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<ul class="summary-list"><li>China and Russia are competing with the US for influence in Latin America, a top US commander said.</li><li>Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson cited China's Belt and Road Initiative and Russia's deepening ties.</li></ul>Russia and China are trying to compete with the US for influence in Latin America, according to the US Southern Command commander.Speaking at the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3843634/russia-china-vying-for-influence-in-southern-hemisphere-with-us/">Aspen Security Forum</a> in Colorado last week, Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson pointed to Russia's growing economic and diplomatic ties with countries in the region, as well as China's Belt and Road Initiative expanding across Latin America."I'd say China is playing chess — they have a long-term view — they're setting the theater," she said, pointing to the 25 Latin American countries that have already signed up to its global infrastructure development plan.Richardson said China's investments "cover almost the entire region," in projects ranging from metro stations to railways, telecommunications, and dams "under the guise of economics."She expressed concerns in particular about Chinese investments in critical infrastructure, like deep-water ports, cybersecurity, energy, and space, being used for military purposes."This is a global problem," she added.While China is "playing chess," Richardson said Russia is "playing checkers."She cited its short-term objectives of destabilizing the US democratic system through the media, as well as its diplomatic ties.Russian officials paid visits to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://t.me/MID_Russia/43382">Nicaragua</a> and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://t.me/MID_Russia/43388">Cuba</a> last week, and Russian observers are set to be in Venezuela for the upcoming presidential elections on July 28, Russian State Duma Chairperson Vyacheslav Volodin <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.interfax.ru/world/971759">told Interfax-Russia</a>.According to a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-july-21-2024">report</a> by the Institute for the Study of War, this is likely part of ongoing Kremlin efforts to project its influence in the Western hemisphere and rally states against the US and the West.Belarus — a close Russian ally — also paid visits to Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua to sign bilateral economic and trade deals, possibly as part of Russian plans to use Belarus to evade Western sanctions, the ISW said.The US, meanwhile, has suffered from "South blindness" and has overlooked the region, Richardson <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3100865/southcom-commander-this-is-our-neighborhood/">said</a>."We need to realize how resource-rich this neighborhood is and how close our competitors and adversaries are in the region," she told forum attendees.In 2021 <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-military-special-operations-countering-russia-chinese-influence-2021-4">testimony</a> to Congress, Adm. Craig Faller, the then-SOUTHCOM commander, said his command was partnering with US Special Operations Command to counter Russian and Chinese information operations aimed at shaping local perspectives in their favor.Kevin Riehle, a former FBI counterintelligence officer, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-world-deep-cover-russia-spies-infiltrating-west-putin-agents-2023-12">told BI</a> last December that Russia was using South America to obtain fake identities for its spies.And in a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/suspected-china-spy-bases-cuba-growing-near-us-sites-report-2024-7">report</a> last month, the Washington, DC-based Center for Strategic and International Studies identified potential spy bases in Cuba that are believed to be linked to China.Daniel P. Erikson, deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Western Hemisphere, also warned of Chinese and Russian threats in Latin America at an Atlantic Council <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3674516/defense-official-says-countering-china-russia-in-western-hemisphere-requires-mu/">event</a> in February.Erikson said it was "critical" for the US to engage with the region — be it in defense, cyber, or other areas — to meet the core national security needs of the countries there."I also think that across US industry, there really needs to be a deeper dive into what we can do to provide Latin American and Caribbean countries with the capabilities that they require at a price that they can afford," he added.Evan Ellis, a research professor of Latin American studies at the US Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, said that, given the region's importance, US Southern Command has dedicated "far" too few resources to it.Ellis, who previously served on the secretary of state's policy planning staff with responsibility for Latin America and the Caribbean, said the lack of resources may reflect a focus on the Indo-Pacific due to China's growing strength and aggression in the region, as well as the US' attention on other regions, including the Middle East and Ukraine.Latin America, in the post-Cold War era, has not seen major wars, the prospect of nuclear weapons, or US rivals seeking to establish military bases and alliances directly, he said."Nonetheless, the economic needs of Latin America and weak governance in many cases have opened the door for predatory, non-transparent deals, particularly with the PRC, which has expanded its influence," he said, using the initials of the People's Republic of China.Meanwhile, "authoritarian regimes in some states, such as Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua, have also been willing to open their doors to Russia and Iran, which pose strategic threats to the United States," he said.

