How is former US president Jimmy Carter remembered in China and Taiwan?

How is former US president Jimmy Carter remembered in China and Taiwan?

Carter's vision of peace is vanishing amid the escalating US-China trade war

Written byOiwan Lam

Posted 2 January 2025 6:30 GMT

Screenshot from Jimmy Carter's December 15, 1978, speech on the establishment of diplomatic relations with China. Via Miller Center‘s YouTube Channel.

Jimmy Carter, the 100-year-old former US President (1977–1981) and Nobel peace laureate (2002), passed away on December 29, 2024. 

In the US, Carter is remembered as a leader who was devoted to maintaining world peace in alignment with democracy, human rights, and Christian values. 

“An old friend of China”

In mainland China, he was often dubbed “an old friend of China” as he played a pivotal role in cutting ties with the Republic of China (ROC, also known as Taiwan) and establishing diplomatic relations between the US and the People's Republic of China (PRC) during his presidency.

In response to Carter's passing, Chinese President Xi Jinping praised Carter’s diplomatic contribution in his condolence message to US President Joe Biden. Chinese ambassador to the US, Xie Feng, added that Carter’s move to normalize relations with China was “one of the most correct decisions” he ever made:

Diplomatic relations between the US and the PRC were established through Three Joint Communiques issued between 1972 and 1982.

Cutting ties with the Republic of China

The First Communique was released in February 1972 during the then-US president Richard Nixon’s ice-breaking visit to China against the backdrop of the Sino-Soviet Split. The US “acknowledges” in the joint diplomatic document that “all Chinese on either side of the Taiwan Strait maintain there is but one China and that Taiwan is a part of China.”

After the Kuomintang (KMT), the then-ruling party of the ROC, was defeated by the Communist Party of China (CPC) in the Chinese Civil War (1927–1949), KTM officials escaped to Taiwan and continued claiming sovereignty over mainland China.

The First Communique stressed that the Taiwan question should be resolved through “a peaceful settlement” by the Chinese themselves.

Diplomatic relations between the US and China were established in the Second Communique, which was revealed on December 15th, 1978, and signed during the then-Chinese Vice Premier Deng Xiaoping’s official visit to the US on January 1st, 1979. The diplomatic document affirms the government of the PRC as the sole legal government of China and acknowledges the PRC's position that Taiwan is part of China. On the same day, Carter cut ties with ROC by annulling the Mutual Defense Treaty between the United States of America and the Republic of China.

However, Carter’s decision was challenged by members of the US Senate and Congress, and eventually, on March 29, 1979, the US Congress passed the Taiwan Relations Act, which guarantees de facto but non-official diplomatic relations and exchanges (including militarily) between Taiwan and the US. The Act was signed by President Carter on April 10th, 1979, and retroactively entered into force, effective January 1st, 1979. 

Back then, Carter’s diplomatic move triggered strong reactions from the ROC. The official KMT X account could not help but mention the bitter historical moment in its condolence message:  

Old protest photos with protest banners accusing Carter of betraying Taiwan also resurface across social media platforms. One Twitter user, @Lovelifetaiwan,  shared the historical photos on X (formerly Twitter) but noted that Carter’s decision had not obstructed Taiwan’s democratization and development: 

Former US President Jimmy Carter died today at the age of 100. Regarding cutting diplomatic tie with the ROC, Carter said without hesitation that the decision to establish diplomatic relations between the US and China was correct even though it was not “entirely positive” for the Taiwanese, which he felt regretful about. He should not bare the responsibility of the decision as in the past 20 years, Taiwan's democracy, human rights, and economy have improved dramatically, he did not need to apologize to Taiwan and its people for his decision to cut diplomatic ties. 

In fact, some comments pointed out that because Taiwan was under a KMT single-party military dictatorship backed by the US between 1949 and 1987, Carter’s decision created space for the democratization movement in Taiwan.

Carter's vanishing vision

In January 2019, the 40th anniversary of the release of the Second Communique, Carter described the normalization of relations between the US and China as a “historical achievement” and that he believed the decision would advance the cause of peace in Asia and the world. 

Yet, Carter's vision is vanishing amid the escalating trade war between the US and China, which has been ongoing since 2018, as well as territorial disputes in the Pacific region. Bao Pu, a book publisher and son of ex-Chinese official Bao Tong, mourned Carter’s passing and called it the end of an era:

The honeymoon period between China and the US was 50 years ago; The friendship is gone. President Carter attempted to make the promotion of human rights a key principle of US diplomatic relations with other countries, but failed. In fact, his double standard is now the root cause of many problems. Deng [Xiao-ping]’s political strategy of concealing one’s strength has been become a game of “showing one’s sword” today and “hiding one’s sword” tomorrow.

