Sepia

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/56342302

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To outsiders, some of Russia’s actions can be difficult to recognize because they are often described in official language that sounds humanitarian or routine.

During the first months of the invasion, Russian forces removed many children from orphanages, residential institutions and other forms of state care, transferring many into Russia or Russian-controlled territory.

Other children were separated from parents or relatives during attacks on their communities, chaotic evacuations and Russia’s “filtration” process – a system of screenings and interrogations used to control civilians fleeing occupied areas.

Once under Russian control, many Ukrainian children were transferred into Russian institutions or placed under guardianship or adopted, making reunification with their families increasingly difficult.

Words used by Russia to describe its actions, such as “evacuation,” “child protection,” “recreation camp,” “guardianship,” “foster care” and “adoption,” usually suggest that adults are protecting children.

In occupied Ukraine, these terms cannot be taken at face value. They must be understood within a system of coercion designed to separate children from their families, communities and Ukrainian identity.

The language of rescue can conceal the reality of coercion.

...

Russia’s strategy extends beyond physically removing children from Ukraine. It also seeks to reshape the lives of those who remain under occupation.

Over time, Russian schools, laws and public institutions reinforce the message that these children are Russian rather than Ukrainian, making that identity feel normal and permanent. Children sent to so-called “recreation,” “health” or educational camps inside Russia often experience the same process, as temporary stays are extended and return becomes increasingly difficult.

The goal is not simply to control territory but to influence how children understand themselves.

Russian authorities have portrayed Ukraine as an artificial nation and Ukrainians and Russians as “one people.” Children are especially important to that project of erasing Ukrainians’ independent identity because they carry a nation’s language, family history, citizenship and future. As they grow older, many are also pulled into an expanding system of military-patriotic education that presents service to Russia as a civic duty.

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Oleksandra Matviichuk, chair of Ukraine’s Center for Civil Liberties, which was awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, [said] that one obstacle to an effective international response is a “lack of imagination.” People living in stable societies can find it difficult to believe that a government could invade another country, occupy its territory and attempt to erase the identity of its children.

But that is happening now.

...

Web Archive link

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/56342887

Tuvalu’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs says his Government asked China for help in locating the missile it fired into the ocean around his country in July.

Pasuna Tuaga told reporters at the Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers meeting that he had asked partners, including Australia, France, the United States and China itself, with locating the missile on the sea floor, which was nuclear-capable but carried a dummy warhead.

Tuaga said he made the remarks in a personal capacity and not as a representative of the government of Tuvalu.

“We approached the Chinese themselves … they didn’t want to mention anything.”

He said Tuvalu heard no response to its request. Tuvalu is one of the tiny number of countries that has diplomatic relations with Taiwan and not the People’s Republic of China.

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Despite the missile splashing down close to Tuvalu, he said the country had no warning from China, unlike Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, which were given prior warning.

He asked reporters to imagine how they would feel if a missile had been fired in the direction of their countries without warning.

...

“Imagine it was a real one [warhead]... do we have to wait until we are hit by a real one and then issue a statement?

...

Archived Web link

...

To outsiders, some of Russia’s actions can be difficult to recognize because they are often described in official language that sounds humanitarian or routine.

During the first months of the invasion, Russian forces removed many children from orphanages, residential institutions and other forms of state care, transferring many into Russia or Russian-controlled territory.

Other children were separated from parents or relatives during attacks on their communities, chaotic evacuations and Russia’s “filtration” process – a system of screenings and interrogations used to control civilians fleeing occupied areas.

Once under Russian control, many Ukrainian children were transferred into Russian institutions or placed under guardianship or adopted, making reunification with their families increasingly difficult.

Words used by Russia to describe its actions, such as “evacuation,” “child protection,” “recreation camp,” “guardianship,” “foster care” and “adoption,” usually suggest that adults are protecting children.

In occupied Ukraine, these terms cannot be taken at face value. They must be understood within a system of coercion designed to separate children from their families, communities and Ukrainian identity.

The language of rescue can conceal the reality of coercion.

