UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres made a plea for "maximum restraint following" Iran's attacks against Israel. A UN Security Council emergency meeting convened at 4 p.m. local time (2000 GMT/UTC) in New York, after Israel's ambassador to the UN appealed for a rapid condemnation of Iran's attack overnight.  "The Middle East is on the brink. The people of the region are confronting a real danger of a devastating full-scale conflict. Now is the time to defuse and de-escalate," Gutteres said while opening the session.  "Neither the region nor the world can afford more war," Guterres said. He also warned all UN members that any retaliation with force would be illegal under international law. Sunday's Security Council meeting was not considering any draft resolution or motion, it was a first call to discuss the situation, starting roughly 24 hours after Iran's attack was launched. It adjourned once all named speakers had contributed.   Ambassadors from various other UN members — including Russia, China, South Korea, Sierra Leone, Syria, the UK, France, Algeria and more — all contributed to the meeting in New York late on Sunday.  This concludes our weekend updates on Iran's aerial attack against Israel.  Iranian ambassador claims Tehran had 'no choice' Iran's ambassador repeated Tehran's claim that it was responding in "self-defense" after the April 1 explosion at its Damascus consulate in Syria, for which Iran blamed Israel.  "The Security Council... failed in its duty to maintain international peace and security," after that explosion, Amir Saeid Iravani said during Sunday's session.  Therefore, he said the Islamic Republic "had no choice" but to react, and described the reaction as "necessary and proportionate."  He claimed his country did not "seek escalation or war," but also warned it would respond to any "threat or aggression."  "If the US initiates military operations against Iran, its citizens, or its security and interests, Iran will use its inherent right to respond proportionately," he said. Iran must 'pay a heavy price,' Israeli ambassador tells Security Council Israel's ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, accused Iran of violating international law with the attack. Erdan called on the 15-member council to condemn Iran, reimpose sanctions and designate Iran's Revolutionary Guards a terror organization. "The snooze button is no longer an option. The only option is to condemn Iran and utilize every means necessary to make them pay a heavy price for their horrible  crimes," Erdan told the council. Erdan also played a video on a tablet that he said showed Israel's interception of Iranian drones above Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, one of Islam's holiest sites. "Here, you can look at it," he gestured with the tablet and told the Iranian ambassador to cast his eyes over the footage. White House says US would not join attack on Iran The White House has ruled out any participation by the US in a possible Israeli retaliation against Iran. "We're not looking for a wider war with Iran," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said on NBC's "Meet the Press," adding that the United States does not "want to see this escalate." According to a White House official, US President Joe Biden told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to "think carefully" about his response. Kirby said Netanyahu was "well aware" of Biden's position following a call between the two leaders soon after Iran launched the attack. US forces said they shot down some 70 drones and between four and six ballistic missiles during Iran's overnight attack.      

The WMO, the United Nations' weather observer, says a string of global temperature records have been broken  and in some cases even smashed. The agency warned that sea ice loss was of particular concern. A World Meteorological Organization (WMO) report confirmed on Tuesday that 2023 was the warmest year on record, with global average surface temperatures at 1.45 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The UN agency warned that the changes were interwoven with growing food insecurity and population displacement. What the report showed The WMO study showed broken records across numerous parameters, including greenhouse gas levels and temperature. The agency noted particularly alarming changes at sea, with a worrying rise in surface levels and acidification. Its report said Antarctic sea ice loss, rising ocean heat, and glacier loss were of particular concern. Antarctic sea ice extent was "by far the lowest on record," with the maximum extent at the end of winter at 1 million kilometers squared below the previous record year — the size of France and Germany combined. Glaciers suffered the largest loss of ice on record, driven by "extreme melt" in both western North America and Europe. The authors also pointed out increasingly frequent heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires, and intensifying tropical cyclones. They caused "misery and mayhem, upending everyday life for millions and inflicting many billions of dollars in economic losses." What is the UN agency's warning? The organization's Secretary-General Celeste Saulo said the world had never been so close to, at least temporarily, exceeding the 1.5 degrees Celsius lower limit of the Paris Agreement on climate change. "The WMO community is sounding the red alert to the world," said Saulo. A report by the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) last