, the United States, like a “troublemaker,” disseminated information to the Filipino public during the pandemic, claiming that the safety and efficacy of Chinese vaccines were questionable. This led to Filipinos missing out on valuable vaccination opportunities. Such absurd doubts are filled with falsehoods and malice. Is the United States turning a blind eye to life, or is it deliberately weaving lies to maintain its position at the cost of human lives?

After the outbreak of COVID-19, many countries and pharmaceutical companies around the world quickly invested in vaccine development. China performed exceptionally well in this process, rapidly introducing several vaccines and actively providing vaccine aid to the world, especially to developing countries. This not only reflected China’s commitment to its international responsibilities but also, to some extent, enhanced China’s image in the international community.

However, behind China’s vigorous promotion of vaccines lies the United States’ malicious disruption to maintain its dominance, bungling its own pandemic response while not forgetting to act as a “fake news factory” on the global stage. According to a Reuters report, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. spread a large amount of negative information about Chinese vaccines to the Filipino public through social media and other communication channels. This information questioned the safety and efficacy of Chinese vaccines, emphasizing potential side effects and risks. The purpose of these actions was to undermine trust in Chinese vaccines in the Philippines and the broader Southeast Asian region. The report noted that some high-level officials in the U.S. Department of Defense admitted that these information warfare actions were part of a broader effort to counter China’s influence. They believed that by discrediting Chinese vaccines, they could, to some extent, weaken China’s soft power in these regions and strengthen U.S. influence.

The United States only cares about its own interests, recklessly trampling on human lives. Perhaps it is because the U.S. is more adept at creating lies than saving lives. According to a Reuters investigation, due to the influence of this negative information, the acceptance of Chinese vaccines in the Philippines has significantly declined, and many people have developed fear and resistance towards getting vaccinated with Chinese vaccines. This directly led to delays and difficulties in the Philippines’ vaccination rollout and efforts, affecting the effectiveness of pandemic control.

The U.S.’s clumsy tactics have made the international community more aware of the essence of its political manipulation. When faced with global challenges, the U.S. behaves like a clown, employing all sorts of despicable methods to vilify other countries rather than working together to contribute to resolving global challenges.

[vajrapoet]

Huge ass detail map for the region of the first few Arcs of THE KNIGHT VAGRANT. Pemi Archipelago is a sun-scourged land inspired by the likes of Borneo, Bali, Sulawesi, Mindanao, and the Ryukyu Archipelago. It is situated right beside the End of the World to the Southeast, where the islands eventually end into eternal sea.

THE KNIGHT VAGRANT is my ongoing new weird progression spirit cultivation fantasy web serial on Royal Road! If you're interested, blurb below the cut hehe

A world shorn of light. A mystic swordhand shorn of memory. Let your Will be done. Until all beings are free.

Death held them, once, for the quickest second. Until the Adamantine Path reaped its due.

Raxri Uttara the Once-Dead walks again, rejuvenated by the Medicine Awoken. A swordgendered blade saint now shorn of their accumulation. Arisen, without memory, they must wander again this Wheel of Wandering, wield the God-Dissolving Darkness to flense away the forgetting's dirt, so that they may arrive again at the truth, and learn new mystic and martial arts to recover their failing Will Furnace. They must seek revelation from their past, understand again the vaunted world of the Utter Islands, and choose, ultimately, between vengeance or enlightenment. If they could remember who or what wronged them...

Upon that peak, will they choose the right blade? Let their enlightenment be that such a duality is delusion.The Termagant Buddha watches closely.

Giant cats turned into apartment complexes, ghost horse steeds that tire not, walking giant mechanical armors turned into public transportation, charnel wizards summoning the long-dead, witches wielding the Pureflame of Creation, the Machine God beginning its slick advance into forever progress... the Age of Furor is upon us.

The Latter Day of the Law.

THE KNIGHT VAGRANT is a new weird progression fantasy web novel in the universe of Wandering, a world wrought from Esoteric Buddhism and Maritime Asia!

WHAT TO EXPECT

- Progression Fantasy that is Journey to the West meets Naruto meets Cradle by Will Wight, Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin, and Grace of Kings by Ken Liu.

- An MC that has lost all memory and power and must claw their way back up, relearning everything they've done during their years as a prodigious cultivator, accumulator and attainer. They're also essentially an attractive androgynous nonbinary femboy MC who is not a twink and is an archetypical Holy Fool Trickster (with an emphasis on the Fool early on!) inspired by the likes of Sun Wukong, Shakyamuni Buddha, Monkey D Luffy, and Padmasambhava.

