#Tensions in South China Sea

[chainreactionpodcast]

News: FAA Directives, Canadian Rail Strikes, Airline Mergers, Apple Services Growth, EU EV tariffs, Sinking Salt Flats in Chile

Navigating the intricacies of global supply chains is no small feat, and this week’s Chain Reaction podcast does an exceptional job unraveling the complexities involved. From Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) directives to anticipated rail strikes in Canada, each segment is packed with critical insights that are indispensable for industry professionals and enthusiasts alike. FAA Requires…

[8008135sblog]

[firstoccupier]

Geopolitical Tensions in West Philippine Sea: January 4, 2025

By Cliff Potts, WPS News, Editor-in-ChiefBaybay City | January 4, 2025 I have compiled a detailed report on the significant events occurring in the West Philippine Sea, particularly around Scarborough Shoal and Second Thomas Shoal, during the stipulated period from 0601 to 1800 Philippine Time on January 4, 2025. News Report: Dateline: January 4, 2025, West Philippine Sea Current Events in…

[latestnews-now]

Explore the critical discussions between President Biden and Xi Jinping as they address North Korea's support for Russia, China’s geopolitical role, and what lies ahead for U.S.-China relations under Donald Trump. Stay tuned for detailed analysis and insights!

[bobbiedlifeinphil]

Chinese Strike Philippines Naval Vessels

[celestiarambles]

Hi this may divert from my usual content, but as someone with a platform like this I need to speak up about this.

The Philippines-China maritime dispute has been going on for years now, but lately the tensions had been getting more and more worse to the point it’s super concerning now.

Here’s a bit of a history lesson: China claims that the West Philippine Sea is theirs because of the nine-dash line, but the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in 2016 that that had no basis under international law. Other than that, the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) said that China’s historic rights on the territory no longer exists. So basically, the West Philippine Sea belongs to the Philippines.

However, China rejects that decision. They have harassed, intimidated, and even used armed conflict on our vessels. China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels had even used a water cannon against our ships TWICE, in which one incident resulted to getting seven Navy personnel wounded.

Worse, there are also allegations of a spy being planted here. Alice Guo, one of the mayors in Tarlac (a city in the Philippines) had mysteriously risen to power despite having no prior experience or connections whatsoever. Literally no one even knew her in her town. She just claims to live in a simple farm. However, she owns a luxury sports car and a helicopter. And somehow, everything regarding her past is inconsistent; she doesn’t know what her mother’s name was, who she grew up with, no school documents, hell she didn’t even have a birth certificate up until she was 17 years old. This was all brought up because she was involved in the criminal activities (like human trafficking, scams, etc.) of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) which also has the Chinese involved.

The US has also been taking advantage of the situation by deploying 9 EDCA sites (military bases) for a supposed military pact, but former US Marine Intelligence Officer Scott Ritter has admitted to using the Philippines as a tool to gain leverage over the Chinese.

What has our government done regarding this dispute? They’re too busy infighting to focus on the bigger picture and on how to settle on an agreement with China.

I just want to take the time to speak up and make people more aware about the ongoing dispute. I know that this has been going on for several years now, but my memory and knowledge about the topic may be a bit wonky so I apologize in advance if I had said anything wrong. You can add more information regarding this or correct the information that I've given if I phrased things wrong.

Regardless, I do know one thing: the West Philippine Sea is ours.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-china-sea-why-are-china-philippines-tensions-heating-up-2024-04-11/

https://www.youtube.com/live/aOrmFJXyAVI?si=P9rPJkJM6BF0NIbW (check 1:57:00)

[dangerousthingobservation]

csmonitor.com

Why the United States might send bombers to Australia

The US may position B-1 and B-52 long-range bombers in northern Australia, in response to rising tensions in the South China Sea.

[sirensea14]

ATIN ANG WEST PHILIPPINE SEA

Sa atin ang Pilipinas, mapa-timog, hilaga, silangan o kanluran.

PILIIN NATIN ANG PILIPINAS‼️🇵🇭

The West Philippine Sea is ours

The Philippines is ours, whether it be south, north, east or west.

Let us choose the Philippines‼️🇵🇭 (this last line is a reference to a song, "Piliin mo ang Pilipinas" by Angeline Quinto)

{a little fun fact before I go to the explanation, the 4 urchins in my sona's headwear references the stars and sun in our flag. The largest at the back being the sun, and the 3 front urchins being the stars. }

PLEASE READ!

