Marc Koenen
@mkoenen.bsky.social
10 yr NAFTA traveller - now 17 UK - ties to Japan
U of T, Trinity College. Poli. Sci., IR, Eng. Lit. | NatSec, Defence, Space – real & imagined
U of T, Trinity College. Poli. Sci., IR, Eng. Lit. | NatSec, Defence, Space – real & imagined
Reposted by Marc Koenen
Okinawa marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Okinawa on Monday, one of the final land battles of World War II, with solemn reflections on the sacrifices made by the island’s residents.
Okinawa marks 80th anniversary of Battle of Okinawa’s end
Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba spoke of the horrific ground war involving Okinawan residents, noting that 200,000 lives were lost, or about one in four Okinawans.
www.japantimes.co.jp
June 23, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Okinawa marked the 80th anniversary of the end of the Battle of Okinawa on Monday, one of the final land battles of World War II, with solemn reflections on the sacrifices made by the island’s residents.
Reposted by Marc Koenen
Russian losses per 12/06/25 reported by the Ukrainian General Staff.
+1140 men
+6 tanks
+3 AFVs
+47 artillery
+1 AD system
+138 UAVs
+1140 men
+6 tanks
+3 AFVs
+47 artillery
+1 AD system
+138 UAVs
June 12, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Russian losses per 12/06/25 reported by the Ukrainian General Staff.
+1140 men
+6 tanks
+3 AFVs
+47 artillery
+1 AD system
+138 UAVs
+1140 men
+6 tanks
+3 AFVs
+47 artillery
+1 AD system
+138 UAVs
😶
Fields covered with fiber optic lines on the front lines.
May 30, 2025 at 8:45 PM
😶
One lake. One gamble. One battle that saved a nation. Don’t miss the first article in a special series on historical battles. warontherocks.com/20...
Anchoring Peace: The Battle of Lake Champlain, the End of the War of 1812, and How Ships That Didn’t Sail Shaped America’s Destiny - War on the Rocks
Editor’s Note: This is part of a new series of essays entitled “Battle Studies,” which seeks, through the study of military history, to demonstrate how
warontherocks.com
May 12, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Russia loses a fast jet over the Black Sea to a country without a Navy.
A Ukrainian maritime drone (USV: uncrewed surface vessel) has achieved a world-first, shooting down a Russian jet. The Flanker fighter was downed on May 2. It is the first time a fast jet has been shot down by an uncrewed vessel 🇺🇦 🇷🇺
By @covertshores.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
By @covertshores.bsky.social
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
World First: Ukrainian Maritime Drone Shoots Down Russian Flanker Jet - Naval News
A Ukrainian USV operated by Group 13 of military intelligence (HUR) has made history, being the first uncrewed vessel to successfully shoot down an enemy fast jet. The historic event took place on May...
www.navalnews.com
May 3, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Russia loses a fast jet over the Black Sea to a country without a Navy.
Reposted by Marc Koenen
Scientists on the Trump regime’s war on science in the US. “However bad everyone on the outside thinks it is, it is a million times worse. They’re dismantling and destroying everything.” [science.org]
May 1, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Scientists on the Trump regime’s war on science in the US. “However bad everyone on the outside thinks it is, it is a million times worse. They’re dismantling and destroying everything.” [science.org]
"...India was suspending the Indus water treaty" 👀
Here comes the Water Wars.
Here comes the Water Wars.
India closes land border with Pakistan after 26 tourists killed in Kashmir attack
Water treaty also suspended amid hunt for militants said to have executed men unable to recite Islamic verses
www.theguardian.com
April 23, 2025 at 6:22 PM
"...India was suspending the Indus water treaty" 👀
Here comes the Water Wars.
Here comes the Water Wars.
Depressing stats.
Like Canada, the US is 15+ years late.
Very clever/ effective presentation.
Like Canada, the US is 15+ years late.
Very clever/ effective presentation.
China is leveraging its globally dominant commercial shipbuilding industry to support its navy—and foreign companies are inadvertently helping.
