Peter14 comments

TaiwanIsNotChina

stop just assuming the Americans were too stupid or didn't know how to do nation building. No one has done it better.

After WWII the allies did a great job with Japan and West Germany. Both are success stories. Afghanistan was a complete failure. The facts are there for all to see. They did the job they were sent there for and after twenty years they failed at nation building. No amount of talk will alter that fact. It is why the Taliban walked back into power and why the country is all but destroyed.

No, the effort was made and the Afghans weren't having what was provided at that price.

No it was not made. Restrictions on Afghans learning anything technical. In twenty years they should have had the engineers and mechanics in their own people to maintain helicopters, tanks, jets but they were not allowed. All that work was done by foreign workers who left. The military that had been trained had no support, insufficient logistics, no signals or intel systems of their own. So many things were never done in the time they had and that is why the lop sided, half built military collapsed.

To be fair the International forces were not there for nation building, they were hunting terrorists and providing protection. They did nothing to build the required infrastructure in civilian or military fields. The Afghan military was to make up numbers to assist the international forces. It was very limited in ability. Why was a force of Jet fighters not built up with domestic pilots and maintenance workers? Five years schooling, plus another five for training and in ten years they could have been producing what they needed to build up such a force. The international money did not plan for the future or provide the training education and equipment Afghanistan would need to remain free of the Taliban.

It is a hard thing to realise and much easier to simply accuse the Afghans of not caring. But it was a botched job of setting up, even though they got the terrorists they were after.

More weapons aren't the solution to peace in the region

Neither is allowing authoritarian nations invade and rule you. Subjugation is not peace, it is slavery.

As long as China, Russia and North Korea build bigger arsenals and larger militaries the only viable response is to do likewise, or let them get so strong they cant lose a conflict at which point they invade you and rule you. It is much harder to build enough weapons to overthrow an entrenched ruler than to hold them off in the first place.

What about hypersonic missiles? How about developing these?

The US is developing them in partnership with Australia as both have decades of research and experience in scram jet technology.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for an increase in missile production to help secure "overwhelming military power" and be ready for war,

So both North Korea and China are telling their militaries to get ready for war. It looks like they are preparing to start something the rest of the world will end up paying for.

I guess the rest of us should also "get ready for war"!

Their supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has praised the changes imposed since the takeover, claiming life improved for Afghan women after foreign troops left and the hijab became mandatory again.

A total and complete lie. The women sure do not share his thoughts. Many are looking for any way to leave Afghanistan so they can be educated, can work and lead a normal civilized life as they raise a family in freedom.

The lack of funds, as well as the exclusion of Afghan women from delivering essential humanitarian services, is hitting the population hard, pushing more people into poverty.

The cost of living in a society ruled by barbarians.

They want sanctions removed and billions of dollars in frozen funds to be released, saying these measures will alleviate the suffering of Afghans. But the international community will only take such steps once the Taliban take certain actions, including lifting restrictions on women and girls.

Because the Taliban will only use funds for men. Women will as always remain at home, unable to socialize, work (except in extremely limited numbers) or be educated.

The bans will only be lifted if Akhundzada orders it. Some Taliban figures have spoken out against the way decisions are made, and there has been disagreement about the bans on women and girls.

Some few have support for more freedoms for women, but not enough.

There’s no armed or political opposition with enough domestic or foreign support to topple the Taliban. A fighting force resisting Taliban rule from the Panjshir Valley north of Kabul is being violently purged.

They need support to effectively fight the cruel and repressive Taliban.

The majority of men are enjoying so much power to repress women, while some hide the fact they do not agree to such measures. The women have no rights at all unless a man grants them, and even then they are strictly limited by Taliban laws.

Someone needs to liberate that enslaved nation, and do it properly. The last time it was just to hunt down terrorists and oppose the Taliban. Little was done to properly train people to do anything other than govern. They needed engineers, scientists, doctors, mechanics that can maintain modern equipment, design and build for themselves like other sovereign nations. Rather than out source to foreign nations who all pulled out when the foreign soldiers left. They had a government that could govern but no means to support the equipment they had, or to build new infrastructure or run as normal nations do.

The women can leave Afghanistan if they are very lucky, or live in misery and loneliness at the beck and call of men.

And the world just watches this injustice continue to unfold because the UN has no desire to help. Not enough to take the needed actions. What a sad species we sometime show ourselves to be. Indifferent to others pain when it suits us. Allowing such injustice to survive and grow. No wonder it is never ending.

Great edge of seat game with both sides getting solid chances to score during game time.

Penalties went on and on but Australia got there in the end making the semi finals and two wins from lifting a world cup.

