Violence and atrocities : Joe Biden

Showing posts with label Joe Biden. Show all posts

Friday, November 11, 2022

During his trip to Asia, President Joe Biden will meet leaders of Japan and South Korea to discuss the nuclear program of North Korea

White House informs that US President Joe Biden will meet Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan and South Korean President Yoon Suk-Yeol during his forth coming trip to Asia. The meeting would be in Cambodia on Sunday, Nov. 13. This is when the US President will attend the ASEAN and the Group of 20 industrialized nations. Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the White House said - "The three leaders would work to continue enhancing trilateral cooperation throughout the Indo-Pacific, particularly in regard to our joint efforts to address the ongoing threat posed by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s unlawful weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs.” Biden to discuss North Korea nuclear threat with Japan, South Korea leaders. In October, North Korea test-fired a ballistic missile. It went soaring over Japan for the first time in five years. There was a warning for residents to take cover. It also prompted Biden to assure the Prime Minister of Japan about the "ironclad" commitment of America to the defense of Japan.

In view of these developments, warplanes of South Korean and the U.S. practiced bombing a target in the Yellow Sea. In addition, fighter jets from the United States and Japan conducted joint drills over the Sea of Japan. Recently, a U.S. official told a media outlet that China and Russia could use their influence with North Korea to ensure that it abandons its testing of nuclear bomb. Biden last visited Asia in May. At the time, administration officials said they were in the final stages of a policy review on North Korea. It was also keen to encourage greater trilateral cooperation with Seoul and Tokyo on that issue. Incidentally, there is a U.N. Security Council ban on North Korea from conducting nuclear tests and ballistic missile launches. There are also sanctions on Pyongyang with the objective of cutting off funding for such programs.

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

The United States, Japan and South Korea warn North Korea about serious consequences of any nuclear test

The United States and its allies Japan and South Korea spoke in one voice and warned North Korea against any further nuclear test. They said any violation would warrant an "unprecedentedly strong response." The three vowed unity following launch of a number of missiles from the hermit kingdom. Foreign ministers of the three nations held talks in Tokyo and believe they could boost their deterrence in the region. South Korea's Cho Hyun-dong said - "We agreed to further strengthen cooperation ... so that North Korea can immediately stop its illegal activities and return to denuclearization talks.” He went on to explain to members of the media - "The three countries agreed on the need for an unprecedentedly strong response if North Korea proceeds with its seventh nuclear test." Seoul and Washington have repeatedly warned that Pyongyang could be close to testing an atomic bomb for the first time since 2017. This came after a number of launch of ballistic missiles. One of these flew over Japan last month. The North has separately claimed that it had carried out tactical nuclear drills. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman says – “All of this behavior is reckless and deeply destabilizing." She urged North Korea to "refrain from further provocations." North Korea put on notice: Nuclear test would draw "unprecedentedly strong" response.

According to a section of the media, Sherman laid stress on the fact that the commitment of the U.S. to the security of South Korea and Japan is "ironclad.” She went on to add that the U.S. would "use the full range of U.S. defense capabilities to defend our allies, including nuclear, conventional and missile defense capabilities." Incidentally, last month Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea had declared the country an "irreversible" nuclear power, effectively ending negotiations over his banned arms programs. He had met three times with President Biden's predecessor Donald Trump. It did reduce tensions but did not result in any lasting agreement. The country has also shown little interest in taking up President Biden's offer of working-level talks.

Sunday, October 23, 2022

It seems Beijing wants to remove the status quo vis-à-vis Taiwan

According to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, China wants to remove the status quo vis-à-vis Taiwan. In his opinion, Beijing has shifted gears. It is apparently pursuing unification with Taiwan "on a much faster timeline." This is evident from the opening speech at the Communist party Congress in Beijing. On this occasion, President Xi Jinping did not rule out using force to unify with Taiwan. China treats the self-ruled island as a part of its territory. However, Taiwan does not agree – it sees itself as distinct from the mainland. Incidentally, last month US President Joe Biden had indicated that US forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack. This is in spite of the fact that there exists ambiguity on the official US policy pertaining to Taiwan. During a recent event where previous Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was present, Antony Blinken said that Beijing could resort to alternate means like coercion and possible force if it failed to achieve unification by peaceful means. He went on to add - "That is what is profoundly disrupting the status quo and creating tremendous tensions." China-Taiwan: Beijing speeding up plans for unification, Blinken says.

