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Cold War 2.0 in all but name

In recent remarks made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun, who criticized the United States for approving a proposed sale to the Philippines of 16 F-16C Block 70/72 fighter aircraft, four F-16D models, Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, radar systems, spare parts, and associated training support.

Guo’s pointed questions—“Who exactly is fueling the flames? Who exactly is instigating military confrontation? Who exactly is turning Asia into a ‘powder keg?’”—are emblematic of Beijing’s rhetorical strategy. These lines are crafted not merely for domestic consumption, but also to influence ASEAN neighbors and cast the U.S. as the aggressor, destabilizing the region. It is classic deflection: presenting China as the stabilizing force while accusing the United States of militarization.

In reality, the proposed sale reflects a growing demand from regional partners for credible deterrence in the face of China’s escalating assertiveness in the South China Sea. The inclusion of modern Block 70/72 F-16s, advanced radar, and Sidewinder missiles is not symbolic—it is strategic. These systems enable the Philippines to better monitor, patrol, and defend its exclusive economic zone and sovereign airspace. More importantly, the inclusion of training support suggests a deepening partnership and interoperability with U.S. forces, indicating that this is not a simple arms transaction but part of a long-term commitment.

China’s objections, particularly the phrase “regional countries are not blind,” are a not-so-subtle warning to its neighbors. But these nations are not blind. They see repeated Chinese incursions, coercive maritime tactics, and an ever-growing presence in disputed waters. In this context, the U.S. response is not only justified—it is measured.

This is Cold War 2.0 in all but name: a contest of influence, where China uses information operations and economic levers, while the United States reinforces alliances and deterrence postures. As history reminds us, arming the perimeter is not an act of aggression—it is an act of preparation.

By Skeeter Wesinger

April 3, 2025

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cold-war-20-all-name-skeeter-wesinger-z9kee

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Salt Typhoon: The Cyberattack That Threatens Global Stability

In response, U.S. officials have urged the public to switch to encrypted messaging services such as Signal and WhatsApp. These platforms offer the only reliable defense against unauthorized access to private communications. Meanwhile, the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are working alongside affected companies to contain the breach, fortify networks, and prevent future incursions. Yet, this incident raises a troubling question: Are we witnessing the dawn of a new era in cyber conflict, where the lines between espionage and outright warfare blur beyond recognition?

The Salt Typhoon attack is more than a wake-up call—it’s a stark reminder that robust cybersecurity measures are no longer optional. The consequences of this breach extend far beyond the immediate damage, rippling through geopolitics and economics in ways that could reshape global power dynamics.

One might wonder, “What could the PRC achieve with fragments of seemingly innocuous data?” The answer lies in artificial intelligence. With its vast technological resources, China could use AI to transform this scattered information into a strategic treasure trove—a detailed map of U.S. telecommunications infrastructure, user behavior, and exploitable vulnerabilities.

AI could analyze metadata from call records to uncover social networks, frequent contacts, and key communication hubs. Even unencrypted text messages, often dismissed as trivial, could reveal personal and professional insights. Metadata, enriched with location stamps, offers the ability to track movements and map behavioral patterns over time.

By merging this data with publicly available information—social media profiles, public records, and more—AI could create enriched profiles, cross-referencing datasets to identify trends, anomalies, and relationships. Entire organizational structures could be unearthed, revealing critical roles and influential figures in government and industry.

AI’s capabilities go further. Sentiment analysis could gauge public opinion and detect dissatisfaction with remarkable precision. Machine learning models could anticipate vulnerabilities and identify high-value targets, while graph-based algorithms could map communication networks, pinpointing leaders and insiders for potential exploitation.

The implications are both vast and chilling. Armed with such insights, the PRC could target individuals in sensitive positions, exploiting personal vulnerabilities for recruitment or coercion. It could chart the layout of critical infrastructure, identifying nodes for future sabotage. Even regulatory agencies and subcontractors could be analyzed, creating leverage points for broader influence.

This is the terrifying reality of Salt Typhoon: a cyberattack that strikes not just at data but at the very trust and integrity of a nation’s systems. It is a silent assault on the confidence in infrastructure, security, and the resilience of a connected society. Such a breach should alarm lawmakers and citizens alike, as the true implications of an attack of this magnitude are difficult to grasp.

The PRC, with its calculated precision, has demonstrated how advanced AI and exhaustive data analysis can be weaponized to gain an edge in cyber and information warfare. What appear today as isolated breaches could coalesce into a strategic advantage of staggering proportions. The stakes are clear: the potential to reshape the global balance of power, not through military might, but through the quiet, pervasive influence of digital dominance.

By Skeeter Wesinger

December 5, 2024

 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/salt-typhoon-cyberattack-threatens-global-stability-skeeter-wesinger-iwoye

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