Introducing SeaLight 333

Sealight 333 Episode 1 – Phlippines v. China – The 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Award

None of the Reefs or Rocks in the Spratly Islands Are Big Enough to Generate Their Own EEZ

SeaLight is pleased to announce the first of our new video educational series, SeaLight 333. Over the coming months we will be developing these short-form videos to explain key maritime gray zone concepts in a very accessible way.

Ray Powell | JULY 11, 2023

Introducing SeaLight 333

Ray Powell

Team Member

Share

copy link icon

SeaLight is pleased to announce the first of our new video educational series, SeaLight 333. Over the coming months we will be developing these short-form videos to explain key maritime gray zone concepts in a very accessible way. 

Our first video explains the meaning of the 2016 Aribitral Tribunal case, Philippines v. China, and why the Philippines’ victory was so important infirmly establishing how China’s expansive nine-dash line claim–and the aggressive methods it uses to enforce it–systematically violate the rights of the Philippines and all its smaller neighbors.

Ray Powell

Ray is the Director of SeaLight and Project Lead for Project Myoushu at Stanford University’s Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation. He’s a 35-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was a 2021 Fellow at Stanford’s Distinguished Careers Institute.

Tự Lực Văn Đoàn, hay sống bằng ngòi bút trong kỳ loạn lạc – The Life, Death and Legacy of 7 Pillars of Vietnam’s Quốc Ngữ Literary Wealth

Read this article in English

Saigoneer.com Thứ sáu, 27 Tháng 5 2022. Viết bởi Linh Phạm. Ảnh bìa: Phan Nhi.

Trích or Triết là series về những danh nhân vang bóng một thời trong giới nghệ thuật và văn đàn Việt Nam. Các tác phẩm của họ đã để để lại những bài học mang giá trị xuyên thế kỷ về nhiều vấn đề xã hội hãy còn là nỗi nhức nhối ngày nay.Hồi mới bập bẹ vào nghề viết, tôi tự thấy vốn liếng quốc ngữ của mình còn nhiều khiếm khuyết. Vốn từ tiếng Anh tôi chủ yếu đến từ sách vở, nên để tự trau dồi tiếng Việt, tôi nghĩ cứ phải bắt đầu từ một cuốn sách bất kỳ. Mắt tôi dừng ở quyển Hà Nội Băm Sáu Phố Phường của Thạch Lam. Cuốn này đã ở trên giá sách nhà tôi lâu lắm rồi, hôm nay mới là lần đầu tiên tôi được lướt trên những câu chữ trong đấy.

Còn chưa vào đến câu nào của Thạch Lam, mới đọc lời tựa sách của Khái Hưng thôi, mà nước mắt tôi đã lã chã rơi. Một phần vì giọng văn hay quá, lối viết gãy gọn, gần gũi, mà lại rất đỗi thâm thúy. Phần khác tôi bị xúc động vì họ, những người tôi coi là đồng nghiệp, đã vạch ra một đường hướng văn chương mà tôi có thể theo đuổi suốt cuộc đời.

Logo của nhóm Tự Lực Văn Đoàn.

Thạch Lam và Khái Hưng thuộc Tự Lực Văn Đoàn, một nhóm các cây viết từ thời Pháp thuộc, được thành lập với mục đích “làm giầu thêm văn sản trong nước.” Từ chỗ mê lời văn của các anh, tôi bị cuốn vào câu chuyện của Tự Lực. Một câu chuyện không chỉ về việc viết văn, làm báo, mà còn về vận mệnh của cả một đất nước. Một câu chuyện mà những bi thương trong đó vẫn còn văng vẳng tới tận bây giờ.

“Câu chuyện về Tự Lực Văn Đoàn là cả một cái mâu thuẫn lớn của xã hội Việt Nam,” bác Nguyễn Đình Huynh nói. Nghiên cứu về nhóm Tự Lực đã hơn nửa thế kỷ, bác nhận thấy một kết nối khó tả với ba người đồng hương trong nhóm Tự Lực — ba anh em ruột — Thạch Lam, Hoàng Đạo, và Nhất Linh.