Russia and China are gaining ground on the US in Latin America, US commander says

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Ukraine's military has been using its long-range weapons to attack Russian command posts.</li><li>Such attacks have affected Russian command and control, disrupting its troops' ability to operate.</li></ul>Ukraine's success in destroying Russian command posts has raised a troubling question for the US military: If Ukraine can do this to Russian headquarters, can other militaries, especially China's, do it to American HQs?Command posts are battlefield nodes for commanders, intelligence and communications specialists, and other troops who oversee military operations. They are usually packed with electronic equipment and are hubs for vehicle traffic, giving them a distinct electronic and physical footprint.In recent wars, facing diminished threats from the air and long-range weapons, US Army command posts have gotten larger, with more people and more emissions, and can easily be spotted and struck by the sensors and precision weapons now crowding the battlefield."Our command posts have mutated away from the lean, mean, killing machines we need and are instead fat and ponderous," three American officers said in an essay in <a href="https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/May-June-2023/Graveyard-of-Command-Posts/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Military Review</a>, the Army's professional journal.<div type="image" title="Army command post Fort Irwin" height="796" width="1200" msid="101546386" hostid="261"></div>The Ukraine war illustrates that the most vulnerable part of an army is its brain. Disrupt its command and control, and even the strongest unit becomes almost helpless.That's exactly what Ukraine did in summer 2022 when it used new US-supplied <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fighting-in-eastern-ukraine-showed-benefits-and-limitations-of-himars-2023-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HIMARS GPS-guided rockets to target Russian command posts</a> near the front lines. The resulting disruption helped Ukraine take large swathes of territory.In battles around Chornobaivka, near the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, Ukrainian strikes hit Russian command posts, known as CPs, at least 22 times and killed the commander of the 49th Combined Arms Army."This sapped Russian momentum and prevented consolidation of gains, which ultimately led to their expulsion," said the essay's authors, who included Lt. Gen. Milford Beagle Jr., the commander of the US Army's Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.This may be a major reason for the stunningly poor performance of Russian troops in Ukraine."Pinning Russian woes solely on ineptitude, while true to some extent, downplays the effect Ukrainians are having in systematically dismantling their enemy's command-and-control system through multidomain targeting," the authors wrote.Coping with these attacks undercuts Russian-command efficiency. Russian HQs were pulled back some 75 miles from the front lines, which "imposed significant tactical challenges on Russian forces," a recent <a href="https://rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/special-resources/meatgrinder-russian-tactics-second-year-its-invasion-ukraine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> by Britain's Royal United Services Institute think tank said.<div type="image" title="Russian army command post Ukraine" height="677" width="902" msid="101546389" hostid="261"></div>The problem is that US Army CPs are just as vulnerable: "Contemporary tented command posts — with their radio frequency emitting antennas, dozens of generators and vehicles, and extensive support requirements — are easily targetable to even the untrained eye," the Military Review article said.This is the result of command and control becoming more sophisticated, as command posts must send and receive a constant stream of information. The price is that they are burdened with more tasks and equipment. In addition, years of counterinsurgency and small wars against opponents who lacked the means to target command centers have led to complacency."Western command posts have significant challenges with survivability," especially for higher-level HQs, the authors wrote, adding: "Even where efforts have been made to improve the mobility of command posts, our inability to hide the multispectral signatures of these massive structures coupled with persistent battlefield surveillance and precision weapons negates any benefit achieved."Unsurprisingly, China has focused on <a href="https://warontherocks.com/2021/09/confronting-chaos-a-new-concept-for-information-advantage/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">disrupting US command-and-control</a> capabilities. Should war come over Taiwan, China could employ a variety of means, including jamming, cyberwarfare, and attacks on communications satellites.<div type="image" title="US Army command post" height="800" width="1200" msid="101546394" hostid="261"></div>This isn't the first time the issue has come up. After World War II, former German panzer generals <a href="https://archive.org/details/natounderattackw0000mell/page/n5/mode/2up" target="_blank" rel="noopener">commented</a> that NATO command posts had become too large, while German commanders had been able to conduct mobile warfare with much-smaller CPs.Today's armies can hardly go back to the pre-Napoleonic days of tiny staffs and generals who personally led their troops into battle. Sensor-to-shooter chains and hypersonic missiles will enable ever-quicker strikes against enemy command centers.But there are ways to at least partially mitigate risk. One is to move command posts further from the lines and fortify them against bombardment or special-forces raids. Russia has also turned to a more-old-fashioned solution: getting off the radio."This has often been achieved by commandeering the Ukrainian telecommunications network on the occupied territories, which is dense and robust," the Royal United Services Institute report said. "The Russian military then connects its CPs to the closest point in the civilian network via extended ground-laid telecommunications cables."<div type="image" title="Army soldiers command post" height="833" width="2000" msid="101546395" hostid="261"></div>Command posts connect with supporting units, such as air defense, via micro radio links through relay vehicles.The Military Review article suggested the creation of "data-centric command posts" that would take advantage of technology such as the cloud. Command and control would be offered as a service as needed, creating such a small footprint in which CPs could be carried in a few armored vehicles."If we envision our command posts as less of a place or a thing and more as a service, it may be possible to vastly increase our agility," the authors wrote. "What happens if a corps, division, or brigade commander arrives, takes control of any command post, and receives the capability of the appropriate echelon with a push of a button?"Another solution may be virtual reality."In a virtual world, commanders could replicate, expand, traverse, and interact as needed with their entire physical command post and never have to leave the room or vehicle they are in," the authors added.Virtual reality would enable command posts to remain in secure locations far from the front. But this could also raise the specter of the "<a href="https://www.theleadermaker.com/chateau-generals/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">chateau generals</a>" of World War I, who were mocked by their troops for never going near the trenches and remaining ignorant of what the war was really like.Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds a master's in political science. Follow him on <a href="https://www.twitter.com/@mipeck1" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fin%2Fmipeck%2F&amp;amazonTrackingID=null&amp;site=bi&amp;vikingID=63a0ec69c4cc6f36ff0dbbd6&amp;platform=browser&amp;sc=false&amp;disabled=false&amp;sessionID=1666393597540n9zaize3&amp;postID=63bea56b722a6808e94c1dd5" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noindex noopener sponsored">LinkedIn</a>.

