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Declassified Report Shows How US Wants To Co-Opt India Into Its Anti-China Strategy ‘For Next 50 Years’
The US has declassified a confidential report highlighting the importance of India in the Indo-Pacific and how Washington plans to decimate China in the region amid the South China Sea tussle.
After the signing of BECA between India and the US, the outgoing administration of President Donald Trump has clearly laid the foundation for the upcoming tasks to be undertaken by his successor Joseph Biden, which is primarily to force China into submission, potentially with the Indian support.

A 10-page report prepared by Robert C O’Brien, Assistant to the President, for US National Security Affairs, on January 5, 2021, shows how the US plans to decimate China in the Indo-Pacific amid the continued tussle in the South China Sea from the recent past.

Robert C O’Brien has lauded India and the importance of the Indo-Pacific for the US interests. The report says,

“The United States is and always has been an Indo-Pacific nation. From our first trading ships that departed for China just eight years after the American Revolution, to establishing our first diplomatic presence in India in 1794, US engagement in the region has been built on trade, cooperation, and shared sacrifice, yielding peace and prosperity enjoyed across the region today.

The United States Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific has served, for the last three years, as the Trump Administration’s overarching strategic guidance for implementing the President’s 2017 National Security Strategy (NSS) within the world’s most populous and economically dynamic region.

“The NSS recognizes that the most consequential challenge to the interests of the United States, and those of our allies and partners (read India), is the growing rivalry between free and repressive visions (read China) of the future. To realize America’s positive vision for the region, and to address the unprecedented challenges that Indo-Pacific nations face to their sovereignty, prosperity, and peace, in February 2018, President Trump approved the Framework for implementation across executive branch departments and agencies.

The original document has been declassified and released, to communicate to the American people and to our allies and partners America’s  enduring commitment to this vital region.”

This highly confidential report has now been released to the public, and perhaps, it proves clearly that the Kashmir imbroglio, towards which India is looking eye-to-eye for a joint war from China and Pakistan, had been well crafted for the US interests.

Before August 5, 2019, when Indian PM Narendra Modi scrapped Article 370, withdrawing special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir, Trump had offered to mediate between India and Pakistan twice.

And later when India had lost 20 of its soldiers fighting China, he had again made the same offer, before India was assimilated into BECA, and hence, thereby becoming its military ally probably for the next 50 years.

With India now settled as a willing partner in the overall US game plan against China, Trump has declared as to how the former is to be utilized towards ‘specific issues of importance for the Indo-Pacific and beyond’, which would fulfill the prospects of “US Strategic Approach to the People’s Republic of China, the U.S. Strategic Framework for Countering China’s Economic Aggression, the U.S. Campaign Plan for Countering China’s Malign Influence in International Organizations, and others.”

Robert C O’Brien highlights how the US will try to foment sovereignty (read Taiwan) as he calls “Beijing (to be) increasingly pressuring Indo-Pacific nations to subordinate their freedom and sovereignty to a ‘common destiny’ envisioned by the Chinese Communist Party. The US approach is different. We seek to ensure that our allies and partners – all who share the values and aspirations of a free and open Indo-Pacific – can preserve and protect their sovereignty.”

He later makes it clear that the “United States has a long history of fighting back against repressive regimes on behalf of those who value freedom and openness.

As the world’s largest economy, with the strongest military and a vibrant democracy, it is incumbent on the United States to lead from the front”.

Therefore, the coming years will see the US supporting its partners’ ‘complementary approaches to regional engagement’ that include Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific concept, Australia’s Indo-Pacific concept, and India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).

This is precisely what QUAD is. All these initiatives were quite long on the cards to counter China, and even Russia, which has called out India’s motives. Very soon, QUAD is to enlarge its presence and align with its allies’ similar strategies, such as the “the Republic of Korea’s New Southern Policy, Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.”

Many of these concepts and approaches are resonating globally, with countries such as France and Germany publishing their own policy frameworks for the Indo-Pacific.

The confidential report still has certain parts blackened-out and on its Page 5 it specifically focuses on India and South Asia and defines its objective to “accelerate India’s rise and capacity to serve as a net provider of security and Major Defense Partners; solidity an enduring strategic partnership with India underpinned by a strong Indian military able to effectively collaborate with the United States and our partners in the region to address shared interests”.

