An investigation by The New York Times reveals that Vietnam has significantly increased its military purchases from Russia, employing covert financial channels to circumvent sanctions. Despite strengthening ties with the US, Vietnam resumed major arms deals with Russia by 2024, potentially accelerating when Trump returned to office. Documents from Russian state exporter Rostec indicate a potential $8 billion deal, including fighter jets, alongside electronic warfare systems and mobile jammers. To facilitate payments, Vietnam and Russia established a scheme using joint oil-and-gas ventures. This move reflects a broader geopolitical strategy by Vietnam to diversify its suppliers and navigate regional tensions, as one official stated that the US should focus on cooperation in non-military sectors rather than pressuring Vietnam to cease arms purchases from Russia.
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Senator Chris Murphy advocates for congressional oversight of arms deals with nations, such as Qatar and the UAE, that have financially invested in President Trump’s businesses. He cites Qatar’s offer of a private jet as an example of quid pro quo arrangements potentially compromising U.S. national security interests. Murphy argues that these deals necessitate Senate votes, ensuring transparency and preventing the compromise of U.S. foreign policy through corrupt practices. He contends that such votes are crucial to safeguarding national security and preventing the transfer of sensitive technologies to potentially hostile entities.
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Due to international sanctions on Russia, Serbia has been forced to cancel several Russian weapons contracts and seek alternative suppliers. The Serbian Armed Forces are now procuring military equipment from countries including Israel and China, as well as Western nations, to maintain their military capabilities. This shift reflects Serbia’s pursuit of European Union membership, despite maintaining military neutrality and existing Soviet/Russian military equipment. Simultaneously, Serbia is securing spare parts and maintaining its existing Russian-made equipment, and has already finalized major contracts with France and Israel.
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Putin has once again raised the threat level by warning that Russia could provide long-range weapons to others to strike Western targets. This statement has raised eyebrows and sparked mixed reactions across the globe. However, upon closer inspection, one might realize that Russia has been involved in arms dealings with various countries for quite some time now. The Russians have a reputation for selling weapons to anyone willing to buy, and they have been the second-largest weapon exporter globally. They provide surface-to-air missiles, fighter jets, and ballistic missiles, all of which fall under the category of long-range weapons.
So, Putin’s recent warning almost seems redundant.… Continue reading
The recent news of the US approving a $4 billion sale of MQ-9B Drones and Hellfire Missiles to India is a topic that has sparked a lot of discussions and debates. As I delve into the details, I can’t help but reflect on the various opinions and insights that have been shared.
First and foremost, let’s address the concerns regarding the technology being sold. Some have raised questions about the possibility of these drones being reverse engineered. It’s a valid concern, but I believe that the US would have taken adequate measures to protect the technology. After all, it would be detrimental to their own national security if their advanced technology fell into the wrong hands.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker