TheIncLab’s Post

Peace is More Profitable than War Singapore has a truly defensive army-navy-airforce. We've never fought any wars, and yet our country is always peaceful and harmonious. The best war strategy is peace. Peace requires us to stay relevant to others so that our peace is more profitable to our neighbours than War. We invest in their countries, and they invest in ours. We organise group and alliances interests. We stay useful for them to leverage. And we stay neutral while upholding the positions of the UN and other global institutions. We are very careful not to allow War to be more profitable than Peace. We invest heavily in our military capabilities as a deterent without fighting. During the Aceh tsunami, we've demonstrated our speed of deployment mobilising our armoured battalions, airforce, army and medical personnel to set up bridges, hospitals and camps inside Indonesia within 48 hours upon being granted permission by the Indonesian President. These were areas that the Indonesian army could not access themselves. Our military alliance with USA protects us from others, and we protected us against the USA by letting them become our #1 foreign investor. In turn, we become the #1 foreign investor of China, #1 foreign investor of India, #1 foreign investor is Indonesia, #1 foreign investor of Vietnam, #1 foreign investor of Thailand, and #1 foreign investor of Myanmar. We are also the #2 foreign investor of Malaysia. We believe everyone wants Singapore to grow so that their investments are safe. This is partly how we defend Singapore. https://lnkd.in/gwPGdhBm

In October 2023, India made a formal request to the French government to purchase 26 Rafale Marine aircrafts for the Indian Navy, worth USD $6 billion, which would significantly bolster its capabilities in the Indian Ocean. However, while defense trade remains a vital element, India and France are increasingly broadening the scope of their relationship to include shared geopolitical objectives in the Indo-Pacific. As the regional security environment becomes more unpredictable, closer cooperation with island states is emerging as the thrust of this partnership.

Maritime Security Bulletin and Geopolitical Update Re: Niger Severes Ties with the U.S. Military(Opting For Relations with Russia) Issued by Sanborn Analytics Email: outreach@sanbornanalytics.us Phone: (+1) (617) 539-6114 Maritime Security Bulletin: Attention all maritime shipping operators and naval forces at sea, This bulletin serves as an advisory regarding recent geopolitical developments impacting maritime security. Geopolitical Update: On Saturday, March 16th, 2024, the government of Niger made a significant announcement indicating the immediate termination of its military cooperation agreement with the United States. This decision follows closely after the departure of a high-level US delegation from Niger, which had undertaken a three-day visit aimed at renewing ties with the military junta that deposed the country's president. The timing of this announcement suggests a strategic shift in Niger's foreign policy, as it moves towards forging closer relations with Russia. Such geopolitical maneuvers can potentially impact regional stability and maritime security, necessitating heightened vigilance among maritime stakeholders. Sanborn Analytics advises all shipping operators and naval forces operating in the vicinity of Niger to remain vigilant and stay updated on unfolding developments. Heightened awareness of geopolitical shifts is crucial in ensuring the safety and security of maritime operations. For further inquiries or assistance, please contact Sanborn Analytics via the provided email or phone number. Media Credit: France 24 (see link) Sanborn Analytics A trusted source for maritime intelligence and geopolitical analysis. #maritimesecurity #niger #dod #whitehouse #france #unitedstates #africanunion https://lnkd.in/eyQb2Us4

Recent developments in the Persian Gulf, involving a provocative encounter between Iranian drones and the US Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, have highlighted the complexity of naval operations in geopolitically sensitive regions. This commentary delves into the incident reported by The Defense Post, examining the implications of the United States’ restrained response. By opting for de-escalation, the US demonstrates a nuanced approach to regional tensions, reflecting a strategic balance between assertiveness and conflict avoidance in a landscape marked by historical rivalries and modern geopolitical challenges.

