Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s visit to the Philippines in November underscored the importance of the archipelago nation assisting the United States in the broader effort to deter the belligerence of the People’s Republic of China in the Indo-Pacific. As our treaty ally, the Philippines is showing initiative in the face of Chinese aggression through increased defense spending, calculated diplomatic mediation, and defense cooperation with the United States. The geography of the Philippines plays a major role making the archipelago nation an ideal partner in the U.S. strategy for deterring Chinese aggression. The country is not only positioned astride the vital sea lanes of the South China Sea, which China is illegally trying to control, but is also comprised of a complex web of islands, bays, inlets, and channels that form a natural defensive barrier. The Philippines has the potential to play a much larger role in regional security as well. For reference, the Philippines has a larger economy than other regional partners such as Vietnam or Malaysia and is host to a number of important military bases that the U.S. military has access to. To get serious about defending Philippine sovereignty, the Philippines can build upon its 2023 Bilateral Defense Guidelines with the United States by making more investments in its own military rather than relying so heavily on the U.S. In November, Austin visited Antonio Bautista Air Base on the Palwan Island, the front line of the fight for nations to have the freedom of navigation within the South China Sea. The international waterway is the vital pathway for over $3 trillion of trade goods annually and the flashpoint for recent Chinese aggression. The Chinese government has been constructing artificial islands within the South China Sea as well as encroaching on the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, the 200 nautical miles of ocean that extends from a nation’s shoreline. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, a nation has exclusive privileges over natural resources and development within those 200 nautical miles. China has unlawfully claimed all of the territory and sea encompassing virtually the entire South China Sea. In 2016, the U.N.’s International Court of Justice’s Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China’s claims and actions violated the Law of the Sea convention and determined that the shoals claimed by China are within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China has intensified its militarization of its artificial islands by deploying long-range anti-access/area denial weapons and opposing nearby U.S. Navy patrols through diplomatic channels. China’s People’s Liberation Army Coast Guard has escalated illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities to harass and disrupt Philippine maritime operations within the Philippines’ economic zone. This year, China’s Coast Guard launched an attack with machetes, knives, and hammers on Philippine sailors attempting to resupply the crew of the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded naval ship, in June 2024. In September 2024, the Coast Guard also rammed a Philippine resupply ship, marking the culmination of a series of intentional ramming incidents at the hands of the Chinese. In response to this, the Philippines’ new Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept will wisely shift defense resources toward integrating air, land, and sea power for external defense. After years of successful internal operations against Islamist insurgents, Philippine strategic planners are refocusing the Philippine Army and Navy on external security missions. The defense concept prioritizes the historically underfunded Philippine Navy and new asymmetric capabilities for the Philippine Army. The Philippines can pursue military capabilities to deter China by purchasing cost-effective anti-ship systems, fast-attack watercraft, and F-16 jet fighters.      The U.S. should consider ways to help the Philippine Air Force finance the purchase of F-16s. The administration could include discounted F-16s in a future military aid agreement in exchange for enhanced American access to and infrastructure investments on the 10 bases where the United States military already rotates troops under its Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines. The Biden administration prioritized American military aid to Ukraine, unwisely focusing efforts on a secondary theater of war over the primary theater of importance—the Indo-Pacific. The U.S. now has the opportunity to prioritize enhancing our Indo-Pacific allies’ capabilities against our primary strategic adversary. The United States military can enable the Philippines to better defend its military and civilian centers with air defense bubbles created by increasing rotational deployment of air and missile defense systems. The U.S.’s proven Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense systems and short-range air defenses will create “no-go zones” for enemy aircraft and missiles, complicating Chinese planning. To fully implement its strategic plans, the Philippines will likely need to raise its defense spending to around 2% of its GDP, on target with other U.S. allies. Manila should allocate this capital especially to anti-ship and anti-air capabilities, accelerate the modernization of the Philippine military, and strengthen interoperability with the U.S. military.  For more context, read The Heritage Foundation’s full report “Strengthening the U.S.–Philippine Alliance.” The post How the Philippines Can Help the US Deter Chinese Aggression appeared first on The Daily Signal.

