Michelle Kwon

The clash between military procurement schedules and venture funding remains a major hurdle for startups, but we’re starting to see progress with new programs and initiatives from the DOD. There's still ground to cover for startups to truly thrive on the global stage, but I’m optimistic about where this industry is heading. Thanks to Marc Vartabedian for highlighting this in The Wall Street Journal and including my take on how these dynamics are shaping the future of #defensetech.

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Curious about the role of startups in the US-China tech race? Check out this compelling Breaking Defense article featuring insights from our Offset Symposium! The article is full of thoughtful insights, like this take from Katherine Sutton, "I don’t think another Manhattan Project is really what the country needs... Going forward, I think our challenge, where we’re going to struggle, especially on the national security side, is the number of new technologies that are coming at us." Dive into the full article to explore how fostering innovation is key to national security: https://lnkd.in/g-64VeGn #Innovation #TechRace #Startups #NationalSecurity #SecondFrontSystems

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The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, which advises Congress on China, unanimously endorsed revoking China's permanent normalized trade relations (PNTR) in the annual report it issued this week. With rare bipartisan consensus on Beijing's threat to U.S. economic stability and national security, repealing China's PNTR could find a path forward in Congress.

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The US Response to China's Actions in the South China Sea ⚠ Recent events in the South China Sea have brought to light significant tensions in a region that is critical to global maritime trade and security. On August 31, the United States condemned what it termed "dangerous and escalatory" actions by China against lawful Philippine maritime operations. The situation in question involved a China Coast Guard vessel deliberately colliding with a Philippine Coast Guard vessel near Sabina Shoal, located within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ). According to the US State Department, this collision, which occurred three times, not only caused damage to the Philippine vessel but also endangered the lives of its crew. Such actions represent a significant breach of international maritime law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which governs the rights and responsibilities of nations in their use of the world's oceans. This incident is not isolated. It is part of a broader pattern of aggressive behaviour by China in the South China Sea, where it has been increasingly assertive in its territorial claims, often at the expense of its neighbours. Throughout August, similar confrontations have been reported, highlighting a growing trend of escalation that threatens regional stability. The United States, through its alliance with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations, has reiterated its commitment to upholding the principles of freedom of navigation and respect for international law. The US response, as articulated by State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller, reflects a broader strategy to counterbalance China's influence in the region and to support its allies in maintaining their sovereign rights. #SouthChinaSea #MaritimeSecurity #China #USPhilippines #Geopolitics #Dispute #SpotShip https://lnkd.in/e_9E-fdi

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Led by Anduril, defense tech funding sets a new record this year | TechCrunch https://buff.ly/4129kts Anduril, a leader in defense technology, has driven defense tech funding to an unprecedented high this year. Investments in this sector have surged, reflecting a growing interest in advanced military solutions and cutting-edge innovations. This milestone underscores the increasing importance of tech-driven defense initiatives in modern security strategies. As global tensions rise, there's a notable shift towards integrating AI, robotics, and autonomous systems into defense operations. The record-breaking funding highlights the critical role technology plays in national and international security landscapes. #DefenseTech #InnovationInSecurity

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[News Focus] [Lee tells Yoon that he has governed without political dialogue] Skeptics point to lackluster results of previous president-opposition leader meetings In their first meeting ever after President Yoon Suk Yeol seized power in 2022, main opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung on Monday told the conservative president that his two years in office has been a "time of dominance and ruling with the absence of politics." Ahead of their first official one-on-one meeting held Monday afternoon behind doors, Lee kicked off the event by thanking Yoon for setting up the meeting and expressed hope that it would become a cornerstone to present "new hope" for the Korean people, in a 15-minute opening remark. But the amicable remarks soon turned into criticism of Yoon's presidency, in line with the Democratic Party of Korea's parliamentary election campaign which was to "bring judgment to the current dictatorship regime." "I believe the public sentiment shown in the latest elections was a serious order (from the people) to correct national affairs," Lee told Yoon at the presidential office in Yongsan-gu, central Seoul. Tap below to read full story. #Yoon #administration #YoonSukYeol #presidency #Lee #LeeJaemyeong #Seoul #politics #Korea #SouthKorea #election #first #meeting #ever https://lnkd.in/gZnX-YHS