It calls for actions to “build a stronger foundation for defense cooperation and interoperability; expand our defense trade and ability to transfer defense technology to enhance India’s status as a Major Defense Partners; increase our cooperation on shared regional security concerns and encourage India’s engagement beyond the Indian Ocean Region; support India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and work with India towards domestic economic reform and an increased Leadership role in the East Asia Summit (EAS) and ADMM.”

The report even mentions the “Offer of support to India – through diplomatic military, and intelligence channels – to help address continental challenges such as the border dispute with China and access to water, including the Brahmaputra and other rivers facing diversion to China.”

It says the US could extend support to “India’s Act East’ policy and its aspiration to be a leading global power, highlighting and its compatibility with the U.S, Japanese, and Australian vision of a free and open Indo-Specific”.

It also calls for building regional support for US-India Common Principles in the Indian Ocean, including unimpeded commerce, transparent infrastructure – debt practices, and peaceful resolution of territorial disputes.

The report doesn’t shy away from advocating for “partnering with India on cyber and space security and maritime domain awareness, expanding US-India intelligence sharing and analytic exchanges, creating a more robust intelligence partnership.”

The report puts its objective again which is to “strengthen the capacity of emerging partners in South Asia, including the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, to contribute to a free and open order.

It also calls for supporting the creation of a maritime information fusion center” in the Indian Ocean, establishing a regional forum to promote common principles and standards.

How China confronts this joint US game plan with Russia’s help will be interesting to see, and the policy would be the major challenge for Joseph Biden to undertake.

A source: https://eurasiantimes.com/declassified-report-shows-how-us-wants-to-co-opt-india-into-its-anti-china-strategy-for-next-50-years/

Declassified Report Shows How US Wants To Co-Opt India Into Its Anti-China Strategy ‘For Next 50 Years’
The US has declassified a confidential... Show more