Ukraine's attacks on Russian commanders have the US Army worried about its own 'fat and ponderous' command posts

<ul class="summary-list"><li>More than six months after Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre, Israel is still fighting the militants in Gaza.</li><li>The IDF has managed to kill some of Hamas' top commanders, but it continues to hunt down others.</li></ul>More than six months into its war in Gaza, Israel has little to show for its efforts. It has been unable to kill or capture the most senior members of Hamas' leadership, and its scorched-earth offensive has left a trail of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-pounding-gaza-massive-spice-kit-bombs-2023-12">death and destruction</a> in its wake.Israel's inability thus far to eliminate the top Hamas commanders it wants most is complicating ones of its stated war aims: crushing the militant group. Officials have said that the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/researchers-mapped-gaza-damage-buildings-destroyed-israel-hamas-2023-12">devastating war</a> — triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7 massacre that killed some 1,200 people — will continue until the country achieves its goals, which include returning all the hostages, destroying Hamas, and demilitarizing the entirety of Gaza.But securing these objectives in full is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-no-win-situation-gaza-after-months-war-crush-hamas-2024-1">proving to be elusive</a> for the Israel Defense Forces, or IDF. Fears are growing that many of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hamas-may-not-have-enough-living-hostages-for-cease-fire-deal-61606c66?mod=hp_lead_pos3">remaining hostages</a> may already be dead, Israeli clearing operations throughout Gaza have not prevented Hamas from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/idf-retreat-al-shifa-hospital-palestinians-rubble-dead-rcna147061">returning to areas</a> that were once the sites of hard-fought and bloody battles, and there doesn't seem to be a clear consensus on a workable post-war governance plan.Israel has claimed that it has eliminated a significant number of mid- to senior-level commanders of Hamas' military wing, known as the al-Qassam Brigades. In December, for instance, the IDF <a target="_blank" href="https://videoidf.azureedge.net/1543a902-563c-4939-8393-7256844f7c38">released a photo</a> purporting to show multiple commanders it had killed.<div type="image" title="Israeli soldiers are seen near the Gaza Strip border in southern Israel on March 4, 2024." height="3744" width="5616" msid="109272057" hostid="261" sizebytes="500192"></div>A mid-March Israeli airstrike killed Marwan Issa, the deputy head of Hamas' military wing who had been hiding in an underground compound in central Gaza, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.idf.il/185100">according</a> to the IDF.Jake Sullivan, who serves as the White House national security advisor, identified Issa as Hamas' "number three" in Gaza and said that after his death last month that Israel had "killed thousands of Hamas fighters, including senior commanders."The exact number of militants killed is unclear. Israel said in late-February that it had <a target="_blank" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-12000-hamas-fighters-killed-in-gaza-war-double-the-terror-groups-claim/">killed 12,000 members</a> of Hamas' 30,000-strong pre-war force. Hamas, by contrast, claimed at the time that its death toll was only half of that figure.As of this week, more than 33,000 Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7, including 25,000 women and children, according to figures released by Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. The death toll, which is cited by the United Nations, does not distinguish between civilians and combatants.<div type="image" title="Palestinians walk through the destruction in the wake of an Israeli air and ground offensive in Khan Younis on April 8, 2024." height="5492" width="8238" msid="109272060" hostid="261" sizebytes="2268502"></div>Israel has also managed to strike at Hamas' political wing, which operates in exile in Qatar.An <a target="_blank" href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/saleh-al-arouri-mastermind-of-hamas-terrorism-in-west-bank-hostage-deal-negotiator/">early January explosion</a> in a Beirut suburb eliminated Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy head of Hamas' <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/what-hamas">political bureau</a>, which is often referred to as its politburo. He was the militant group's senior official in Lebanon, responsible for maintaining ties with Hezbollah, another Iran-backed proxy force like Hamas.And more recently, on Wednesday, the IDF and Israel's Shin Bet security agency confirmed in a joint <a target="_blank" href="https://t.me/idfofficial/7409">announcement</a> that an airstrike in central Gaza had killed three sons of Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas' political wing.All three men were known to be Hamas military operatives, Israel said. Haniyeh <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/68783840">responded</a> to their deaths by stating that this incident would not change his demands to stop the fighting.<div type="image" title="Smoke rises to the sky after an explosion in Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel on April 4, 2024." height="1448" width="2166" msid="109272063" hostid="261" sizebytes="57316"></div>But several <a target="_blank" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/03/12/israel-gaza-hamas-leaders/">top Hamas military leaders</a>, including those most wanted by Israel, remain at-large. This includes figures such as Yahya Sinwar, the overall head of the organization in Gaza, his brother Mohammed, a leader in the al-Qassam Brigades, and Mohammed Deif, who is the commander of the military wing."The rest of the top leaders are in hiding, likely deep in the Hamas tunnel network," Sullivan said during a March White House briefing. "And justice will come for them too, and we are helping to ensure that."Hamas' vast and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/israel-invasion-gaza-hamas-hardest-fighting-underground-tunnels-warfare-2023-10">sophisticated tunnel network</a> underneath Gaza — where the militants have been able to hide and facilitate the movement of weapons, and from which they can launch surprise assaults — has proven to be a headache for Israeli forces.Retired Maj. Gen. Charlie Herbert, a former officer in the British army, told Business Insider that Hamas leaders who are hiding below ground are able to maintain operational, personal, and communications security there.<div type="image" title="A supporter of the Iran-backed Houthi militia holds a poster of Yahya Sinwar during a protest marking Jerusalem Day in support of Palestinians in Yemen on April 5, 2024." height="1446" width="2174" msid="109272065" hostid="261" sizebytes="158640"></div>Israel's inability to kill them is less of an intelligence failure, said Herbert, who has also served as the senior NATO advisor to Afghanistan's interior ministry, and more that the country has yet to link any intelligence success it does have with an effective kinetic strike targeting the senior leaders.Israel has found "no real success" at getting Sinwar over the last six months, Herbert said. What it needs to do instead, he argued, is pivot away from major combat operations toward a more targeted and methodical campaign that also reduces civilian casualties, allows displaced Palestinians to return to their homes, and boosts the flow of humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.Herbert said the Israeli military should "retain freedom of maneuver into Gaza for their military forces as and when they require and conduct an intelligence-driven counter-terrorist strategy, whacking Hamas as and when you can do."Indeed, on Thursday, the IDF announced it was beginning a "precise operation" in central Gaza, seemingly marking a new phase in its efforts to hunt down Hamas leaders. It was unclear if the move came in direct response to the killings of Haniyeh's sons the day prior.