Washington has always walked a diplomatic tightrope over the issue of Taiwan and China. Antony Blinken said that the US would honor its commitments to Taiwan and support the island's ability to defend itself. The official policy of the US does not commit to military action on Taiwan. However, President Biden has apparently gone against this stance. He has repeatedly emphasized that Washington would defend Taiwan. China is currently holding a twice-in-a-decade party congress. The expectation is that he would return to a historic third time in office. In his opening remarks, he insisted, "complete reunification of our country must and will be realized." Tensions between US and China have escalated in recent months, following a visit to Taipei by US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi. As a result, China conducted large-scale military exercises. Taiwan condemned it as "highly provocative."

Saturday, October 15, 2022

Another incident of gun violence in North Carolina kills five, police arrests a 15-year-old boy

North Carolina witnessed another incident of gun violence in which a 15-year-old boy shot and killed five people. The gunman is in a critical condition in hospital. Police have not disclosed the identity of the boy. He is alleged to have fatally shot two people in the state's capital city of Raleigh. Later he opened fire on a walking trail, killed three more people, and wounded two others. Those killed included people of different ages an off-duty police officer. Another police officer was also injured but has been released. Raleigh police Chief Estella Patterson said the victims were a racially diverse group, and the motive for the shooting is yet to be established. The police officers cornered the suspect inside a house and arrested him. North Carolina shooting: Boy, 15, arrested after five killed in 'infuriating and tragic act of gun violence'. Governor Roy Cooper described the attack an "infuriating and tragic act of gun violence."

President Joe Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden are grieving with victims' families. He also said that his administration is working with Mr Cooper to help local authorities with their investigation. This incident in Raleigh is the latest in a violent week across America, with another five people killed in a shooting in South Carolina on Sunday. On Wednesday night, two police officers were fatally shot in Connecticut. Incidentally, in this week gunmen have targeted police officers in Greenville, Mississippi; Decatur, Illinois; Philadelphia, Las Vegas, and central Florida. Two of them, one in Greenville and one in Las Vegas, died. The latest violence was the 25th mass killing in 2022 involving fatal shootings. This is as per the database of Northeastern University Mass Killings. The definition of mass killing is one when four or more people are killed, excluding the perpetrator.

Sunday, September 25, 2022

China hurls accusations at the United States on the Taiwan issue

Taiwan came center stage in the sidelines of the recent United Nations General Assembly in New York. The focus of talks between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, was Taiwan. During the nearly 90 minutes of talks, described as “direct and honest,” China accused the United States of sending “very wrong, dangerous signals” with relation to Taiwan. The Chinese side also added that Washington had “no right to interfere” in how Beijing wants to “resolve” the issue. The American said it was important to maintenance peace and stability across the Strait. However, China insists that the issue pertaining to Taiwan is an internal matter of China and the United States should not interfere. US sending ‘dangerous signals’ on Taiwan, China tells Blinken. Tensions over Taiwan increased subsequent to a visit in August by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Subsequently, China conducted large-scale military drills in the region. More recently, US President Joe Biden pledged to defend the island that is governed democratically.

The foreign ministry of China had a similar message for foreign minister James Cleverly of the United Kingdom. This was also on the sidelines of the UNGA in New York. The message was that the UK should “honour its one-China commitment and unequivocally oppose ‘Taiwan independence.’ China looks at Taiwan as one of its provinces and wants to bring it under its control. The government of Taiwan objects to the sovereignty claims of China and says it is up to the people to decide its future. Incidentally, Chinese leader Xi Jinping talked to Joe Biden in July over the phone and said - “those who play with fire will perish by it.” There are possibilities that the two leaders could meet on the sidelines of a G20 meeting in November.