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Summary: Defense tech startups have raised almost $3 billion in funding so far in 2024, surpassing the previous record of $2.6 billion in 2022. The increase in funding is driven by a few large rounds and the growth of the European defense tech scene. Key takeaways: Defense tech funding has reached a new high in 2024, surpassing the previous record from 2022. The increase in funding is driven by a few large rounds, including a $1.5 billion Series F raised by weapons manufacturer Anduril. The European defense tech scene has also seen significant growth, with large rounds raised by companies like Helsing and an increase in new venture firms. Counter arguments: Some may argue that the increase in funding for defense tech startups is concerning, as it suggests a growing need for new technologies in the face of an increasingly dangerous world. Others may argue that this trend could lead to a proliferation of companies focused on developing weapons and surveillance tech, rather than addressing underlying issues that contribute to global conflicts. #defensetech #startups #venturecapital #fundraising

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4/29/24 Korean News and Commentary https://conta.cc/3Qs8ccn 1. N. Korea installs mines on inter-Korean road within DMZ 2. N. Korea decries U.S. shipment of long-range tactical missiles to Ukraine as 'mean' policy 3. Yoon's approval rating falls for 3 weeks straight to 30.2 pct 4. Hanwha Systems to break ground on space center on Jeju Island 5. Pukchang Military Airfield Modernization Making Progress 6. S. Korean ministers, Australian PM agree to enhance security, defense industry cooperation 7. North mined all roads connecting the two Koreas: JCS 8. North Korea’s Kim Jong Un seeks to build on Russia ties to resuscitate economy 9. Experts are guiding the U.S. to the wrong policy on North Korea: we must not accept Kim’s nuclear-weapon-program 10. N. Korea updates training video for overseas workers in response to Daily NK reports 11. N. Korean military orders end to violence at boot camps 12. Luxury on Display: Kim Jong-un’s motorcade challenges UN sanctions 13. AMCHAM spotlights education infrastructure as key to S. Korea’s Asia-Pacific hub success 14. Editorial: What’s going on in South Korea, pushing the ‘world’s top semiconductor cluster’? 15. After Zhao Leji’s Visit, What’s Next for China-North Korea Relations? 16. South Korea tries to Trump-proof the alliance 17. Deciphering North Korea’s Policy Shift: Annihilation of ROK vs. End of Kim Regime

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A few comments with Voice of America https://lnkd.in/gczYPRFg Stephen Nagy, director of policy research at the Yokosuka Center for Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS), told VOA that #Japan's special feature in cooperation with #NATO is that it is at the center of addressing challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. "Japan's location within the first island chain, its leadership in (building) a free and open Indo-Pacific, its strong ties with #SoutheastAsia, #India, and of course its partnership with the United States in the U.S.-Japan alliance, all mean that Japan is at the forefront of defense and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific." Nagy pointed out that in the field of defense, Japan will be an important partner of NATO, providing defense funding and building defense capabilities to prevent China from taking certain actions in the region; in diplomacy, Japan will communicate and build bridges with different regions of the Indo-Pacific, such as Southeast Asia and India, connecting other emerging institutions and many horizontal relationships, such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), the Japan-ROK-US cooperation agreement based on the Camp David principles, and the recent trilateral cooperation between Japan, the Philippines and the United States.

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🌏 How Tensions Over Taiwan Could Ignite Conflict 🌏 The escalating tensions between the U.S. and China over Taiwan are creating a precarious situation with global implications. As China increases military maneuvers near Taiwan, the U.S. reinforces its commitment to defending the island. A key statistic shows that China conducted over 1,700 sorties into Taiwan's air defense zone in 2022 alone. The geopolitical stakes are high, with potential economic and security impacts worldwide. 🔍 Explore the full analysis on what could trigger a conflict and its consequences. [Read more](https://lnkd.in/e2VZV8Xj) #Geopolitics #Taiwan #USChinaRelations #GlobalSecurity #EconomicImpact

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6/11/24 Korean News and Commentary https://conta.cc/4b0HgYJ 1. South Korean troops fired warning shots after North Korean soldiers briefly crossed land border 2. Third Meeting of Nuclear Consultative Group Enhances U.S., South Korea Alliance, Deterrence 3. S Korea, US complete review of joint guidelines to strengthen nuclear deterrence 4. Did Kim Jong-un Really Seek to Denuclearize? 5. Unification ministry mulls meeting with activists over anti-Pyongyang leaflet campaign 6. N. Korean soldiers briefly cross inter-Korean border, return after warning shots 7. N.K. leader sends message to Putin marking Russia's nat'l day 8. S. Korea welcomes U.N. Security Council's adoption of resolution for ceasefire in Gaza 9. S. Korean, U.S. defense officials visit key Army missile unit amid N.K. threats 10. Changes at North Korean Missile Operating Bases: Part 1 11. N. Korea's mass organizations lecture members about threats from abroad 12. North Korea restores train service to Russia, boosting hopes for tourists 13. North may be installing anti-South loudspeakers as balloon blitz continues 14. Chinese jets harassed Dutch warship on North Korea sanctions patrol: Netherlands 15. Sonic war: How propaganda loudspeakers have amplified inter-Korean strife

