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La politique d’ambiguïté stratégique d’Israël concernant son arsenal d’armes nucléaires rend « difficile de savoir » à quel point la crise actuelle au Moyen-Orient est proche d’une escalade vers une guerre nucléaire, met en garde un important groupe de lutte contre les armes nucléaires.

Comment protéger les amphithéâtres des ingérences étrangères ? L’Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales (INALCO) prend cette question très au sérieux. Après une réflexion initiée en septembre 2023, l’établissement d’enseignement supérieur dispose aujourd'hui de procédures à cet effet. Ali Laïdi reçoit la vice-présidente de son conseil d'administration, Delphine Allès. 

OpenAI, der Entwickler von ChatGPT, hat ein Tool für die Kennzeichnung von KI-Inhalten entwickelt, das dabei helfen könnte, das europäische Gesetz über künstliche Intelligenz einzuhalten. Das Unternehmen hat es jedoch noch nicht veröffentlicht, da es Berichten zufolge befürchtet, Nutzer zu verlieren.

Des associations de consommateurs ont déposé une plainte auprès de la Commission irlandaise de protection des données (DPC) lundi 5 août. Elles accusent l’outil d’intelligence artificielle (IA) de X d’enfreindre le règlement général sur la protection des données (RGPD).

RÉCIT - Depuis le fort de Brégançon, le chef de l’État affine son plan pour Matignon. Un œil sur les Jeux olympiques, un autre sur la suite de son quinquennat.

Summary and Key Points: China’s DF-17 missile, equipped with a hypersonic glide vehicle, represents a significant challenge to U.S. military dominance in the Indo-Pacific.

-Capable of evading traditional defense systems, this weapon extends China's anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities, making U.S. military operations near Chinese shores increasingly difficult.

-The DF-17's range and maneuverability threaten U.S. carriers and bases, complicating power projection in the region.

The DF-17 Missile Threat from China 

As the U.S. grapples with developing countermeasures, the DF-17 underscores the shifting balance of power in favor of China.

China has developed a comprehensive ability to defeat the United States military in combat. No, it’s not some new warship or airplane. It’s both simple and unconventional. Beijing has determined that the Americans cannot be beaten by matching them bullet-for-bullet. 

Instead, China’s military has accurately assessed that any war with the United States will be fought close to China’s shores, giving China what amounts to a homefield advantage. While the Americans must come from distant lands. 

Therefore, if China can deny the Americans the ability to reliably project power into China’s backyard, then Beijing’s forces can defeat the Americans—and enjoy free reign over their part of the Indo-Pacific.

Chinese A2/AD Beats U.S. Military

As I have detailed in previous reports for this site, the Chinese have built a long-range, comprehensive anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capability that can prevent the deployment of most US military platforms in the event of a geopolitical crisis between the two great powers. Meanwhile, China has the capability, with these missiles, to target US military bases in the Indo-Pacific. 

What’s more, the Chinese have created so many of these relatively cheap missiles, drones, and hypersonic weapons that the Chinese can easily pop these weapons off at will—and have enough spares on hand to delay US power projection long enough for them to wrest control over the South China Sea, or the Senkaku Islands, or even, God forbid, Taiwan itself.

Understanding the DF-17

One such system is the Dong Feng-17 (DF-17) Medium-Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM). It comes equipped with a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV), which can fly at speeds above Mach Five and radically maneuver while in flight, making defending against this weapon with traditional anti-missile defense systems difficult, if not impossible. The DF-17 was first introduced to the public during China’s National Day military parade in October 2019, after it had reportedly been in development since 2014.

The DF-ZF, or the designation for the DF-17 HGV, is launched atop a ballistic missile, providing the initial boost to high altitudes before releasing the aforementioned HGV. The DF-ZF glides back to the Earth at hypersonic speeds, radically altering its course to avoid anti-missile defenses. 

The range of this beast is around 1,118 to 1,553 miles, meaning that no US aircraft carrier will be able to get within range of wherever a war between China and the United States erupts. Indeed, these A2/AD systems complicate the ability of any US Navy surface warship to safely and effectively operate near these Chinese systems. 

Let us not forget, too, that the DF-17 is meant to be used primarily for conventional strikes. 

A Nuclear Threat to America’s Carriers?

Although, it can be equipped with a nuclear warhead as well, according to Army Recognition. The Chinese military has already stated its intention to sink up to three US Navy aircraft carriers in the event of a war between the United States and China. Our elite laugh out loud at those claims, confusing the Chinese military of today with the Chinese military of thirty years ago. 

But Washington should wake up to the fact that it isn’t 1994 anymore. 

