Colin Clark

Substack writer; founding editor of Breaking Defense. Proud dad, husband, fisherman, grill king, Sydneysider & consumer of fine Antipodean wines.

[OSINTdefender @sentdefender]

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces have disabled the Curaçao-flagged tanker M/T Belma after the vessel ignored repeated warnings and continued toward Kharg Island, Iran's primary oil export terminal, in violation of the reimposed U.S. naval blockade.

According to CENTCOM, a U.S. aircraft rendered the vessel inoperable by firing AGM-114 "Hellfire" missiles into its smokestack, preventing it from reaching Iran.

The incident marks the first commercial vessel struck near Kharg Island, the first vessel disabled since the second U.S. blockade took effect on July 14, and the 10th non-compliant vessel disabled across both blockade operations. During the first 24 hours of the renewed blockade, U.S. forces also redirected two commercial vessels away from Iranian ports.

[Colin Clark @ColinDefense]

This is the cost of abandoning Republican policies that held firm for more than 50 years-- not to mention abandoning the rule of law, the appearance of fairness and ethical behavior and the basics of reason and civility.

[James Jay Carafano @JJCarafano]

You didn’t push the button for the elevator, but the door opened. The symbol says “up.” So, you step on and pick your floor. But, you have the distinct feeling the elevator is going “down.” No big deal. There is only the ground floor and the parking garage. But, minutes later, the elevator is still going down. It’s bow been so long your phone died. You have no signal anyway. There is no emergency button on the elevator panel. Will anyone ever see this post? Help.

[Colin Clark @ColinDefense]

Just love love love the high whiny pitch of these Chinese hegemonists

[Patrick in China @PatrickZhengCHN]

The Philippines proudly claims its so-called 2016 arbitration victory as a historic triumph. Yet it cannot find even one ASEAN nation willing to stand beside it. Instead, its patron had to rally a dozen of vassal states to voice support.

This is the same country that has never ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea — yet it loves to weaponize international law.

Consider the glaring double standards from the very same legal institutions:

The ICJ ruled that Singapore’s tiny, uninhabited 8,000-square-meter Pedra Branca reef is an island.
The 2016 U.S.-backed arbitration tribunal, however, declared Taiping Island — a 0.5 km² feature long with hundreds of people — to be merely a reef.
Meanwhile, Japan (another U.S. ally) treats a 9 m² collection of rocks as a full island and claims hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of EEZ. Shockingly, Japan also fully endorses the South China Sea arbitration.

@jaytaryela @GordianKnotRay @SeaLightFound @BRPSierraMadre @senatorjoelv @manay

[Derek J. Grossman @DerekJGrossman]

New Zealand becomes a target. "The Chinese Embassy in Wellington has hit out at the Government for its decision to join the United States in signing up to a joint statement that marks the 10th anniversary of a landmark international decision relating to China’s controversial claims to the South China Sea."
https://t.co/UoyM2TSnnI

[Peter Cronau @PeterCronau]

The extent of American interference in our country reveals them as bullies not allies.

The US ordered Australia to appoint the Antisemitism Commissioner:

“We stepped up our engagement with the Australian government. We were pushing them to appoint a special envoy on antisemitism,”

“It was a much bigger diplomatic effort than it should have been with such a close ally,” US official.

“But we insist that you appoint a special envoy and take this issue seriously.”

[Collin Koh 🇸🇬🇺🇦 @CollinSLKoh]

So far, the 2016 arbitral award at least received a 14-country joint statement, and a separate EU statement representing 27 member states.

Beijing has got no international partners coming out to give it supporting fire. This only means you have no just cause to begin with. 🤷🏽‍♂️

[Colin Clark @ColinDefense]

An overdue but important advance in US naval warfare.

[U.S. Central Command @CENTCOM]

Yesterday, using multiple one-way attack surface drones, CENTCOM forces successfully struck a submarine and ship maintenance facility in Iran. Three Corsair unmanned surface vessels hit the port at Bandar Abbas Naval Base, marking the first time American forces have employed sea drones in combat operations. Last night’s strikes degraded Iran’s ability to continue attacking commercial shipping.

[Colin Clark @ColinDefense]

His former wingman, Sen. John McCain is certainly chatting with him already--US Senator Lindsey Graham passes away  - https://t.co/kJA6EF2ZO7

[Colin Clark @ColinDefense]

Come on. Japan! --How Putin Turned Japan Into a Den of Spies https://t.co/qGb3SCABSD via @NYTimes

[Colin Clark @ColinDefense]

The bombastic wager of wars @realDonaldTrump starts a new front in his war against the press-- Times Journalists Subpoenaed as Trump Escalates Pressure on Media https://t.co/c6E1UH1FFy via @NYTimes

[Colin Clark @ColinDefense]

Extra ordinary opinion piece by a senior Russian oligarch. Must read.

The man who would change Russia
https://t.co/6jrZ71NuIG

[Colin Clark @ColinDefense]

@Lina_rays1ya Please remember that in a private store they have the right to refuse service to anyone for a host of reasons. Once outside the store no one can restrict anyone's speech, just as anyone can take a photo of anyone when they are outside.

[Sal Mercogliano (WGOW Shipping) 🚢⚓🐪🚒🏴‍☠️ @mercoglianos]

@AaronBMacLean At least 21 ships over the past three days by Ukraine.

It is a war at sea!

https://t.co/I0xn3XhQHO

[Colin Clark @ColinDefense]

@RichardMarlesMP How many interviews did the top Australian military officer ever give to shape the strategic environment or help the people who pay his bills understand how weapons programs are being managed and how effective they are???

[Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet @pmc_gov_au]

Statement PM @AlboMP: Australia-India Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation (2026) https://t.co/3QmF9EJCDQ

[Colin Clark @ColinDefense]

My new fave island!!! Tristan da Cunha - Wikipedia https://t.co/R1gXpcaFbs

[Colin Clark @ColinDefense]

China helps build the very network of allies it fears. https://t.co/4gXyFw0New

[Colin Clark @ColinDefense]

Breaking Defense was on this key issue a LNG time before the NYT--
https://t.co/ZxrwLZlv3m

The Revenge of the Philosophy Majors https://t.co/sdDdosvNTt via @NYTimes

[Colin Clark @ColinDefense]

@HormuzLetter Fees for navigation safety and improvements are acceptable for countries bordering a strait. NOTHING else. Granting passage for a fee is COMPLETE violation of international law

[Colin Clark @ColinDefense]

@StephenM Dear lyin' Stevie-- ANOTHER absurd hypothetical which CANNOT happen. Stevie, dear, a baby born on a foreign-registered ship could not become citizens. See the 1898 Wong Kim Ark precedent — No immigrants, no economic growth as US birth rate is too low