Declassified Report Shows How US Wants To Co-Opt India Into Its Anti-China Strategy ‘For Next 50 Years’The US has declassified a confidential report highlighting the importance of India in the Indo-Pacific and how Washington plans to decimate China in the region amid the South China Sea tussle.After the signing of BECA between India and the US, the outgoing administration of President Donald Trump has clearly laid the foundation for the upcoming tasks to be undertaken by his successor Joseph Biden, which is primarily to force China into submission, potentially with the Indian support.A 10-page report prepared by Robert C O’Brien, Assistant to the President, for US National Security Affairs, on January 5, 2021, shows how the US plans to decimate China in the Indo-Pacific amid the continued tussle in the South China Sea from the recent past.Robert C O’Brien has lauded India and the importance of the Indo-Pacific for the US interests. The report says,“The United States is and always has been an Indo-Pacific nation. From our first trading ships that departed for China just eight years after the American Revolution, to establishing our first diplomatic presence in India in 1794, US engagement in the region has been built on trade, cooperation, and shared sacrifice, yielding peace and prosperity enjoyed across the region today.The United States Strategic Framework for the Indo-Pacific has served, for the last three years, as the Trump Administration’s overarching strategic guidance for implementing the President’s 2017 National Security Strategy (NSS) within the world’s most populous and economically dynamic region.“The NSS recognizes that the most consequential challenge to the interests of the United States, and those of our allies and partners (read India), is the growing rivalry between free and repressive visions (read China) of the future. To realize America’s positive vision for the region, and to address the unprecedented challenges that Indo-Pacific nations face to their sovereignty, prosperity, and peace, in February 2018, President Trump approved the Framework for implementation across executive branch departments and agencies.The original document has been declassified and released, to communicate to the American people and to our allies and partners America’s enduring commitment to this vital region.”This highly confidential report has now been released to the public, and perhaps, it proves clearly that the Kashmir imbroglio, towards which India is looking eye-to-eye for a joint war from China and Pakistan, had been well crafted for the US interests.Before August 5, 2019, when Indian PM Narendra Modi scrapped Article 370, withdrawing special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu & Kashmir, Trump had offered to mediate between India and Pakistan twice.And later when India had lost 20 of its soldiers fighting China, he had again made the same offer, before India was assimilated into BECA, and hence, thereby becoming its military ally probably for the next 50 years.With India now settled as a willing partner in the overall US game plan against China, Trump has declared as to how the former is to be utilized towards ‘specific issues of importance for the Indo-Pacific and beyond’, which would fulfill the prospects of “US Strategic Approach to the People’s Republic of China, the U.S. Strategic Framework for Countering China’s Economic Aggression, the U.S. Campaign Plan for Countering China’s Malign Influence in International Organizations, and others.”Robert C O’Brien highlights how the US will try to foment sovereignty (read Taiwan) as he calls “Beijing (to be) increasingly pressuring Indo-Pacific nations to subordinate their freedom and sovereignty to a ‘common destiny’ envisioned by the Chinese Communist Party. The US approach is different. We seek to ensure that our allies and partners – all who share the values and aspirations of a free and open Indo-Pacific – can preserve and protect their sovereignty.”He later makes it clear that the “United States has a long history of fighting back against repressive regimes on behalf of those who value freedom and openness.As the world’s largest economy, with the strongest military and a vibrant democracy, it is incumbent on the United States to lead from the front”.Therefore, the coming years will see the US supporting its partners’ ‘complementary approaches to regional engagement’ that include Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific concept, Australia’s Indo-Pacific concept, and India’s Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).This is precisely what QUAD is. All these initiatives were quite long on the cards to counter China, and even Russia, which has called out India’s motives. Very soon, QUAD is to enlarge its presence and align with its allies’ similar strategies, such as the “the Republic of Korea’s New Southern Policy, Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) Outlook on the Indo-Pacific.”Many of these concepts and approaches are resonating globally, with countries such as France and Germany publishing their own policy frameworks for the Indo-Pacific.The confidential report still has certain parts blackened-out and on its Page 5 it specifically focuses on India and South Asia and defines its objective to “accelerate India’s rise and capacity to serve as a net provider of security and Major Defense Partners; solidity an enduring strategic partnership with India underpinned by a strong Indian military able to effectively collaborate with the United States and our partners in the region to address shared interests”.It calls for actions to “build a stronger foundation for defense cooperation and interoperability; expand our defense trade and ability to transfer defense technology to enhance India’s status as a Major Defense Partners; increase our cooperation on shared regional security concerns and encourage India’s engagement beyond the Indian Ocean Region; support India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and work with India towards domestic economic reform and an increased Leadership role in the East Asia Summit (EAS) and ADMM.”The report even mentions the “Offer of support to India – through diplomatic military, and intelligence channels – to help address continental challenges such as the border dispute with China and access to water, including the Brahmaputra and other rivers facing diversion to China.”It says the US could extend support to “India’s Act East’ policy and its aspiration to be a leading global power, highlighting and its compatibility with the U.S, Japanese, and Australian vision of a free and open Indo-Specific”.It also calls for building regional support for US-India Common Principles in the Indian Ocean, including unimpeded commerce, transparent infrastructure – debt practices, and peaceful resolution of territorial disputes.The report doesn’t shy away from advocating for “partnering with India on cyber and space security and maritime domain awareness, expanding US-India intelligence sharing and analytic exchanges, creating a more robust intelligence partnership.”The report puts its objective again which is to “strengthen the capacity of emerging partners in South Asia, including the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, to contribute to a free and open order.It also calls for supporting the creation of a maritime information fusion center” in the Indian Ocean, establishing a regional forum to promote common principles and standards.How China confronts this joint US game plan with Russia’s help will be interesting to see, and the policy would be the major challenge for Joseph Biden to undertake.A source: https://eurasiantimes.com/declassified-report-shows-how-us-wants-to-co-opt-india-into-its-anti-china-strategy-for-next-50-years/

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this year, held online for the first time this week, has invited leading professionals from the technological, health and financial industries to share their unique, forward-looking visions for the future.

Global leaders including Hans Vestberg, chairperson and CEO of Verizon; Mary Barra, chairperson and CEO of General Motors; Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, and newcomers like TikTok's Head of Global Marketing Nick Tran, joined the virtual meeting to forecast the post COVID-19 era.

"No amount of distance can keep us from exploring the world together," said Verizon's Hans Vestberg, highlighting the unparalleled power of 5G to change the world.

Verizon Wireless is the second-largest wireless carrier in the United States, with 120.3 million subscribers as of the third quarter of 2020.