I'm scared of hearing news about this, so i sometimes refuse to watch the news. However, with tiktok, facebook and instagram, its been informing shit to me. It's all over my fyp.

I made this post to spread awareness of what's going on here:

China's been all aggressive towards our territory, our WEST PHILIPPINE SEA. Then the Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, is possibly distracting our government as the tensions rise on our WPS. And then there's the US, I don't know if we can trust the US especially with that video of an American Politician (correct me if Im wrong at this part because i do not know who that is) saying 'the USA doesn't like the Philippines and they are simply using us'. And the alarming increase of Chinese students around some regions of our country, and the illegal casino businesses (POGO) nationwide [funnily enough, I'm seeing casino game ads whenever I watch youtube or play games, it's so hilarious that theyre on the rise right now that it's annoying me.] And we're all dealing these along with the corrupt assholes in the government, poverty, and overpopulation.

I don't know what to do aside from being at least aware of the situation and spread awareness about this, because you know, I'm just... scared.

We do have some allies but I just hope no war or conflict will break out. There's too many youngsters here, and I still want to experience things i want to experience. I still want to see my 2 little brothers grow up. I still want to experience being known, being remembered, y'know?

If I die, I will gladly say, "Fuck off" on anyone who tries to invade us, may it be China or the US or anyone else. If China threatens a nuclear bomb, then death is certainly my wish at that point.

I can't be silent at this, I pray that China stops bullshitting our territory and withdraw from any conflicts they planned. We're all just people, there's so many out there scared because of this situation.

I hope this sheds some light.

REBLOG TO SPREAD AWARENESS!!

"Sa manlulupig, 'di ka pasisiil" 🇵🇭

Visual presentation of whats happening

[deim0sdread]

Might pull a Sodapop Patrick Curtis and drop out of school because idgaf about some fuckass stupid project on tensions in the South China Sea. THERE’S PEOPLE DYING SIR. I don’t wanna write a thousand and five hundred words bro… pls end me

[droctaviolovecraft]

"I thought prostitution was the oldest profession in the world."

ANM-566 - "God of War"

Danger Level: Helper 🔵 | Uncontained ❌️

Responsible Researcher: The Eleven Counselors

Type of Anomaly: Humanoid, political, historical

Type of Damage: Military, global, manipulative

Confinement: ANM-566-US is to be housed in a standard humanoid containment cell at Site-██. The cell is to be furnished with amenities resembling those of a 1980s-era office, including a replica of the Oval Office desk and décor. ANM-566 has shown cooperative behavior, and thus is allowed supervised recreational activities, including access to classic American films, 1980s news archives, and board games.

Two armed guards must be stationed outside ANM-566 containment cell at all times, with a third guard monitoring the interior via camera feed. Interaction with ANM-566 is to be conducted with caution; any discussions about political matters or current military conflicts must be avoided to prevent unintended activation of its anomalous effects. If ANM-566 begins to discuss or joke about instigating conflict, staff should redirect the conversation to safe topics, such as classic movies or jelly beans (a favorite of ANM-566).

Description: ANM-566-US is an anomalous entity that visually resembles former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, appearing as he did in the early 1980s. ANM-566 speaks with a distinctive tone and mannerisms that closely match those of Reagan during his time in office. The entity is capable of making humorous quips and jokes, often about politics, war, or the 1980s. Despite these traits, ANM-566-US exhibits a surprisingly deep understanding of modern geopolitical issues, suggesting an awareness beyond that of its physical appearance.

ANM-566 primary anomalous ability manifests when it discusses, suggests, or jokes about instigating military conflicts or escalating existing disputes. These comments, regardless of how offhand or humorous they may seem, have a statistically significant correlation with the outbreak of war or significant escalation in tensions within a week of the comment. The severity and location of the conflict appear to be influenced by the specifics of ANM-566 statements. For example:

Incident 566-01: On ██/██/20██, during a conversation with Dr. ██████, Ronald remarked, "You know, if I were in charge today, I'd probably just send a little fleet to remind the South China Sea who's boss." Within three days, tensions between the U.S. and China escalated, leading to a series of naval encounters in the South China Sea.