Friday, September 9, 2022

North Korea declares itself as a nuclear weapons state

Kim Jong-un described the decision of declaring itself as a nuclear weapons state ‘irreversible.’ He also ruled out any possibility of reopening talks on denuclearization. The law emphasizes the country's right to go in for a pre-emptive nuclear strike to protect itself. During the tenure of Donald Trump as the president of the United States, there were talks on this subject but Donald and Kim could not arrive at an acceptable solution. Later, the Joe Biden administration tried to reopen the subject but there has not been much progress. In spite of facing crippling international sanctions, the North carried out six nuclear tests between 2006 and 2017. North Korea declares itself a nuclear weapons state. Pyongyang has continued to increase its military capability. This was a breach of United Nations Security Council resolutions. It meant threat to its neighbors and possibilities of bringing the United States mainland within striking range.

Incidentally, Kim Jong-un conducted long-range launches and nuclear tests in 2019. There were summits with the then US president Donald Trump that grabbed headlines but provided no result. Talks between the countries have since stalled. The Biden administration indicated its willingness to talk. It has reviewed its North Korea policy last year and reiterated that "complete denuclearisation" of the Korean peninsula was the goal. President Biden indicated he would pursue it with a mix of diplomacy and "stern deterrence." To this, Kim Jong-un said his country must prepare for both "dialogue and confrontation."

Sunday, August 28, 2022

Warships of the U.S. enter the Taiwan Strait, adds to tension in the region

Tension between the United States and China spiked in the aftermath of the recent visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. Two ships of the US Navy have now entered the Taiwan Strait. This is the first US naval transit in the waterway since the visit of Nancy Pelosi. The ships are guided-missile cruisers and the US 7th Fleet in Japan explained that the voyage was "through waters where high seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law." They added that the transit was "ongoing" and that there had been "no interference from foreign military forces so far." Incidentally, the strait is a 110-mile stretch of water. It separates the democratic self-ruled island of Taiwan from mainland China. In the words of the US Navy, most of the strait is in international waters. However, Beijing argues that the strait is a part of its "internal waters." US sends two warships through Taiwan Strait, in first transit since Pelosi trip. An international law defines territorial waters as extending 12 nautical miles from the coastline of a country. However, the movement of guided missile destroyers of the US in the straits has drawn angry responses from Beijing.

After the visit of Nancy Pelosi, Beijing has ramped up military naval and aerial maneuvers in the strait. Soon after her arrival in Taiwan on August 2, the People’s Liberation Army PLA announced four days of military exercises in six zones around the island. The maneuvers included war like activities around Taiwan. Those exercises have officially ended but warplanes have continued to cross the median line on a daily basis. Taiwan's Defense Ministry confirms this with statistics. US Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, was the latest member of Congress to visit Taiwan. She defied pressure from Beijing and said - "I will not be bullied by Communist China into turning my back on the island." Even though she does not represent the Joe Biden administration, she reiterated her support for Taiwan. She said - "I will never kowtow to the Chinese Communist Party. I will continue to stand with the (Taiwanese) and their right to freedom and democracy. Xi Jinping doesn't scare me."

Saturday, August 20, 2022

Unidentified gunmen stormed Hayat Hotel in Mogadishu and killed at least 20

Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, witnessed an attack by unidentified gunmen. They stormed Hayat Hotel and killed at least 20 persons. A doctor at a hospital revealed that the death toll could rise because many of the victims were in critical condition. This is the Madina, which is one of the two major hospitals in Mogadishu. The victims of the hotel attack were hospitalized here and bodies are still arriving at the hospital. An official of the police confirmed to a section of the media that security forces had entered the hotel building and regained control from the gunmen. Mogadishu hotel attack: Death toll rises. Two security officials suffered injuries in the ongoing attack.

Al-Shabaab, the Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group, has claimed responsibility for the attack. It has said in a statement that its fighters had taken over the managed to take over the hotel. They had blasted their way into the building. However, there is no confirmation about this from other more authentic sources. A recent air strike by the United States did eliminate several members of the Al-Shabaab group. The US Africa Command had confirmed this earlier. It is not clear whether this has any link to the attack on the Hyat Hotel. Recently, in May, US President Joe Biden took a decision to redeploy US troops to Somalia in order to extend support to the local government and to counter threats of al-Shabaab. This was a reversal of decision taken by former President Donald Trump regarding withdrawal of all US troops from the country.