New analysis from CSIS Hidden Reach outlines how the U.S. and partners can confront China's dual-use shipyards:
New analysis from CSIS Hidden Reach outlines how the U.S. and partners can confront China's dual-use shipyards:
Murky Waters: Navigating the Risks of China’s Dual-Use Shipyards
China’s booming dual-use shipyards are accelerating its rapid naval buildup. This Hidden Reach investigation demystifies China’s murky shipbuilding ecosystem and explores the role foreign firms play…
features.csis.org
April 2, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Depressing stats.
Like Canada, the US is 15+ years late.
Very clever/ effective presentation.
Like Canada, the US is 15+ years late.
Very clever/ effective presentation.
Reposted by Marc Koenen
Last week, Lula became the first world leader hosted for a state visit in Japan since 2019. The trip was a sign of both countries diversifying their geopolitical ties as the United States becomes a less predictable partner, Catherine Osborn writes.
Brazil Pivots to Asia
Lula is doubling down on nonalignment and multilateralism during Trump’s second term.
foreignpolicy.com
March 30, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Last week, Lula became the first world leader hosted for a state visit in Japan since 2019. The trip was a sign of both countries diversifying their geopolitical ties as the United States becomes a less predictable partner, Catherine Osborn writes.
Reposted by Marc Koenen
Ukrainian FPV drone armed a double-barreled gun shots down multiple Russian UAVs during a flight over the frontline.
March 30, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Ukrainian FPV drone armed a double-barreled gun shots down multiple Russian UAVs during a flight over the frontline.
🤔
March 26, 2025 at 1:30 PM
🤔
Reposted by Marc Koenen
A good collaboration model with our Commonwealth partner and long-standing friend, Canada, for a range of future developments on military and strategic deterrence issues. 🇦🇺 🇨🇦
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Canada to partner with Australia on early warning detection system in the Arctic | CBC News
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced investments into the military’s infrastructure and presence in the Arctic and into Nunavut infrastructure while visiting its capital of Iqaluit on Tuesday — the fi...
www.cbc.ca
March 19, 2025 at 1:43 AM
A good collaboration model with our Commonwealth partner and long-standing friend, Canada, for a range of future developments on military and strategic deterrence issues. 🇦🇺 🇨🇦
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Marc Koenen
If you’re wondering what a spreadsheet looked like in 1800 BCE, here is one that tallies foodstuffs for cattle received by four cowherds.
Three are named in the right hand column as Ubar-Shamash, Sin-iddinam, Sin-re’um, and the last one making the record simply writes “mine”
Three are named in the right hand column as Ubar-Shamash, Sin-iddinam, Sin-re’um, and the last one making the record simply writes “mine”
March 15, 2025 at 9:13 PM
If you’re wondering what a spreadsheet looked like in 1800 BCE, here is one that tallies foodstuffs for cattle received by four cowherds.
Three are named in the right hand column as Ubar-Shamash, Sin-iddinam, Sin-re’um, and the last one making the record simply writes “mine”
Three are named in the right hand column as Ubar-Shamash, Sin-iddinam, Sin-re’um, and the last one making the record simply writes “mine”
“…if you look at the minerals deal that was put to…Ukraine…it would represent a greater share of Ukraine’s GDP then Germany was forced to hand over under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, that was so legendarily punitive that it basically… led to the rise of fascism…” (16:20)
The Real Truth About What's Next with the War in Ukraine
YouTube video by Ward Carroll
www.youtube.com
March 9, 2025 at 10:28 PM
“…if you look at the minerals deal that was put to…Ukraine…it would represent a greater share of Ukraine’s GDP then Germany was forced to hand over under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, that was so legendarily punitive that it basically… led to the rise of fascism…” (16:20)
The CDN government is finally looking to replace our ageing submarines with a new fleet of 8-12 boats. This is one element of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, which includes surface warships, ice breakers and drones. An RFI was issued on Sep 7/24, with responses from vendors due by 18 Nov.(1/3)
Government of Canada announces progress on the Canadian Patrol Submarine procurement - Canada.ca
The Government of Canada is providing members of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) with the equipment they need to maintain current and future operational readiness.
www.canada.ca
March 8, 2025 at 11:03 PM
The CDN government is finally looking to replace our ageing submarines with a new fleet of 8-12 boats. This is one element of the National Shipbuilding Strategy, which includes surface warships, ice breakers and drones. An RFI was issued on Sep 7/24, with responses from vendors due by 18 Nov.(1/3)
Busy day in shipbuilding news. 15 years late, but still well received.