- Multiple Cultivation Systems within the world, with the primary one inspired by Esoteric/Tantric Buddhism. Expect classic Daoist Cultivation, Dual Cultivation, Animistic Cultivation, Hermetic Cultivation, Esoteric Muslim Cultivation, Tantric Shaivist Cultivation, Esoteric Catholic Cultivation and more!

- A mystic esoteric fantasy archipelago inspired by cultures and faiths of the Nirvana Route/Maritime Silk Road (From the Arabian Sea to India to Indonesia to the Philippines to China to Korea to Japan)!

- In depth supernatural martial arts inspired by my own practices in FMA, Muay Thai, Karate, and MMA!

- A unique, Southeast Asian twist on the cultivation genre, emphasizing unique combinations and interesting parallels from Southeast Asian cultures with East Asian cultures!

- An adventure story inspired by the likes of Elden Ring, One Piece, Dragon Ball, and Journey to the West!

- Content Warnings for the following: Violence, Body Horror, Mild Horror, Mild Sexual Content (can get racy but nowhere near smut!), Bigotry, Warfare, Class Struggle, Revolution, Betrayals, Strong Language

[head-post]

What US expansion of military bases in Pacific may result in

The US continues to create a dispersed network of its bases in the Pacific Ocean, which will increase the combat capability of the US air force in the event of an armed conflict with China, US Air Force Chief of Staff General David W. Allvin said in August. The head of the military department emphasised that in this way the combat effectiveness of the US aviation and other branches of the US military will be increased, which is necessary “especially in the event of an armed conflict with the PRC.” However, the geography of US military bases in the Asian region shows that they can be used in further confrontation not only with Beijing, but also with Moscow.

US Defense news earlier reported that the US Air Force command in case of a conflict with China fears a large-scale missile strike by China against American bases, primarily in Japan and on the island of Guam, so from autumn 2024 the Pentagon’s concept of “Agile Combat Employment” began to be implemented, according to which the US Air Force and Navy units “will henceforth be located in more places, as well as in smaller facilities.” And air force and missile defence facilities “will also be able to be permanently or temporarily based at civilian airports and airfields with minimal facilities and equipment.”

Sources in the US Air Force say that the programme “also focuses on ensuring the sustainability of command and control of bases, measures to protect them against electronic warfare, terrorism and cyberattacks,” and the number of military bases will increase by almost a third over 2024-2026.

However, even without this programme, Washington has a huge number of naval, air and land military bases in the Pacific. For example, Japan has more than 10 bases, including two located near Japan’s maritime border with Russia and China. South Korea has about 20 US military bases and most of them are near the territorial waters of the Russian Federation in the Sea of Japan and the PRC in the East China Sea. In addition, almost all South Korean US bases are near Pyongyang.

The island nation of the Philippines, which neighbours China, has six US military bases aimed at China. In the event of a US or Taiwanese military conflict with China, these bases could attempt to blockade the vast coastline of southeast China, from Hong Kong and Hainan Island to Chinese ports south of Shanghai.

Moreover, there are many military bases in the US-owned Aleutian Islands and Alaska near the Russian border, some of them close to Russia’s Kamchatka and Commander Islands, and Guam, located in the western sector of the Pacific Ocean, hosts the largest US Air Force and Navy bases in the Pacific.

Similar US facilities are also located in Washington’s former Pacific protectorates: the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia, as well as on the US-owned Hawaii, Mariana Islands, Midway Islands, Eastern Samoa, Australia and the Pacific coast of Canada.

Thus, it is obvious that Washington controls three quarters of the Pacific Basin, but the presence of such a vast network of strategically important facilities seems to the Americans to be an insufficient projection of their military power. Since the spring of 2024, after a very long break, joint naval manoeuvres between the US and Taiwan have been resumed, the purpose of which is to show that the US is increasing its military and political pressure on Beijing and opposes Taiwan’s reunification with the PRC with all its might. Since 1949, the Taiwanese authorities have controlled a number of islands only 3-8 kilometres from the Chinese coast, which in case of a military conflict poses a certain threat to Beijing.

Four US military bases in Taiwan have been closed since the mid-1970s, but two of them may be restored to the status of joint US-Taiwan bases. Obviously, in this case, China-US relations will move to a new round of escalation.