“Showing swords” is a political term frequently used by Xi Jinping to describe his iron-hand policy in both diplomacy and domestic crackdowns on corruption and political dissents.

Many foreign affairs observers anticipate that after Donald Trump's presidential inauguration on January 25th, Sino-US relations will become more unstable and unpredictable, if not worsen. 

Global Population Surpasses 8 Billion Mark by End of 2024

World | January 2, 2025, Thursday // 

Photo: Stella Ivanova

The global population reached 8.09 billion by the end of 2024, marking an increase of over 71 million people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This growth represented a 0.9 percent rise, slightly lower than the previous year when the population expanded by 75 million.

As the world moved into 2025, the bureau projected that 4.2 births and 2 deaths would occur every second globally. In the United States, the population grew by 2.6 million in 2024, reaching 341 million by the start of the new year.



For the U.S., the projections indicated that a birth would take place every 9 seconds and a death every 9.4 seconds in January 2025. Additionally, the country's population would increase by one person every 23.2 seconds due to international migration.

The combination of births, deaths, and net international migration is expected to result in a population increase of one person every 21.2 seconds in the U.S., according to the Census Bureau's estimates.

2024: A jackpot year for North Korea’s cyber criminals

CRIME IS PRIMITIVE ACCUMULATION OF CAPITAL

With North Korean workers, particularly IT professionals, increasingly relocating to Russia, cyber operations are expected to escalate

By Abhishek Sharma
-January 2, 2025
DAILY NK

The dawn of 2025 offers a crucial moment to reflect on how 2024 proved remarkably advantageous for North Korea. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has emerged as an unexpected economic lifeline for Pyongyang, while simultaneously drawing the regime out of its diplomatic isolation. North Korea’s cyber operations throughout 2024 have also yielded significant gains for the regime, which continues to view its cyber capabilities as a vital strategic asset.

The Chainalysis 2025 Crypto Crime Report reveals that 2024 marked an exceptional year for North Korean cyber heists. The regime’s hackers managed to steal $1.34 billion through 47 separate incidents – a staggering 103% increase from 2023’s $660.50 million across 20 incidents. This dramatic surge has raised serious concerns among the United States, South Korea, and Japan, particularly since an estimated 40% of these illicit funds directly support North Korea’s strategic military programs.

The findings are troubling for three key reasons. First, they demonstrate that the decline following 2022 was merely temporary, not a lasting trend. As shown in Figure 1, North Korean hackers have reached the billion-dollar threshold twice – in both 2022 and 2024. Second, this increased funding could fuel North Korea’s expanding military ambitions, including its submarine development, space program, and drone initiatives. Third, and perhaps most significantly, North Korea’s share of global cyber theft has reached an unprecedented 60% of total stolen funds.
(Figure 1) North Korean Cyber Theft: A Growing Trend

Data: https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/crypto-hacking-stolen-funds-2025/

Two significant trends have emerged in North Korea’s cyber operations beyond just the total amount stolen. First, the regime increasingly targets high-value exploits in the $50-100 million and $100+ million categories, demonstrating growing sophistication in its operations. This shift towards larger heists suggests that North Korean hackers are becoming more efficient and skilled – a development that has raised alarms among cybersecurity agencies.

Second, the integration of AI into hacking operations has added a new dimension of concern. These advanced cyber operations are closely tied to North Korea’s IT workforce, whose role has become increasingly central to the regime’s broader cyber strategy.
Digital soldiers: How N. Korea’s tech warriors operate globally

North Korea’s cyber operations rely heavily on its extensive network of IT workers, who serve as crucial links between the regime and the outside world. These operatives can reportedly earn up to $300,000 annually. While many operations are conducted from relative safe havens in China and Russia, which offer geographic proximity and lenient regulations, domestic North Korean organizations continue to play a significant role.

These IT professionals operate through domestic companies and entities that facilitate malicious cyber operations to generate revenue for the regime. One notable example is the Jinyong IT Operation Company, a regime-affiliated entity that helps channel funds back to North Korea.

Operating from overseas, these IT workers employ various fraudulent schemes targeting countries like the U.S. Their tactics include creating fake job applications and infiltrating companies as IT professionals to steal money or extract sensitive data. In some documented cases, DPRK operatives have collaborated with foreign nationals to establish “laptop farms” for conducting mass targeting operations against foreign citizens.
Countering the North’s increasing cyber threat

In late 2024, South Korea and its allies intensified their response to North Korea’s cyber threats through targeted sanctions and enhanced cyber deterrence measures. The United States imposed sanctions on nine individuals and seven entities in December 2024, including Ri Chang Ho, head of the Reconnaissance General Bureau (RGB), which orchestrates cyber heists. Shortly after, on Dec. 26, South Korea issued its own sanctions targeting 15 North Korean IT professionals and an entity involved in money laundering.