<div type="image" title="Israeli soldiers work on tanks at a staging ground near the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel on April 11, 2024." height="3744" width="5616" msid="109272066" hostid="261" sizebytes="1236372"></div>"Overnight, the 162nd Division began a precise, intelligence-based operation to eliminate terrorist operatives and strike terrorist infrastructure in central Gaza," the IDF said in a <a target="_blank" href="https://t.me/idfofficial/7411">statement</a> shared to the Telegram messaging platform. What that may look like is a mystery though.The IDF announcement came just days after the IDF withdrew its forces from the southern city of Khan Younis. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the move was to prepare for "future missions," including a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/netanyahu-says-civilians-in-rafah-can-just-move-away-from-an-israeli-ground-invasion">planned offensive in Rafah</a>, where scores of civilians are sheltering.The potential Rafah assault has drawn <a target="_blank" href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/biden-administration-odds-israel-plans-rafah-invasion/story?id=109046510">concern and pushback</a> from Western governments, including the Biden administration, amid rising international criticism of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-israel-tensions-boil-after-un-ceasefire-vote-rafah-plans-2024-3">Israel's aggressive military campaign</a> as the death toll continues to mount and the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen.

Israel is struggling to find and kill the top Hamas commanders it wants most

<ul class="summary-list"><li>US officials and lawmakers have for years voiced concern about growing US influence in <keyword id="11962841" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="latin-america" source="Orion">Latin America</keyword>.</li><li>For military and national-security leaders, that influence has security implications for the US.</li></ul>As the US increases its focus on global competition with <keyword id="11892748" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="china" source="Orion">China</keyword>, officials have <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/southcom-4-ways-china-is-growing-influence-in-latin-america-2019-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">singled out Beijing's inroads into Latin America</a> as a growing threat to countries there and to US interests in the region.At recent congressional hearings and public events, those officials have cautioned that China is investing in digital and physical infrastructure, natural resources and extractive industries, and in political and military relationships across Latin America and the Caribbean in a multipronged effort to secure access and influence and gain leverage over countries there in order to advance its own commercial and strategic interests.Although China's engagement with the region has focused on economic ties and it has not established a military presence there, US military commanders, national-security officials, and lawmakers believe Beijing's investments have implications for US security.At an August 2021 hearing on her nomination to lead <keyword id="14128431" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="us-southern-command" source="Orion">US Southern Command</keyword>, which is responsible for Central and South America, Gen. Laura Richardson said China comes to the region "with very sophisticated plans in order to capture the interests of the countries, willing to loan billions of dollars."<div type="image" title="Laura Richardson Southern Command Buenos Aires Argentina" height="1266" width="1688" msid="92039398" hostid="261"></div>"I look at that from the military lens of projecting and sustaining military power for the [Chinese People's Liberation Army] with this expansion," Richardson said at the time.Richardson's remarks echoed those of her predecessor, Adm. Craig Faller, who <a href="https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/Faller_03-16-21.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> the Senate Armed Services Committee in March 2021, his final appearance as commander, that China was "rapidly advancing" toward its goal of "economic dominance" in Latin America within the next decade.Beijing "is also seeking to establish global logistics and basing infrastructure in our hemisphere in order to project and sustain military power at greater distances," Faller told lawmakers.At a hearing on China's presence in the region in April, Sen. Marco Rubio, citing <a href="https://www.uscc.gov/annual-report/2021-annual-report-congress" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a report</a> by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, said China is using its economic heft and political ties to convince countries there to make decisions that favor Beijing and "undermine democracy and free markets."The same report, Rubio added, said China's military seeks "to deepen its engagement in the region by funding the construction of ports, space programs, and other dual-use infrastructure that frankly is pretty clear it appears to have a limited economic purpose but could serve as future operating bases, even of rotational bases, for a hostile navy close to our nation's shores."<h2>Strategic concerns</h2><div type="image" title="Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Panama Canal" height="1513" width="2000" msid="92039399" hostid="261"></div>China has become a major trading partner for most of Latin America and the Caribbean. Its trade with the region <a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/review-essay/2022-02-24/latin-america-looks-east" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has risen</a> from $18 billion in 2002 to $450 billion last year.The region's largest countries have attracted Chinese investment in agricultural commodities as well as in ecommerce and other technology, including <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/24/technology/ecuador-surveillance-cameras-police-government.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">surveillance technology</a>. Smaller, resource-rich countries in Latin America have attracted Chinese interest in mineral wealth and oil exploration.Chinese firms have also pursued infrastructure projects across the region — many as part of Beijing's sprawling <keyword id="12209625" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="belt-and-road-initiative" source="Orion">Belt and Road Initiative</keyword> — but especially in areas that facilitate access into or around the continent.Richardson has said the Chinese presence around the <keyword id="14128432" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="panama-canal" source="Orion">Panama Canal</keyword> and near the <keyword id="14128433" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="strait-of-magellan" source="Orion">Strait of Magellan</keyword> are her "two greatest concerns, strategically."The canal is one of the world's most important trade corridors, particularly for goods flowing between the US and East Asia. It is "a strategic line of communication that we want to keep free and open for the global economy but also for our global war plans," Richardson told senators in March.China has invested billions of dollars in projects around the canal and Chinese state-owned enterprises are present "on either side," Richardson said. "What I worry about Chinese state-owned enterprises that have capability and infrastructure there is that they can be used for dual use, which means civilian but also military."