...

Russia’s strategy extends beyond physically removing children from Ukraine. It also seeks to reshape the lives of those who remain under occupation.

Over time, Russian schools, laws and public institutions reinforce the message that these children are Russian rather than Ukrainian, making that identity feel normal and permanent. Children sent to so-called “recreation,” “health” or educational camps inside Russia often experience the same process, as temporary stays are extended and return becomes increasingly difficult.

The goal is not simply to control territory but to influence how children understand themselves.

Russian authorities have portrayed Ukraine as an artificial nation and Ukrainians and Russians as “one people.” Children are especially important to that project of erasing Ukrainians’ independent identity because they carry a nation’s language, family history, citizenship and future. As they grow older, many are also pulled into an expanding system of military-patriotic education that presents service to Russia as a civic duty.

...

Oleksandra Matviichuk, chair of Ukraine’s Center for Civil Liberties, which was awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, [said] that one obstacle to an effective international response is a “lack of imagination.” People living in stable societies can find it difficult to believe that a government could invade another country, occupy its territory and attempt to erase the identity of its children.

But that is happening now.

...

Web Archive link

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/56342887

Tuvalu’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs says his Government asked China for help in locating the missile it fired into the ocean around his country in July.

Pasuna Tuaga told reporters at the Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers meeting that he had asked partners, including Australia, France, the United States and China itself, with locating the missile on the sea floor, which was nuclear-capable but carried a dummy warhead.

Tuaga said he made the remarks in a personal capacity and not as a representative of the government of Tuvalu.

“We approached the Chinese themselves … they didn’t want to mention anything.”

He said Tuvalu heard no response to its request. Tuvalu is one of the tiny number of countries that has diplomatic relations with Taiwan and not the People’s Republic of China.

...

Despite the missile splashing down close to Tuvalu, he said the country had no warning from China, unlike Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, which were given prior warning.

He asked reporters to imagine how they would feel if a missile had been fired in the direction of their countries without warning.

...

“Imagine it was a real one [warhead]... do we have to wait until we are hit by a real one and then issue a statement?

...

Archived Web link

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/56342887

Tuvalu’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs says his Government asked China for help in locating the missile it fired into the ocean around his country in July.

Pasuna Tuaga told reporters at the Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers meeting that he had asked partners, including Australia, France, the United States and China itself, with locating the missile on the sea floor, which was nuclear-capable but carried a dummy warhead.

Tuaga said he made the remarks in a personal capacity and not as a representative of the government of Tuvalu.

“We approached the Chinese themselves … they didn’t want to mention anything.”

He said Tuvalu heard no response to its request. Tuvalu is one of the tiny number of countries that has diplomatic relations with Taiwan and not the People’s Republic of China.

...

Despite the missile splashing down close to Tuvalu, he said the country had no warning from China, unlike Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, which were given prior warning.

He asked reporters to imagine how they would feel if a missile had been fired in the direction of their countries without warning.

...

“Imagine it was a real one [warhead]... do we have to wait until we are hit by a real one and then issue a statement?

...

Archived Web link

Tuvalu’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs says his Government asked China for help in locating the missile it fired into the ocean around his country in July.

Pasuna Tuaga told reporters at the Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers meeting that he had asked partners, including Australia, France, the United States and China itself, with locating the missile on the sea floor, which was nuclear-capable but carried a dummy warhead.

Tuaga said he made the remarks in a personal capacity and not as a representative of the government of Tuvalu.

“We approached the Chinese themselves … they didn’t want to mention anything.”

He said Tuvalu heard no response to its request. Tuvalu is one of the tiny number of countries that has diplomatic relations with Taiwan and not the People’s Republic of China.

...

Despite the missile splashing down close to Tuvalu, he said the country had no warning from China, unlike Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji, which were given prior warning.

He asked reporters to imagine how they would feel if a missile had been fired in the direction of their countries without warning.

...

“Imagine it was a real one [warhead]... do we have to wait until we are hit by a real one and then issue a statement?

...

