Dire warning as US-China conflict could be ‘on the brink’ of war

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2 years ago

April 28, 2023

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close video There’s ‘no reason to think’ US is on ‘brink’ of war with China: Zack Cooper

American Enterprise Institute senior fellow Zack Cooper argues billionaire investor Ray Dalio is worried about potential restrictions on U.S. companies putting money into China.

After American billionaire Ray Dalio returned from his China trip with grim warnings, policy experts are chiming in on "the scale of the threat" the Communist Chinese Party poses to national security.

Through his LinkedIn profile, Dalio published an article focusing on the "great power conflict" and what’s going on with China. He claimed the piece is informed by two recent visits to Beijing where he spent a total of 13 days.

"The United States and China are on the brink of war and are beyond the ability to talk," Dalio wrote. "I want to emphasize that by saying that they are on the brink, I don’t mean to say that they will necessarily go over the brink. I mean to say that they are very close to crossing red lines that, if crossed, will irrevocably push them over the brink into some type of war that damages these two countries and causes damage to the world order in severe and irrevocable ways—like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine did for Russia and the world, just much bigger."

Dalio founded the world’s largest hedge fund firm which manages $124 billion, according to Forbes. The billionaire has been criticized for his financial exposure to the Chinese government. In 2021, Dalio equated human rights abuses in China to racism in America, and rhetorically asked whether or not he should still be investing in the United States.

BIDEN'S ENERGY SECRETARY MAKES ‘IMPORTANT ADMISSION’ OVER U.S. MONEY FLOW TO CHINA AFTER PRESSED BY G.O.P. SENATOR

American Enterprise Institute senior fellow Zack Cooper disagreed with Dalio’s assessment on "Mornings with Maria" Friday, claiming the billionaire’s comments don’t line up with information from U.S. officials.

Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates LP, issued a grim warning over US-China relations through an article posted on his LinkedIn page. (Getty Images)

"I just don't think he's right. I actually think that what we've seen, as U.S. officials say recently, including the head of the Indo-Pacific command, that, yes, we have to be worried about a conflict, but that they don't see what's happening in the near term," Cooper said. "There's no reason to think we're on the brink of war right now."

However, other expert analysis has corroborated Dalio’s warning of looming conflict, including Atlas Organization founder Gordon Chang who argued war could "very well" break out before 2025.

"When you have China engaging in dangerous intercepts of the U.S. and other militaries in the region, anything can happen. And we have a military that is not prepared to deal with the probable scenarios," Chang previously told host Maria Bartiromo. "General Mike Minahan on that January 27th leaked memo talked about war with China in 2025… Well, it could very well be before that."

Though Cooper further expressed doubt that there’s a firm timeline for any U.S.-China conflict, he said Dalio’s concerns are likely not about American defenses.

GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE close video Gordon Chang: China is making fast preparations for war and the Pentagon has decided not to notice

Gatestone Institute senior fellow Gordon Chang unpacks various actions from the Chinese which threaten U.S. national security on Mornings with Maria.

"I think what Dalio's probably worried about is that there are going to be restrictions on U.S. investors that are putting money into China, especially into areas that have dual-use implications that could go into high-end computing, that could eventually help the Chinese military," Cooper said.

"And I think there is going to be real restrictions coming out of both the White House and Congress that will affect investors like Dalio."

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Rocket Lab’s Neutron Rocket to Land at Sea, First Launch Set for 2025

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1 hour ago

March 11, 2025

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Rocket Lab’s Neutron Rocket to Land at Sea, First Launch Set for 2025

Rocket Lab has confirmed that its reusable Neutron rocket is set for its first launch in the latter half of 2025. The announcement was made during the company’s earnings call on 26 February, where Peter Beck, Founder and CEO, outlined plans to address increasing demand for medium-lift launch services. He stated that rapid development efforts are underway to bring the rocket online as quickly as possible. The Neutron rocket has been designed to serve defence, security, and scientific missions, filling a gap in the market where launch options remain limited. A new offshore barge, named “Return on Investment,” is set to be used for rocket recovery, expanding mission possibilities.

Sea-Based Landing Platform Revealed

According to Rocket Lab, a modified offshore barge will be utilised as a landing platform for the Neutron rocket’s recovery. Peter Beck highlighted that this addition will enhance operational flexibility by allowing for greater mission efficiency. The company aims to improve accessibility to space while ensuring the maximum performance of Neutron’s capabilities.