COVID-19 has helped speed up the development of work-from-home, distance learning and telemedicine, pushing the digital revolution to leapfrog, according to Vestberg.

"The future of productivity is now the current reality of work. The future of learning is now the current reality of school. The future of mobile payments is now our current reality of banking. The future of streaming is the current reality of entertainment," he explained.

"Instead of being our future, it's our present. Our 5G future is here," he added.

To Vestberg, 5G is much more than just another technology innovation. It's an industrial revolution and a platform that will make countless other innovations possible.

"5G innovation opens doors to other innovations," Vestberg said.

He explained that using 5G-backed augmented reality, viewers can participate in sports, visit museums and galleries, and attend universities, all without leaving their living room.

Vestberg and National Football League (NFL) Commissioner Roger Goodell stressed 5G's ability to radically improve sports viewership and create personalized fan engagement, particularly in venues like Verizon's 5G super stadiums, which the company will roll out in 28 cities in 2021. The stadiums will offer seven customized camera angles, virtual players interactivity, and instant replay on-demand among others.

The National Football League, a professional American football league, is the wealthiest professional sport league in the country. In the 2020 regular season amid COVID-19, NFL games averaged 15.1 million viewers, down 8 percent from the 2019 regular season.

Verizon is also working with the Smithsonian in the U.S. capitol, the world's largest museum and research complex with 19 museums, nine research centers and New York City's famed Metropolitan Museum, to make 3D augmented reality (AR) digital replicas of their valuable artifacts, so that they can be viewed from anywhere in the world.

Lonnie Bunch III, secretary of the Smithsonian, explained how they are using 5G AR to launch an exhibition when most of museums and public education facilities are closed due to COVID-19.

"It can bring education to life beyond the classroom and help whomever come to explore important subjects in ways that bring our shared history to life... and can help us achieve a more inclusive future," he said.

General Motors anticipated a bright future in transportation with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion, and is committed to building the infrastructure to make that future a reality, said the company's chairperson and CEO.

"We are at an inflection point that is moving toward putting everyone in EV (electric vehicle). GM intends to lead that charge," Barra said. "With the indisputable science behind climate change, investors are asking to put purpose alongside profit. So we must use this moment to look forward with optimism and hope."

"2020 must be a call-to-action to address the health crisis, racial injustice and climate change," she said.

In the eco-sustainability arena, GM and its battery partner, LG from South Korea, have managed to reduce the amount of problematic cobalt in their batteries by 70 percent, using more aluminum instead, according to Barra. Their engineering innovations also enabled their batteries to produce 60 percent more power, which is no mean feat.

Social media upstart TikTok also shared their perception of the future of social media. TikTok's Tran told attendees that he perceived his company's mission as helping to "democratize entertainment" by providing creators with a robust and innovative platform that could adapt to the demands and tastes of its users.

"We are less of a social platform than an entertainment platform powered by the community," Tran said. "Our creators can make an endless amount of content, and our algorithms allow users to see more content they like."

TikTok, based in Los Angeles, is a video-sharing social networking service owned by Chinese company ByteDance. It generated over 800 million monthly active users last year.

Besides, Microsoft's Brad Smith warned of the challenges posted by the new technology to the future, including indiscriminate cyberattacks, which he called "a danger that the world cannot afford."

He believed the only way to protect the future is to understand the threats of the present. To do that, companies and governments must stop exploiting data and share it in new ways, or the world would fall victim to the same problem that contributed to the 9/11 terrorist attack a decade ago.

He warned that the perils of new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be ignored. For example, facial recognition can be easily misused and machine learning could promote bias and discrimination.

"People around the world are looking at us and they want to know not just about our hearts, but about our souls... As we think about the decade ahead and about all the promise of AI, we have to think as well of the new guardrails we need to create, so that humanity remains in control of our technology," he stressed.

"Technology has no conscience, but people do," Smith said. "We must exercise our conscience. Every day we go to work, we must decide to use technology for good or ill. That is our challenge... and our responsibility." Enditem

A source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-01/17/c_139674235.htm

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this year, held online for the first time this week, has invited leading... Show more

World Insight: Global tech leaders share visions on post-COVID-19 era at CES 2021 - Xinhua | English.news.cn

But unlike Friday night, when USM committed a season-low five turnovers, the Golden Eagles contributed five turnovers to a 10-2 MTSU run that left the Blue Raiders ahead 24-23 with 3:11 left in the first half.