If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. A third-year student at the University of Leeds has found herself at the center of a free speech controversy after being suspended from her role at the university’s student radio station. Connie Shaw, who studies philosophy, ethics, and religion, has drawn attention from campaigners advocating for free expression, who claim her removal is rooted in her views critical of modern gender ideology. According to The Telegraph, the dispute arose following a complaint to Leeds Student Radio (LSR), where Shaw held the position of head of daytime radio. She oversaw popular programs such as Woman’s Hour and LGBTQ+ Hour. According to the Free Speech Union (FSU), the student union accused the 20-year-old of breaching its code of conduct, alleging she had failed in her “duty of care” and damaged the university’s reputation. The situation escalated when Shaw received a suspension notice in October. The union cited her social media activity as a central concern but withheld specifics until a meeting on November 6. During this meeting, Shaw learned that the complaint stemmed from a blog post she published on Substack the previous month. The post was hosted by Graham Linehan, a writer known for his outspoken views that are critical of modern gender ideology. In the piece, Shaw critiqued Leeds University’s gender policies, including a fund that provides financial support for trans students to purchase items such as chest binders and makeup. The blog also scrutinized a feminist philosophy essay question Shaw encountered during her studies, which asked whether subordination is essential to being a woman. Describing the question as problematic, she argued it implied that systemic oppression defines womanhood. Additionally, Shaw’s podcast, linked in the post, featured interviews with both Linehan and Charlie Bentley-Astor, a notable detransitioner. These interviews, recorded at the Battle of Ideas festival in London, were cited as contributing factors in the complaint. In late November, the Leeds University Union (LUU) determined that Shaw’s actions had brought the station into disrepute, resulting in her suspension from the LSR committee. To regain her position, she was reportedly instructed to issue a written apology and complete an e-learning course. The FSU, acting on Shaw’s behalf, has challenged the union’s decision, alleging it constitutes direct discrimination under the Equality Act 2010, which protects gender-critical beliefs. Toby Young, FSU’s general secretary, criticized the investigation’s process, describing it as flawed and biased. “The natural inference from their approach was that Shaw’s beliefs alone were sufficient to tarnish the station’s reputation,” he said. Young further denounced what he called “hostile questioning” during the inquiry, including being asked how she could foster inclusivity at LSR when her views might discomfort others. He argued that the complaints against her were exaggerated and lacked concrete detail. Shaw herself expressed frustration at the outcome, pointing to what she views as hypocrisy. “It is ironic that LSR promoted a freedom of speech event – the Battle of Ideas – only for me to face repercussions for interviews conducted there and for exercising my legal right to free speech,” she said. The controversy has sparked a broader conversation about freedom of expression on university campuses. The FSU has vowed to support Shaw through an appeal process and potential legal claims, calling for the investigation to be overturned. Meanwhile, the LUU has maintained its commitment to inclusivity but has declined further comments due to the ongoing appeal. This case highlights the tension between fostering an inclusive environment and protecting individuals’ rights to express contentious views, raising critical questions about the boundaries of free speech in academic settings. If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net. The post UK: Student’s Suspension Over Gender-Critical Views Sparks Campus Free Speech Uproar appeared first on Reclaim The Net.

Pardon Push Gaining Momentum

Concert-goers were subjected to unusual sounds, with unsettling results.

They're wild animals, folks. Don't forget that.

Liberals often deny the existence of the Deep State. Thus we see columns like this, in the New York Times: "What Happens When You Fight a ‘Deep State’ That Doesn’t Exist." And this one by David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker: "There Is No Deep State."  But on today's episode of CNN This Morning, host Kasie Hunt acknowledged something that is effectively a synonym for the Deep State. Describing the challenges facing Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in their Department of Government Efficiency [DOGE] undertaking to render the federal government more efficient and less costly, Hunt said:  "There is this kind of saying in Washington that, at the end of the day, the building always wins. And by the building, they mean the infrastructure that has been built in all these places, so that even when you do try to do something, the building itself will push back. So the "infrastructure" in place in the federal government will "push back" against any attempt to change the status quo. And that status quo is almost always of a liberal bent.  That's an apt description of, or synonym for . . . the Deep State.  So thanks, Kasie, for acknowledging a truth that liberals don't like to hear! Note: Hunt suggested to Republican strategist Brad Todd that Musk would grab the proverbial "third rail" of Social Security and Medicare reform, and "take it off a cliff." Shades of the infamous 2012 attack ad on the Romney-Ryan ticket showing a man presumed to be Ryan literally pushing grandma off a cliff because of his floating the notion of Medicare reform! Todd wouldn't bite on Hunt's scaremongering bid, saying:  "I don't think he's headed for Social Security and Medicare. I think that the Hill's budget hawks are going to insist that we look at that, because it's such a big pile of the budget. But that's not where President Trump's heading." Here's the transcript. CNN This Morning 12/6/24 6:04 am ET BRAD TODD: And I think, by the way, this [DOGE] is not that different from what we've had before, right? We had the Peterson Commission. Al Gore tried reinventing government. You often need people from outside Congress to come and shake it up. And let's face it, the appropriations process in Congress could not be any worse. Musk will not mess this up. I mean like, it's it's currently -- KASIE HUNT: It's already messed up. It's already messed up. TODD: It's already messed up: yeah. . . .  ANNIE LINSKEY:  I think there are areas that outsiders can come in and, and take and grab it. And what I think is interesting here too is, you know, the previous panels that you mentioned are, didn't have this sort of celebrity interest. I mean I, you know, it's to see these images and the kind of, um I don't know, the glamor that they've attached to it. HUNT: Well, having covered the Hill for a long time, seeing Elon Musk -- LINSKEY: Yeah! HUNT: Walking down the hallway with his kid on his shoulders is a jarring image. You know, that does draw your attention. LINSKEY: A blue ribbon commission doesn't usually get this much excitement, right? HUNT: Not that blue. I mean, Elliot you've worked inside the federal government in your career, and there is this kind of saying in Washington that, at the end of the day, the building always wins.  ELLIOT WILLIAMS: Yeah. HUNT: And by the building, they mean the infrastructure that has been built in all these places, so that even when you do try to do something, the building itself will push back. WILLIAMS: Right.