<div type="image" title="Navy aircraft carrier George Washington in Strait of Magellan" height="1320" width="2000" msid="92039400" hostid="261"></div>The Strait of Magellan sees less traffic but remains an important route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, including aircraft carriers too big for the canal, and is close to resource-rich Antarctica. China's presence in ports and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/r-chinas-military-run-space-station-in-argentina-is-a-black-box-2019-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">other projects</a> "around the tip of the southern cone" of South America is worrisome, Richardson said.US concerns about Chinese activity around the canal reflect a worry that such a presence "would give China at least some of the information" needed to understand trade and transit activity there and "to make decisions with security-related implications based on that information," Margaret Myers, director of the Asia and Latin America Program at the Inter-American Dialogue, told Insider.Richardson's counterpart at <keyword id="12554868" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="us-northern-command" source="Orion">US Northern Command</keyword>, which is responsible for North America and parts of the Caribbean, has expressed similar concerns. "China's very aggressive in the Bahamas right now," Gen. Glen VanHerck told the House Armed Services Committee in April 2021."They have the largest embassy in the Bahamas right now, and they continue to buy up [the] tourism industry to have access and influence," VenHerck said at the time, adding that those Chinese projects "do have access right now to an overwatch, if you will, of our Navy <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/navy-area-51-autec-in-the-bahamas-2016-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">test and training facilities</a>, which is very, very concerning."In the Caribbean, China sees similarities to its own "southeast maritime approaches," said R. Evan Ellis, a research professor of Latin American studies at the US Army War College."It sees exactly the same space — a space that has political importance, military importance, as well as economic importance" as a logistical hub and transit area connecting the US and Central and South America and points beyond, Ellis told Insider in late 2021.<div type="image" title="China navy hospital ship Peace Ark in Guayaquil Ecuador" height="1333" width="2000" msid="92039401" hostid="261"></div>Chinese military basing in Latin America is still "rather hypothetical" Myers told Insider, "but there's a sense that based on the sorts of investments that we see in areas of strategic interest to the US and some of the investments that we see in ports with potential dual-use capacity that things are headed in that direction."China set up its first overseas military base in Djibouti in East Africa in 2017 and is reportedly seeking a military presence in other regions, including the Middle East and West Africa. In <a href="https://www.congress.gov/117/meeting/house/114486/witnesses/HHRG-117-AS00-Wstate-RichardsonL-20220308.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">written testimony</a> to the House committee, Richardson expressed concern about China abusing "commercial agreements at host country ports for military functions," citing Chinese actions <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reviews/out?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wsj.com%2Farticles%2Fus-china-uae-military-11637274224" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in the United Arab Emirates</a>.China appears to have "some appetite to explore" a military presence in the Western Hemisphere but that is tempered by the proximity to the United States, a US analyst of Chinese foreign policy told Insider.China will likely "explore what it looks like to establish more significant military relationships in Africa or in the Pacific before they try something like that in the Western Hemisphere because of how much more likely a strong US reaction would be," the analyst said, requesting anonymity because of professional commitments.While China doesn't have a military presence in Latin America, the US military may have already experienced the impact of its influence there.In March 2021, US Coast Guard cutter Stone was <a href="https://warontherocks.com/2021/03/a-new-great-game-finds-the-south-atlantic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">turned away</a> from a port call in Argentina, which has developed close economic and political ties with China."We were going to do a port call in Argentina, and then Argentina has got some relational business arrangement things with China," Adm. Karl Schultz, the Coast Guard commandant at the time, said in May 2021. "We didn't end up going into Argentina, but it sort of starts to show people's allegiances and alignments."<h2>'A very close eye' on China</h2><div type="image" title="China UN peacekeeper Haiti" height="1453" width="2000" msid="92039402" hostid="261"></div>While some Latin American countries nurture ties with China for ideological reasons, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-military-wary-of-chinas-military-economic-presence-in-venezuela-2019-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seeking to counter the US</a>, others have grown wary of Beijing because of US warnings and those countries' own <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/24/world/americas/ecuador-china-dam.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">experiences</a>.In Panama, Chinese investment expanded after then-President Juan Carlos Varela <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/panama-china-relations-2017-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recognized</a> Beijing over Taiwan in 2017. After President Laurentino Cortizo took office in 2019, projects around the canal were canceled or withdrawn for what Mari Carmen Aponte, the Biden administration's nominee for ambassador to Panama, said were "the right reasons, meaning because there was non-compliance of the contract."At her confirmation hearing in May, Aponte told lawmakers she would "keep a very close eye" on agreements the Chinese have made in Panama, as "they seem to over-promise but not necessarily to deliver."Such warnings have also irritated Latin American leaders, many of whom hear the paternalism that has <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ilhan-omar-elliott-abrams-testimony-on-venezuela-central-america-2019-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">often characterized</a> US policy toward the region. Many leaders want to <a href="https://www.americasquarterly.org/article/latin-america-doesnt-want-a-new-cold-war/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">avoid taking sides</a> in the competition between Beijing and Washington but welcome Chinese engagement because they see it as offering what the US is <a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/review-essay/2022-02-24/latin-america-looks-east" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unable or unwilling</a> to provide, like expanded trade, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/neighbors-see-chance-to-play-us-china-in-vaccine-race-2021-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coronavirus vaccines</a>, or infrastructure investment.Richardson often notes that 21 of the 31 countries in Southern Command's area of responsibility have signed onto China's Belt and Road Initiative and told the House Armed Services Committee this spring that several of its multibillion-dollar projects were particularly worrying, among them a $5.6 billion highway in Jamaica and a $3.9 billion metro project in Colombia, a close US ally."This region is rich in resources, and the Chinese don't go there to invest. They go there to extract," Richardson said of those projects.