Incident 566-05: During an interview with Researcher ██████, ANM-566 joked, "Well, if they won't listen, I guess we could always dust off those old nukes and give the Cold War a reboot." Within four days, an international dispute over nuclear arms control agreements flared up, leading to several countries announcing intentions to expand their nuclear arsenals.

ANM-566-US ability does not appear to require direct interaction with political leaders or access to communications technology. The entity's statements alone seem sufficient to influence events, suggesting that its anomalous properties are not constrained by traditional cause-and-effect mechanisms.

Addendum 566-A: Psychological Evaluation

ANM-566 exhibits a humorous and charismatic personality, frequently making jokes and telling stories about "his" time as President of the United States. It seems to possess a genuine fondness for humor and nostalgia, particularly for the 1980s era. Despite this, there is evidence that ANM-566-US may be aware of its anomalous properties, as it occasionally makes self-referential remarks about "stirring up trouble" or "making history."

When asked directly about its ability to influence conflicts, ANM-566 typically deflects with humor. In one instance, when questioned by Dr. █████ about whether it had any control over its anomalous properties, ANM-566 replied, "Control? Well, I always said, 'Trust, but verify.' But I suppose it's more of a 'joke, but escalate' situation with me."

Addendum 566-B: Excerpt Interview Log 566-13

Interview conducted by Dr. ███████

> Dr. ███████: Good morning, Mr. Ronald Reagan. How are you today?

> ANM-566: Oh, I'm just dandy, doc! You know, I've been thinking about starting a new war. I've got my eye on… oh, what’s the country of the month?

> Dr. ███████: That’s precisely why I wanted to speak with you. We’ve noticed a pattern where your jokes about international conflicts seem to… well, come true.

> ANM-566: (Chuckles) You're giving me too much credit, doc. I just like to stir the pot a bit, keep things interesting. Back in my day, we didn't start wars. We just gave them a little nudge.

> Dr. ███████: It’s more than just a nudge, Reagan. Is there any way you can—

> ANM-566: (Interrupts) Oh come now, don't be such a stick-in-the-mud. You gotta have some fun with these things. Besides, what's the harm in a little saber-rattling? Keeps everybody on their toes.

Note: Following this interview, ANM-566 containment procedures were revised to limit topics of conversation. Staff are advised to avoid any mention of current international conflicts or military operations.

Addendum 566-C: Discovery

ANM-566 was discovered following a string of unusual geopolitical events in early 20██, which analysts traced back to comments made during a previously unknown radio broadcast originating from a decommissioned military bunker in ██████, California. The broadcast consisted of ANM-566 voice discussing hypothetical military scenarios, each of which subsequently unfolded within days.

Institute MOTHRA agents located ANM-566 at the bunker, where it appeared to be hosting a radio show. The equipment was outdated and non-functional by conventional standards, yet ANM-566-US seemed to broadcast effortlessly. When confronted, ANM-566 greeted the agents with, "Well, looks like my ratings finally caught up to me. Do I get a bigger studio, or is this the part where you folks take me to your secret underground base?"

Addendum 566-D: Experiment Logs

To better understand the limits and mechanics of ANM-566 abilities, controlled tests were conducted where ANM-566 was asked to comment on fictional geopolitical scenarios. In every case, conflicts did not manifest, suggesting ANM-566 abilities only affect real-world situations with pre-existing tensions.

Test 566-12: ANM-566 was asked to comment on a fictional country named "Norfalia" allegedly building nuclear weapons. ANM-566 quipped, "Well, if Norfalia wants to play with the big boys, they better have a big stick." No incidents were reported, and Norfalia does not exist.

Test 566-18: ANM-566 joked about "invading Atlantis," remarking, "Well, I always wanted a beachfront property." No anomalous effects occurred.

Test 566-21:

Objective: To determine whether ANM-566 influence extends to historical scenarios. ANM-566 was informed of a "newly discovered" conflict in ancient history involving the fictional "Kingdom of Phandalin," which was allegedly preparing to attack "the Empire of Zog."

Result: AMM-566 chuckled and said, "Well, if Phandalin wants to pick a fight with Zog, they better have a good battle plan. Maybe hire some mercenaries while they're at it." No historical evidence of any conflict involving Phandalin and Zog surfaced, suggesting that ANM-566 cannot retroactively affect history.

Test 566-23:

Objective: To test ANM-566 influence over hypothetical extraterrestrial conflicts. ANM-566 was asked what it would do if a fleet of alien ships approached Earth, claiming to be from the "Andromedan Federation."