Tiếp tục đọc “Tự Lực Văn Đoàn, hay sống bằng ngòi bút trong kỳ loạn lạc – The Life, Death and Legacy of 7 Pillars of Vietnam’s Quốc Ngữ Literary Wealth”

Renewable energy jobs rise by 700,000 in a year, to nearly 13 million

news.un.org 22 September 2022 Climate and Environment

Worldwide employment in the renewable energy sector reached 12.7 million last year, a jump of 700,000 new jobs in just 12 months, despite the lingering effects of COVID-19 and the growing energy crisis, according to a new report published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in collaboration with the UN’s International Labour Organization (ILO).

Renewable Energy and Jobs: Annual Review 2022, identifies domestic market size as a major factor influencing job growth in renewables, along with labour and other costs.

Solar growing fastest

Solar energy was found to be the fastest-growing sector. In 2021 it provided 4.3 million jobs, more than a third of the current global workforce in renewable energy.

With rising concerns about climate change, COVID-19 recovery and supply chain disruption, countries are turning inwards to boost job creation at home, focusing on local supply chains.

The report describes how strong domestic markets are key to anchoring a drive toward clean energy industrialization. Developing renewable technology export capabilities is also dependent on this, it adds.

‘Just transition for all’

ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder, said that “beyond the numbers, there is a growing focus on the quality of jobs and the conditions of work in renewable energies, to ensure decent and productive employment.

“The increasing share of female employment suggests that dedicated policies and training can significantly enhance the participation of women in renewable energy occupations, inclusion and ultimately, achieve a just transition for all.”

Mr. Ryder encouraged governments, organized labour and business groups “to remain firmly committed to a sustainable energy transition, which is indispensable for the future of work.”

Resilient and reliable

Tiếp tục đọc “Renewable energy jobs rise by 700,000 in a year, to nearly 13 million”

Federal Policies Are Fueling An American Clean Energy Jobs And Investment Boom

forbes.com

Jul 10, 2023,08:59am EDT Silvio Marcacci Contributor Senior Director, Communications

The United States’ is in the early stage of a clean energy boom that’s driving new investment and job growth in every state across the nation – thanks to smart climate policy.

Nearly 300,000 new energy jobs were created nationwide in 2022 according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) 2023 U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER). 114,000 of these jobs were in clean energy technologies like renewables and zero-emission vehicles, and clean energy jobs grew 3.9% compared to 2021, outpacing 3.1% nationwide job growth over the same time.

Clean energy jobs offer higher wages than the national average, and are widely available to workers without four-year degrees, meaning most Americans can access them. Earlier Brookings Institution research found that a clean energy job can equal an 8%-19% income increase, and 45% of all workers in clean energy production only have a high school diploma, while earning higher wages than similarly educated peers in other industries.

Alternative Energy
ABILENE, TX – JUNE 7: An engineer checks the wind speed with a had-held wind gauge at a tower base … [+]GETTY IMAGES

Tiếp tục đọc “Federal Policies Are Fueling An American Clean Energy Jobs And Investment Boom”

“The Mekong is Dying”: How China’s River Diplomacy Neglects Locals, Exacerbates Climate Change

File image of the aerial view of the Jinghong Hydropower Station on the Lancang River, the Chinese part of the Mekong River, in Jinghong city, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan province. Imaginechina Limited / Alamy Stock Photo

Chinaglobalsouth.com

The rainy season would usually start in May, but this was late June and it was still not raining much. Niwat Roykaew, who grew up on the bank of the Mekong River in Thailand’s northern Chiang Rai province, noticed. 

Born and raised in the Chiang Khong district, Roykaew, 63, was taught to observe the Mekong River to tell the season. But, in the past two decades, the river has become unpredictable like it has “pulsated out of tune”.

Niwat Roykaew is a Thai activist who campaigns for China to share data about water restrictions by its dams upstream.

“The water would get high for two days, then on the third day it would suddenly drop, even during the rainy season,” said Roykaew. 