These actions built upon previous sanctions from both nations. In May 2023, the U.S. Treasury Department targeted key institutions including the Pyongyang University of Automation, Technical Reconnaissance Bureau, and 110th Research Centre – all crucial to North Korea’s IT operations. South Korea and the U.S., along with Japan, have also sanctioned prominent North Korean cyber groups like Lazarus and Kimsuky, demonstrating their growing trilateral coordination.

Beyond sanctions, the U.S. and South Korea have strengthened their bilateral cooperation, while also engaging Japan in trilateral efforts to counter North Korean sanctions evasion through IT workers. These partnerships focus on enhancing public-private collaboration, law enforcement coordination, and intelligence sharing. Following Russia’s veto of the DPRK Panel of Experts in March, this cooperation has intensified, leading to the creation of the Multilateral Sanction Monitoring Team – an eleven-nation initiative to track and report sanctions violations.

With North Korean workers, particularly IT professionals, increasingly relocating to Russia, cyber operations are expected to escalate, potentially generating more revenue for the regime. This trend, combined with the growing cyber activities of Russia, China, and Iran targeting the US and its allies, suggests possible future coordination among these nations in the cyber domain. This evolving landscape requires continued vigilance from South Korea and its partners to ensure the effectiveness of both existing and new sanctions monitoring mechanis

Abhishek Sharma is a PhD Scholar in Korean Studies at Delhi University where his doctoral thesis examines the Strategic Utility of North Korean cyber capabilities. He is also a Research Assistant at the Observer Research Foundation, based in Delhi, India. His research interests focus on the intersection of geopolitics and cyber capabilities, cybercrimes, and AI in the Indo-Pacific region. He can be reached at gr.abhi96(at)gmail.com.

WAGE THEFT OF WORKERS CAPITAL

Pakistan govt reduces pension benefits of retired civil, armed forces personnel

Instead of taking a pension on the basis of the last drawn salary, the new pensioner will get a pension based on the average salary of the last two years

PTI

 Published 02.01.25


Representational imageTTO graphics

The Pakistan government has drastically reduced pension benefits of retired civil and armed forces personnel to reduce a growing pension bill which has already swelled over Rs 1 trillion, according to a media report.

The Ministry of Finance on Wednesday issued three separate notifications to discontinue multiple pensions, reducing both the first home take pension and also lowering the base for determining future increases in pensions, The Express Tribune newspaper reported.

After debt servicing, defence and development, the pension is the fourth largest expenditure in the budget, the paper said.

According to the Ministry of Finance's notification, on the recommendations of the Pay and Pension Commission of 2020, "it has been decided that henceforth, in an event where a person becomes entitled to more than one pension, such person shall only be authorised to opt to draw one of the pensions".

Instead of taking a pension on the basis of the last drawn salary, the new pensioner will get a pension based on the average salary of the last two years.

The finance ministry stated that all the existing instructions on multiple pensions should stand amended with immediate effect.

The changes will not be applicable to people who have already retired, except in cases where multiple pensions are paid.

It also ended the annual compounding of the pension and any increase would be treated separately from the base pension, a concept that is similar to the ad-hoc salary increase that is not made part of the basic salary to avoid compounding.

The changes will take effect from January 1 and will be applicable to both retired civil and military personnel. Many serving federal government employees, who are taking salary and pension, would also be affected by the changes.

The finance ministry's notifications stated that the changes in the pension rules have been made on the basis of recommendations given by a commission constituted by the government of former prime minister Imran Khan in 2020.

For the current fiscal year, the government has allocated Rs1.014 trillion in the budget for paying pensions and its lion's share, as 66 per cent or Rs662 billion has been allocated for military pensions. There is an increase of 24 per cent in the pension bill compared to the last year, which is funded from the budget and is not sustainable.

After these changes, it is expected that in the next decade, the pension bill will significantly reduce and will become manageable.

Apart from the new changes made in the pension system, the government already abolished the traditional pension scheme for the civilian employees hired from July 1, 2024. The scheme will also be applicable to employees of defence forces from July 1, 2025.

Instead, the new employees have been provided with a system of contributory pension based on the contribution made by them through salary.

 

Islamic State group claims responsibility for deadly US attacks, Including New Orleans truck incident

The radical Islamic State group, which once imposed a reign of terror over millions of people in Syria and Iraq, has been implicated in the truck attack on a New Orleans crowd, which killed 15 people and injured about 30.