Friday, August 19, 2022

Trade talks between the United States and Taiwan take off in spite of China’s attitude

Washington and Taipei have reached an agreement to push ahead with trade talks. It would signal the beginning of the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade. The intention is to improve trade and advance common standards, especially in areas like anti-corruption policy and environmental regulations. This initiative between the United States and Taiwan is against the background of heightened tensions with China. It pertains to the status of the self-ruled island. The first round of talks could happen within two to three months. As an official explained, the plan would cover the eleven trade areas in the negotiating mandate. These would pave the way to create a fairer, more prosperous and resilient 21st century economy. US and Taiwan announce trade talks amid tensions with China. US President Joe Biden excluded the democratic island from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). Observers feel this Asia-focused economic initiative would curb the growing influence of China as a rising military power and the world’s second-largest economy. Incidentally, China is the biggest trading partner of most of the region’s major economies, including Taiwan.

The talks between the US and Taiwan did not go down well with China. It had conducted military exercises when US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan recently. At a regular press conference, an official of the commerce ministry said China opposed the talks and would take all necessary measures to uphold its sovereignty, security and development interests. China treats Taiwan as a province that must be “reunified” with the mainland. It wants to achieve this by force, if necessary. China accused the US of trying to overturn decades of diplomatic policy concerning the status of Taiwan. During the Nixon-era, Washington did not accord recognition to Taiwan as an independent country or China’s territory. However, the US is obliged to extend assistance to Taiwan in order to defend itself under the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979.

Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Obama came in 2008 riding the wave of anti-war sentiment but wars continue in both Iraq and Afghanistan

The way things are shaping up in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is evident that while Barack Obama, elected president in 2008 on a wave of anti-war sentiment, would be passing off both the Afghanistan war and his new war in Iraq and Syria to his successor theguardian.com.
It may be recalled that in 2010, his vice-president, Joe Biden, had publicly vowed that the US would be “totally out” of Afghanistan “by 2014 but the primary explicit purpose of the latest deal between the US and Afghanistan, known as the Bilateral Security Agreement, would permit the US to continue training Afghanistan’s roughly 350,000 security forces, which the US and NATO have built from scratch.
Under the proposed agreement, the US military would enjoy access to nine major land and airbases, including the massive airfields at Bagram, Jalalabad and Kandahar, staging areas not only for air operations in Afghanistan but the US drone strikes that continue across the border in tribal Pakistan. The additional bases in Kabul, Mazar-i-Sharif, Herat, Helmand, Gardez and Shindand would ensure the reach of the US military throughout the whole of Afghanistan.
Moreover, with the rise of the Islamic State (ISIS) after the 2011 US withdrawal from Iraq, the US finds itself in a peculiar situation of rewriting history by returning to Iraq to tackle the menace of the IS while the 13 years of bloody, expensive war in Afghanistan have failed to vanquish the insurgency of the Taliban.

Friday, September 19, 2014

White House takes up cudgels to fight sexual assaults on campus

In a bid to raise awareness about sexual assaults on campus, the White House has roped in Hollywood stars including Jon Hamm of Mad Men and Connie Britton of Nashville to help fight the growing menace theguardian.com.
President Barack Obama and Vice-president Joe Biden are unveiling the “It’s On Us” campaign at a White House event and the website features a public service announcement with Obama, Biden and other familiar faces telling viewers that it is their responsibility to stop sexual assault.
The star power assisting in the promotion also includes NBA all-star Kevin Love, actresses Kerry Washington, Rose Byrne and Mayim Bialik, comedian Joel McHale and musicians Randy Jackson and Questlove.
Statistics reveal that one on five women are attacked and the campaign encourages everyone on the campus to make sure that their friends are safe and to intervene before an assault happens.
Research has revealed that most of the victims know their attackers, alcohol or drugs are often involved and only 12 percent of college women who are attacked report it to police.
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