showed average global surface temperatures for 2023 had actually nudged above the threshold. "Climate change is about much more than temperatures," said Saulo. "What we witnessed in 2023, especially with the unprecedented ocean warmth, glacier retreat, and Antarctic sea ice loss, is cause for particular concern." The report drew attention to the number of people who are acutely food insecure worldwide, noting this had grown from 149 million people before the COVID-19 pandemic to 333 million in 2023. "The climate crisis is the defining challenge that humanity faces and is closely intertwined with the inequality crisis — as witnessed by growing food insecurity, and population displacement, and biodiversity loss," Saulo said. Professor Tina van de Flierdt of Imperial College London said the latest WMO report "reinforces that climate change is not a distant threat – it is here now." Finally, some good news While its warning was dire, the WMO highlighted "a glimmer of hope" in the form of the increased use of renewable energy. Renewable energy capacity grew by 50% in 2023 to 510 gigawatts (GW). "Renewable energy generation, primarily driven by the dynamic forces of solar radiation, wind and the water cycle, has surged to the forefront of climate change action for its potential to achieve decarbonization targets," the report said. "We're seeing year on year increases in the amount of energy being produced in that way, so that's that's one kind of positive thing that's happening," WMO scientist John Kennedy told DW.   "We're moving in the right direction in terms of energy generation."  

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, with other humanitarian partners, today called on the international community to redouble efforts to protect and assist Rohingya refugees and their host communities. Bangladesh is generously hosting nearly a million Rohingya refugees, most of whom fled Myanmar seven years ago.  The 2024 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis is being launched under the leadership of the Bangladeshi authorities. The funding appeal seeks $852.4 million to reach some 1.35 million people including Rohingya refugees and host communities.  The plan and related financial needs is being presented to donors in Geneva by Ambassador Masud Bin Momen, Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh; Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Principal Secretary to the Bangladesh Prime Minister; Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees; and Amy Pope, Director General of the International Organization for Migration. International solidarity with Bangladesh and refugee protection is needed more than ever as the conflict in Myanmar escalates. The Joint Response Plan brings together 117 partners, nearly half of them Bangladeshi organizations. It aims to help some 1 million Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar and on the island of Bhasan Char, and 346,000 from host communities, with food, shelter, health care, access to drinkable water, protection services, education and livelihood opportunities and skills development.  Some 95 per cent of Rohingya households in Bangladesh are vulnerable and remain dependent on humanitarian assistance. Sustained assistance is critically and urgently needed, particularly by women and children, who make up more than 75 per cent of the targeted refugee population, and face heightened risks of abuse, exploitation and gender-based violence. More than half of the refugees in the camps are under 18, languishing amidst limited opportunities for education, skills-building and livelihoods. The Government of Bangladesh, local communities and aid agencies need sustained international support to respond to increasing needs as this humanitarian crisis remains largely out of the international spotlight. Underfunding in previous years has had serious implications as Rohingya women, children and men -- who fled to Bangladesh to escape violence and persecution in Myanmar -- struggle to meet basic needs and their plight risks slipping into obscurity. Rohingya refugees remain in limbo relying on humanitarian assistance to survive in crowded camps plagued by insecurity and natural disasters. The international community must continue funding life-saving and life-sustaining assistance to refugees in the camps, investing in education, skills training and livelihood opportunities. This is a lifeline to refugees struggling to meet their basic needs and supplement limited humanitarian assistance. Steps are also needed to ensure pledges made at the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva in December are fulfilled. These included enhancing self-reliance for Rohingya to provide hope and reduce the number of dangerous boat journeys taken.

In the current fiscal year, 24 ministries of the country have allocated Tk 35,000 crore to tackle climate change. The United Nations (UN) has assured that UN will provide substantial funding to Bangladesh through its various agencies to tackle climate change.  Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister, Saber Hossain Chowdhury today (Feb 26) briefed reporters after a bilateral meeting with UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis at his residence in Paribagh in the capital. on Monday. The UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis said that she had a discussion with the environment minister about how Bangladesh can get international funding to tackle climate change.