Result: ANM-566 grinned and said, "Well, I'd just invite them over for a summit, then slip a few jelly beans into their fuel tanks to see what happens. Who knows, maybe they'd take a liking to Earth and declare a friendly invasion." No extraterrestrial contact occurred following the experiment, suggesting ANM-566 influence is limited to Earth-based events.

Test 566-25:

Objective: To understand the specific limits of ANM-566 war-inducing abilities by involving peaceful nations. ANM-566 was asked for its thoughts on "MOTHRA Peace Initiative," a fictional proposal aimed at convincing the countries of Norway and Switzerland to go to war over control of the world's best chocolate.

Result: ANM-566 laughed and said, "Well, that’s one sweet conflict. But let’s face it, even if Norway and Switzerland did go to war, the worst that would happen is a snowball fight." No evidence of heightened tensions appeared between Norway and Switzerland, indicating ANM-566 influence may require pre-existing political tensions.

Test 566-28:

Objective: To determine if ANM-566 can influence non-state actors. ANM-566 was asked about a fictitious terrorist organization called "The Purple Dragon Brigade" supposedly planning a major attack.

Result: ANM-566 leaned back and said, "Well, if these Purple Dragons want to cause trouble, I'd just send in a few knights to slay them. Problem solved." No incidents involving an organization with that name occurred, reinforcing the hypothesis that ANM-566 abilities are limited to influencing recognized nation-states or established factions.

Test 566-30:

Objective: To observe ANM-566 effects on the outcome of ongoing, low-intensity conflicts. ANM-566 was briefed on the situation in ████████, where minor skirmishes between local militias were occurring.

Result: ANM-566 remarked, "Ah, just some good old-fashioned neighborly disputes. If I were running the show, I'd tell them to settle it over a game of checkers. Or maybe thumb wrestling—much more civilized." Within two days, both militias unexpectedly agreed to a ceasefire for a "peaceful competition" involving various games, though the situation soon resumed its prior level of hostilities.

Test 566-32:

Objective: To test ANM-566 ability to influence entirely abstract or metaphorical "wars." ANM-566 was told about a "war on boredom" supposedly being fought by an international coalition of artists and philosophers.

Result: ANM-566 quipped, "Well, if they're waging a war on boredom, then I'm your secret weapon. Just give me a microphone and I'll talk about tax policy until everyone falls asleep." No significant cultural changes or mass outbreaks of boredom-related issues were reported. ANM-566 influence appears to be tied specifically to traditional concepts of war and conflict.

Incident 566-36:

During a routine examination of containment, ANM-566 spontaneously commented, "You know, the best way to get people to work together is to give them a common enemy. Or just send 'em all to a really long meeting. Either way, they’ll end up fighting someone." Within the following week, Site-██ experienced a series of escalating interdepartmental disputes over meeting schedules, resulting in multiple memos recommending an overhaul of site-wide communication procedures.

Conclusion: ANM-566 appears to have the ability to escalate or instigate real-world conflicts, but its anomalous effects do not extend to fictional or entirely peaceful situations.

Addendum 566-E: Humorous Anecdote Archive

The following are examples of ANM-566 humorous statements recorded during containment:

"You know, back when I was president, we didn't have these fancy smartphones. If we wanted to start a war, we had to do it the old-fashioned way—with a strongly worded telegram!"

"So, what do you call it when a president starts a conflict just for kicks? The Oval Ordeal, of course!"

"If I had a dollar for every war I could've started… well, I'd have enough to buy Greenland."

"You know, I was thinking of writing a book called 'War and Me,' but then I thought, why not just let history do the writing? Much less work."

"I once said, 'Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!' I didn't mean all the walls! Now everyone’s tearing things down, and I can't keep up. Who knew I was such a trendsetter?"

"You ever think about how much easier my job would’ve been if Twitter had existed in the '80s? I could’ve just tweeted, ‘Nuke 'em,’ and gone golfing."

"Back in my day, we didn’t need drones to bomb people from the sky; we had good old-fashioned bombers flown by people with a sense of adventure. Ah, those were the days."

"Someone asked me if I miss being president. I said, 'Only on the days when there's a big military parade. Or when there's leftover cake in the breakroom.'"

"You know, sometimes I like to think of myself as the world’s greatest improv comedian—except my punchlines start wars. That’s gotta be worth something, right?"