“China’s ambitions to expand its global intelligence-gathering capabilities have drawn it to the doorstep of the United States. In a striking revelation last year, Biden administration officials disclosed that China has access to multiple spy facilities in Cuba. While China’s activities on the island remain shrouded in secrecy, satellite imagery analyzed by CSIS provides the latest and most comprehensive assessment of where China is most likely operating.” […] “China has historically lacked access to ground stations in North America. Accessing installations in Cuba could help close that gap. Cuban facilities would also provide the ability to monitor radio traffic and potentially intercept data delivered by U.S. satellites as they pass over highly sensitive military sites across the southern United States. Florida alone is home to the major space-launch complex at Cape Canaveral, the headquarters of both the U.S. Southern Command and Central Command, and multiple submarine and other bases.” https://lnkd.in/eGB3wR6g

New Military Strategies in the Gulf (2023) Author: Jean-Loup Samaan "In the last decade, rulers in Gulf regimes have aspired to greater strategic autonomy and distance from the West. Coined the "Gulf moment" by local commentators, this regional trend reflects a redistribution of power in the Arab world. This is the first book to examine the military dimensions of these shifts. Gulf military strategy has prioritised the improvement of local armed forces and the diversification of defence partnerships towards countries such as Russia, Turkey or China. However, this book shows how this has led to the militarisation of Gulf societies, the further erosion of multilateral initiatives - including the Gulf Cooperation Council - the Gulf's perilous involvement in the war in Yemen, [and] the region's enduring reliance on the West." https://lnkd.in/d6NpXC9n

"Charting Thailand’s Course: Leveraging Small Navy Strategies to Secure Thailand amid Great-Power Maritime Rivalry in the Indo-Pacific," by Wanpiya Rodjanagoson https://lnkd.in/ek5i6qv2 In this insightful article, the author examines how Thailand can utilize proven #smallnavy strategies to secure itself amid the complex maritime rivalry among great powers in the Indo-Pacific region. Key points include: * Definition and analysis of "small navy" capabilities and constraints * Overview of the 5 primary small navy strategies: international cooperation, institutional building, force multipliers, hedging, and strategic communication * Historical background on great power maritime rivalry in the Indo-Pacific and the evolving role of the #RoyalThaiNavy * SWOT analysis of Thailand's maritime and naval conditions * Recommendations on small navy strategies for Thailand based on a TOWS matrix * Comparison of recommended strategies to Thailand's current plans and practices The author concludes that while #Thailand's contemporary strategies aim to align with the recommended small navy approaches, implementation success remains mixed. As #maritime rivalry continues to intensify, Thailand will need to closely monitor and adapt its small navy strategies to navigate the complex geopolitical dynamics of the #IndoPacific. Read the full article for a deep dive on this important and timely topic at the intersection of #navalstrategy and #greatpowercompetition. Available now in the latest issue of the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs. Air University Press Air University U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Pacific Air Forces U.S. Pacific Fleet Daniel K. Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies #SoutheastAsia #ASEAN #diplomacy

The Revival of Australia-France Relations and its Strategic Implications... In the evolving geopolitical landscape of the Asia-Pacific and South Pacific regions, the recent naval buildup and formation of strategic alliances signal a significant recalibration of international relations and defence postures. This shift is exemplified by the deepening ties between Australia and France, particularly in the wake of the AUKUS pact. Read more at Cyber News Centre #australia #france #aukus #politics #dimplomacy #pennywong #catherinecolonna #strategy #cybernews #defence #defense

🌟 A Landmark Visit in Japan by the NATO Defense College 🌟 The NATO Defense College (NDC) recently embarked on its first historic visit to Japan, aimed at strengthening cooperation with this key Indo-Pacific partner. During the visit, Course Members deepened their understanding of Japan's national and defence strategies, including its proactive defence posture and strategic countermeasures. This visit underscores NATO’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and paves the way for future collaboration between NATO and Japan’s defence institutions. Key Highlights: 🔹 Meeting with Rear Admiral Kinoshita Harunobu and General Yoshihide Yoshida to discuss security challenges and cooperation. 🔹 Comprehensive insights into Japan's national security strategy, focusing on regional and global security issues. 🔹 Engaging discussions with the National Institute of Defense Studies. #NATO #Japan #Defence #StrategicCooperation #IndoPacific #NationalSecurity https://lnkd.in/duT9d46U

APPSMO 2023: “Competition and Conflict in a Fragmented World” By Muhammad Faizal Bin Abdul Rahman “Competition and Conflict in a Fragmented World” was the theme for the 24th Asia Pacific Programme for Senior Military Officers (APPSMO 2023), held from 1 to 5 October 2023. Organised by the Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies (IDSS), RSIS, APPSMO 2023 focused on this critical theme that stemmed from a more complex security landscape. https://lnkd.in/gNsFW77V