Local residents like him knew that this delay could mean another year of drought. Since at least 2019, that’s what has happened: the monsoon rain is late, and when it comes, it departs early.

The Mekong River’s water levels in the lower basin, including in Thailand, are now very unstable, being heavily affected both by climate change and hydropower dams upstream that are mostly powered by China, according to local residents, activists, and experts.

Tiếp tục đọc ““The Mekong is Dying”: How China’s River Diplomacy Neglects Locals, Exacerbates Climate Change”

Kết luận Thanh tra EVN về thiếu điện?

vietnamnet.vn

Kết luận thanh tra của Bộ Công Thương đã đưa ra nhiều nguyên nhân chi tiết về thiếu điện thời gian vừa qua.

Theo kết luận thanh tra, trong thời kỳ thanh tra (từ ngày 1/1/2021 đến ngày 1/6/2023), EVN và các đơn vị có liên quan đã đóng góp phần quan trọng trong việc đáp ứng nhu cầu điện cho sự phát triển kinh tế-xã hội của đất nước, đời sống sinh hoạt của người dân.

Tuy nhiên, trong công tác chỉ đạo, quản lý, điều hành cung cấp  điện giai đoạn 2021-2023, EVN và một số đơn vị có liên quan đến cung cấp điện đã để xảy ra những tồn tại, hạn chế, khuyết điểm và vi phạm.

Nhiều hồ thủy điện cạn nước trong tháng 5, 6

Vận hành thủy điện chưa sát thực tế 

Theo kết luận thanh tra, từ tháng 7/2022, các đơn vị của EVN vẫn tăng cường khai thác nước phục vụ phát điện của các nhà máy thủy điện lớn khu vực phía Bắc. Bao gồm 8 hồ chứa thủy điện là Hòa Bình,  Sơn La, Lai Châu, Bản Chát, Tuyên Quang, Thác Bà (thuộc lưu vực sông Hồng); Trung Sơn (thuộc lưu vực sông Mã); Bản Vẽ (thuộc lưu vực sông Cả).

Điều này làm giảm mực nước các hồ so với Kế hoạch vận hành hệ thống điện năm 2022 mặc dù đã được dự báo và quan trắc về số liệu thủy văn về lưu lượng nước về chỉ đạt 60-80% so với trung bình nhiều năm.

Kết luận thanh tra cho rằng: Việc huy động vận hành các hồ chứa thủy điện nêu trên làm giảm mực nước các hồ chứa so với kế hoạch năm và thấp hơn đáng kể so với mực nước dâng bình thường, ảnh hưởng đến việc điều tiết chuẩn bị nước cho phát điện mùa khô năm 2023 và dẫn đến công tác vận hành chưa sát thực tế thủy văn, chưa chủ động trong các kịch bản ứng phó, đảm bảo cung cấp điện.  

Trong các tháng 3, 4, 5 năm 2023 các nhà máy thủy điện vẫn được huy động cao, dẫn đến giảm mực nước các hồ thủy điện.Trong tháng 3/2023, lưu lượng nước về các hồ có dấu hiệu giảm, sản lượng  điện theo nước về toàn hệ thống thấp hơn 563 triệu kWh so với kế hoạch năm. Tính đến hết tháng 3, tổng sản lượng thủy điện tích được trong các hồ thấp hơn kế hoạch năm là 462 triệu kWh. Tháng 4/2023, lưu lượng nước về các hồ thủy điện tiếp tục giảm mạnh, sản lượng theo nước về trong tháng 4 thấp hơn khoảng 765 triệu kWh so với kế hoạch năm. Đến hết tháng 4, lượng nước tích trong các hồ thủy điện thiếu hụt so với kế hoạch năm là 1,632 tỷ kWh.Kết luận thanh tra của Bộ Công Thương

Theo kết luận thanh tra, việc định hướng hạ mực nước cho cuối năm 2022 làm mực nước các hồ thủy điện giảm so với mực nước trong kế hoạch vận hành hệ thống điện được duyệt, gây ảnh hưởng đến việc điều tiết chuẩn bị nước cho phát điện mùa khô năm 2023. Điều này là không tuân thủ kế hoạch đã được Bộ Công Thương phê duyệt tại Quyết định số 3063/QĐ-BCT ngày 31/12/2021.  

