Thailand spotted as a pawn in global diplomatic chess
AS confrontations between the world’s two major powers intensified, strategic moves by both sides have been made lately affecting a number of countries, Thailand included.
After being the world’s dominant powerful leader for over 25 years, the US has now been challenged by the new emerging power led by Russia and China, which has on their side Iran and North Korea as their close allies.
In a recent analysis published on a Facebook page under the Thai name “The True Fable of the Legend on Spoof Trick into the Casserole,” the key factor leading to changes in the US tactics is that although it seems the US and their allies still have overall superior fire power, the advantage they have on the opposite pole may not warrant going to war right now.
With confirmation North Korea now has successfully testing the H-bomb, launching its inter-continental ballistic missiles, the US did not seem to be confident in its dominant power any longer as if there is world war, it would suffer as well now that Russia and China have made much progress in their fire power.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has touched on this point, saying a global strike to disarm North Korea would be possible, yet its outcome uncertain, as it is a “closed state.” “Let us speak to the point, after all – can someone launch a global disarming strike? Indeed. Will it reach its targets? It’s unclear because no one knows for sure what is where,” Putin added.
Analyst pointed out now that North Korea really has the H-bomb as well as its own inter-continental ballistic missiles to carry those bombs to the US territory, the US and its allies may have to think twice before making any global strike.
While the US and its allies have stealth fighter jets, China just unveiled its J-20 stealth combat as well. China has made fast progress in its fire power and technology and now boasting the world’s fastest super computer. It can now not only produce stealth aircraft fighters but also stealth submarines as well.
To its opponent’s amazement, the China North Industries Group Corporation has tested a radar system in recent weeks that generates terahertz radiation in order to better track the presence of stealth aircraft.
According to South China Morning Post, the device has the potential to be a “game changer” for the People’s Liberation Army, since the radar might be able to spot the US’ F-22 Raptors and beleaguered F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.
Also, Russia is developing radio-electronic weapons, which use a powerful UHF impulse capable of destroying all electronic equipment miles away.
And that’s probably the reasons why the US State Secretary Rex Tillerson has come out to tone down the North Korea conflicts, saying Washington has direct channels to communicate with Pyongyang, there’s no ‘blackout’ situation.
The US is “probing” North Korea to see if it is interested in dialogue. “We are probing, so stay tuned,” Tillerson said.
Another analyst pointed out that aside from moving more of its navy force to the Asia Pacific region to contain military expansion into the South China Sea notably by China, diplomatic moves have also been made by the US in order to maintain its allies in this region.
And that’s probably why President Trump called Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha and invited him to visit the White House on October 2. President Trump welcomed Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to the White House’s Oval Office on that day – a rare instance of a military ruler being feted in Washington before even a nominal return to civilian rule, Bangkok Post reported.
But the most stunning diplomatic change has been made just a few days later when Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud decided to visit Russia. It was the first ever first visit of a reigning Saudi monarch to Russia.
Russian Senator Alexey Pushkov argued that the visit of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud indicated the end of US dominance in international relations.
During the visit of the Saudi King, a range of bilateral agreements in various areas have been signed including the preliminary agreements on acquisition of Russian S-400 missile defense system. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the visit a “landmark event.”
Theguardian.com posted in its headline: “Saudi king’s visit to Russia heralds shift in global power structures.”
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Top: US President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: CNN
Top: US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo: CNN
By Kowit Sanandang
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