Founders Pledge’s Post

A US-Russia crisis "hotline" staved off nuclear conflict during the Cold War. The current US-China version wouldn’t. "Unlike the United States and Russia, who established the first hotline in 1963 after the near-catastrophe of the Cuban Missile Crisis, the United States and the People’s Republic of China have a much shorter history of crisis communications. The Beijing-Washington hotline was only established in 1998, during President Clinton’s visit to China, followed by the opening of the military-to-military Defense Telephone Link (DTL) in 2008. Since then, US-China hotline relations have been fraught; during several crises between the two countries, Beijing simply has not answered, leading many commentators to call the military hotline 'dangerously broken.'" "Beijing is unavailable to take your call: Why the US-China crisis hotline doesn’t work," by Christian Ruhl, Applied Researcher at Founders Pledge and Fund Manager of the Global Catastrophic Risks Fund. https://lnkd.in/eFdz5j53

Join us for an insightful discussion on the Global Security Initiative (GSI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. In an era of unprecedented global challenges, the GSI emphasizes international cooperation and comprehensive security principles. 🔍 Key Topics: Common, Comprehensive, Cooperative, and Sustainable Security Respect for Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity UN Charter Adherence Peaceful Conflict Resolution Addressing Traditional and Non-traditional Security Threats 🌍 Objectives: Promote conflict prevention Support UN peacekeeping efforts Address nuclear disarmament, climate change, and transnational crime 🤝 Why Attend? An opportunity to listen to the first hand insights from renowned diplomats, practitionists, and academics including Senator Mushahid Hussain, Chinese Ambassador, and DG China MOFA. Gain insights into China's world view on global security Explore avenues for international collaboration Contribute to building a peaceful and stable global environment Don't miss the opportunity to be part of this crucial dialogue shaping the future of global security governance. Save the date and join us on March 5th at 1400 hrs.

Here are the key takeaways from the 2024 U.S.-Australia Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN): - Defense and Security Cooperation: The U.S. and Australia are advancing their defense collaboration, focusing on enhanced force posture initiatives, including marine rotations, air cooperation, and infrastructure upgrades at key Australian bases. - Strategic Partnerships: Both countries are committed to strengthening alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, emphasizing the importance of regional security integration and mutual support for a global order based on international law. - Economic and Technological Collaboration: There is a focus on expanding technological and industrial integration through cooperative activities, including the development of advanced capabilities and resilience in defense industrial bases. - Climate and Energy Initiatives: The consultations highlighted joint efforts in climate action and clean energy, aiming to bolster economic resilience and address regional environmental challenges. - AUKUS Progress: Progress was noted in the AUKUS partnership, particularly regarding Australia's acquisition of nuclear submarine capabilities and the development of Submarine Rotational Forces-West. These discussions underscore the deepening alliance between the U.S. and Australia, reflecting shared strategic interests and a commitment to addressing regional and global challenges. AUSMIN 2024: Marles and Wong grovel to US officials https://lnkd.in/gndfic7D Press Briefing: Previewing the Australia-United States Ministerial ... https://lnkd.in/gR5Xcd2h #AUSMIN2024 #USAustraliaAlliance #IndoPacificSecurity #DefenseCooperation #ClimateAction #USAID #DFAT #US #Australia #Asiafounation #KOICA #JICA #Mekong #Safeguards #Donors #sustainable

On Friday Minister Bill Blair, Department of National Defence, gave a powerful keynote at the Economic Club of Canada on Canada’s new Defence Policy update. There was heavy emphasis on the Arctic (as the name suggests) and the importance of Canada’s North for Canadian, North American, and our NATO allied countries’ security and defence. The Minister talked about the significance of the policy for providing a clear message to Canadians at home and to our allies around the world what Canada stands for and intends to do (the policy is not a 'laundry list'). Included was the importance of related industrial and foreign policy – all of which must align with the rapidly shifting global geopolitical landscape and the need for Canada to be able to act with equal speed to keep pace with the changes taking place. Yet, at the heart of the Arctic discussion was what lies at the heart of Arctic 360’s primary area of focus: the importance for Canada to build multi-purpose and multiuse infrastructure in the Canadian North. It is the key to Canada’s national Arctic security and the security of Northerners themselves. To that end, we are happy to post – hot off the press! – the Session video from our Arctic360, 2024 ANNUAL CONFERENCE: MULTI-USER AND MULTI-PURPOSE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCUTRE. The Session was led by a first-class group of Northerners, Northern experts and industry including DND, mining, CanNor, shipping, and infrastructure. It was also moderated by one of Canada’s primary thought leaders on the Arctic. Thank you all for the intellectual and engaging discussion! Moderator: Erin O'Toole Panellists: Madeleine Redfern ; Sean Boyd, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited; David Thompson Jimi Onalik; Brandon MacDonald; Paul Barrett Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency/ Agence canadienne de développement économique du Nord Duncan Tooley Yvonne Rumbolt-Jones Davie Pennecon