Tiếp tục đọc “Kết luận Thanh tra EVN về thiếu điện?”

Buoys Placed in the Spratly Islands

PUBLISHED: JULY 11, 2023, ATMI

In May, the Philippines and China took turns installing buoys in the disputed Spratly Islands. The deployment of buoys and other sovereignty markers in the South China Sea has a long history. But amid a flurry of new activity by the Philippines, including publicized patrols and surveillance missions, it is noteworthy that the buoy deployment triggered an almost immediate reaction from China, which installed its own. And with the Philippines planning to install more buoys by the end of 2023, this trend will remain a point of contention between Manila and Beijing for the foreseeable future.

On May 15, the Philippine Coast Guard installed 30-foot navigational buoys at five features in the Spratly Islands: Philippine-occupied Flat Island, Loaita Island, and Loaita Cay, and unoccupied Irving Reef and Whitsun Reef. The buoys are of the same type as five installed in May of 2022 at four Philippine-occupied features: Nanshan Island, West York Island, Northeast Cay, and Thitu Island.

Canada Statement on 7th anniversary of 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Ruling

From: Global Affairs Canada

Statement

July 11, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement:

“On the anniversary of the award rendered by the Arbitral Tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the matter of the South China Sea, Canada reiterates that this decision is final, binding on the parties, and provides a vital foundation for the peaceful resolution of competing maritime claims in the region, consistent with international law.

Tiếp tục đọc “Canada Statement on 7th anniversary of 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Ruling”

Sudan conflict: how China and Russia are involved and the differences between them

theconversation.com

Published: June 8, 2023 12.44pm BST

As clashes continue between the Sudanese military and rapid support forces, the current and historic role of foreign governments in Sudanese affairs is under close examination.

Unsurprisingly, the Sudan conflict has amplified concerns from the US and other countries about the roles Russia and China are playing in Sudan specifically, and in Africa.

Researchers had been concerned that Beijing’s loans for infrastructure and development to countries including Sudan might be “debt-trap diplomacy”, a predatory attempt to acquire key foreign infrastructure such as ports.

Analysts had previously suggested the implications of China’s growing military engagement with Africa including establishing naval bases and its use of security contractors are examples of Beijing wanting to expand its military power and political influence abroad.

Others have suggested that Russian activity in Africa could be a return to Soviet-era levels of influence through arms sales, joint military exercises, and installing their own set of security contractors to train the Sudanese military.

The Wagner Group, a high profile group of Russian mercenaries, has denied any involvement in events in Sudan, saying in a post on Telegram: “Due to the large number of inquiries from various foreign media about Sudan, most of which are provocative, we consider it necessary to inform everyone that Wagner staff have not been in Sudan for more than two years.”

China favours stability

Our work for PeaceRep, an international research consortium led by Edinburgh law school, suggests that the US and Europe should be cautious about lumping Russia and China’s goals in Africa together. It found that Beijing and Moscow are taking different approaches. China has its own set of interests, but its approach appears to fundamentally favour stability.

As a result, China is keener to work with the broader international community on issues such as peacekeeping and mediation of conflicts. Conversely, Russia pursues its interests in Africa without as much cooperation with international institutions.

Our new report looks at the available data for pre-war Sudan to see how well claims from scholars and commentators match Russia and China’s behaviour.

We consolidated data from the United Nations, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the AidData research lab on Chinese and Russian engagement with Sudan, as well as news reports to examine how well the arguments from scholars and policymakers hold up.

Tiếp tục đọc “Sudan conflict: how China and Russia are involved and the differences between them”

One year on, Pandora Papers continues to be anti-corruption ‘tour de force’

icij.org

From pivotal legislative pushes in the U.S. and elsewhere, to ongoing probes into deposed leaders and tax dodgers, the impact of the largest ever offshore investigation is still being felt around the world.

n Oct. 3, 2021 — one year ago today — the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and 150 media partners around the globe began rolling out the Pandora Papers, a world-rocking exposé that’s been called “a money bomb with political ripples,” “a financial earthquake” and “one of the essential stories of our time.”