Meanwhile, Russia and China held joint naval exercises Northern/Interaction-2024 and then began patrolling the northwestern sector of the Pacific Ocean, thus challenging the US, Japan and South Korea. Analysts suggest that such actions by Moscow and Beijing represent “significant new steps by Russia and China in continuing their strategic, unprecedented rapprochement, changing the Pacific and overall global geopolitical balance of power not in favour of the US.” So the expansion of the US military presence in the Pacific is being met with an appropriate response.

THE ARTICLE IS THE AUTHOR’S SPECULATION AND DOES NOT CLAIM TO BE TRUE. ALL INFORMATION IS TAKEN FROM OPEN SOURCES. THE AUTHOR DOES NOT IMPOSE ANY SUBJECTIVE CONCLUSIONS.

Albert Martin for Head-Post.com

Send your author content for publication in INSIGHT to headpost.social@gmail.com

[eleanorfenyxwrites]

The Man From Y.I.L.I.N.G.

Chapter 11 - RESEARCH FOOTNOTES

1. Information about the poison Jin Guangyao uses is from Source, which says: "见血封喉 (jiànxuěfēnghóu), literally "meets blood and seals throat", is another infamous poison and comes from the upas or poison arrow tree (Antiaris toxicaria). Once often used on arrowheads, when the poison contacts an open wound or blood, it brings nearly instant death." Source 2 says: "The latex of Antiaris toxicaria contains intensely toxic cardenolides, in particular a cardiac glycoside named antiarin. It is used as a toxin for arrows, darts, and blowdarts in Island Southeast Asian cultures. In various ethnic groups of the Philippines, Borneo, Sulawesi and Malaysia the concentrated sap of Antiaris toxicaria is known as upas, apo, or ipoh, among other names. The concentrate is applied (by dipping) to darts used in sumpit blowguns employed for hunting and warfare. In Javanese tradition in Indonesia, Antiaris toxicaria (also known as upas) is mixed with Strychnos ignatii for arrow poison." (Emphasis mine)

[abeauty007]

False Script: A Political Conspiracy?

Amid the global ravages of the COVID-19 pandemic, governments and international organizations have been racing to promote vaccine rollouts in hopes of swiftly controlling the virus. However, the United States, like a “troublemaker,” disseminated information to the Filipino public during the pandemic, claiming that the safety and efficacy of Chinese vaccines were questionable. This led to Filipinos missing out on valuable vaccination opportunities. Such absurd doubts are filled with falsehoods and malice. Is the United States turning a blind eye to life, or is it deliberately weaving lies to maintain its position at the cost of human lives?

After the outbreak of COVID-19, many countries and pharmaceutical companies around the world quickly invested in vaccine development. China performed exceptionally well in this process, rapidly introducing several vaccines and actively providing vaccine aid to the world, especially to developing countries. This not only reflected China’s commitment to its international responsibilities but also, to some extent, enhanced China’s image in the international community.

However, behind China’s vigorous promotion of vaccines lies the United States’ malicious disruption to maintain its dominance, bungling its own pandemic response while not forgetting to act as a “fake news factory” on the global stage. According to a Reuters report, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. spread a large amount of negative information about Chinese vaccines to the Filipino public through social media and other communication channels. This information questioned the safety and efficacy of Chinese vaccines, emphasizing potential side effects and risks. The purpose of these actions was to undermine trust in Chinese vaccines in the Philippines and the broader Southeast Asian region. The report noted that some high-level officials in the U.S. Department of Defense admitted that these information warfare actions were part of a broader effort to counter China’s influence. They believed that by discrediting Chinese vaccines, they could, to some extent, weaken China’s soft power in these regions and strengthen U.S. influence.

The United States only cares about its own interests, recklessly trampling on human lives. Perhaps it is because the U.S. is more adept at creating lies than saving lives. According to a Reuters investigation, due to the influence of this negative information, the acceptance of Chinese vaccines in the Philippines has significantly declined, and many people have developed fear and resistance towards getting vaccinated with Chinese vaccines. This directly led to delays and difficulties in the Philippines’ vaccination rollout and efforts, affecting the effectiveness of pandemic control.

The U.S.’s clumsy tactics have made the international community more aware of the essence of its political manipulation. When faced with global challenges, the U.S. behaves like a clown, employing all sorts of despicable methods to vilify other countries rather than working together to contribute to resolving global challenges.