The suspect, identified as Shamsud-Din Jabbar, 42, a U.S. citizen from Texas who once served in Afghanistan, was flying an Islamic State flag during the assault.

U.S. President Joe Biden said that the FBI reported to him that a mere hours before the attack that Jabbar posted videos on social media indicating that he’s inspired by Islamic State.

Following are facts about the movement, considered to be more violent and extremist than Al Qaeda.

RECENT OPERATIONS

The Islamic State group on Wednesday claimed responsibility for an attack on a military base in Somalia’s northeastern region of Puntland a day earlier, the group posted on its Telegram channel.

In its statement, Islamic State said the attack was conducted by 12 militants and two booby-trapped vehicles, adding that it killed around 22 military personnel from the Puntland forces and injured dozens of others.

Though largely crushed by a U.S.-led coalition several years ago, IS has managed some major attacks while seeking to rebuild.

They include an assault on a Russian concert hall in March 2024, that killed at least 143 people and two explosions in the Iranian city of Kerman in January that killed nearly 100 people.

It also claimed responsibility for an assault by suicide attackers on a mosque in Oman last year that killed at least nine people.

Aside from its bloody operations in the Middle East, Islamic State also inspired lone wolf attacks in the West.

In August of 2024, authorities said a 19-year-old Austrian suspected of masterminding a planned attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna had vowed allegiance to the leader of Islamic State.

HISTORY

At the height of its power from 2014-2017, the IS “caliphate” held sway over a wide area of Syria and Iraq, imposing death and torture on opponents of its radical brand of Islam. Its fighters repeatedly defeated both countries’ armies and carried out or inspired attacks in dozens of cities around the world.

Its then leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, killed in 2019 by U.S. special forces in northwestern Syria, rose from obscurity to lead the ultra-hardline group and declare himself “caliph” of all Muslims.

The caliphate collapsed in Iraq, where it once had a base only a 30-minute drive from Baghdad, and in Syria, after a sustained military campaign by a U.S.-led coalition.

The new leader, known by a pseudonym Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Quraishi, remains shrouded in secrecy.

NEW TACTICS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

IS has switched tactics since the collapse of its forces and a string of other setbacks in the Middle East.

Once based in the Syrian city of Raqqa and the Iraqi city of Mosul, from which it sought to rule like a centralised government, the group took refuge in the hinterlands of the two fractured countries.

Its fighters are scattered in autonomous cells, its leadership is clandestine and its overall size is hard to quantify. The U.N. estimates it at 10,000 in its heartlands.

The movement went underground with sleeper cells that launch hit-and-run attacks, according to an Iraqi government security adviser who helps track IS.

All key foreign fighters fled Iraq for countries such as Afghanistan, Syria and Pakistan. Most have joined Islamic State’s Khorasan branch (ISIS-K), named after an old term for the region that included parts of Iran, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan.

It is active along Iran’s borders with Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Sanaullah Ghafari, the 29-year-old leader of the Afghan branch of IS, has overseen its transformation into one of the most fearsome branches of the global Islamist network, capable of operations far from its bases in the borderlands of Afghanistan.

AFRICA

Islamic State – often called ISIS, ISIL, or the pejorative Daesh – has also made its mark in parts of Africa.

In Uganda, militants from IS-connected rebel Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), staged a series of attacks including a massacre at a boarding school, the murder of a honeymooning couple and a raid on a village that killed at least three people.

The group, which started as an uprising in Uganda, has largely moved its operations to neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo where it has staged multiple attacks.

Several other groups have pledged allegiance to IS in West Africa and across the Sahel. Affiliates have control of large areas of rural Mali, Niger and northern Burkina Faso and into North Africa.

In January 2023, the U.S. military carried out an operation that killed a senior IS leader in northern Somalia. The U.N. fears militant groups could exploit the political instability in Sudan, which is gripped by a civil war.

OVERALL STRENGTH

The U.S. National Counterterrorism Center has said the threat posed by IS and another militant group al Qaeda “is at a low point with the suppression of the most dangerous elements”.

But it went on to warn that half of IS’s branches are now active in insurgencies across Africa and “may be poised for further expansion”.

It said the group had lost three overall leaders and at least 13 other senior operatives in Iraq and Syria since early 2022 “contributing to a loss of expertise and a decline in ISIS attacks in the Middle East”.

(Reuters)

A year of elections and digital repression in South Asia: 2024 in focus

Several governments expanded their control over online spaces

Written byRezwan

Posted 2 January 2025 

Countries in the South Asian region. Image via Wikipedia by Iktsokh. CC BY-SA 4.0.