Flatellite: Rocket Lab’s New Satellite Platform

Rocket Lab has also introduced “Flatellite,” a flat satellite system engineered for large-scale deployment. Sources have reported that these satellites will be manufactured in high volumes to support large constellations. The design enables efficient stacking, allowing for multiple satellites to be launched together, optimising payload capacity. Peter Beck stated that this initiative aligns with Rocket Lab’s vision of establishing an end-to-end space service, extending its role beyond launch services to satellite operations.

Electron Launches Continue

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket remains active, with an upcoming launch scheduled for this month. Reports indicate that an agreement has been signed with the Japanese company Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space (iQPS) for multiple missions over the next two years. According to Shunsuke Onishi, CEO of iQPS, the reliability and frequency of Electron missions align with their objectives for building a satellite constellation.

Science

Boeing Starliner Astronauts Set To Return on March 16 After 10-Month ISS Stay

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1 hour ago

March 11, 2025

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Boeing Starliner Astronauts Set To Return on March 16 After 10-Month ISS Stay

A mission initially planned for ten days has stretched into nearly ten months, with two NASA astronauts finally set to return to Earth. Astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams, who launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner on June 5, 2024, were meant to conduct a short-duration test flight to the International Space Station (ISS). However, issues with the spacecraft resulted in their prolonged stay. Their return is now scheduled for March 16, 2025, following the arrival of their relief crew.

Details of The Return

According to NASA’s flight schedule, Starliner was originally expected to bring the astronauts back, but after assessing its performance, the decision was made to return it uncrewed in September 2024. As reported, NASA instead adjusted its crew rotation plan, allocating seats for Wilmore and Williams on the SpaceX Crew Dragon, which launched as part of Crew-9. The return mission was initially scheduled for February but was delayed further due to operational constraints. The ISS program has now confirmed that their journey back will take place this month.

Crew-10 Mission Prepares for Launch

Four astronauts are set to launch aboard SpaceX’s Crew-10 mission on March 12, 2025, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission, commanded by NASA astronaut Anne McClain, includes pilot Nichole Ayers, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Their arrival at the ISS will facilitate the Crew-9 team’s return, including Wilmore and Williams.

Adjustments in Spacecraft Selection

NASA officials have confirmed that Crew-10 will travel aboard the previously flown Dragon capsule, Endurance. The switch from a newly manufactured spacecraft was prompted by battery-related delays, leading to the decision to use a flight-proven alternative. Steve Stich, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program manager, stated during a briefing that changes in vehicle assignments are a routine part of mission planning.

Science

ISS Captures Rare Gigantic Jet, a Massive Upward Lightning Over New Orleans

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1 hour ago

March 11, 2025

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ISS Captures Rare Gigantic Jet, a Massive Upward Lightning Over New Orleans

A rare “gigantic jet” of lightning was captured in a newly released image taken from the International Space Station (ISS). The photograph, dated November 19, 2024, shows a powerful discharge of blue light extending from a thunderstorm, likely reaching around 50 miles (80 kilometers) above Earth’s surface. The image, originally not publicised by NASA or any other space agency, surfaced after photographer Frankie Lucena identified it on the Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth website. The striking phenomenon was later shared by Spaceweather.com on February 26, bringing renewed attention to these elusive atmospheric events.

Gigantic Jet Confirmed by Analysis

According to reports, the ISS had captured four photographs of lightning around the time of the event, with only one displaying a clear upward-shooting jet. The exact location of the phenomenon remains uncertain due to cloud cover, but ISS tracking data suggests it likely occurred just off the coast of New Orleans. Gigantic jets are rarely observed, with only a limited number of documented cases since their discovery in 2001.

How Gigantic Jets Form

These towering lightning bolts occur when electrical charge distributions within a thunderstorm are disrupted, causing energy to be released upwards rather than toward the ground. The distinctive blue hue results from interactions with nitrogen in the upper atmosphere. Most gigantic jets extend into the ionosphere, the electrically charged layer of Earth’s atmosphere starting around 50 miles above the surface.

Energetic Nature of Upward Lightning

Previous studies have shown that gigantic jets can carry significantly more energy than standard lightning bolts. A record-breaking event over Oklahoma in May 2018 was found to have 60 times the energy of an average strike. In addition to the main jet, faint branching red discharges, similar to sprites, can be seen in the recent ISS image, highlighting the complexity of these high-altitude electrical events.