Cadence of Conflict: Asia, January 24, 2022

China has been busy online. Western allies warn about increasing cyber attacks from China; it’s become the common thing to expect and discuss. Cyber attacks aren’t China’s only online hobby. Social media “influencers” are reportedly set to spread the good gospel of China’s greatness all through the Olympics. We’ll see how long their social media followings last.

While China engages in paid diplomacy and bolsters Western demand for cybersecurity, Taiwan has another new friend. Slovenia will open a diplomatic office in Taiwan. And, Taiwan will send an envoy to the inauguration of Honduras’s president, none other than Taiwan’s former favorite, pro-independence Mayor William Lai. That means more officials from Taiwan will attend the Honduras event than American officials will attend China’s Olympic Games.

But, that’s okay for China. After all, there are all those “influencers” getting paid to pay China compliments on their soon to fall social medial accounts.

Trump

Former Trump administration officials hold call to strategize against former boss’ efforts in 2022 and 2024 // CNN

Supreme Court rejects Trump request to block release of records to January 6 committee // CNBC

Obama Biden Harris

Fox News Poll January 2022: Biden at 47 Percent Approval // Mediaite

Markets, Economy & GDP

Biden backs Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s likely monetary policy tightening as inflation rages // CNBC

Pandemic

Soft-handed safety
Virus measures tightened // Taipei Times

NATO Focus

‘Lethal’ U.S. Military Aid Begins Arriving In Ukraine // Bloomberg Quint

German navy chief resigns after suggesting Putin ‘deserved respect’ // CNN

Putin would burst Xi’s Olympic dream with a war in Ukraine // Straits Times

U.S. tells diplomats’ families to leave Ukraine, weighs troop options // Yahoo News

Baltic states tout US-approved weapon shipments to Ukraine // Defense News

Greece receives six French fighter jets as part of €11.5bn military overhaul // Guardian