<div type="image" title="China Li Keqiang Jamaica Andrew Holness" height="900" width="1200" msid="92039404" hostid="261"></div>At an event in Washington, DC, in April, Jamaica's prime minister, Andrew Holness, <a href="https://www.press.org/events/npc-newsmaker-prime-minister-andrew-holness-jamaica" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> US concerns about Chinese projects there were "totally unwarranted" and that China has pursued investments in Jamaica for "a long time while the US has been looking all over the place.""We would want to see more US investment in Jamaica, but Jamaica can't postpone its development needs until the US decides to come in," Holness said.Sergio Guzmán, director of Colombia Risk Analysis, a political risk consultancy, said that when Colombia has issued tenders for infrastructure projects, "US companies are completely AWOL.""So how can the US blame Colombia for giving them over to Chinese bidders, who are, by the way, the lowest bidders?" Guzmán told Insider.The Biden administration's signature <keyword id="6356001" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="international" source="Orion">international</keyword> development effort, Build Back Better World, <a href="https://prospect.org/politics/build-back-better-dies-again/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">has foundered</a>, and US private-sector investment has been hard to attract to the region, either because of the overall environment or because the opportunities, particularly infrastructure projects, aren't well suited for American firms."There are efforts to try to increase and incentivize US investment in Latin America and the Caribbean now. The problem is that a lot of these initiatives are private-sector-led," Myers said, "and in a moment in time when the investment environments aren't necessarily improving in Latin America, it's very difficult to generate that interest."<div type="image" title="Military officers meet during Panamax exercise" height="1429" width="2000" msid="92039406" hostid="261"></div>The US Defense Department is involved in some infrastructure projects, largely through the Corps of Engineers, but their total value is a fraction of what China has offered, Richardson said this spring.Richardson and other officials say the US military's best asset for engagement is security cooperation — military education, training, and other exchanges that build on the US's already extensive partnerships in the region.China "doesn't have partners. We have partners. We have exercises where I have 29 countries that participate," Richardson told the House Armed Services Committee in March, referring to the annual Panamax exercise, which simulates defense of the Panama Canal.China's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-us-is-watching-chinese-influence-with-latin-american-militaries-2020-12" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defense cooperation with Latin American countries</a> "is far less" than that of the US, "but it does exist and the overall trend line has been going up," Daniel Erikson, deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Western Hemisphere, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4x0GjgzFvs&amp;list=PLb0XJybQSgVhRVmqX9qyeHTJd14ITH2vY&amp;index=5&amp;ab_channel=FIUGordonInstitute" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> at a conference in May.The Pentagon is trying to "be more proactive" about engaging with countries in the region on issues relevant to them, such as training and exercises or in specific areas like cyber defense, Erikson said."As the overall security dynamic in the relationship evolves, what we need to do to out-compete evolves as well," Erikson added. "That's something that we're working very hard to stay on top of."

The US military is watching China's presence grow in Latin America, and it doesn't like where things are going

Human activities and their urban expansion are increasingly intruding upon wildlife habitats. This has forced animals into dangerous proximity with human infrastructure, resulting in a tragic surge of accidental deaths among animal populations. The situation is no different in Tamil Nadu, which has been grappling with the issue of <keyword id="21240191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="elephant-deaths" source="keywords">elephant deaths</keyword> on and near its railway tracks. The southern state has recorded at least 36 fatalities from train collisions over the past decade. In response to this pressing issue, the state's high court mandated collaborative efforts between the forest department and railways to curb these incidents. To address this issue, Tamil Nadu has now sought help from the phenomenon that promises to change the world as we know it: <keyword id="19904566" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="artificial-intelligence" source="keywords">artificial intelligence</keyword> (<keyword id="6355999" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="AI" source="Orion">AI</keyword>). Installing 12 towers equipped with advanced <keyword id="7885611" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AI-cameras" source="Orion">AI cameras</keyword> along two key rail tracks near Madukkarai, the state forest department aims to detect and prevent elephant-train collisions, particularly along routes intersecting the elephants' migratory paths. Each tower is outfitted with AI cameras capable of thermal and visible light imaging, comparable to those deployed by the Indian Army along the nation's borders. These cameras are programmed to detect elephants and humans near railway lines. When elephants are spotted within 100 feet of the tracks, alerts are swiftly relayed to forest and railway authorities, enabling them to mitigate risks by slowing down trains and guiding the animals away from harm's way. The project has been executed at a cost of ₹7.2 crore since its launch in February this year, Supriya Sahu, secretary of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, told the BBC. But the AI-based surveillance system has proved its worth by demonstrating promising results, detecting nearly 400 instances of elephants approaching railway tracks and facilitating timely interventions to prevent potential accidents. This proactive approach marks a significant improvement over traditional methods, such as regular patrols by forest personnel, which often proved inadequate in ensuring elephant safety. Encouraged by the success of this initiative, Tamil Nadu plans to expand the AI-based system to five additional vulnerable areas across the state, including Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Hosur and Gudalur. This strategic expansion underscores the state's commitment to safeguarding wildlife and mitigating <keyword id="20694291" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="human-wildlife-conflicts" source="keywords">human-wildlife conflicts</keyword> through innovative technological solutions. Moreover, Tamil Nadu's adoption of AI technology reflects a broader trend in India, where initiatives like the Gajraj project — spearheaded by the federal railway ministry — aim to protect wildlife in elephant corridors across multiple states. By leveraging AI-based surveillance systems to monitor animal movements near railway tracks, these initiatives strive to prevent accidents and foster better coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Tamil Nadu is using army-grade AI surveillance to prevent elephant deaths on railway tracks, and it’s working!