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The Future of Central Asian Integration in the Shadow of U.S.-China Confrontation Together with Abakhon Sultonazarov, we decided to consider issues of integration in Central Asia against the background of the emergence of such formats as the B5+1 and the China-Central Asia Secretariat. Here are our five key conclusions: 1. Central Asian countries increasingly delegate the process of institutionalizing regional cooperation to external actors like the U.S. and China, as evident from initiatives such as the B5+1 Business Forums and the China-Central Asia Secretariat. This delegation is partly due to the slow intraregional integration among the Central Asian states themselves, which often unite only in response to immediate threats or crises. 2. Both the U.S. and China have shaped their engagement in Central Asia around economic integration and security cooperation. These external powers contribute to institutional frameworks that promote strategic economic cooperation, as well as address regional security challenges. This includes fostering regular high-level summits and business forums aimed at enhancing regional economic ties. 3. While external involvement has brought structured dialogue and cooperation to the region, it also poses challenges to regional autonomy. Central Asian nations must balance the interests of influential external actors, which complicates finding common regional solutions and can influence domestic and foreign policies in favor of these more powerful partners. 4. Unlike regions with strong supranational coordinating bodies like the EU, Central Asia lacks a central coordinating mechanism, making it more reliant on external frameworks for institutional cooperation. The text suggests that adopting an approach similar to other intergovernmental organizations could help Central Asia increase its autonomy and internal cooperation by using effective coordination structures and a unified regional stance. 5. The U.S. and China have distinct approaches to their engagement in Central Asia. The U.S. tends to support business community involvement to promote economic integration and lower trade barriers, while China focuses on state-level cooperation, emphasizing infrastructure and long-term economic integration through initiatives like the One Belt, One Road project. This divergence reflects the broader strategic goals of each power in the region, with the U.S. emphasizing regional trade cooperation and democratic values and China focusing on creating economic dependencies and regional connectivity. https://lnkd.in/dJXwvxAC

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A paradigm shift is underway in defense, and Anduril Industries is leading the charge in driving this transformation.

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Really enjoyed my conversation with Johnny Wu on the AAAIM High Emerging Leaders in Investment podcast. AAAIM is doing so much important work in highlighting the disparity and challenges Asian Americans face in the finance and investing world. Being an emerging fund manager, I am seeing it firsthand myself now. Their studies have found substantial AAPI underrepresentation at the ownership level – only 2.4% of firms, 1.8% of funds, and .3% of AUM in the US are AAPI-owned. When looking at AAPI women in particular, a staggeringly low .01% of US AUM is managed by AAPI women. This is all despite the fact that AAPI-owned funds outperform non-AAPI-owned funds across most asset classes on a capital-weighted average basis. Nearly half of AAPI-owned PE funds appear in the top performance quartile; over 50% of AAPI-owned VC funds achieve top quartile performance as well. AAPI-owned hedge funds yield monthly returns of .50%, significantly outpacing the .19% monthly returns of their non-AAPI-owned counterparts. I look forward to meeting other Asian American investment managers at AAAIM Elevate next week in Los Angeles to discuss these challenges and how we can overcome them as a community.

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South Korea's defense industry is experiencing significant growth, aiming to become the world's fourth-largest defense exporter by 2027. This development could enhance South Korea’s security independence, yet it is unlikely to disrupt the strong U.S.-ROK military alliance. The U.S. may even benefit from increased collaboration, especially in areas like shipbuilding and military technology. As South Korea continues to build its defense capabilities, the partnership between these two nations remains vital and robust. For an in-depth analysis, read the full commentary by Hunter Slingbaum and Kaitlyn King at the Stimson Center. #USROK #DefenseIndustry #Security #MilitaryRelations https://lnkd.in/e6nxqgJ9

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Today in Asia Times, I wrote about the US Navy's "Project 33," a strategic initiative to counter China's growing naval power by 2027. The plan focuses on enhancing naval readiness, integrating AI, robotics, and autonomous systems, and addressing ship maintenance and recruitment challenges. Despite this, the US still faces shipbuilding capacity issues, creating a vulnerability against China's rapidly expanding navy. The article highlights the gap between US and Chinese naval shipbuilding, with China's shipyards significantly outpacing the US. The US is exploring technology-driven solutions, such as autonomous systems and multi-domain operations, to mitigate this. However, outdated kill chains and reliance on legacy vessels could expose weaknesses in a potential conflict.

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