Still a big game to win to get to the final and a bigger game to win it, but we are there with a great chance.

Go Aussie's go!

In other news the other Asian confederation team still in the world cup is now through to the semi finals after Australia defeated France on penalties!!!!

Go Aussies!!!

I am shaking after that tense shootout, it was an awesome game ending 0-0 after chances on both sides but in the end Australia came out of the penalties after 10 penalties each, victorious!

The Matilda's could go all the way.

England or Colombia are next up in a semi final.

For Japan, it can be very proud of their girls who played with determination and confidence throughout the tournament, making a example for the next generation of Japanese women players to follow. A great team who are always welcome in Australia and New Zealand for friendlies or any other game. It has been a pleasure to watch their professional skill's and demeanor.

A gallant effort from Japan, but it wasn't to be.

Five European teams made the quarter finals, two from the Asian confederation and one from South America.

Sweden will face Spain on Tuesday.

Two more quarter finals to go.

Go Matilda's!

the Russian Soyuz MS orbital vehicle almost exclusively resupply and exclusively re-crew the ISS for almost 20 years.

A gold star for the 1960's designed Soyuz capsule, a much simpler and less capable craft than the US space shuttles that were used over and over again, not just once.

The point of the ISS was and remains cooperation in space. Its longevity is a credit to all who have participated and contributed over decades.

It is only the fact Russia made itself a pariah by invading a European neighbor causing hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions misplaced and it continues after a year and a half, that the cooperation has become untenable going forward.

It is Russia that is ending the friendly cooperation that has allowed such great scientific advances in space over the past decades. It seems invasion beats cooperation for Russia. Such a shame.

Not good news for Japan who are down 0-2 Sweden deep into the second half.

The only space station that is currently operating is actually a Soviet one that is shared with westerners.

No, it is not!

The ISS is made up of 16 pressurized modules: six Russian modules (Zarya, Zvezda, Poisk, Rassvet, Nauka, and Prichal), eight US modules (BEAM, Leonardo, Harmony, Quest, Tranquility, Unity, Cupola, and Destiny), one Japanese module (Kibō) and one European module (Columbus).

The majority of modules are not Russian, and the US has two more modules than Russia making it if anything a US space station shared with European nations and Japan.

Even more mendaciously, these six countries include collaborator Albania and the other principal offenders (US, UK, France) that shamelessly bombed and invaded Serbia to break that little country apart.

Glaring differences.

Kosovo did not initiate a war to leave Serbia, it did so in a peaceful way until Serbs cracked down on Kosovo Albanians with war, necessitating Europe to stop a genocide using force.

Russian troops moved into South Ossetia and Abkhazia regions (invaded Georgia) encouraging those regions to declare themselves independent, as they did in Ukraine territories in 2014 and 2022.

NATO moved to protect the vulnerable who were being slaughtered after Serbia started killing.

Russia initiated unrest and invaded areas it now claims are Russian.

These are the same Usual Suspects who took Kosovo away from Serbia down the barrel of a gun.

Double standards!

Really? Which one of them incorporated Kosovo into their territory?

I await your answer.

Rather than refurbishment, they need to build a specially designed vessel that can be sunk next to the current "outpost" and ensure it has a landing deck for up to Chinook class helicopters to make resupply issues a thing of the past. Like an oil rig being designed for purpose and towed to its location. This would be a military outpost with radar, SAM and anti ship missile systems to ensure no interference from other nations ships in Philippines territory at that location.

They intend on bottling moon water and shipping it back to earth to sell to rich people.

Shame what will be bought will really come from the Volga.

Dont trust the Russians while they are invading parts of Europe.

Who knew they had a pro league?

Nobody is watching them while the world cup is on.

Take a number.

More than 75,000 spectators attended the Matildas' quarterfinal victory and the Sydney Opera House was alit in the yellow and green team colors. The pressure is on for the co-hosts to deliver.

Australia's sporting colors are green and gold. Not yellow!

The pressure is off Australia who have already made the quarter finals which is what they were expected to reach. Having made good on expectations its all gravy from here on.

There is no reason Australia cant go "all the way" having beaten the sixth ranked team Canada 4-0, 13th ranked team Denmark 2-0, and having recently beaten France in a warm up 1-0 they will have no fear of France, will be urged on by almost the entire stadium and all of the nation.

The pressure is all on the higher ranked France who are expected to out perform the hosts.

On paper France is favorite to win, but at this stage anything is possible.

Go Matilda's, go all the way!

Good luck to every team and keep enjoying this outstanding world cup.