Today, the Canadian government announced the contract award to local shipbuilder Irving Shipbuilding Inc. for the construction of the River-class destroyers (previously known as Canadian Surface Combatants or CSC) for the Royal Canadian Navy 🇨🇦
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
Canada announces contract award for the construction of the River-class destroyers - Naval News
Canada announced the contract award to local shipbuilder Irving Shipbuilding Inc. for the construction of the River-class destroyers for the Royal Canadian Navy.
www.navalnews.com
March 8, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Busy day in shipbuilding news. 15 years late, but still well received.
Reposted by Marc Koenen
Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) has been awarded on March 7 the construction contract to build one of the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) new heavy polar icebreakers 🇨🇦
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
Seaspan to build Made in Canada Heavy Polar Icebreaker - Naval News
Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) has been awarded the construction contract to build one of the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) new heavy polar icebreakers.
www.navalnews.com
March 8, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) has been awarded on March 7 the construction contract to build one of the Canadian Coast Guard’s (CCG) new heavy polar icebreakers 🇨🇦
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
It is unbelievable that the Osprey can only fly 30% of the time, and that my favourite airframe since I was an Air Cadet holds the high spot at 67%. A-10! BRRRT!!
As budget cuts loom, U.S. Air Force leaders lament a fleet in which all aircraft types don't pass muster.
Air Force aircraft readiness plunges to new low, alarming chief
As budget cuts loom, U.S. Air Force leaders lament a fleet in which all aircraft types don't pass muster.
www.defensenews.com
March 6, 2025 at 8:27 PM
It is unbelievable that the Osprey can only fly 30% of the time, and that my favourite airframe since I was an Air Cadet holds the high spot at 67%. A-10! BRRRT!!
I have been thinking of creating a running thread on this topic of poor behaviour by USA service personal in Japan, and especially Okinawa, for a while now but I was worried that it may be taken as me dissing on ALL US personal in the country, (1/4)
US military personnel don't have the best reputation in Japan. A 24-year-old US Navy sailor decided to make that worse after a bar in Fukuoka refused him service b/c it was closing time. The sailor responded by smashing a beer stein on some college kid's head.
US Navy Sailor Arrested For Assault After He Was Refused After-Hours Bar Service - Unseen Japan
The 24-year-old sailor smashed a beer stein into some college kids' head after staff told him the bar was closed.
buff.ly
March 2, 2025 at 12:49 AM
I have been thinking of creating a running thread on this topic of poor behaviour by USA service personal in Japan, and especially Okinawa, for a while now but I was worried that it may be taken as me dissing on ALL US personal in the country, (1/4)
Almost went there for my honeymoon but stayed on Kohama-jima (100km east) instead. 😬
China. 😑
China. 😑
A tiny island on Japan’s western frontier is now the front line in a potential clash over Taiwan.
The tiny Japanese island militarizing on Taiwan’s doorstep
A tiny island on Japan’s western frontier is now the front line in a potential clash over Taiwan.
www.defensenews.com
March 1, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Almost went there for my honeymoon but stayed on Kohama-jima (100km east) instead. 😬
China. 😑
China. 😑
If there is to be a WWIII, it won’t be between nations. It may start out that way, but then quickly devolve into a couple dozen civil wars of varying intensity, between the supporters of democracy and the supporters of autocracy;
(1/2)
(1/2)
March 1, 2025 at 1:36 PM
If there is to be a WWIII, it won’t be between nations. It may start out that way, but then quickly devolve into a couple dozen civil wars of varying intensity, between the supporters of democracy and the supporters of autocracy;
(1/2)
(1/2)
"the U.S. Navy has conducted only five warship transits in the past eight years"
gcaptain.com/who-really-c...
gcaptain.com/who-really-c...
Who Really Controls the Panama Canal? The Truth Behind Trump’s Claims
With President Trump back in office, political rhetoric around expanding U.S. influence and securing key geopolitical assets has intensified. Recent claims about Chinese control of the Panama Canal an...
gcaptain.com
February 28, 2025 at 12:09 AM
"the U.S. Navy has conducted only five warship transits in the past eight years"
gcaptain.com/who-really-c...
gcaptain.com/who-really-c...