"I thought about starting a new Cold War, but then I remembered how much I hated shoveling snow in D.C."

"They call it the 'War on Terror,' but it seems like they’re fighting a losing battle if they still let me make suggestions, don't you think?"

Incident Report 566-F:

During a containment breach at Site-██, ANM-566 managed to access a MOTHRA intercom and broadcast a short monologue: "Folks, I’d like to announce my campaign for world peace. Just kidding, let's keep it interesting out there, shall we?" Within the following week, multiple minor border skirmishes occurred across three continents. ANM-566 was found in the Site cafeteria, eating a bowl of jelly beans, claiming, "I was just making sure everyone was still paying attention."

Notes:

ANM-566 humorous demeanor and self-awareness make it deceptively dangerous. While it does not appear to harbor malicious intent, its jokes can have significant consequences. Therefore, interactions with ANM-566 must be handled delicately to avoid unintentionally triggering global incidents.

[tuulikki]

China has sent dozens of coast guard and maritime militia vessels toward a disputed atoll in the South China Sea, a large show of force aimed at blocking a civilian protest flotilla from the Philippines, as tensions between the countries have flared. The Filipino group organizing the flotilla of about 100 small fishing boats, led by five slightly bigger ones, said it wanted to assert the Philippines’ claims to Scarborough Shoal, an atoll controlled by Beijing that is closer to Manila. But even before the motley Philippine fleet set out on Wednesday morning, China deployed a formidable contingent of much bigger government-run ships to the area, an intimidating escalation of its frequent assertions of control over vast expanses of sea far from its mainland.

Standoffs and close brushes between Filipino coast guard or civilian vessels and China’s larger coast guard and militia ships — which have used powerful water cannons to drive Philippine vessels away — have become more frequent in the past two years. This time, the size of the Chinese presence and the large number of civilian Filipino boats could make any encounter near the shoal more risky, Mr. Powell said. “If China decides that they want to send the message that says, ‘We’ve had enough of this,’ then the scary thing you would not want to see is one of these small Filipino fishing boats hit by a water cannon, because that would not end well,” he said.

[firstoccupier]

Breaking the Blockade: Naval Surface Tactics at the Scarborough Shoal

WPS News Staff ReporterBaybay City, 12/26/2024 In the azure waters off Scarborough Shoal, tension simmers as captains of the Western Pacific Squadron (WPS) prepare to break the blockade imposed by Chinese naval forces. Drawing upon time-honored strategies and innovative tactics, these maritime leaders are gearing up for what may be the region’s most defining naval engagement of the…

[flagwars]

People’s Flag Wars: Round 1, Bracket 11

See the symbolism below.

Coptic Egypt is a flag by @arthurdrakoni.

Symbolism: “This is the flag of Coptic Egypt.  It comes from a world where Islam was never founded.  One of the many consequences of this was that the Byzantine Empire continued to prosper for a number of years.  Eventually, however, tensions began to grow within the empire.  Egypt began to feel that Constantinople was giving them the short end of the stick a bit too often.  Egypt's main grievances were increased taxes and increased tensions between the Coptic and Orthodox churches. After a brief war, Egypt was granted its independence.  Despite this, Egypt retains good relations with Byzantium.  It also maintains good relations with fellow Oriental Orthodox nations Ethiopia and Armenia.  Egypt has traditionally been a hub of trade, and following its independence work began on a canal in the Sinai Peninsula.  Egypt established traditions ports in India and China.  It also established colonies in Australia, which is known as New Egypt, as well as a few minor colonies in South America.

The wealth from its trade and colonies has made Egypt a very rich nation.  People and goods from throughout the world can be found across Egypt's cities.  Currently there is something of an architectural fad based around reinterpretations of Ancient Egyptian architecture.  Egypt also has a reputation for having some of the best universities and centers of learning in the world.  It is a nation which honors its past while keeping an eye towards the future.

The flag contains a Coptic Cross to represent Egypt's Coptic faith.  The background represents the sands of Egypt, while the blue bands stands for the waters of the Nile River.  The writing is in the Coptic Script and reads "Jesus Christ, Son of God".”

Forest City Flag is a flag by @forestcityflag.