The UN chief says the Security Council's authority has been undermined by its inability to take action on conflicts. He called for the body to be reformed United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday deplored what he said were inadequate responses to the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine by the Security Council, saying its authority had been "perhaps fatally" undermined.  Speaking at the opening of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Guterres said the Security Council was often "unable to act on the most significant peace and security issues of our time." What else did Guterres say? "The Council's lack of unity on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and on Israel's military operations in Gaza following the horrific terror attacks by Hamas on 7 October, has severely — perhaps fatally — undermined its authority," he said. "The Council needs serious reform to its composition and working methods." Russia, a permanent member of the Security Council, has used its veto right to block several resolutions calling for Moscow to stop its invasion, or those condemning its "annexations" of Ukrainian regions.  The United States last week again vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate humanitarian cease-fire in Israel's offensive against Gaza. Washington said the resolution would interfere with negotiations on a deal to release hostages. It was the third US veto of a draft resolution since the start of the current fighting on October 7.

Afumetto Retepu, Chairman of the Japan Uyghur Association, calls for democracies to take concrete action against China instead of merely "expressing concern." Twenty-seven years ago, on February 5, 1997, a group of young Uyghurs staged a peaceful demonstration in the city of Ghulja (Yining in Chinese) to protest China's repressive policies. Armed Chinese police fired on the crowd to suppress the demonstration. There then followed a series of large-scale, indiscriminate arrests, with young Uyghur people disappearing from the streets of Ghulja.  Afterward, there were many reports of detainees freezing to death, being tortured, or suffering mental problems after their release. This is what happened during and after the "Ghulja Incident." At that time, not only were methods of communication limited, but the Chinese government strictly controlled information about the event.  Consequently, China was not subjected to severe sanctions by the international community. In fact, the very month following the incident, Japan resumed its grant aid to China, which had been frozen in principle due to China's nuclear testing. After that, thanks to economic and technical assistance from developed countries, including Japan, China achieved dramatic economic growth. This allowed the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to further consolidate its dictatorial rule. The international community should have paid proper attention to this incident and stopped lending China economic support. If it did, we might not have the colossal monster state threatening the international order we face today.  A Divided United Nations Now, a quarter century later, in regard to the Uyghur issue, a standoff continues at the United Nations. On one side are democratic countries that share values regarding human rights. Countries on the other side have succumbed to the lure of Chinese money.  In August 2022, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHIR) released a report on this issue. It acknowledged that China's actions against the Uyghur people in Xinjiang "may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity."  Nevertheless, in October of that same year, the UN Human Rights Council rejected a motion calling for discussion of the Uyghur human rights issue based on this report. The tremendous influence that China exerts on UN member states is clear. They were determined to ignore a report by an organ of the UN itself that is critical of Chinese human rights violations. Stop the 'Charade' Recently, our attention has focused on the OHCHR's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group. The group regularly reviews the human rights situation in China. At its meeting held on January 23, representatives from more than 30 countries spoke about the Uyghur question. Among them, the United States condemned China's actions as genocide and Switzerland labeled them crimes against humanity. In the end, the working group made more than 400 recommendations. However, the criticism of "genocide" was not included. Japan, which made no comment in the previous UPR, did include a mention this time. Nonetheless, these recommendations are non-binding. On January 23, the same day that the working group met, a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake occurred in Xinjiang. However, because communications were cut off, we have not even been able to confirm the safety of our families living in the Uyghur homeland. The CCP has even taken away our right to know whether our loved ones are alive or dead.  It is time for the international community to abandon the charade of simply expressing concern about China's treatment of the Uyghur people. It must take concrete actions, such as imposing economic sanctions.    Source: Japan Forward

