More than 3,800 U.S. troops are leading 30 countries’ forces and observers through Cobra Gold, the Pentagon’s biggest annual Asian military exercise and a return to normalcy after COVID sharply curbed operations in recent years.
But this year’s military and humanitarian training exercises come with a sharper political edge as well, as the Biden administration and the Pentagon try to keep Thailand’s coup-empowered army allied with Washington at a time when China — a participant in this year’s games — increases its political, economic, and cultural influence over a longtime U.S. ally.
In another interview, former foreign minister Kasit Piromya said that “the Thai military establishment does not like the United States for talking and pressing about military non-intervention in politics, and for the need to return democracy to the Thai people.” Ten U.S.-made Stryker armored personnel carriers purchased by the Thai Royal Army arrived in August 2022, bringing the military’s total to 130 Strykers since 2019. The Thai air force is trying to purchase two U.S.-built F-35 fighter jets, a purchase still awaiting Washington’s approval.
More than 4,000 Chinese business leaders from China, plus the Chinese diaspora in other countries, are expected to flock to the 16th World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention in Bangkok June 24-26, according to the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce. During a Bangkok visit last year, then-Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that “China and Thailand are not strangers, but siblings.”
Since 1982, Cobra Gold has swollen from a bilateral U.S. and Thai maritime drill to its current incarnation that includes land, amphibious and airborne mock warfare including combined arms live-fire, command staff instruction, public relief work and other activities. A new Combined Space Forces Coordination Center is making its debut this year, underscoring the rising military importance of outer space in Pentagon planning.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
Taiwan warns of China's 'repeated provocations', China tells US not to cross red lineTaiwan will not allow 'repeated provocations' from China, the island's defence minister said on Tuesday, as China's foreign minister said Taiwan was the 'first red line' that must not be crossed in Sino-U.S. relations.
Consulte Mais informação »
New 2024 AC Cobra GT Roadster unveiled with 654bhp supercharged V8
Consulte Mais informação »
Born-again AC Cobra gets subtle design tweaks, 654-hp supercharged V8 - AutoblogEngland-based AC Cars rebooted the emblematic Cobra with a subtly updated design and a Ford-sourced V8 supercharged to 654 horsepower.
Consulte Mais informação »
Cobra Kai Season 6 Doesn’t Need To Replace Kreese Or SilverCobra Kai doesn't have a main villain going into season 6, but it doesn't need one. Here's why the show doesn't have to replace Kreese or Silver.
Consulte Mais informação »
Global chipmaking giant TSMC plans to hire 6,000 employees this year | CNN BusinessSemiconductor giant TSMC plans to add more than 6,000 jobs this year, despite a broader slowdown in demand for chips.
Consulte Mais informação »
X-rays reveal how 450-year-old Tycho supernova became a giant cosmic particle acceleratorSharmila is a Seattle-based science journalist. She found her love for astronomy in Carl Sagan's The Pale Blue Dot and has been hooked ever since. She holds an MA in Journalism from Northeastern University and has been a contributing writer for Astronomy Magazine since 2017. Follow her on Twitter at Sharmilakg.
Consulte Mais informação »