But LaDavius Draine answered with a 3-pointer and Tyler Stevenson added a jumper in the waning seconds to leave USM ahead 28-24 at halftime.

The second half was more of the same, with MTSU (3-7, 1-3) twice taking the lead and tying the game two more times, including 53-53 with 3:13 to play.

But Tae Hardy, who had 14 of his career-high 18 points in the second half, made a near-no-look shot in the lane to give USM a lead it would not lose, though the Blue Raiders refused to go away.

Stevenson missed two free throws, but a steal by Jaron Pierre Jr. led to a follow slam off a missed shot by Stevenson for a 57-53 USM lead.

Jalen Jordan’s free throw brought MTSU within three, but Hardy added a pair of foul shots for a five-point USM edge, 59-54.

Two more Jordan free throws made it a one-procession game with 46 seconds to play, before a pair of free throws by Pierre with 29 seconds to play pushed the lead back to five.

MTSU’s Jo’Vontae Millner-Criss knocked down a 3-pointer to get the Blue Raiders back within 61-59 with 16 seconds to play, but PIirre hit two more free throws and Draine added another for the final margin.

“We were very scared of a letdown (Saturday),” Ladner said. “We played hard, but we weren’t sharp.

“But I’m very proud of our guys. We were able to beat a very determined basketball team when we didn’t quite have our ‘A’ game. Our guys grinded it out.”

For a second consecutive game, MTSU struggled shooting the basketball, hitting 36.2 percent from the floor and 23.1 percent from 3-point range.

USM committed 20 turnovers, but the Blue Raiders coughed up 16 of their own.

MTSU also hurt itself from the free-throw line in the second half with six misses in 14 attempts.

USM made 17-of-24 free throws, led by Hardy, who connected on all six of his attempts. Along with his 18 points, Hardy finished with three assists and two steals.

Stevenson finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Draine had 12 points, six rebounds and three assists.

Pierre scored just eight points a day after going for 24, but all eight points came in the second half. He also came away with a game-high nine rebounds and two steals.

Jordan led MTSU with 14 points and six rebounds, Millner-Criss had 10 points and five rebounds and DeAndre Dishman finished with 10 points, five rebounds and three steals.

USM will travel to the University of Texas-San Antonio next weekend for a two-game C-USA set.

A source: https://www.wdam.com/2021/01/17/usm-holds-off-mtsu-complete-c-usa-sweep/

But unlike Friday night, when USM committed a season-low five turnovers, the Golden Eagles contributed five turnovers to a 10-2 MTSU run that left... Show more

But unlike Friday night, when USM committed a season-low five turnovers, the Golden Eagles contributed five turnovers to a 10-2 MTSU run that left the Blue Raiders ahead 24-23 with 3:11 left in the first half.But LaDavius Draine answered with a 3-pointer and Tyler Stevenson added a jumper in the waning seconds to leave USM ahead 28-24 at halftime.The second half was more of the same, with MTSU (3-7, 1-3) twice taking the lead and tying the game two more times, including 53-53 with 3:13 to play.But Tae Hardy, who had 14 of his career-high 18 points in the second half, made a near-no-look shot in the lane to give USM a lead it would not lose, though the Blue Raiders refused to go away.Stevenson missed two free throws, but a steal by Jaron Pierre Jr. led to a follow slam off a missed shot by Stevenson for a 57-53 USM lead.Jalen Jordan’s free throw brought MTSU within three, but Hardy added a pair of foul shots for a five-point USM edge, 59-54.Two more Jordan free throws made it a one-procession game with 46 seconds to play, before a pair of free throws by Pierre with 29 seconds to play pushed the lead back to five.MTSU’s Jo’Vontae Millner-Criss knocked down a 3-pointer to get the Blue Raiders back within 61-59 with 16 seconds to play, but PIirre hit two more free throws and Draine added another for the final margin.“We were very scared of a letdown (Saturday),” Ladner said. “We played hard, but we weren’t sharp.“But I’m very proud of our guys. We were able to beat a very determined basketball team when we didn’t quite have our ‘A’ game. Our guys grinded it out.”For a second consecutive game, MTSU struggled shooting the basketball, hitting 36.2 percent from the floor and 23.1 percent from 3-point range.USM committed 20 turnovers, but the Blue Raiders coughed up 16 of their own.MTSU also hurt itself from the free-throw line in the second half with six misses in 14 attempts.USM made 17-of-24 free throws, led by Hardy, who connected on all six of his attempts. Along with his 18 points, Hardy finished with three assists and two steals.Stevenson finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, while Draine had 12 points, six rebounds and three assists.Pierre scored just eight points a day after going for 24, but all eight points came in the second half. He also came away with a game-high nine rebounds and two steals.Jordan led MTSU with 14 points and six rebounds, Millner-Criss had 10 points and five rebounds and DeAndre Dishman finished with 10 points, five rebounds and three steals.USM will travel to the University of Texas-San Antonio next weekend for a two-game C-USA set.A source: https://www.wdam.com/2021/01/17/usm-holds-off-mtsu-complete-c-usa-sweep/