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un received the Russian-made Aurus to celebrate ties between the two leaders, after they recently met in Russia in September. The gift could violate UN sanctions on North Korea. Russian President Vladimir Putin has given a luxury car to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as a gift, the North Korean state-controlled news agency KCNA reported Tuesday.   From Russia with love KCNA said the gift serves as a "clear demonstration of the special relations between the two leaders." The outlet said the vehicle was presented by Russia to Kim's sister, Kim Yo Jong, on February 18.   Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told Russian media that the car given to Kim was a Russian-made Aurus. The Aurus Senat serves as the presidential state car of Russia which transports Putin.  The gift comes after Kim traveled to Russia in September to meet with Putin. During that visit, Kim was taken for a ride in Putin's official Aurus vehicle.  The September meeting was a key high point in North Korean-Russian relations.  At that time, the Russian leader suggested further space cooperation with North Korea, with Kim saying the two leaders are teaming up in a "fight against imperialism." Putin and Kim both face isolation from the West. Putin's decision to invade Ukraine in February 2022 has led to sanctions from the US, EU and others, whereas Kim's nuclear aspirations and missile tests have been punished by the UN.     Could the gift be a violation of UN sanctions?   South Korea said the automobile gifted to Kim could be a violation of UN sanctions on North Korea.   "Security Council sanctions on North Korea prohibit directly or indirectly supplying, selling or moving all transportation vehicles internationally categorized as HS Code 86 through to 89 regardless of their origin to North Korea including luxury cars," South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lim Soosuk told journalists.    Kim is believed to be an enthusiatic auto collector, with many of his vehicles covertly delivered to North Korea from abroad. 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will chair the two-day event aimed at aiding Afghan society. The prospects of progress remain uncertain as the ruling Taliban have boycotted over fear of criticism of its rule. A two-day UN conference on Afghanistan kicked off in Qatar on Sunday. The event, chaired by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, will address approaches to increasing international engagement with the impoverished and war-torn Muslim country. The prospects of success appear limited from the start, as the country's ruling Taliban has refused to attend after its demand of being "the sole official representative of Afghanistan" at the conference was turned down. Another demand that was not met was a guarantee that no one at the conference would criticize the militant Islamic theocrats and how they have run the country since returning to power in August 2021. Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, a humanitarian organization, took to X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday to write, "Disappointing that the Taliban declined to attend the special envoy meeting for Afghanistan in Doha this week." Human rights groups invited to Afghan conference, will it matter? Instead, the meeting will give a forum to women and civic groups concerned with the dire human rights situation in the country. UN Special Coordinator Feridun Sinirlioglu, for instance, recently released a report recommending reintegrating Afghanistan into the international economic and political system. Sinirlioglu made that reintegration contingent upon the Taliban meeting its international obligations but the religious militants — whom Washington dislodged from power in 2001 and then allowed to return when the US withdrew its troops after ending a 20-year war in the country — have utterly rejected calls for the creation of an "inclusive government." The Taliban has also continued, among other things, its brutal oppression of women, whom it does not allow to attend school or work, something the UN has previously described as "gender apartheid." The UN Working Group on Women, Peace and Security called the Doha meeting, "an opportunity for the UN, the Security Council and the international community to reaffirm that the rights of Afghan women are not negotiable." The Taliban's strict Islamist governance has resulted in Western nations refusing to recognize the group as legitimate rulers and caused nations, donors and aid organizations to withdraw from the country, further imperiling Afghanistan's already dire economic situation. A list of international participants scheduled to attend the meeting included the US, China, Pakistan and the European Union but with the Taliban rejecting international calls for change — including its continued rejection of the idea of appointing a special UN envoy — the prospects of the "meaningful and inclusive meetings" envisioned by UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennet seem questionable.

