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Written By

• Ralph A. CossaPresident Emeritus and WSD-Handa Chair in Peace Studies

MEDIA QUERIES

Georgette Almeida
Executive Assistant

 (808) 521-6745

PacNet #7 – Dealing with Increased Chinese Aggressiveness – PART ONE

The following are some of the key findings and recommendations from the August 2022 US-Taiwan Deterrence and Defense Dialogue. PacNet 7 provides a summary of the dialogue. The full report, with expanded key findings and recommendations can be found here.

Taiwan is under attack by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) politically, economically, psychologically, and militarily—the latter through more aggressive Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) gray zone military operations short of actual direct conflict. This multidimensional threat requires a multidimensional response in ways that complement and enhance military deterrence. PRC behavior represents a global—and not just a Taiwan or US—problem which demands a global response.

Continue reading Dealing with Increased Chinese Aggressiveness (2 parts) →

February 9, 2023

By David Leonhardt, Good Morning, The New York Times, Feb. 9, 2023

Good morning. We explain why the Biden administration is trying to crack down on those sneaky fees charged by hotels, rental cars, internet providers and more.

Ticketmaster is especially aggressive about imposing fees.Paul Sakuma/Associated Press

A market failure

Sneaky fees have become a big part of America’s consumer economy.

Hertz charges almost $6 a day simply for using a toll transponder in a rental car. Marriott and Hilton add nightly “resort fees” to the bill even at hotels that nobody would consider to be resorts. American, Delta and United list one airfare when you first search for a seat — and then add charges for basic features like the ability to sit next to your spouse.

Continue reading Economics: Market failure – Stopping sludge →

1. Syria longs for international aid amid earthquake devastation

Al Jazeera English – 8 thg 2, 2023

The scale of the destruction in the aftermath of the earthquake that hit swaths of Turkey and Syria on Monday has been unprecedented, even for residents of the war-torn country.

On the Syrian side, the area affected by the 7.8-magnitude quake and its aftershocks is divided between government-controlled territory and the country’s last opposition-held pocket of land, encircled by Russian-backed government forces.

The UN says damaged roads, a lack of equipment and tough winter conditions are hampering efforts to find survivors in Syria.

Rescue and relief efforts are being criticised as inadequate and hundreds of buildings have collapsed. Continue reading Syria longs for international aid amid earthquake devastation – How much is politics hampering delivery of aid to Syria? →