Symbolism: “The Forest City is a new flag for Cleveland, highlighting both our history and environment. The blue top half represents Lake Erie, our very own inland sea. The green bottom half represents the Forest City nickname and the Emerald Necklace of our Metroparks. The wavy chevron in the center represents the Cuyahoga River winding its way through downtown. The pattern is inspired by a design from Moses Cleaveland's coat of arms (he's the guy who invented Cleveland). At the same time, the upward facing arrow is reminiscent of the city's motto "Progress and Prosperity," pointing up towards the future.”

New Jersey Autonomous Zone is a flag by @lil-tachyon.

Symbolism: “The design is based on the original New Jersey flag but re-imagined in the context of some kind of anarcho-communist future. The buff field of the NJ flag is replaced by the bisected black/red used by anarcho-communists and syndicalists. The coat of arms has the godesses Liberty and Ceres replaced by workers wielding a sickle and hammer, the horse head replaced by the head of the Jersey Devil, a yellow Star backed by a slice of pork roll replacing the helmet, and tomatoes and cranberries flanking the star. The motto is changed from "Liberty and Prosperity" to "Trenton Makes, The World Takes," the words infamously featured on the Lower Trenton Bridge.”

[mariacallous]

When tensions flare in the contested South China Sea, age-old territorial feuds or military drills are typically to blame—not American popstars known for their blond tresses and affinity for cats.

Yet Taylor Swift found herself at the center of a heated regional spat in February, when Singapore was accused of secretly paying Swift���s team up to $18 million to ensure the island was the sole stop in the Southeast Asia leg of her record-breaking Eras Tour. Singapore’s confirmation of having made a payment of an undisclosed amount intensified the backlash, with one peeved Filipino lawmaker accusing the island of operating by “the law of the jungle.”

Singapore wasn’t too worried. Hosting the extravaganza may have caused some bad blood, but it is estimated to have injected between $260 million and $375 million into the country’s economy, as more than 300,000 fans descended on the island for the tour. And that’s just a fraction of the more than 10 million people worldwide who turned out in force to shake it off with Swift during her marathon tour (including, admittedly, this Foreign Policy reporter).

Those are just some of the staggering figures that have emerged from Swift’s Eras Tour, which wrapped in December after a nearly two-year run. Before Eras, for example, no tour had passed the billion-dollar mark in ticket sales; Swift shattered that record, raking in $2.2 billion in gross earnings.

Yet that number doesn’t even begin to account for all of the revenue generated beyond concert ticket sales. In September 2023, the U.S. Travel Association estimated the tour’s total economic impact at the time had surpassed some $10 billion—and that was just five months in.

“If she were her own economy, she would be bigger than 50 or so of the poorest nations in the world,” said Adam Gustafson, a professor of music at Penn State Harrisburg, who likened Swift’s influence to a “massive gravitational pull.”

Swift may have humble origins in West Reading, Pennsylvania, but the Eras Tour has laid bare just how powerful her gravitational pull has become.

She has drawn in powerful world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who attended her show in Toronto, and Chilean President Gabriel Boric, a known Swiftie who once leapt to her defense on Twitter, tenderly sending “hugs from the south.” Her tour has captured the attention of the Bank of England and the U.S. Federal Reserve. And the force of her fandom has, quite literally, shaken the world, with the dancing at her concerts in Edinburgh and Seattle generating enough of a seismic shock that scientists took notice.

“I don’t think we’ll ever see anything like it again, and I don’t think we’ve seen anything like it before,” said Ryan Herzog, an economics professor at Gonzaga University who partnered with New York Times columnist and economics professor Paul Krugman to develop a class on “Swiftonomics.”

You don’t have to be a devout Swiftie to have felt the economic reverberations of the popstar’s marathon tour, which extended into the far reaches of the global economy over its nearly two-year run.

The numbers alone are eye-popping: $2.07 billion in ticket sales, 10,168,008 attendees, 149 shows, 51 cities, 21 countries, five continents.

Beyond the gold rush in ticket sales, the Eras Tour pumped up hotel revenue; drove up demand for flights—prompting Southwest Airlines to add new flights to “help Swifties get to and from her concerts,” per a company statement; and spiked retail and restaurant spending. The bead market also boomed: Michaels, a retailer known for its arts and crafts supplies, reported that its sales for bracelet materials surged, popularized by the beaded friendship bracelets that have become a trademark of the Eras Tour.

“The magnitude of her impact was large everywhere she went,” said Herzog.