The unipolar moment is long over. And the United States is a drastically declining power (thanks to the current crop of leaders who’ve failed the country on every level) whereas the Chinese, whatever the future may hold, are for now a rising power with the ability to dominate their near-abroad at the expense of the United States. The DF-17 is one such example of how the Chinese have completely done an end-run around America’s perceived strategic advantages—notably at sea.

The DF-17 can be used in a variety of missions, from precision strikes against high-value targets to strategic deterrence. The missile’s ability to evade current defense systems, such as the much-ballyhooed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), if any are even available since so many of these systems have been deployed to Ukraine, and Patriot systems (again if any are available for the Indo-Pacific, considering how many have been sent to the Mideast and Ukraine), makes the DF-17 a true challenge to the US military.

DF-17: Washington’s Nightmare Fuel

Washington is closely monitoring the development of the DF-17 and other hypersonic weapons. Further, the US is struggling to create both its hypersonic capabilities as well as its defenses against Chinese (and Russian) hypersonic weapons, such as the DF-17. 

More generally, until the Pentagon can reliably overcome the Chinese A2/AD threat, which they currently cannot, the US military will be defeated by China in any fight over Taiwan. 

And that fight is coming much sooner than most people realize.

Author Experience and Expertise: Brandon J. Weichert

Brandon J. Weichert, a National Interest national security analyst, is a former Congressional staffer and geopolitical analyst who is a contributor at The Washington Times, the Asia Times, and The-Pipeline. He is the author of Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His next book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine, is due October 22 from Encounter Books. Weichert can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.

All images are Creative Commons or Shutterstock. All photos are of various submarine styles. 

From the Vault

Russia Freaked Out: Why the U.S. Navy 'Unretired' the Iowa-Class Battleships

Battleship vs. Battlecruiser: Iowa-Class vs. Russia's Kirov-Class (Who Wins?)

Image Credit: Creative Commons and/or Shutterstock.

Die britische Regierung erklärte, dass Beamte die Rolle ausländischer Staaten bei der Verbreitung von Desinformation im Internet untersuchten, die dazu beigetragen hätten, gewalttätige Proteste anzuheizen. Gleichzeitig warnte sie die Social-Media-Unternehmen, dass sie mehr tun müssten, um dies zu verhindern.

– Réf. : N° BFVK-AOO-SNV-COUNTRY-2024-002
SNV est une organisation partenaire du développement global investie d'une mission, qui est ancrée dans les contextes et les sociétés où nous travaillons. En nous inspirant des principes transformationnels et des objectifs fixés par les ODD, nous nous engageons à développer des systèmes agroalimentaires résilients qui garantissent la sécurité alimentaire et une nutrition appropriée ; à accroître la fiabilité et la disponibilité des systèmes d'approvisionnement en eau et d'assainissement ; et à améliorer l'accès aux énergies durables à un coût abordable pour tous et toutes.

Le présent Appel d'Offre est ouvert à égalité de conditions à toutes les entreprises de gardiennage régulièrement installés au Burkina Faso ayant les capacités juridiques, techniques et financières requises, pour autant qu'elles ne soient pas sous le coup d'interdiction ou de suspension en règle vis-à-vis de l'administration, des services fiscaux et para – fiscaux.
Les offres (techniques et financières en trois (03) exemplaires dont un (01) original et deux (02) copies marquées comme telles) devront être remises physiquement et sous pli fermé, au secrétariat de SNV Burkina Faso à l'adresse suivante : SNV Burkina Faso, sise Ouaga 2000, Sect.54 Av. SARE Elie, Porte 437 | 01 BP 625 Ouagadougou 01 ; Email : burkina-faso@snv.org avec la mention « Offre pour le recrutement d'une entreprise de gardiennage des bureaux SNV au Burkina Faso »

La date limite de dépôt des offres est fixée au 23 août 2024 à 12h00mn
Les soumissionnaires intéressés peuvent télécharger le dossier en ligne à l'adresse suivante : https://urlz.fr/rwDu

Les offres resteront valables pendant une durée de quatre-vingt-dix (90) jours pour compter de la date limite ci-dessus fixée pour leur remise. SNV Burkina Faso se réserve le droit de ne donner aucune suite à tout ou à une partie du présent appel d'offres ou, de changer la quantité. Dans tous les cas, les soumissionnaires seront informés de tout changement.

Pour tout besoin de renseignements complémentaires, veuillez envoyer un mail à syonli@snv.org en gardant en copie pminougouguire@snv.org

U.S. EMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT # Ouaga-2024-016

WORK CONTROL CLERK
The U.S. Mission in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the position of Work Control Clerk in the Facilities Management Section.