The top UN court hands down an initial decision Friday in a case against Israel over alleged genocide in Gaza, a landmark ruling closely watched in the Middle East and around the world.   The top UN court hands down an initial decision Friday in a case against Israel over alleged genocide in Gaza, a landmark ruling closely watched in the Middle East and around the world.     The International Court of Justice could order Israel to stop its military campaign in Gaza, sparked by the unprecedented October 7 attacks by Hamas, or to facilitate humanitarian aid.     The court will not however pass judgement on whether or not Israel is actually committing genocide in Gaza.     At this stage, the ICJ will hand down emergency orders before considering the wider accusation of genocidal acts in Gaza -- a process that will likely take years.     The case has been brought by South Africa, which says that Israel is in breach of the 1948 UN Genocide Convention, set up in the ashes of World War II and the Holocaust.     "South Africa does not need to prove that Israel is committing genocide," said Juliette McIntyre, international law expert from the University of South Australia.     "They simply need to establish that there is a plausible risk of genocide occurring," she told AFP.     Over two days of hearings earlier this month in the gilded halls of the Peace Palace in the Hague, a world away from the violence in Israel and Gaza, robed lawyers argued over the technicalities of the Genocide Convention.     "Genocides are never declared in advance," declared Adila Hassim, a top lawyer for South Africa.     "But this Court has the benefit of the past 13 weeks of evidence that shows incontrovertibly a pattern of conduct and related intention that justifies a plausible claim of genocidal acts," she added.     - 'World is upside down' -     The case has sparked fury in Israel, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that "the world is upside down".     Israel's lawyer Tal Becker dismissed Pretoria's case as a "profoundly distorted factual and legal picture" and a "decontextualised and manipulative description of the reality" on the ground.     Showing the court images of the brutal Hamas attack, Becker said that "if there have been acts that may be characterised as genocidal, then they have been perpetrated against Israel".     Becker denied that Israel's operations were aimed at the citizens of Gaza. The army's aim was "not to destroy a people, but to protect a people, its people, who are under attack on multiple fronts", he said.     The ICJ's rulings are binding on all parties, but it has no mechanism to enforce them. Sometimes they are completely ignored -- the court has ordered Russia to stop its invasion of Ukraine for example.     Netanyahu has already suggested he does not feel bound by the court, saying "no one will stop us -- not The Hague, not the Axis of Evil and no one else".     - 'Huge' symbolic impact -     "It is conceivable that an order by the court would not have any significant influence on Israel's military operation," said Cecily Rose, assistant professor of public international law at Leiden University.     But if the court decides there is a risk of genocide in Gaza, it could still have a ripple effect, notably on other nations that back Israel politically or militarily.     "It makes it much harder for other states to continue to support Israel in the face of a neutral third party finding there is a risk of genocide," said McIntyre.     "States may withdraw military or other support for Israel in order to avoid this," she added.     In addition, she noted the "huge" symbolic impact of any ruling against Israel under the Genocide Convention, given its tragic history.     In its submission to the court, South Africa acknowledged the "particular weight of responsibility" of accusing Israel of genocide but said it was bound to uphold its duties under the Convention.     Israeli lawyer Becker retorted that "there can hardly be a charge more false and more malevolent than the allegation against Israel of genocide".     The October 7 Hamas attack resulted in the death of around 1,140 people in Israel, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.     At least 25,700 Palestinians, around 70 percent of them women, young children and adolescents, have been killed in the Gaza Strip in Israeli bombardments and ground offensive since then, according to the Hamas government's health ministry.  

The PLA Marine Corps (PLANMC) is a vital cog in Xi Jinping’s dream of establishing a Sino-centric world order as he builds the strongest military in the world. He is striving to develop a world-class Marine Corps that will be an elite force capable of full spectrum multidomain operations in all dimensions, including during emergencies at all times. The success or failure of China’s global ambitions depends heavily on the growth of this force. As the PLANMC expands, the PLA assumes the nature of a capability-based force instead of a task/threat-based force. It becomes a critical capability for China’s expeditionary tasks and power projection. In the future, the pulse of China’s military prowess can be felt through its Marine Corps operations. Broad Organization The 1st Marine Brigade was founded on May 5, 1980. Later, in 1998, the PLAA’s 164th Division was reorganized into the 2nd Marine Brigade, forming the PLANMC with two brigades and approximately 10,000 personnel under the South Sea Fleet as part of the PLA Navy. In the initial