The last time that Swift toured was in 2018, after she released Reputation, a defiant album defined by its slithering snakes and angsty feuds. (Remember “Look What You Made Me Do”?) Reputation spanned 53 shows and 7 countries, but even that feels small compared with the colossal Eras Tour.

In an evolving music industry now dominated by streaming giants, such as Spotify or Apple Music—which give artists only a sliver of profits—experts said touring can be a key source of income for many musicians.

“Artists really don’t get a lot of money from streaming; that is why they’re putting on these big shows,” said Kara Reynolds, an economist at American University who teaches a class on Swiftonomics. “All the money now in the music industry is really in touring.”

But for almost five years, Swift took a break from touring. Rather than hitting the road, particularly when much of the world shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, Swift churned out four new albums: Lover (2019), folklore (2020), evermore (2020), and Midnights (2022). Her most recent album, The Tortured Poets Department (2024), was released during the Eras Tour.

Some of the Taylormania can be traced back to the isolation of the pandemic and pent up demand for Swift’s new music. “The timing after COVID just was impeccable,” said Herzog, who said that there was a “perfect recipe” of factors. “The fact that she hadn’t toured enabled her to put on a show unlike anything anyone had experienced.”

Yet all recipes, no matter how perfect, need capable hands. With some two decades of experience under Swift’s belt, economists and seasoned watchers described her as a savvy businesswoman and marketing whiz, one who has leveraged social media to her advantage and strategically made bold, even unusual, professional decisions to directly connect with fans and establish her empire.

Dani Winchester, co-host of the Swift-focused Taylearning podcast, likened Swift to a “two-headed dragon.” “One head is her immense talent, her unparalleled pen, and just what an incredible musician and artist she is,” she said. “The other head is this absolutely insane businesswoman.”

Take, for example, Swift’s decision to rerecord her older albums, allowing her to rerelease her music under her ownership, as Taylor’s Version. There’s all of the Easter eggs that she has planted in music videos, social media posts, and interviews, offering clues and veiled messages to her legions of fans. There’s the nearly three-hour Eras Tour movie she released last October, and the hardcover tour book that she dropped in November. It’s also hard to forget her feud with Ticketmaster, which ultimately helped pave the way for a Justice Department lawsuit against the company and its parent firm, Live Nation Entertainment.

And then there’s the career-spanning Eras Tour, which by some estimates is set to funnel some $4.1 billion directly into Swift’s pocket.

For Gustafson, the Penn State Harrisburg professor, understanding Swift’s economic impact starts with seeing her as Swift Inc. When you start “thinking about her as a financial engine rather than as this artist,” he said, “you start realizing that the hundreds and hundreds of people below her, they’re all kind of at work to make this cultural product happen.”

The sun had yet to rise when Megan Wysocki clambered out of bed and rushed over to her local Target store in New Jersey. A student at American University, Wysocki is decidedly not a morning person, she told Foreign Policy—but this was something even she couldn’t miss.

She wasn’t alone. When Wysocki arrived at Target in the early hours of Nov. 29, a line had formed of people who were there for the same reason: snagging Swift’s self-published Eras Tour Book, a 256-page tome packed with more than 500 glossy images of Swift as well as her reflections. Swift released the book exclusively through the retailer on Black Friday, prompting eager fans to turn to Reddit to mastermind plans to secure a copy.

“Will people camp out? What time should I arrive?!” one Swiftie asked. “Obviously no one here can answer that question but I was curious if anyone had a game plan yet.”

Wysocki, for her part, appeared to be bracing for chaos. “Prior to going, I was fully expecting, like, it’s going to be unorganized … there’s going to be a stampede, I’m going to have to fight someone for this book,” she said, laughing. It was, mercifully, a fairly seamless process—no brawls necessary—and by the time she left the store at around 6:45 am, she said there were only two or three books left.

“I think if Bill Gates went and wrote a book, people would not be lining up at Target at 5:30 in the morning,” she added.

Wysocki’s purchase of the Eras Tour Book was just one of 814,000 print copy sales of the volume over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. Those sales smashed yet another record for Swift: the biggest total first week print sales of 2024.

To see the Eras Tour in the United States, some fans paid steep prices, shelling out thousands on resold concert tickets alone. Others travelled abroad to Europe, where a stricter regulatory environment helped ensure that ticket prices were some 87 percent cheaper than they were in the United States. In Paris, for example, more than a quarter of tickets sold for Swift’s shows in the city were snapped up by Americans.