Opening Date : July 29, 2024
Closing Date : August 13, 2024
Open to : All Interested Applicants/ All Sources
Work Schedule : Full-time (40 hours/week)
SALARY : *Ordinarily Resident (OR) : CFA 9,559,368
p. a. (Starting Salary)
(Position Grade : FSN-06)

ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT (OR) APPLICANTS (See Appendix for definition) MUST HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION :

The incumbent reports to the Facility Manager and the Building Engineer Supervisor, working under their direction to determine work priorities. The incumbent is a primary point of contact for all routine, emergency and preventive maintenance work orders and requests for services and assures distribution to the appropriate shop for action. The incumbent is the customer service representative for the Facility Management section, communicating with personnel from all levels within the Embassy.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED :

1. EDUCATION : Completion of secondary school is required.
2. EXPERIENCE : A minimum of two (2) years of office administrative/ clerical experience in a customer-service office is required.
3. LANGUAGE : Good working, Written/Speaking/Reading knowledge is required. French Level III : Good working, Written/Speaking/Reading knowledge is required. This will may be tested.

4. SKILLS AND ABILITIES : Must be a visionary, forward thinker, and quick understudy with an aptitude to learn so he/she can anticipate the needs of the office and those individuals he/she supports. Must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to handle a large workload and multiple tasks simultaneously. Must be organized, methodical, decisive, and have professional telephone skills. Must have strong computer skills, able to use the Microsoft Office Software Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.). Must have good typing skills to write memos, populate spread sheets, and perform data entry. Ability to translate documents from host country language into English or English to host country language. Must have excellent filing skills to keep track of current and historical information, including documents that must be kept in the maintenance library. Must have a keen aptitude to work independently, have impeccable integrity, strong initiative, good judgment and must maintain confidentiality. This may be tested.

5. JOB KNOWLEDGE : Must have a good working knowledge of an active office environment ; be thoroughly familiar with reporting structures and the standard office hierarchy ; must know how to support multiple persons simultaneously including maintaining an adequate stock of office supplies ; must know basic math, capable of handling currency and working a balance sheet ; must know how to set up and maintain a filing system. Must be customer service oriented, able to handle difficult customers with tact.

HOW TO APPLY : Applicants must complete the following application process to be considered :
• Create an account on the Electronic Recruitment Application (ERA) Website at https://erajobs.state.gov/dos-era/bfa/vacancysearch/searchVacancies.hms
• Choose Announcement Number Ouaga-2024-016 Work Control Clerk and complete the online application.
• Upload any additional documentation that supports or addresses the requirements listed above (e.g. Copies of Attestations/Certificates of Work, degrees certificates, wok permits & SF 50 if applicable) into the Electronic Recruitment Application system. click on the "Apply to This Vacancy" to submit your application.
• For more information on how to apply, visit the Mission internet site : https://bf.usembassy.gov/jobs/

Required Documents : Please provide the required documentation listed below with your application :
All Applicants :
• Residency and/or Work Permit (If applicable)
• Completion of secondary school education
• Work Attestations/Certificates
• Other relevant documents
Eligible Family Member Applicants :
• Copy of Sponsor's Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
• Passport copy
• DD-214 - Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans' Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
• SF-50 (if applicable)

What to Expect Next : Applicants who are invited to take a language or skills test, or who are selected for an interview will be contacted via telephone calls and email.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION : Contact the Human Resources Office at 25 49 53 00.

Note :
• All applications must be for an open/advertised position.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted by phone call or email.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY : The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation, marital status, or sexual orientation. The Department of State also strives to achieve equal employment opportunity in all personnel operations through continuing diversity enhancement programs. The EEO complaint procedure is not available to individuals who believe they have been denied equal opportunity based upon marital status or political affiliation. Individuals with such complaints should avail themselves of the appropriate grievance procedures, remedies for prohibited personnel practices, and/or courts for relief.

 

Le championnat national de football des jeunes de moins de 17 ans a débuté lundi 5 août à Kinshasa. Cinq matchs ont eu lieu au stade Tata Raphaël en ouverture de la première journée dans les trois groupes.

Dans le Groupe A

JS Kwilu/Kongo-Central et FC Zaïre de l’Équateur ont fait match nul (1-1).

Les Bourses mondiales ont fortement reculé le 5 août, prises de panique sur l'évolution de l'économie américaine, les investisseurs se montrant très méfiants en plein été, une période traditionnellement propice à la prudence.

ENTRETIEN - Ministre démissionnaire de l’Égalité femmes-hommes, l’ancienne patronne des députés macronistes appelle à la nomination « d’un nouveau premier ministre qui donne une nouvelle impulsion », en évoquant Xavier Bertrand, Michel Barnier et Gérard Larcher.

 La localité d’Eringeti dans le territoire de Beni (Nord-Kivu) a enregistré depuis trois mois une baisse de l’insécurité. La jeunesse locale salue cet état des faits.