Home to 2.07 billion people, South Asian countries account for a quarter of the global population. The region faces many challenges, including steep population growth, rapid urbanization, high poverty rates, and income inequality. Also, it grapples with governance issues, like the backsliding of democracy, rising authoritarianism, and crucial elections, along with economic issues like increasing unemployment, growing inflation, mounting external debt, and more.

While there were numerous significant stories and developments from this region in 2024, Global Voices was able to cover select aspects through our dedicated community of writers and translators. Here is a summary of our coverage for South Asia in 2024, highlighting the different measures several governments took to expand their control over online spaces amid elections and political unrest.

A year of crucial elections

There were several crucial elections in South Asian countries in 2024. On January 7th, the ruling Bangladesh Awami League (AL) secured a fourth consecutive term in a one-sided election, which the opposition and its allies boycotted. However, the new government was short-lived. Starting in July 2024, a student-led uprising, supported by hundreds of thousands of citizens, stood up to state repression and the authoritarianism of the Sheikh Hasina government. The escalating unrest led to anarchy, resulting in her resignation and departure from the country on August 5th, 2024.

People cheering in front of the Prime Minister's office following Sheikh Hasina's resignation. Image by Md Joni Hossain Via Wikipedia. CC BY-SA 4.0.

Check out our special coverage: Turmoil in Bangladesh

The February 8 general elections in Pakistan were regarded as one of the least credible elections of the year due to allegations of vote rigging, internet shutdowns, and delays in announcing results. The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) formed a coalition government along with several independent candidates, while independent candidates loyal to imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) formed an opposition alliance. The Election Commission of Pakistan revoked PTI's electoral symbol in December 2023, forcing their candidates to run independently.

In June 2024, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won the Indian general elections, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured a third term, further consolidating his power.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), the leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (People's Liberation Front), became the ninth executive president of Sri Lanka, winning the September 2024 presidential election.

Social media and cybertroops

Over 52.90 million social media users in Bangladesh, mostly on Facebook, became targets of political parties pushing their narratives. Through weaponized misinformation and disinformation, the ruling Awami League (AL) highlighted progress under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, often using fake articles and maligning the opposition, while the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) spread stories of democracy being under threat, rallying followers to resist authoritarianism.

In a Transparency report, Meta reported deleting 50 Facebook accounts and 98 pages from Bangladesh in the first quarter of 2024 for spreading misinformation about the opposition. TikTok reported the removal of over 2,300 accounts from Bangladesh in January alone for attempting to manipulate election narratives. In several instances, the use of AI and deepfakes were also reported.

Protest of PTI supporters in London echoing Imran Khan's call for free and fair elections in Pakistan. Image via Flickr by Alisdare Hickson. CC BY-SA 2.0.

In Pakistan, political parties like the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), and Pakistan Muslim League N (PMLN) used social media for their election campaigns, significantly impacting voters. Pakistan's imprisoned leader and former prime minister Imran Khan was seen delivering speeches from his jail cell using artificial intelligence (AI).

With over 800 million internet users, India leads globally Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp usage, prompting political parties to utilize social media influencers to amplify their messages. To appeal to a young, hyper-online population, political parties have mobilized thousands of influencers, including gamers, who were able to connect with diverse demographics. Various cartoons, memes, and trolls were also used to push different electoral narratives. The IT cell of the ruling BJP had a history of using data analytics and social media strategies, as demonstrated in the 2014 and 2019 elections. Reports indicate the use of an app called Saral to collect detailed user data ahead of the 2024 elections.

Before the September 2024 elections in Sri Lanka, the leading presidential candidates used social media extensively for campaigns and political narratives focusing on various issues and targets. Dr. Sanjana Hattotuwa published an analysis using a dataset of over 4,000 tweets associated with Presidential candidates Ranil Wickremesinghe (RW), Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD), and Sajith Premadasa (SP), depicting how social media crafts polished and ideal personalities. While these characterizations can often be perceived as authentic, this depiction risks being manipulative.

Sri Lanka has approximately eight and a half million Facebook users, many of whom use the platform to discuss elections, politics, and candidates. Using Meta's new Content Library (MCL), Dr. Hattotuwa analyzed the three most popular posts and approximately 1,500 comments each from the official Facebook accounts of presidential candidates RW, SP, and AKD over a 30-day period. The analysis mapped how these candidates are perceived by their core fan base, and the results presented a snapshot of how contemporary political discourse is constructed.

Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake in 2023. Photo by Bunty456 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Digital repression as a tool for authoritarianism

There were no major internet disruptions in Bangladesh during the January elections except for a few website blocks. However, during the July protests, mobile internet was shut down intermittently from July 16–August 5, along with bans on several social media platforms. A nationwide complete internet shutdown occurred between July 18 and 23, accompanied by media blackouts that nearly severed all communications with Bangladesh. These measures had a negative impact online as the spread of misinformation and disinformation became rampant.