Archived Web link

...

To outsiders, some of Russia’s actions can be difficult to recognize because they are often described in official language that sounds humanitarian or routine.

During the first months of the invasion, Russian forces removed many children from orphanages, residential institutions and other forms of state care, transferring many into Russia or Russian-controlled territory.

Other children were separated from parents or relatives during attacks on their communities, chaotic evacuations and Russia’s “filtration” process – a system of screenings and interrogations used to control civilians fleeing occupied areas.

Once under Russian control, many Ukrainian children were transferred into Russian institutions or placed under guardianship or adopted, making reunification with their families increasingly difficult.

Words used by Russia to describe its actions, such as “evacuation,” “child protection,” “recreation camp,” “guardianship,” “foster care” and “adoption,” usually suggest that adults are protecting children.

In occupied Ukraine, these terms cannot be taken at face value. They must be understood within a system of coercion designed to separate children from their families, communities and Ukrainian identity.

The language of rescue can conceal the reality of coercion.

...

Russia’s strategy extends beyond physically removing children from Ukraine. It also seeks to reshape the lives of those who remain under occupation.

Over time, Russian schools, laws and public institutions reinforce the message that these children are Russian rather than Ukrainian, making that identity feel normal and permanent. Children sent to so-called “recreation,” “health” or educational camps inside Russia often experience the same process, as temporary stays are extended and return becomes increasingly difficult.

The goal is not simply to control territory but to influence how children understand themselves.

Russian authorities have portrayed Ukraine as an artificial nation and Ukrainians and Russians as “one people.” Children are especially important to that project of erasing Ukrainians’ independent identity because they carry a nation’s language, family history, citizenship and future. As they grow older, many are also pulled into an expanding system of military-patriotic education that presents service to Russia as a civic duty.

...

Oleksandra Matviichuk, chair of Ukraine’s Center for Civil Liberties, which was awarded the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, [said] that one obstacle to an effective international response is a “lack of imagination.” People living in stable societies can find it difficult to believe that a government could invade another country, occupy its territory and attempt to erase the identity of its children.

But that is happening now.

...

Web Archive link

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/56341915

• New coal power plants entering operation in China reached the highest first-half year level since 2016, with 10 GW entering operation for every 1 GW retired, despite a policy shift towards tighter control of new project approvals. China commissioned 30 GW of new coal power, up 43% from last year, while retiring only 2.7 GW. Another 25.4 GW started construction.
• Coal power generation rebounded 3.4% year-on-year in H1 2026, reversing the 2025 decline. The rapid expansion of coal power capacity led to worsening oversupply, reflected both in the increase of wasted wind and solar generation and in falling utilisation of coal power plants.
• Estimated wind and solar curtailment, including both reported and unreported curtailment, reached 360 TWh in H1 2026, up 49% year-on-year. Had this electricity been absorbed, the additional power supply could have met all demand growth and allowed coal power generation to fall.
• Long-term contracts continue to reserve a substantial share of limited electricity demand for coal power—coal generators in 2026 are still expected to sign annual contracts covering 60-70% of the previous year’s delivered electricity, turning a risk-management instrument into a barrier to renewable integration.
• CREA advises phasing out coal power-specific minimum requirements for medium- and long-term contracts in provinces experiencing renewable curtailment or oversupply to help coal transition from a baseload generator towards a flexible backup role.

...

Web Archive link

• New coal power plants entering operation in China reached the highest first-half year level since 2016, with 10 GW entering operation for every 1 GW retired, despite a policy shift towards tighter control of new project approvals. China commissioned 30 GW of new coal power, up 43% from last year, while retiring only 2.7 GW. Another 25.4 GW started construction.
• Coal power generation rebounded 3.4% year-on-year in H1 2026, reversing the 2025 decline. The rapid expansion of coal power capacity led to worsening oversupply, reflected both in the increase of wasted wind and solar generation and in falling utilisation of coal power plants.
• Estimated wind and solar curtailment, including both reported and unreported curtailment, reached 360 TWh in H1 2026, up 49% year-on-year. Had this electricity been absorbed, the additional power supply could have met all demand growth and allowed coal power generation to fall.
• Long-term contracts continue to reserve a substantial share of limited electricity demand for coal power—coal generators in 2026 are still expected to sign annual contracts covering 60-70% of the previous year’s delivered electricity, turning a risk-management instrument into a barrier to renewable integration.
• CREA advises phasing out coal power-specific minimum requirements for medium- and long-term contracts in provinces experiencing renewable curtailment or oversupply to help coal transition from a baseload generator towards a flexible backup role.