Selon son président, Fabrice Muhangi, cette accalmie est le fruit d’une collaboration entre les jeunes et l’armée. Il encourage la jeunesse à poursuivre cette collaboration avec les FARDC, jusqu’à l’éradication totale de l’insécurité dans la région:

La « candidate » du Nouveau Front populaire pour Matignon cherche à occuper le terrain malgré une actualité politique largement éclipsée par les Jeux olympiques.

 La Ligue de la zone Afrique pour la défense des droits des enfants et élèves (LIZADEEL), condamne le meurtre de son point focal de Demba. Il a été retrouvé mort sur la route et son corps en décomposition alors qu’il se rendait à Kananga. 

Le coordonnateur provincial de la LIZADEEL,  Jean-Malhis Lungala, qui annonce que le premier suspect est aux arrêts, souhaite que lumière soit faite sur le décès de ce défenseur des droits de l’homme, abattu lâchement.

Verbraucherorganisationen werfen dem Programm für künstliche Intelligenz (KI) von X vor, gegen die Datenschutz-Grundverordnung (DSGVO) zu verstoßen. Am Montag (5. August) hatten sie bei der irischen Datenschutzkommission (DPC) Beschwerde eingereicht.

Israels fährt eine Politik der strategischen Zweideutigkeit in Bezug auf sein Atomwaffenarsenal. Das mache es „schwierig zu wissen“, wie nahe dran die derzeitige Krise im Nahen Osten an einem Atomkrieg ist, eine Gruppe von Atomwaffengegnern.

While the RMS Titanic is, by far, the most storied ocean liner in history, the most storied ocean liner in United States history is, likely, the aptly named SS United States.

Built in the postwar period between 1950 and 1951, the United States Lines SS United States is the largest ocean liner ever built domestically. The SS United States is also the fastest ocean liner to ever cross the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, the SS United States still holds the Blue Riband (an unofficial accolade awarded to the ocean liner with the fastest Atlantic Crossing), which she has held since her maiden voyage in 1952.

Designing the United States

William Francis Gibbs was credited with designing the SS United States. Curiously, Gibbs began his career as an attorney but gained notoriety as a project manager in the restoration of a German ocean liner. Eventually, Gibbs and his brother would become prominent warship designers during World War II, with credits to their names including the Liberty-class and Fletcher-class. Gibbs was especially known for efficient hull designs and propulsion – which would come into play as he designed the SS United States.

The SS United States cost $79 million to construct – most of which the United States government underwrote. The vessel was built to the demanding specifications of the US Navy, which called for the vessel to be strictly compartmentalized, and to feature separate engine rooms. The reason for the stringent safety standards: the Navy wanted to be able to convert the SS United States into a warship, with minimal transition time, in the event she was needed for wartime service.

Gibbs built the SS United States to the Navy’s standards – and also to his own standards. The propulsion system, as was Gibbs’s calling card, was efficient. The vessel featured eight M-Type boilers capable of generating 310,000 pounds of steam per hour. The boilers were split into two separate engine rooms, as per the Navy’s requirements. Four were located forward, and four others were located after. Steam from the boilers turned four Westinghouse double-redaction geared turbines. Each turbine was capable of producing 60,000 horsepower, for a combined 240,000 horsepower. The turbines led to four shafts,  which in turn led to four propellers. The two outermost propellers had four blades while the innermost two had five blades. The unorthodox blade configuration helped to reduce cavitation and vibration and allowed the SS United States to achieve her record-breaking speeds.

Breaking Records for SS United States 

The top speed of the SS United States is still disputed, after being withheld as sensitive military information. Different sources have published different top speeds, ranging from between thirty-five knots and forty-three knots. The true speed is believed to be about thirty-eight knots per hour.

The vessel’s speed was put to good use on her maiden voyage, in 1952, when the SS United States crossed the Atlantic Ocean, from New York, New York to Cornwall, United Kingdom in just here days, ten hours, and forty minutes. The run was fast enough to earn the Blue Riband, which has not been relinquished in the seventy years since. On her return voyage, the SS United States set a record for the fastest westbound voyage, with a run of three days, twelve hours, and twelve minutes.

About the Author: Harrison Kass 

Harrison Kass is a defense and national security writer with over 1,000 total pieces on issues involving global affairs. An attorney, pilot, guitarist, and minor pro hockey player, Harrison joined the US Air Force as a Pilot Trainee but was medically discharged. Harrison holds a BA from Lake Forest College, a JD from the University of Oregon, and an MA from New York University. Harrison listens to Dokken.

Image Credit: Creative Commons and/or Shutterstock. 

A look at Lesotho, where more people take their own lives than anywhere else in the world.