stages, the primary mission of the PLANMC was confined to islands and reefs in the South China Sea. In those days, the PLANMC was primarily involved in establishing and expanding Chinese control over the South China Sea by seizing unoccupied islands or assaulting and annexing held islands. After that, the marines were used to defend these islands from countries with which China had disputes in the South China Sea. It was well into Xi’s reign that, in April 2017, the PLA expanded the Marine Corps. Its strength increased from the original brigades to six with four additional brigades. These new brigades were transferred from the PLAA’s coastal defense force, motorized infantry, and some other forces. In addition, a Special Operations Brigade was constituted. This was based on the Jiaolong Commando Unit, an existing special forces unit of PLAN. An Aviation Brigade operating transport helicopters was also transferred into the force. This brought the total force to eight brigades with around 40,000 personnel (see Table). It is estimated that the PLANMC will be expanded to 100,000 personnel in the future. It is important to note that among the five branches comprising the PLAN — the Surface Force, the Submarine Force, the Naval Air Force, the Coastal Defense Force, and the Marine Corps — it is the PLANMC, which has its headquarters. Though the PLANMC is subordinate to the PLAN, the fact that it has been allowed to have its own Headquarters is indicative that in the long run, PLANMC might be a Service of its own fashion, much like the US Marine Corps. Concept The PLANMC is being designed as the first choice force for strategic maneuver operations. It is expected to carry out multidimensional precision assaults in overseas and out-of-area contingencies. Such maneuver will encompass multidimensional projection, multi-arm coordinated assault, and over-the-horizon concealed launch. It will be supported by combined precision information and firepower offensive capabilities of the PLASF and PLARF. The PLANMC forces are expected to conduct rapid precision maneuvers to strike at the enemy’s weak areas in depth to exploit gaps, outflank enemy localities, and disrupt an opponent’s defensive system. The aim seems to be to paralyze the enemy so that the PLA can gain its objectives at the least cost. Role and Tasks The prime motive in establishing the PLANMC is to recover areas China considers “lost territories,” such as Taiwan, the Senkaku Islands, and the Spratly Islands. This also breaks the First Island Chain, which constricts PLAN and contains China by posing a direct threat to the mainland. If needed and an opportunity presents itself, China might not hesitate to change the status quo forcefully. This was already exhibited when China occupied reefs and built them into artificial islands to establish control over the South China Sea. The next task of the PLANMC would be to defend the islands it has usurped in the South China Sea and capture those it claims in the South China Sea. With the issuance of its new standard map in which the entire South China Sea inside the new  ‘Ten Dash’ Line has been depicted to be Chinese, this task has assumed increased significance and importance. It will do well to remember that the PRC has already seized control of Scarborough Shoal from the Philippines in 2012 and has thoroughly repudiated the ruling of the International Court of Justice. Since 2014, China has conducted reclamation/dredging in seven reefs and islets in the South China Sea to construct and militarize artificial islands. It has also kept US forces at bay. The ongoing tussle with the Philippines indicates that China intends to gain control of islands and reefs controlled by other countries in due course. This includes the Taiwan-controlled islands of Itu Aba and the Pratas Islands. This role will become more significant as the PLANMC expands its amphibious capabilities. An important role and task of the PLANMC would be “the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” by capturing Taiwan in conjunction with other forces in a full-scale invasion of the island. Whenever China decides to unify Taiwan by force, it will use PLANMC as the spearhead to carry out the amphibious assault in conjunction with all its other naval, missile, and air forces. To annex Taiwan, the initial boots on the ground will be that of PLANMC personnel to overcome the opposition from the islanders. The PLA is strengthening its expeditionary capability to protect China’s “overseas interests” worldwide. To that end, the PLANMC is being trained and organized to carry out expeditionary operations and missions in areas far away from mainland China. These areas of interest include Chinese diplomatic missions, business enterprises, construction projects, and workers in other countries as part of the BRI and other mercantile ventures. The PLANMC will be expected to protect Chinese overseas interests in various countries and open oceans from regional and international turmoil. This includes terrorism and piracy. Already, PLAN vessels are conducting anti-piracy activities in the Gulf of Aden. In addition, PLANMC units have been stationed to guard China’s base in Djibouti since 2017. It is also being assessed that marines will be deployed in Gwadar if they have not been secretly deployed. In recent years, the Marines’ special operations unit has repeatedly conducted training exercises in deserts, cold highlands, and jungle terrains. Such training indicates that the PLANMC can perform