Pakistan further tightened its restrictions on dissent and free speech this year. Before the February elections, authorities imposed a series of internet shutdowns. Pakistanis faced difficulties accessing the platform X (formerly Twitter) since the February elections, and in April 2024, the government acknowledged banning the platform, citing national security concerns. In August, Pakistan deployed a national firewall to track, block, or restrict content deemed propaganda. While Pakistanis were accessing blocked sites and platforms using VPNs, on November 16, authorities directed the Pakistan Telecom Authority to block unregistered VPNs in an effort to “curb access to terrorist, pornographic, and blasphemous content.” As X users began migrating to Bluesky, another social media platform, reports of blocking that platform emerged in November.

Image by Giovana Fleck, used with permission.

A Civic Media Observatory analysis reveals how the Indian government has actively expanded its control over online spaces in recent years, using website blocking as a key strategy. A March 2024 report by digital rights group Geeks for Geeks noted that over 55,000 websites were blocked in the past decade, with 48 percent blocked under the IT Act. The targets included independent news outlets, hate speech trackers, and streaming platforms.

In January 2024, Sri Lanka introduced the Online Safety Act, which grants an “Online Safety Commission” broad powers to define “prohibited statements,” recommend content removal, and disable access for offenders. Amnesty International deemed it a major blow to freedom of expression in Sri Lanka.

Elon Musk’s Influence on Asian Satellite Development: South Korea and Indonesia

Asia's need for better internet access drives satellite technology development, but the region still struggles with infrastructure, especially in remote areas.

ByDarynaufal Mulyaman
January 2, 2025

MODERN DIPLOMACY

photo: unsplash



Asia’s need for better internet access drives satellite technology development, but the region still struggles with infrastructure, especially in remote areas. This “digital divide” hinders economic and social progress in countries like South Korea and Indonesia. The development of satellite technology in Asia continues to increase in line with the need for wider and more equitable internet access. However, the region still faces significant challenges in terms of technological infrastructure, especially in remote areas that are not yet fully accessible by the internet. This digital divide is a major obstacle in optimizing the economic and social potential of Asian countries, including South Korea and Indonesia. Amid these conditions, South Korea appeared brave by launching the 425 satellite project. This satellite successfully orbited after being carried by Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket on December 23, 2024. Elon Musk is also the owner of the Starlink internet service. Against this background, this opinion aims to discuss Elon Musk’s influence on satellite governance in Asia on the investment and technology side, as well as its impact on Asian countries, such as South Korea and Indonesia.

In terms of investment, Asia is an attractive region for the technology sector, especially with the rapid growth of the digital economy. Elon Musk’s presence in this region not only has an impact on improving space services and internet accessibility but also on the technology investment sector which has the potential to provide an impetus for the development of digital infrastructure. SpaceX and Starlink offers an opportunity to accelerate the development of satellite technology in the region while strengthening the digital ecosystem through collaboration with local companies. The importance of strong infrastructure and technological innovation is also aligned with the 9th Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which focus on sustainable industrial development, innovation, and infrastructure.

South Korea has taken a significant step with Project 425, a government initiative to launch five military reconnaissance satellites by 2025. These satellites will enhance surveillance capabilities, particularly in response to North Korean threats. SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk, launched the first of these satellites on December 23, 2024, using its reliable and cost-effective Falcon 9 rockets. This partnership highlights the increasing use of commercial space launch providers and promotes international collaboration in science and technology, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

The partnership between South Korea and SpaceX exemplifies international collaboration in the space sector. Such collaborations are essential for sharing knowledge, reducing costs, and accelerating technological progress, aligning with SDG 9’s emphasis on promoting international cooperation in science, technology, and innovation. South Korea’s reliance on SpaceX for launch services reflects a growing trend of governments utilizing commercial space launch providers. This trend is transforming the space industry, making space access more affordable and accessible. The successful collaboration between South Korea and SpaceX on Project 425 could pave the way for future collaborations in other space-related projects, such as joint space exploration missions or the development of new space technologies.

