West Philippine Sea Newsletter: Volume 31

The Berlin Blockade and the Deutschmark

The Berlin Blockade started in June 1948, but its roots were from the failure of the Big Three, United States, Soviet Union, and United Kingdom to reach an agreement for common occupation goals in a post-war occupied Germany. Ideology differences about guaranteed no agreement, but pretending to be unified or leaving questions to be answered later guaranteed that there would be plenty of fuel to support Cold War flash points. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thomasleckwold.substack.com/subscribe [https://thomasleckwold.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

China’s Strategic Maneuvers: The SCO Summit and Victory Day Parade

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conducted a summit in Tianjin, northern China, on August 31-September 1, 2025. This event coincided with the China Victory Day Parade in Beijing on September 3, which commemorated the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II and Japan's defeat. The scheduling of these two key events allowed China's leadership to receive global dignitaries while also emphasizing the country's presence on the international stage. Various opposition political groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and media outlets took use of the opportunity to accentuate their anti-Western views, notably those directed at the United States, which were fanned by remarks by Chinese hosts. Unfortunately, the hyperbole and incessant cacophony in mainstream media coverage have masked the meeting's broader context, particularly China's obstacles and the actual outcomes of this Chinese influence campaign. Please support me through Patreon, Buy Me A Coffee or Ko-Fi. Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/PegasusResearch] Buy Me A Coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/pegasusresearch] Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/pegasusresearch] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thomasleckwold.substack.com/subscribe [https://thomasleckwold.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Medvedev’s NATO Nonsense: Austria’s Neutrality and the Art of Overreaction

Russia’s Dmitry Medvedev and Austria’s Beate Meinl-Reisinger exchange unforced errors over NATO membership and Austrian neutrality. Even when Russia is right, they still find a way to step on a rake. Research or support me through Patreon, Buy Me A Coffee or Ko-Fi. Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/PegasusResearch] Buy Me A Coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/pegasusresearch] Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/pegasusresearch] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thomasleckwold.substack.com/subscribe [https://thomasleckwold.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

West Philippine Sea Newsletter: Volume 31

Under the pressure of Chinese escalation, Australia initiated its largest deployment outside the country since the East Timor crisis of 1999, conducting a joint exercise with the Philippines in the West Philippine Sea. Research or support me through Patreon, Buy Me A Coffee or Ko-Fi. Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/PegasusResearch] Buy Me A Coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/pegasusresearch] Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/pegasusresearch] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thomasleckwold.substack.com/subscribe [https://thomasleckwold.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

South Korean Case to Join the Nuclear Club

South Korea faces a security dilemma on the Korean Peninsula that cannot be easily resolved with the security options that were previously available to it. Research or support me through Patreon, Buy Me A Coffee or Ko-Fi. Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/PegasusResearch] Buy Me A Coffee [https://buymeacoffee.com/pegasusresearch] Ko-Fi [https://ko-fi.com/pegasusresearch] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thomasleckwold.substack.com/subscribe [https://thomasleckwold.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]