ISDEI Instituto de Seguridad, Defensa y Estudios Internacionales

Written by  Brian Kalman  exclusively for  SouthFront ; Brian Kalman is a management professional in the marine transportation industry. He was an officer in the US Navy for eleven years. He currently resides and works in the Caribbean. Introduction China has begun construction of the first Type 075 Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) at the Shanghai based Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding Company. Construction most likely started in January or February of this year, with some satellite imagery and digital photos appearing online of at least one pre-fabricated hull cell. The Type 075 will be the largest amphibious warfare vessel in the Peoples’ Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), with similar displacement and dimensions as the U.S. Navy  Wasp  Class LHD. The PLA has also made it known through non-official channels that the force plans to expand the current PLA Marine Corps from 20,000 personnel to 100,000. As China completes preparations for its new military bas...

The French capitalist elite that sponsored Macron’s meteoric rise is acutely aware that the European Union is in serious trouble. They chose  Emmanuel Macron  to save it. His success or failure depends on whether he can persuade the rest of the EU, notably Germany, to let it be saved. Source: express.co.uk In Trouble Politically The EU is in serious trouble politically, because the elites love it, and ordinary people do not. A poll published June 20 by the Chatham House Royal Institute of international affairs found a “simmering discontent” with the EU among ordinary Europeans. Over 70% of people classified as decision-makers and opinion influencers – leading politicians, journalists, CEOs and leaders of major civil society organizations such as university presidents– welcomed European integration as beneficial, whereas only 34% of ordinary citizens agreed. On immigration, 57% of the elite consider immigration good for their country compared to 34% of the rest of the ...

A screenshot from the video Theh Syrian Arab Army and its allies, backed up by attack helictopers, are advancing against ISIS terrorists in the border area with Iraq. The goal of pro-government forces is to reach and to retake the ISIS-held T2 pumping station. If this is done, government troops will be able to get another strong point in the border area. The T2 pumping station could also be used as a foothold for the widely expected advance on the ISIS stronghold of al-Bukamal.