The table summarizing the different perspectives on Elon Musk between the two countries is as follows,
Feature South Korea Indonesia
Primary Motivation National security Economic development and digital inclusion
Main Area of Collaboration SpaceX (launch services for Project 425) Starlink (internet connectivity) and potential Tesla (EV investment)
Emphasis Reliability, cost-effectiveness, advanced technology Investment, job creation, infrastructure development
Existing Infrastructure Advanced technological infrastructure Developing infrastructure
Overall Goal Enhance national security and technological capabilities Boost economic growth, improve connectivity, and promote sustainable development


After the story of South Korea, there is also another story from Indonesia. In Indonesia, Musk’s innovation is still limited to internet availability through the Starlink service. The Starlink service initiated by Elon Musk has emerged as a leading innovation in providing satellite-based internet access. Starlink is designed to reach areas that are difficult to reach by traditional internet infrastructure. Its existence in the Southeast Asian region can be an effective solution to overcome the problem of internet access, open up new opportunities for the development of satellite technology, and encourage digital-based economic growth in various countries, especially Indonesia.

Indonesia’s experience with Musk’s innovations is primarily focused on Starlink, his satellite internet service. Starlink offers a potential solution to Indonesia’s connectivity challenges, especially in remote areas. It could boost digital economic growth and improve access to essential services like education and healthcare. This aligns with SDG 9 by promoting inclusive and equitable connectivity.

Starlink, as a service that can accelerate internet access throughout Indonesia, can contribute to the achievement of this goal, especially in improving more inclusive and equitable connectivity. For Indonesia, the impact of Starlink’s presence is very potential. In addition to opening up new jobs in the technology and telecommunications sectors, increased access to the wider internet could bring about positive changes in important sectors such as education, healthcare, and business. Indonesia, as one of the countries with a relatively low level of internet access in the Southeast Asian region, can take advantage of the presence of Starlink to encourage digital transformation nationally.

However, the implementation of Starlink in Indonesia also faces various challenges. Policies, regulations, and readiness of local infrastructure are important issues that must be overcome so that these services can run optimally. In addition, the readiness of countries in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, to absorb this new technology needs to be the main concern so that the benefits can be felt to the maximum. Indonesia’s complex and fluid ecosystem as well as shady governance have caused Elon Musk’s innovations in Indonesia to appear different from what has been achieved between Elon Musk and South Korea. Starlink in Indonesia also does not seem to be welcomed in a friendly manner because it is feared that it can improve local connections and develop development wheels at the regional and even local levels in Indonesia, to remote areas such as outermost, frontier, and disadvantaged areas. It is evidenced by the Starlink ceremonial service which was later not reactivated and is based on individuals who use Starlink services.

In conclusion, Starlink’s implementation in Indonesia faces hurdles. Policy, regulation, existing infrastructure limitations, and the country’s capacity to adopt new technology are key challenges. There are also concerns that Starlink could bypass existing local providers and that its implementation has been inconsistent. Unlike the smooth collaboration between South Korea and SpaceX, Starlink’s introduction in Indonesia has faced resistance and uncertainty.


Darynaufal Mulyaman
Dary is an active lecturer at International Relations Study Program, Universitas Kristen Indonesia. He is currently the director of Center for Securities and Foreign Affairs Studies (CESFAS) at the university. His research interests include Korean studies, Asia Pacific region, third world, international development, cooperation, and political economy.

Al Jazeera slams Palestinian Authority's decision to suspend its work in West Bank

Qatar-based broadcaster says Palestinian Authority's decision is 'in line with (Israeli) occupation’s action against its staff'

Ahmed Asmar |02.01.2025 -  TRT/AA



ANKARA

Al Jazeera news channel on Thursday denounced the decision of the Palestinian Authority to “freeze” its work in the occupied West Bank, calling it a move that is “in line with the (Israeli) occupation’s actions against its staff.”

In a statement, Al Jazeera Media Network said the decision is "an attempt to hide the truth about events in the occupied territories, especially what is happening in Jenin and its camps."

Palestinian security forces launched a security operation nearly one month ago against what they called "outlaws" in the Jenin refugee camp. The operation has prompted several Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, to accuse the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah of targeting resistance fighters in the camp.

Al Jazeera said that the decision of the Palestinian Authority came following an "ongoing campaign of incitement and intimidation by parties associated with the Palestinian Authority" against Al Jazeera's journalists.

It held the Palestinian Authority "fully responsible for the safety and security of all its employees in the West Bank," and asked it "to immediately retract and cancel" the decision.

Late on Tuesday, a Palestinian Authority's ministerial committee emphasized that the suspension would remain in effect until Al Jazeera “complies fully with Palestinian laws and regulations.”

The move followed a series of public campaigns by Palestinian Authority officials and affiliated groups on social media criticizing Al Jazeera’s coverage of recent clashes between Palestinian security forces and resistance groups in the Jenin refugee camp.

Last May, the Israeli government also approved a proposal by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi to shut down Al Jazeera’s offices across Israel. The decision was enacted immediately under the so-called “Al Jazeera Law.”