President-elect Donald Trump said support for Pete Hegseth, his nominee to head the Department of Defense, remains "strong and deep" despite numerous reports suggesting otherwise. Since Hegseth was first nominated for the post in November, various allegations ranging from alcohol abuse to sexual misconduct have plagued his confirmation bid. Hegseth and several of his colleagues have publicly denied these allegations. 'Pete Hegseth is doing very well,' Trump said in a Truth Social post on Friday. 'His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe.'One of the most notable roadblocks for Hegseth has come from Republican Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa. Sources close to the Senate told Blaze News that Ernst has lobbied against Hegseth's nomination, although she has publicly denied these reports. Other outlets have reported that Hegseth's support within the Senate GOP conference more broadly has wavered. Despite this, Trump has maintained his wholehearted endorsement of Hegseth and reaffirmed that his support in the Senate remains "strong and deep." "Pete Hegseth is doing very well," Trump said in a Truth Social post on Friday. "His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe." "He was a great student - Princeton/Harvard educated - with a Military state of mind," Trump continued. "He will be a fantastic, high energy, Secretary of [Defense], one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!" While there seems to be a pressure campaign to have Hegseth step aside, both Trump and the nominee have maintained that he will go through with the confirmation process. As of this writing, two of Trump's nominees have withdrawn from their respective bids. Trump initially tapped Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida in November to serve as attorney general in the upcoming administration, although he later withdrew just two weeks later, as he felt that he had become a political distraction for the transition team. Trump later nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi for the role. Trump also recruited Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration on Sunday. Chronister withdrew his bid just a few days later on Tuesday, after becoming the subject of criticism over his past progressive policies and COVID policing. Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Glenn Beck is a lucky man, and he just got even luckier. Not only did he recently travel to Mar-a-Lago to attend a PragerU event, but he was given the chance to talk with President-elect Donald Trump while he was there. “I ask him what the hell is going on with South Korea, North Korea, China, Syria, Ukraine, Russia,” Glenn says. “He is laser-focused on this. And again, he reiterated to me the nuclear proliferation that is coming is going to be our biggest problem.” While Trump had Iran under control during his first presidency, Biden quickly ended that. “He said, ‘We had Iran absolutely crippled.' He said, ‘I hope we can get them there quickly.’ He said, ‘But nukes are up for sale now,’” Glenn continues. “North Korea has them.' And he said, ‘I don’t have any evidence that they’ve sold them, but they are up for sale.’” “I asked him about the next 40-some days. I said, ‘I’m very concerned that Biden or whoever is the president of the United States right now, the military-industrial complex, Barack Obama, I don’t know who it is, wants war,’” he explains. Trump and Glenn also went into depth discussing North Korean fighters. “He’s like, ‘Glenn, it’s a country of 5 million soldiers.’ He’s like, ‘It’s a religion over there. Their state is their religion. Their supreme leader, Kim Jong Un, is like their god.’” “And he said, ‘There’s no respect for life, none.’ He said, ‘It’s unlike anything the modern world has seen in a long time,’” Glenn continues, adding, “They don’t even have tourniquets. He said, ‘If the guys are shot in the legs, they bleed to death and people are just walking over them.’ He said, ‘If you’re wounded, you die. There’s no medics coming for you.’” “He said, ‘It is bloodshed like the world cannot imagine,’” Glenn adds. Want more from Glenn Beck?To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.