Others tuned in online. At every show, tens of thousands of fans unable to attend in person would watch unofficial fan-organized livestreams, complete with shaky video footage, frenzied live chats, and even engagement proposals. It’s euphoric. It’s electric. It’s adoring. It’s Swiftiedom.

“Her fan base, I think, genuinely feels that she’s authentic, that they’re seeing a real her,” said Gustafson. “That sort of feeling of authenticity, and attachment to it, is really something that I think just draws fans in—that they’re not just consuming the movement; they’re actually a part of it with her.”

Whether you’re pining for a stranger who doesn’t know you exist, reeling from crushing heartbreak, experiencing the thrill and agony of a new crush, spiraling in self-doubt, recovering from professional setback, or reveling in a tender friendship, fans say, Taylor Swift has a song for you.

“She has mastered the art of autofiction and of taking stories that have happened to her—no matter how small—and turning them into these moments, through her songs, that we can relate to, that we can listen to, and experience, and grow with her,” said Winchester.

It’s a bond that spans generations. “When [I was] a young teenager, I found that my feelings weren’t taken as seriously … because, you know, I don’t even take my feelings as a 15-year-old as seriously as 15-year-old me would like,” said Olivia Kotarski, who co-hosts the Taylearning podcast with Winchester. “But Taylor Swift took them seriously when I was 15,” she said.

After the whirlwind of the Eras Tour, what’s next for Swift? Spending the holidays with beau Travis Kelce, for one. Professionally, Swift is sure to keep writing songs, and there are two more album rerecordings in the pipeline, said Stephanie Burt, a professor at Harvard University who taught a course called “Taylor Swift and Her World” and is writing a book on the popstar.

Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess. But Burt is excited.

“We have no idea,” she said. “I just feel like it’s going to be awesome.”

[usa-journal]

Taiwan Warns of Unprecedented Chinese Naval Deployment in the Region

Taiwan’s military raised its alert level on Monday after reports of China reserving airspace and deploying a large number of naval and coast guard vessels. The Taiwanese defense ministry revealed on Tuesday that China is currently conducting its largest naval operation in nearly 30 years, which poses a more significant threat to Taiwan than previous Chinese military drills.

Largest Naval Deployment Since 1996 Taiwan’s defense ministry spokesperson, Sun Li-fang, stated that the scale of China's current naval presence in regional waters, extending from the southern Japanese islands to the South China Sea, is the largest since the 1996 Chinese military exercises held ahead of Taiwan's presidential elections. Despite Taiwan’s concerns, China has yet to comment on the deployment or confirm that it is conducting any military drills.

Increasing Chinese Military Activity The heightened military alert follows China’s likely response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te’s recent diplomatic tour of the Pacific, which included stops in Hawaii and Guam. Taiwanese officials have been closely monitoring Chinese activity, noting a significant increase in naval and coast guard vessels in the region. According to a Taiwanese security source, approximately 90 Chinese ships are currently operating in the area, which is seen as an alarming escalation of tensions.

Strategic "Walls" in the Pacific Taiwan’s intelligence suggests that China is building two strategic "walls" in the Pacific. These walls are intended to assert control over the region, with one located at the eastern end of Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone and the other further in the Pacific. This move, Taiwanese officials claim, signals China’s intent to transform the Taiwan Strait into an internal sea, reducing foreign influence and intervention in the area.

Increased Air and Naval Activity In the past 24 hours, Taiwan detected 47 Chinese military aircraft and 12 navy vessels operating near the island, including simulated attacks on foreign naval ships and exercises designed to block military and civilian aircraft. Taiwan’s military notes that China’s increasing activity to the north of Taiwan is part of a broader strategy that goes beyond just Taiwan, impacting other nations in the region.

Rising Tensions in the Taiwan Strait The deployment and military drills come amid ongoing tensions between China and Taiwan, with Beijing continuing to assert its sovereignty over Taiwan, which it considers a breakaway province. Taiwan, in contrast, rejects these claims and insists that only its people have the right to decide their future. The United States, a key ally of Taiwan, has reiterated its opposition to China’s efforts to control the Taiwan Strait, a vital international waterway.

China has conducted two major rounds of war games near Taiwan this year, further escalating military tensions in the region.