The project took readers deeper than ever inside an offshore financial system that perpetuates corruption and authoritarianism and widens gaps between rich and poor. A U.S. senator called the investigation a “wake-up call to all who care about the future of democracy.”

More than 600 journalists at 151 news organizations in 117 countries worked together to make the Pandora Papers a reality — the largest collaboration in journalism history.

The Pandora Papers’ revelations about the financial secrets of prime ministers, oligarchs, mobsters and other powerful figures spawned action by governments and international groups, triggering investigations, legislation and rule changes in dozens of countries.

Impacts keep coming.

Tiếp tục đọc “One year on, Pandora Papers continues to be anti-corruption ‘tour de force’”

For first time, every player at the Women’s World Cup will be paid at least $30K

FILE - The United States players hold the trophy as they celebrate winning the Women's World Cup final soccer match against The Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France on July 17, 2019. More prize money than ever will be awarded at this year's Women's World Cup, and the players stand to get direct payments from FIFA this time. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)

1 of 2 | 

FILE – The United States players hold the trophy as they celebrate winning the Women’s World Cup final soccer match against The Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Lyon, France on July 17, 2019. More prize money than ever will be awarded at this year’s Women’s World Cup, and the players stand to get direct payments from FIFA this time. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)

ASSOCIATED PRESSRead More

The United States team celebrates a win against Wales during a FIFA Women's World Cup send-off soccer match in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, July 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)

2 of 2 | 

The United States team celebrates a win against Wales during a FIFA Women’s World Cup send-off soccer match in San Jose, Calif., Sunday, July 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)

ASSOCIATED PRESS APnews.com

A group of players across the globe asked FIFA late last year to increase the prize money for this summer’s Women’s World Cup. There had been pleas from the women to boost those funds before, but this time it was different.

The players not only wanted a prize pool equal with the men’s World Cup, they also sought a guarantee that a percentage of the prize money would go directly to the players themselves.

->

The North Atlantic Treaty

Washington D.C. – 4 April 1949, Last updated: 10 Apr. 2019

The Parties to this Treaty reaffirm their faith in the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and their desire to live in peace with all peoples and all governments.
They are determined to safeguard the freedom, common heritage and civilisation of their peoples, founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law. They seek to promote stability and well-being in the North Atlantic area.
They are resolved to unite their efforts for collective defence and for the preservation of peace and security. They therefore agree to this North Atlantic Treaty :

Tiếp tục đọc “The North Atlantic Treaty”

NATO: Vilnius Summit Communiqué

Issued by NATO Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Vilnius 11 July 2023

Press Release, July 11, 2023, NATO

The NATO Invitee associates itself with this Communiqué.

1.           We, the Heads of State and Government of the North Atlantic Alliance, bound by shared values of individual liberty, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, have gathered in Vilnius as war continues on the European continent, to reaffirm our enduring transatlantic bond, unity, cohesion, and solidarity at a critical time for our security and international peace and stability.  NATO is a defensive Alliance.  It is the unique, essential and indispensable transatlantic forum to consult, coordinate and act on all matters related to our individual and collective security.  We reaffirm our iron-clad commitment to defend each other and every inch of Allied territory at all times, protect our one billion citizens, and safeguard our freedom and democracy, in accordance with Article 5 of the Washington Treaty.  We will continue to ensure our collective defence from all threats, no matter where they stem from, based on a 360-degree approach, to fulfil NATO’s three core tasks of deterrence and defence, crisis prevention and management, and cooperative security.  We adhere to international law and to the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and are committed to upholding the rules-based international order.  This Summit marks a milestone in strengthening our Alliance.