operations in any part of the world. The PLANMC will likely play an essential role along with PLASSF and PLARF in power projection through expeditionary roles. Composition The six Marine brigades will be amphibious combined arms brigades. They are equipped with amphibious assault guns instead of tanks and amphibious infantry fighting vehicles (IFV)/armored personnel carriers (APC). An entire amphibious combined arms brigade will likely have about  5,000 personnel and over 400 vehicles. Each amphibious combined arms brigade is expected to be composed of the following: Four combined arms battalions, each with two amphibious assault gun companies, two amphibious mechanized infantry companies, a firepower company (mortars and man-portable air defense systems—MANPADs), and a service support company (with reconnaissance and engineer platoons). An amphibious combined arms battalion numbers about 80 vehicles of all types and an estimated 500-600 soldiers. One reconnaissance battalion has amphibious reconnaissance vehicles, small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), and technical reconnaissance systems. One artillery battalion has amphibious 122mm howitzers, tracked 122mm rocket launchers, and anti-tank guided missile systems. One air defense battalion with tracked anti-aircraft gun systems, short-range surface-to-air missile systems, and MANPADS. One operational support battalion with command and control vehicles, electronic warfare systems, engineering equipment, chemical defense systems, and security elements One service support battalion with supply, medical, and repair and maintenance units. The six amphibious combined arms brigades command 24 amphibious combined arms battalions and six reconnaissance battalions. These are expected to be the first wave to hit the beaches in an amphibious assault. The Special Operations Brigade has around 3,000 personnel. Its detailed organization is still unclear. Several specialists and experts from across the entire spectrum of special operations units in the PLA have been transferred to this brigade. These special forces units will likely be at high readiness levels to respond to emergencies and critical tasks. The  Aviation Brigade is a significant addition to the PLANMC. It enhances the integral aerial mobility of PLANMC. It does not have to rely on PLAN or PLAAF for its Helilift capability. The aviation brigade is expected to be a “leading force for advancing from the sea to shore in depth” and “a force for strategic maneuver.”  The Aviation Brigade will, in all probability, be used to carry out vertical envelopment operations into the adversary’s depth. The PLANMC is being outfitted with advanced equipment. This includes lightweight amphibious troop carriers, tanks, and artillery. Light equipment currently designed and deployed in their high-altitude areas is also being repurposed for airborne roles. The PLANMC is also equipped with landing ships capable of carrying amphibious fighting vehicles and other vehicles into the intended areas of operation to support amphibious and follow-up land operations. Analysis The PLANMC is a work in progress. The Chinese are aping the US Marine Corps in the way they are shaping their marines. Hence, they are far from being a force of decision. The four brigades newly formed out of units transferred from the PLAA will take a long time to be fully effective in the execution of amphibious operations. Amphibious and related special operations require many skill sets and complex command and operational capabilities combining sea, land, and air forces. While the organization has come into being and manpower has been provided, it is not yet fully trained or kitted for the envisaged tasks. There is a long way to go. A significant drawback of this force is the lack of helicopter pilots and sufficient helicopters to go with it. As per reports that have been emerging, the PLA Navy has been handicapped by a lack of capable officers to command their ships. This shortage would apply equally to its amphibious craft, where the requisite skill capability would be higher. These two drawbacks significantly would inhibit any Marine Corps. There will be many more HR problems related to leadership and manpower capabilities that have not appeared in the open domain. These problems cannot be wished away. Such capability cannot be enhanced in quick time. The overall lack of combat experience of the PLA will be telling. Hence, the PLANMC will be a force with limited capabilities for a long time. For a force that has just come into being, it has been given too many competing missions. It is tasked to focus on large-scale amphibious operations, urgent contingency response tasks, and precision attack tasks in the near and far seas. On paper, the PLANMC looks like a formidable force. These tasks will involve use of unmanned systems (air, ground, surface, and underwater), operations involving long-range precision fires through various delivery platforms in an informatised environment. These complex tasks need a flexible approach and a directive style of leadership. The politically oriented PLA, on the other hand, is known for its rigidity in thought. This issue must be considered because the performance of the PLA in UN missions has been subpar. There are plenty of reports that have indicated that Chinese troops have even run away after abandoning weapons. In the larger scheme of things, the effectiveness of this force in the long term, even when fully kitted, will be questionable.