Missouri state Senator-elect David Gregory (R) pre-filed a bill on Tuesday that, if enacted, would award $1,000 to individuals who turn in illegal aliens.Senate Bill 72 would create a state-level crime of trespass by an illegal alien, which stipulates that an individual is guilty of the offense if he or she knowingly enters Missouri, remains, and is present "at the time a licensed bounty hunter or peace officer apprehends the person."'Let's do this right to protect our people.'The felony crime would carry a penalty of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.According to Gregory's campaign website, the new trespassing law aims to detain illegal aliens "until the federal government agrees to deport them or they are vetted and released by the Parole Board.""The Parole Board will have the authority to vet and release illegal aliens that are truly seeking asylum and/or are not determined to be a threat to Missourians," it read.Gregory's proposed legislation also prohibits illegal aliens in Missouri from voting, obtaining a driver's license, receiving taxpayer-funded benefits, or becoming a state resident.If enacted, the bill would direct the Department of Public Safety to create a reporting mechanism for residents accessible via a free hotline, email, and online portal. Residents will receive a $1,000 reward if their report leads to an arrest.Additionally, Gregory's legislation proposes establishing the "Missouri Illegal Alien Certified Bounty Hunter Program," enabling individuals to become certified bounty hunters responsible for locating and apprehending illegal aliens. Those licensed as bail bond agents, general bail bond agents, or surety recovery agents are eligible to apply.In March, Gregory told KTVI about his plan to propose making illegal immigration a state-level offense."Let's do this right to protect our people, because immigration is good; illegal immigration is bad," Gregory stated. State Senator Brian Williams (D) accused Gregory of pointing fingers instead of finding solutions to the issues that matter to Missourians. He argued that the bill could have devastating consequences. "Right now, it sounds like the public is going to not only get finger-pointing but potentially be subject to various situations of discrimination," Williams told KTVI.Despite issuing warnings about the possible dangers of Gregory's bill, Williams also asserted that it is essentially "do-nothing" legislation designed merely to dominate headlines.Attorney Javad Khazalei told KCTV, "As a civil rights attorney, this is great for me. It'll take one week for a Puerto Rican to be harassed. This is a classic demanding papers situation — you must have your papers everywhere. This is Nazi Germany stuff."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow surprised his teammates by revealing he bought an actual Batmobile.The vehicle, nicknamed the Tumbler, is inspired by the Batmobile that first appeared in the 2005 film "Batman Begins" and retails for a reported $3 million with just 10 of the fully operational cars available.During an episode of HBO's "Hard Knocks," Burrow told his teammates at practice about his lavish purchase."Have I told you I bought a Batmobile?" Burrow casually told wide receiver Tee Higgins. "I don't get it for, like, a year, but I bought it.""Oh, the real one? That thing gonna be crazy," Higgins replied.'What if I wore it to every game?'Burrow then explained his hope to now buy an expensive Batman bat-suit replica and arrive at every Bengals game in full costume and be seen exiting the Batmobile."What if I wore it to every game? I just wore the full bat suit, Batmobile to every game. I'd go crazy on Halloween," Burrow laughed. "500 [yards], seven touchdowns," he predicted. The Batmobile at the European premiere of 'Batman Begins' at the Odeon Leicester Square on June 12, 2005, in London, England. Photo by MJ Kim/Getty ImagesUnfortunately, it might not be possible for Burrow to make his movie-inspired appearances at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati.According to Sawyer Merrit, who reported on the sale of the Batmobile replicas in November, the vehicles are operational but not street legal."Not street legal, but if you have private land or a track, you can use it," Merrit claimed.The specs of the vehicle are quite impressive, and the Tumbler's paneling would rival almost any vehicle on the market in terms of durability.The body is made of a combination of carbon, Kevlar, fiberglass, and metal panels. It has a steel tube frame, 6.2 liter V8 engine, and a whopping 525 horsepower. Along with plenty of torque, the Batmobile includes many of the amazing features that made it so cool in the movies.This includes the ability to drop smoke screens, one-way mirrored glass windows, a "simulated jet engine," and, of course, imitation gun turrets.After Higgins said he would wear the bat suit to the club, teammate Ja'Marr Chase jokingly expressed concern that he’d be invisible to the public he was seemingly trying to impress."You'll get lost in there. [The suit] is so dark," Higgins suggested.However, maybe that's exactly what Batman/Burrow would want.Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!