Have to admit Japan is being unrealistic. You sanction Russia, Russian companies and people for its illegal invasion of Ukraine, for the death and destruction it subject Ukraine to daily, and your right to sanction them for it. Expecting them to sit like an animal in a spotlight so the hunter can shoot it is unrealistic.

Obviously Russia would love Japan's support or indifference to its crimes in Ukraine, but when sanctioned Russia will take umbrage and react to your sanctions.

You need to have the stones to accept your in the right and Russia wont stand still for your actions against its ambitions.

Making objections makes Japan look both naive, weak and less than committed to its course of action in supporting Ukraine's right to sovereignty over itself.

Come on Japan, your better than that.

No bugs or insects for me.

Meat, seafood, vegetables and fruit will do me quite nicely thank you.

China isn't threatening Japan.

China threatens Japan daily trying to out muscle Japan from its territory including the Senkaku Islands. That is a clear and constant threat to Japan. Wake up and smell the smoke!

China wants Japan to stay in business but get the U.S military out.

No, China wants the US military out so it can move on the Senkaku islands and knows alone Japan cant stop them. The US military being in Japan and South Korea hampers China's ambitions of expanding its borders and taking territory by force. Dont be suckered by China!

The media wants you to believe Japan is threatened so they have an excuse to build their military up and justify the continuous raising of prices.

You may be happy to do nothing as China grows its military machine at an alarming rate, and as Xi constantly extols his forces to prepare for war and be able to win. But China has never shown an ounce of benevolence under Jinping Xi. Nothing but hostile coercion and belligerence trying to force a change of the status quo through force with hundreds of armed merchant ships, Coast Guard hostility and trying to force others out of international waters it illegally claims as China's alone. Luckily the free nations of the world are not buying into China's narrative, even if many JT poster's are.

It is unfortunate that increased defense spending is urgently needed, but with Japan's neighbors continually building up their own militaries and stating aims of expanding their national borders, Japan must ensure it remains able to deter any hostility or territorial encroachment and be able to work with friendly nations to keep peace in the region.

If only China and North Korea would spend their money helping their people instead of using it to expand militaries, then Japan would not need it increase its own defense spending. Russia's hostile invasion of Ukraine is setting the stage for further hostilities in Japan's region.

the 26 inhabitants of Shakhtinsky would be taken to a place where they could watch the launch and get a free breakfast, and return within 3-1/2 hours.

Lets hope the breakfast is a quality one and that none of the residents are sent home via Ukraine. With the behavior of Russia officials these days, anything is possible.

Lets also hope the transport to and from the "free breakfast" is also free and comfortable, not some beaten up WWII army truck that is not good enough to be used in Ukraine.

Readers may have picked up from my tone that trusting Russian officials is simply not something I am prepared to do. Given that many many Russians also feel this way, I know I am not on my own with these feelings.

The civil war between mainland China and the Island of Taiwan never officially ended.

Which is proof positive that Taiwan is independent and not part of CCP's China, and never has been. Taiwan was never defeated, only its forces on the mainland were over run by the Communist rebel forces.

The legitimate rulers of Taiwan are in control of their country and their neighbor China harbors ambitions to invade and subjugate Taiwan and its people, forcing border change against UN law. Such actions should result in permanent expulsion from the UN security council and forfeiture of their veto power in that forum. Same should apply to Russia for its breaches in Ukraine.

But, it stipulated, the rules would not apply to those "not required by laws and administrative regulations to obtain personal consent". It did not specify what those were.

The CCP membership is above the laws, and require no consent being granted. As always they will do whatever they want to everyone under them. It will be interesting to see how Xi's close allies use it to convict "corrupt" or competing CCP members not sufficiently under Xi's thumb, or those who harbor their own ambitions to lead.

An old adage comes to mind. Live by the sword, die by the sword.

All this facial recognition could be used and even doctored to incriminate and convict anyone. Perhaps even close associates of Xi himself if they are not careful or discrete in what they do. With all the things frowned upon officially, almost everyone including Xi himself, could be caught on camera doing something they shouldn't be doing. It comes down to who can access the information, and if they can get it out of China and on the internet for public viewing and condemnation.

Blackmail using this technology could be big business inside China in the coming years.

The truth of what he has point out is clear and obvious. Most of the worlds nations support an open, free and rules based world with all nations equal under the rules. China and Russia both pursue a might makes right ideology where those who have the military capacity are apparently within their rights to impose their will on those smaller and unable to defend against them. China and Russia support their own designs on Empire building for themselves and try to separate others from alliances so they can then invade and conquer.

Russia in the middle of its failing attempt to conquer Ukraine has only managed to capture 20% of that nation and its holdings are being slowly whittled away by a determined Ukraine.