Manchester City Women Announce Signing Of USA Defender

Manchester City Women have strengthened their defence after signing of USA star and World Cup winner Abby Dahlkemper.

The defender, who played in all USA’s successful World Cup campaign in 2019, joins fellow compatriots Sam Mewis and Rose Lavelle in the City ranks, and has signed a two and a half year contract with the blues.

After finalising her move to England, Dahlkemper expressed her delight at joining the club. “I am so excited to join Manchester City. It’s a world class club full of incredible players and I can’t wait to get started.

“With all the talent in the FA WSL, I know that each game will present a new challenge and the opportunity to grow both as a player and as a person in England is going to be amazing, alongside having the chance to play Champions League football too.

“Sam and Rose have been saying nothing but brilliant things about the Club and hearing them speak so highly about the facilities, the staff and the players as well as their experience of a new technical and tactical challenge is something that was really appealing to me. I just can’t wait to get over and help the team in whatever way I can and be successful on the field.”

Manager Gareth Taylor was obviously thrilled to have a defender of Dahlkemper’s quality in the City backline. “We’re delighted to welcome Abby to Manchester City, another exciting addition to our squad. She is a very talented defender who has been successful both domestically and internationally - with her desire and hunger for victory, we know she’ll fit into our team ethos perfectly.

“We’re really looking forward to working with her over the coming seasons.”

Dahlkemper arrives from North Carolina Courage, where she made 78 appearances in three years for the side, scoring two goals. The defender started in all seven of the USA national team’s World Cup campaign, and missed just eight minutes action throughout the whole tournament, when she as withdrawn in the match against Chile, which the USA won 3-0. She was part of the solid American defence that only conceded three goals throughout the entire tournament.

The blues have only conceded 9 goals in the WSL this season, and the signing of Dalhkemper will hopefully keep that tally low.

A source: https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/2021/1/16/22234620/manchester-city-women-announce-signing-of-usa-defender

Manchester City Women Announce Signing Of USA Defender

Manchester City Women have strengthened their defence after signing of USA star and World Cup... Show more

Military Atmosphere Engulfs US Capital Before Biden Inauguration

WASHINGTON - Thousands upon thousands of troops are preparing to pour into an increasingly fortified Washington ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, as the district begins to remind some officials of beleaguered capitals such as Baghdad or Kabul, rather than the seat of government for the leader of the free world.

Military officials said Friday that 18,000 armed troops with the United States National Guard were expected to arrive in the U.S. capital over the next five days, in addition to the 7,000 sent in following the January 6 riot and siege of the U.S. Capitol by extremists supporting outgoing President Donald Trump.

The National Guard — a part-time force that can be deployed overseas but is often called upon to help with domestic emergencies — has become a key contributor to what some officials are describing as the strongest capital-area security response in history.

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The troops, along with the area’s police forces, are being briefed on the rules of engagement, which govern when they are authorized to respond with potentially deadly force.

Already, numerous streets around the Capitol have been closed to traffic, while the core area of the National Mall, which runs from the Lincoln Memorial to the west side of the Capitol and has been the site of some of the country’s most famous protests, is closed to visitors.

'Green Zone'

Temporary fences increasingly block the view, while the U.S. Secret Service, in charge of security planning for the January 20 inauguration, has created Washington’s own “Green Zone” for the occasion, warning that any vehicle trying to enter will be searched for explosives and weapons.