...

Web Archive link

Japan needs to boost its military with a "sense of urgency and crisis", its defence minister said on Tuesday, as a new government assessment reiterated growing risks posed by China, North Korea, and Russia.

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In the Asia-Pacific, "not only are China and North Korea further strengthening their military capabilities, China-Russia and Russia-North Korea are also reinforcing their cooperation", he added.

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Koizumi also said that he [also seeks to] increase security cooperation with the Philippines, Australia, and South Korea to realise a "a free and open Indo-Pacific".

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"In order to do so Japan will build and expand multilayered networks among allies and like-minded countries, and enhance interconnectivity with like-minded countries and others in every area."

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Military experts expect it to call for further spending increases aimed primarily at deterring China from starting a conflict with Taiwan that could also draw Japan into a prolonged war.

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Web Archive link

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/56243455

The Japanese government has published its first defense white paper since the launch of the Sanae Takaichi cabinet, laying bare strong a sense of crisis and vigilance toward the deepening alignment among North Korea, China, and Russia.

Diagnosing that East Asia's security environment is facing its greatest test since the end of World War II, Japan emphasized strengthening deterrence through solidarity with allied nations.

...

In its white paper, Japan spotlighted the growing military cooperation among North Korea, China, and Russia, assessing that "the international society has entered a new era of crisis as it faces the greatest trials since the postwar period."

In particular, it expressed strong concern over deteriorating conditions, stating that "a serious situation akin to the invasion of Ukraine could occur in East Asia."

...

The front section of the white paper featured photos of the summit meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as a large-scale military parade featuring Chinese President Xi Jinping, warning against the expansion of military influence by nations that do not share democratic values and systems.

Regarding China's military trends, the white paper defined them as the "greatest strategic challenge ever seen," following last year's assessment, and cited military pressure on Taiwan and intensified maritime activities around the Senkaku Islands as threats.

As for North Korea, it described the country as posing a "more grave and imminent threat to Japan's security than ever before," raising risks that North Korea's military capabilities could be reinforced in the mid-to-long term through military cooperation with Russia, such as troop deployments to Ukraine.

...

Web Archive link

cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/56243455

The Japanese government has published its first defense white paper since the launch of the Sanae Takaichi cabinet, laying bare strong a sense of crisis and vigilance toward the deepening alignment among North Korea, China, and Russia.

Diagnosing that East Asia's security environment is facing its greatest test since the end of World War II, Japan emphasized strengthening deterrence through solidarity with allied nations.

...

In its white paper, Japan spotlighted the growing military cooperation among North Korea, China, and Russia, assessing that "the international society has entered a new era of crisis as it faces the greatest trials since the postwar period."

In particular, it expressed strong concern over deteriorating conditions, stating that "a serious situation akin to the invasion of Ukraine could occur in East Asia."

...

The front section of the white paper featured photos of the summit meeting between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as a large-scale military parade featuring Chinese President Xi Jinping, warning against the expansion of military influence by nations that do not share democratic values and systems.

Regarding China's military trends, the white paper defined them as the "greatest strategic challenge ever seen," following last year's assessment, and cited military pressure on Taiwan and intensified maritime activities around the Senkaku Islands as threats.

As for North Korea, it described the country as posing a "more grave and imminent threat to Japan's security than ever before," raising risks that North Korea's military capabilities could be reinforced in the mid-to-long term through military cooperation with Russia, such as troop deployments to Ukraine.

...

Web Archive link