China with its stated aim of taking Taiwan against its citizens wishes and subjugating that island nation. China is also in the process of stealing territory from Philippines and others in the region, including Japan's Senkaku's as well as territory from Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, India and more.

If the free world fails to come together on this issue and show relentless solidarity in standing against the Empire aspirations of China and Russia, then a world wide conflict will follow making the previous two look like a garden party. There can be no appeasement or allowance for any shifting of borders or subjugation of others against their will. It must have a NATO like response that an attack on any is an attack on all, with all responding with the entire military strength at their disposal. Only a threat of that nature can possibly keep the idea of building a new empire from becoming a reality. Nobody wants the CCP ruling their nation or Putin's corruption either. Safety really is in numbers. Being out on your own is a path towards being a viable target for those with deadly intentions.

I had predicted a Sweden win over the US.

Japans free flowing, running and attacking style has served them well so far. Sweden will try to shut that down and it depends on wether they are successful or not. Japan has a number of players able to score so it looks like a big ask, but if they tie it up in the back line with numbers in defense it will be less easy to score. In a penalty shootout Sweden may sneak through, but if Japan can score in game time they should win.

Australia marched into the quarter finals with a commanding win over Denmark 2-0 and should face France. Australia and France played a friendly before this WC began with Australia winning that match 1-0. That will have no bearing on the quarter final but shows Australia is a serious threat and as with all quarter finalists, is more than capable of winning this world cup.

England went past Nigeria on a penalty shootout winning that 4-2 after game and extra time had scores at 0-0. Not convincing but it gets them into the quarters.

China's actions clearly show their hostile intent. They plan on stealing international territory open to everyone and make it their own. They also intend on stealing other nations recognized exclusive economic zones for their own nefarious purposes.

China has warned the U.S. to stop meddling in what it calls a purely Asian dispute and has warned of unspecified repercussions.

China trying to separate the weaker members of the world to pick them off one by one, expecting to be able to scare others from interfering in their evil goal to create a new Chinese empire across the globe. A heinous leader that threatens the world with his personal ambitions. Those most at risk are Chinese citizens themselves as Putin has shown with his own sick ambitions of conquest costing so many Russian lives amongst the Ukraine casualties.

China must be opposed and stopped before they bring destruction upon the world.

ZorotoToday 04:44 pm JST

When you countries like the US and most of Europe who are pro-war in places like Ukraine, this is not surprising.

The US and most of Europe are anti war/invasion in places like Ukraine and simply support the self defense of that nation.

Those supporting Russia in its illegal invasion to steal a neighbors territory are clearly the problem. They seem to expect everyone to support Russia quickly snuffing out the sovereignty of Ukraine and agree to the expansion of Russian borders to minimize the number of deaths Russia causes. They do not accept that Ukrainians fight to defend their freedom from Russian corruption and control. Sacrificing themselves for their families right to live free and in a democratic nation controlled by the people of Ukraine.

This is where pro Russians bleet about Ukraine being controlled by the US and the West with absolutely no proof of that other than the long stated desire from Ukrainians to be closer to western Europe and their better standards of living with less corruption and no need to suck up to Moscow or be controlled by a leadership in Moscow's pockets.

No nation should be allowed to possess more than 500 nuclear warheads for deterrence.

When the world gets serious about safety for everyone on the planet, mechanisms will be put into place to ensure a reduction of stockpiles that are costly and never used, because if they are ever used in anger it is the end of this civilization and possibly of humanity.

If this means every nation on the planet that has no nuclear weapons must boycott all trade, services and tourism with those who do until they reach a certain level of stockpiled weapons of mass destruction, then perhaps that would be the fastest and least hostile way to ensure compliance.

These weapons have increased in their destructive output since first used on Japan, so they should need less of them. Nobody has the ability to defend 100% against missiles over their entire nation. Some would get through and only one is needed to destroy a city completely.

The growing anger, and inability to find common ground is disturbing. More disturbing is those who seek to actively force their will on other people not in their control, and to expand their nations borders permanently at the expense of others freedom to choose. The world is no longer a mystery with shrouded lands that nobody knows about. All that is now on other planets and asteroids in our system and beyond. Too hard to get to for now making conflict on our world the only way to expand an empire, other than to join together as the EU has, which may be the best and only way to build and work together towards common goals.

Nuclear weapons are not the way forward, unless the way forward you want is your own destruction along with everyone else.

why is NATO provoking Russia? Everyone should be affraid and not entertained. Does not matter what country your from. This war needs to come to a halt.

NATO is provoking nobody, but Russia on the other hand invading Ukraine and provoking NATO and the world. A world that believes Ukraine should be free of Russian aggression and a sovereign country, ruled by its own people rather than Russian's.