The United States Department of Defense has unveiled a forward-thinking strategy aimed at strengthening engagements and exercises in the Arctic region. This comprehensive approach underscores the importance of national security and international stability. Key elements of the strategy include: • Enhanced Military Presence • Infrastructure Development • Partnerships and Collaboration The USF Institute of Applied Engineering, Inc. along with our esteemed partners, work toward developing cutting-edge solutions that enhance warfighter capabilities, ensuring effective operation in any environment. We are proud to highlight the University of Central Florida’s project on the "Secure and Resilient Operations Using Open-Source Distributed Systems Platform.” This initiative focuses on creating robust, flexible systems that can withstand and adapt to various challenges, ensuring seamless and secure operations in critical environments like the Arctic.                                                                                                                                                                         Read about the DoD’s strategy here: https://lnkd.in/eV2-aZ_p Read about UCF’s project here: https://lnkd.in/ebNMfBja

“FORTE 2024” will cover a wide range of topics in energy security, such as the potential of various clean energy sources for NATO’s operational needs, the challenges and opportunities of transitioning military operations towards an increasing share of more sustainable energy, and the latest lessons learned at critical energy infrastructure protection (CEIP). Energy security is a stable and reliable supply of required energy forms and quantities, enabling NATO’s capabilities, operational effectiveness and resilience https://lnkd.in/ddjWqbgN

Lt. Gen. Rakesh Sharma in the article comments how in the present era of self help, reliability of security gaurantees, external balancing and formal/ informal alliances will matter less and wars having geopolitical rationale have manifestations in domains much beyond territorial conquests. https://lnkd.in/gNAXSkRF

How NATO and its Indo-Pacific partners can work together in an era of strategic competition By Gorana Grgić Aug 7, 2024 Amid rising threats from Russia and China, it is in the interest of both NATO and its Indo-Pacific partners to deepen their cooperation. The NATO-IP4 format has already proven useful for information sharing and presenting a unified front to promote common values vis-à-vis revisionist states. The Alliance should build on the significant groundwork that has already been laid for integrating the IP4 into various NATO structures and processes to continue the multiparty coordination and “regularize” these partnerships in a way that would shield them from domestic politics. However, considering that Chinese and Russian disinformation campaigns have propagated the narrative that NATO is attempting to expand into the Indo-Pacific, it is crucial for the Alliance to consistently emphasize that the partnerships with IP4 nations, or any future potential partners from the region, are not a prelude to full membership. Finally, while it may seem self-evident, managing and reconciling expectations is crucial, as NATO operates on a consensus basis. Therefore, given the past episodes of disagreements among allies around NATO’s outreach to the Indo-Pacific, it is imperative to handle these relations carefully to avoid creating unnecessary intra-Alliance tensions and to demonstrate how nurturing ties with the IP4 serves the interests of both sides.

☢ On the Brink: Navigating the Perilous Path Away from World War III ☢ 🚩 The current geopolitical landscape resembles a powder keg, 🚩 ignited by ongoing conflicts, 🧨 escalating tensions, and 🧨 the ever-present shadow of nuclear weapons. 🔥 These combustible elements raise a terrifying question: 🔥 Are we sleepwalking into another World War? 🚩 The future remains shrouded in uncertainty, but ✅ proactive measures can undoubtedly mitigate these risks. ✅ Here are some crucial steps: ✔ Diplomacy as a Lifeline: ✔ Fostering open communication and mutual understanding between nations is essential to defuse tensions and build trust. ✔ Leaders must prioritize dialogue over threats. ✔ Collective Security: A United Front: ✔ Strengthening international organizations and ✔ fostering cooperation allows the world to address global threats ✔ with a unified voice. ❌ A divided world is a vulnerable world. ✔ Investing in Peace, Not War: ✔ Supporting robust and well-equipped peacekeeping forces ✔ can prevent simmering conflicts from erupting into full-blown wars. ✔ Resources channeled into peacebuilding are far more valuable than those spent on destruction. ☑ The responsibility for global security lies not just with world leaders, but with all citizens. ☑ Let's engage in constructive dialogue and advocate for peace. ☑ What are your thoughts? 🟤 What other steps can we take to prevent war and 🟤 promote a future of cooperation and stability?