The beefed-up security stands in sharp contrast to the presidential inauguration four years ago, when 8,000 National Guard troops were called in to help.

“I’m sad about it,” Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters during a security briefing Friday.

“I’m committed to making sure that we get our city back,” she said. “But I also know that we have a special responsibility that there is a peaceful transition of power in our country.”

Officials organizing the security effort say the goal is to make sure the Biden inauguration is not marred by the same violence that led to the riot and siege of the Capitol earlier this month that left five people dead.

Concerning 'chatter'

They warn, however, that the threat of violence at the hands of domestic extremists is real.

“We are seeing an extensive amount of concerning online chatter,” Christopher Wray, director of the FBI, warned late Thursday, while briefing outgoing Vice President Mike Pence on the preparations.

"We're tracking calls for potential armed protests and activity leading up to the inauguration," Wray said. “We're concerned about the potential for violence at multiple protests and rallies planned here in [Washington].”

Officials said Friday that permits had been approved for two protests along Pennsylvania Avenue, which leads to the White House. But they said the protests would be limited to about 100 people, who will have to go through metal detectors and be escorted by police.

They were unsure whether extremist groups, such as the far-right Boogaloo Boys or Proud Boys, might seek to cause trouble.

“I don’t know if anyone has raised their hand to say, ‘We are coming, we will be there,’ but we are preparing as if they are,” Matt Miller, the agent in charge of the U.S. Secret Service Washington Field Office, told reporters.

Other parts of Washington are bracing for possible spillover.

“We do recognize that because we have such a robust and hardened perimeter, we have so many assets … there is a potential for people to go elsewhere, whether it's back to their state capitals or to other parts of the city,” Miller said.

“It's not just all hands on deck for the [Green] zone. It's all hands on deck for our entire agency,” said Robert Contee, Washington’s acting police chief. “Because our entire agency has a responsibility for the entire city.”

Security measures are also being put into place in the neighboring state of Virginia, which agreed to shut down a number of roads and bridges leading into Washington.

Other states are also on alert. Officials say they are in contact with the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and local police agencies sometimes on an hourly basis.

“We have a tremendous capability built up to exchange information and be in the loop on potential threats,” Jared Maples, director of New Jersey’s Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, told VOA.

“As far as the potential threat to the [New Jersey] statehouse [that] we are tracking, there's been a lot of chatter,” he said, noting a proliferation of flyers pushed via social media promoting insurrection.

“Right now, we don’t have a specific or credible threat,” Maples said. “But we are absolutely chasing down every single lead. We are investigating to the fullest extent any tip that comes in.”

Arrests elsewhere

Other states have started making arrests.

Florida officials, for example, arrested a former U.S. Army infantryman on Friday, charging him with inciting violence after he tried to rally his social media followers to attack protesters who might gather at the state Capitol in Tallahassee.

Daniel Baker, who had been kicked out of the Army and later fought against the Islamic State terror group in Syria with the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), was reportedly upset over the riot and siege of the U.S. Capitol.

“Extremists intent on violence from either end of the political and social spectrums must be stopped, and they will be stopped,” Lawrence Keefe, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Florida, said in a statement.

In New York on Tuesday, federal agents arrested 40-year-old Eduard Florea after he posted on social media that he planned to travel to Washington to kill one of the newly elected Democratic senators from Georgia.

Fears that some extremists might try to target U.S. officials and lawmakers grew Thursday after a court filing related to the siege of the Capitol alleged some of the rioters were seeking "to capture and assassinate elected officials."

But acting U.S. Attorney Michael Sherwin said Friday that there was no “direct evidence” that any of the rioters had created so-called “kill capture teams.”

A source: https://www.voanews.com/2020-usa-votes/military-atmosphere-engulfs-us-capital-biden-inauguration

Military Atmosphere Engulfs US Capital Before Biden Inauguration

WASHINGTON - Thousands upon thousands of troops are preparing to pour into an... Show more

Military Atmosphere Engulfs US Capital Before Biden Inauguration Thousands upon thousands of troops are preparing to pour into an increasingly fortified Washington ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, as the district begins to… www.voanews.com/2020-usa-votes/military-atmosphere-engulfs-us-capital-biden-inauguration