Tiếp tục đọc “NATO: Vilnius Summit Communiqué”

BUOY BATTLE IN THE SPRATLY ISLANDS


PUBLISHED: JULY 11, 2023 CSIS

In May, the Philippines and China took turns installing buoys in the disputed Spratly Islands. The deployment of buoys and other sovereignty markers in the South China Sea has a long history. But amid a flurry of new activity by the Philippines, including publicized patrols and surveillance missions, it is noteworthy that the buoy deployment triggered an almost immediate reaction from China, which installed its own. And with the Philippines planning to install more buoys by the end of 2023, this trend will remain a point of contention between Manila and Beijing for the foreseeable future. Tiếp tục đọc “BUOY BATTLE IN THE SPRATLY ISLANDS”

The Countries Buying Fossil Fuels from Russia in 2023

visualcapitalist.com

While Russia’s revenues from fossil fuel exports have declined significantly since their peak in March of 2022, many countries are still importing millions of dollars a day worth of fossil fuels from Russia.

Revenue from fossil fuels exported to the EU has declined more than 90% from their peak, but in 2023 the bloc has still imported more than $18 billion of crude oil and natural gas so far.

This graphic uses data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) to visualize the top-importing countries of fossil fuels from Russia so far this year.

China Remains Russia’s Top Fossil Fuel Importer

China continues to be Russia’s top buyer of fossil fuels, with imports reaching $30 billion in 2023 up until June 16, 2023.

With nearly 80% of China’s fuel imports being crude oil, Russia’s average daily revenues from Chinese fossil fuel imports have declined from $210 million in 2022 to $178 million in 2023 largely due to the falling price of Russian crude oil.

Following China are EU nations collectively, which despite no longer importing coal from Russia since August of 2022, still imported $18.4 billion of fossil fuels in a 60/40 split of crude oil and natural gas respectively.

CountryRussian Fossil Fuel Imports* (Total)Crude OilNatural GasCoal
🇨🇳 China$30B$23.9B$2.7B$3.3B
🇪🇺 EU$18.4B$11.2B$7.2B$0
🇮🇳 India$15.2B$12.8B$0$2.5B
🇹🇷 Türkiye$12.1B$7.3B$3B$1.7B
🇦🇪 UAE$2.3B$2.3B$0$0
🇰🇷 South Korea$2.1B$0.6B$0.3B$1.2B
🇸🇰 Slovakia$2.0B$1.1B$0.9B$0
🇭🇺 Hungary$1.9B$0.8B$1.1B$0
🇧🇪 Belgium$1.9B$0.5B$1.4B$0
🇯🇵 Japan$1.8B$0$1.5B$0.3B
🇪🇸 Spain$1.7B$0.6B$1.1B$0
🇸🇬 Singapore$1.7B$1.7B$0$0
🇧🇷 Brazil$1.6B$1.4B$0$0.2B
🇳🇱 Netherlands$1.6B$1.5B$0.1B$0
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia$1.5B$1.4B$0$0
🇪🇬 Egypt$1.4B$1.3B$0$0.2B
🇧🇬 Bulgaria$1.3B$1.1B$0.3B$0
🇮🇹 Italy$1.2B$0.8B$0.4B$0
🇲🇾 Malaysia$1.1B$1.0B$0$0.1B
🇨🇿 Czech Republic$1.0B$1.1B$0$0

*Over the time period of Jan 1, 2023 to June 16, 2023 in U.S. dollars

After China and the EU bloc, India is the next-largest importer of Russian fossil fuels, having ramped up the amount of fossil fuels imported by more than 10x since before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, largely due to discounted Russian oil.

Türkiye is the only other nation to have imported more than $10 billion worth of Russian fossil fuels in 2023, with every other country having imported fewer than $3 billion worth of fuels from Russia this year.

Navigating the Crude Reality of Oil Exports

Although crude oil is Russia’s chief fossil fuel export, the nation’s Urals crude traded at a $20 per barrel discount to Brent crude throughout most of 2023. While this discount has narrowed to around $16 following Russia’s announcement of further oil export cuts of 500,000 bpd (barrels per day), the price of Urals crude oil remains just 40 cents below the $60 price cap put in place by G7 and EU nations.

Tiếp tục đọc “The Countries Buying Fossil Fuels from Russia in 2023”