Jeju Air and Muan airport operator raided over fatal South Korea plane crash

Police search for records related to plane’s maintenance and airport operations

Namita Singh
Thursday 02 January 2025 
Independent

South Korean police raided Jeju Air and the operator of the Muan airport as they ramped up their investigation into Sunday’s catastrophic plane crash that claimed 179 lives, marking the worst aviation disaster in the country’s recent history.

A Jeju Air Boeing 737-800 crashlanded after failing to deploy its landing gear, skidded off the runway at the Muan airport and rammed into a concrete embankment.

The plane burst into flames, killing all but two of its 181 passengers and crew. The survivors, crew members seated at the rear, suffered injuries but were rescued.

Investigators searched Jeju Air’s Seoul office as well as facilities belonging to the airport operator and the transport ministry’s aviation division in Muan for records related to the plane’s maintenance and airport operations. A police official said the probe aimed to uncover potential failures in operational and safety protocols.

The airline said it was reviewing the situation while the airport operator was yet to issue a comment.


open image in galleryThe Boeing plane was carrying 181 people from Thailand to South Korea when it crashed on arrival on 29 December 2024 (AFP via Getty)

In the wake of the crash, aviation safety experts expressed concerns about the embankment the plane rammed into, questioning the design of the structure designed to support navigation equipment.

“This rigid structure proved catastrophic when the skidding aircraft made impact,” Najmedin Meshkati, engineering professor at the University of Southern California, said.

Such installations should use lighter materials such as metal towers to minimise damage during collisions, he said.

Investigators were also examining whether the embankment should have been constructed from lighter materials to reduce its potential danger.

The incident was also under investigation by the US National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration, and Boeing, in collaboration with South Korean authorities.

Preliminary analysis indicated the aircraft encountered multiple issues, including a bird strike and an engine problem, before the crash.

A video of the crash showed the aircraft belly-landing at speed and bursting into flames after hitting the concrete wall. The pilot had declared an emergency after warning of a bird strike but reportedly attempted a second landing without success.

Black boxes found in the wreckage were being analysed. While the cockpit voice recorder’s data was expected to be turned into audio files by Friday, the damaged flight data recorder was dispatched to the US for examination.

Transport ministry officials said the audio files might not be publicly released due to the sensitivity of the investigation.

Acting president Choi Sang Mok, meanwhile, ordered immediate inspections of all Boeing 737-800 aircraft in South Korea. “Given the public concern, thorough reviews of operation, maintenance, and training procedures must be prioritised,” Mr Choi said during a disaster management meeting.


The tragedy sparked a week of national mourning. Save for two Thai citizens, the victims of the crash were all South Koreans, many of them returning home from holidays in Bangkok.

Bereaved relatives held a memorial service at the site of the crash on New Year’s Day, laying white flowers and offering traditional rice cake soup in tribute to their loved ones.

Did the Ottomans silence the media? 

MEMO in Conversation with Nir Shafir

Pamphlets were the social media of their time, they helped spread dissent and were pivotal to the polarisation of politics during the Ottoman Empire, Nir Shafir guides us through the communications revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries.

January 1, 2025



The Ottoman Empire banned the printing press and stifled intellectual and economic development in the Middle East due to religious objections. At least this has been the popular narrative about the Ottomans for decades, despite the fact there is no evidence of a ban and throughout the empire’s history, different printing presses emerged. However, the print press would not take off in a major way until the 18th century, but that does not mean a communication revolution did not occur in the Islamic world. Indeed the pamphlet took off across the empire in the 16th and 17th centuries, leading a radical transformation in ideas, identities, politics and to the creation of a public square. Pamphlets were the social media of their day and, much like today, they were pivotal to the polarisation of politics in the Empire. The Kadizadeli, a new religious movement, emerged through the pamphlet, fermenting dissent and discord. A new book ‘The Order and Disorder of Communication: Pamphlets and Polemics in the Seventeenth-Century Ottoman Empire‘ takes us into the world of Ottoman polarisation. To discuss the book and the communication revolution during the Ottoman Empire MEMO in Conversation is joined by author Nir Shafir.

Shafir is an associate professor of history at University of California, San Diego (UCSD) whose work focuses on the Ottoman Empire/Middle East from 1200 to 1800. At UCSD, he teaches graduate and undergraduate classes on the history of the early modern and medieval Middle East, the history of science, global history and historical approaches to disinformation, misinformation and propaganda. He is an occasional contributor and editorial board member of the Ottoman History Podcast and served as its editor in 2018. Future projects include a social history of the Turkish language in the Ottoman Empire and an investigation into the cultural role of antiquity and antiquarianism in the early modern Middle East.