The <keyword id="20161413" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-film-industry" source="keywords">Indian film industry</keyword> ranks among the world's largest producers. Although Hindi films traditionally hold sway over audiences, Southern language films have made notable inroads into the Hindi-speaking regions, garnering significant appreciation. In recent years, South Indian cinema has gained widespread recognition, captivating audiences nationwide with its dynamic narratives and action-packed plots. However, these films have enjoyed cult status across India for quite some time. Consequently, a surge of South Indian actors has made their mark in the list of the top 10 highest-paid Indian actors. Forbes has compiled data from IMDB to unveil the top 10 <keyword id="22030970" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="highest-paid-actors-in-India" source="Orion">highest-paid actors in India</keyword>, making for an intriguing list. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rank </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Actor Name </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Approximate Fee Charged Per Movie </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Shah Rukh Khan </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rs150 crores-250 crores </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rajinikanth </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rs150 crores-210 crores </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Joseph Vijay </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rs130 crores-200 crores </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Prabhas </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rs100 crores-200 crores </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Aamir Khan </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rs100 crores-175 crores </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">6. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Salman Khan </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rs100 crores-150 crores </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">7. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Kamal Haasan </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rs100 crores-150 crores </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">8. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Allu Arjun </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rs100 crores-125 crores </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">9. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Akshay Kumar </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rs60 crores-145 crores </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">10. </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Ajith Kumar </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.62499975pt;vertical-align:middle;padding:6pt 6pt 6pt 6pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rs105 crores </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table><cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="1. Shahrukh Khan" comment="subhead" text="1. Shahrukh Khan">1. Shahrukh Khan</cmsannotation> With an approximate net worth of Rs. 6300 crores, Shah Rukh Khan, often referred to as King Khan, has experienced his fair share of setbacks in his career. However, that hasn't hindered him from delivering two consecutive blockbusters in 2023, "Jawan" and "Pathaan," both surpassing Rs. 2000 crores worldwide. His latest release, "Dunki," continues to rake in significant earnings, showcasing his enduring star power. Shah Rukh Khan has painstakingly built his career, consistently shattering records and solidifying his status as the highest-paid Bollywood star. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="2. Rajinikanth" comment="subhead" text="2. Rajinikanth">2. Rajinikanth</cmsannotation> With an approximate net worth of Rs. 430 crore, Rajinikanth stands as the <keyword id="6818153" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Highest-paid-actor" source="Orion">highest-paid actor</keyword> in South India. Revered almost like a living deity in Southern India and beyond, his mere presence in a film draws enthusiastic crowds. he has predominantly worked in Tamil cinema. Rajinikanth's latest outing, "Jailer," an action comedy, proved to be a box office hit, for which he commanded a fee of Rs. 110 crores. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="3. Joseph Vijay" comment="subhead" text="3. Joseph Vijay">3. Joseph Vijay</cmsannotation> Joseph Vijay Chandrasekhar, also known as Thalapathy Vijay, ranks among the highest-paid actors in South India with an approximate net worth of Rs. 474 crores. His career, which began at the age of 10 in 1984 as a child artist in the movie "Vetri," spans over two decades. Vijay stands as one of the most reliable performers in the South Indian film industry. Among his 2023 releases are "Varisu," which raked in around Rs. 300 crore worldwide, and "Leo," grossing over Rs. 612 crore globally. Remarkably, "Leo" emerged as the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2023. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="4. Prabhas" comment="subhead" text="4. Prabhas">4. Prabhas</cmsannotation> Prabhas soared to true stardom following the release of SS Rajamouli’s historic Baahubali duology, leading to a remarkable 94 per cent surge in the actor’s net worth over the past eight years. Despite the controversial reception of his film Adipurush, his latest venture Salaar has achieved considerable success, boasting a domestic net collection of Rs369.37 crore. This surpasses Rajinikanth’s Jailer, which stands at a net of Rs348.55 crore, firmly establishing Prabhas's enduring influence in the industry. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="5. Aamir Khan" comment="subhead" text="5. Aamir Khan">5. Aamir Khan</cmsannotation> Renowned for his meticulous approach to film roles, Aamir Khan has garnered a dedicated fan base, earning him the moniker ‘Mr. Perfectionist’ for his unwavering commitment to excellence. While his recent release, Laal Singh Chaddha in 2022, didn't achieve significant success, his upcoming project, Sitaare Zameen Par, slated for a 2024 holiday season release, continues his tradition of delivering fan-favorite hits like Dangal, PK, and 3 Idiots. This consistent track record has contributed to Khan's substantial net worth, currently estimated at Rs1862 crore. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="6. Salman Khan" comment="subhead" text="6. Salman Khan">6. Salman Khan</cmsannotation> With a substantial fan base, Salman Khan has transitioned from the romantic roles of the 1990s to the endearing 'bhai' of recent times. His cinematic evolution has propelled him to become one of the highest-paid Indian actors. Notably, his latest blockbuster, Tiger 3, has amassed over Rs466.63 crore worldwide, contributing to Khan's estimated net worth of Rs2900 crore. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="7. Kamal Kaasan" comment="subhead" text="7. Kamal Kaasan">7. Kamal Kaasan</cmsannotation> Kamal Hassan, a prominent figure from South India, boasts an impressive filmography of around 220 movies across multiple languages. Despite no releases in 2023, fans are eagerly awaiting his collaboration with director Mani Ratnam for KH 234, contributing to his estimated net worth of approximately Rs150 crore. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="8. Allu Arjun" comment="subhead" text="8. Allu Arjun">8. Allu Arjun</cmsannotation> Arjun gained nationwide recognition for his lead role in Pushpa: The Rise, a highly acclaimed Telugu film released in 2021. With an estimated net worth of approximately Rs350 crore, his upcoming film is anticipated to break box office records with the sequel of Pushpa, slated for release in 2024. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="9. Akshay Kumar" comment="subhead" text="9. Akshay Kumar">9. Akshay Kumar</cmsannotation> Known for his impeccable comic timing in films like Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Akshay Kumar has also taken on roles in socially relevant movies such as Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and Padman. Despite no major hits in 2023, his guest appearance in OMG 2 contributed to its global earnings of approximately Rs 221 crore. With an estimated net worth of around Rs2500 crore, Kumar continues to leave his mark on Bollywood. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="10. Ajith Kumar" comment="subhead" text="10. Ajith Kumar">10. Ajith Kumar</cmsannotation> Kumar, another prominent South Indian actor among the highest-paid, garnered praise for his role in the 2023 film Thunivu, captivating audiences with his performance. The movie raked in a total of Rs130 crores in the Indian market. With an estimated net worth of around Rs196 crore, Kumar continues to make waves in the industry. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Frequently asked questions" comment="subhead" text="Frequently asked questions">Frequently asked questions</cmsannotation> 1. What is Shah Rukh Khan's approximate net worth, and what recent successes has he had? Shah Rukh Khan's approximate net worth is Rs. 6300 crores. He delivered two consecutive blockbusters in 2023, "Jawan" and "Pathaan," both surpassing Rs. 2000 crores worldwide. His latest release, "Dunki," continues to rake in significant earnings. 2. Who is Rajinikanth, and why is he revered in Southern India? Rajinikanth is a highly revered actor, almost considered a living deity in Southern India. He has predominantly worked in Tamil cinema and commands enthusiastic crowds due to his iconic status. 3. What are some notable films in Joseph Vijay's career, and how successful have they been? Joseph Vijay, also known as Thalapathy Vijay, has had a prolific career spanning over two decades. Notable films include "Varisu," which grossed around Rs. 300 crore worldwide, and "Leo," which grossed over Rs. 612 crore globally, emerging as the highest-grossing Tamil film of 2023. 4. How did Prabhas achieve stardom, and what recent successes has he had? Prabhas gained stardom following the success of SS Rajamouli’s Baahubali duology. Despite mixed reception for his film Adipurush, his recent venture Salaar achieved considerable success, boasting a domestic net collection of Rs369.37 crore. 5. What is Aamir Khan's reputation in the film industry, and what upcoming project is he involved in? Aamir Khan is renowned for his meticulous approach to film roles, earning him the moniker ‘Mr. Perfectionist’. His upcoming project, "Sitaare Zameen Par," slated for a 2024 release, continues his tradition of delivering fan-favorite hits like Dangal, PK, and 3 Idiots. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/meet-the-top-10-richest-actors-in-india/articleshow/69645149.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">top 10 richest actors in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/top-10-richest-actresses-of-india/articleshow/72018327.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">Top 10 richest actress in India</a>

Top 10 highest-paid actors in India in 2024

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A Russian colonel has been accused of stealing seven engines meant for T-90 battle tanks.</li><li>Colonel Alexander Denisov has been arrested and could face up to 10 years in prison.</li></ul>A Russian army commander has been arrested in connection with the alleged theft of engines meant for advanced T-90 battle tanks.Investigators accuse Colonel Alexander Denisov of stealing seven tank engines valuing roughly 20.5 million rubles, around $260,000, between November 2021 to April 2022, the Russian newspaper <a href="https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/5954243" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kommersant</a> reported. The V-92C2 engines were intended to be installed in T-90 tanks, investigators said.Denisov, who was the head of the technical support department of the Southern Military District, was arrested last month. The colonel's lawyers objected to Denisov being held at a pre-trial detention center and pointed to his long military record, but an appellate court upheld the decision.Denisov has pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers say he is innocent of the charges. He could face up to 10 years in prison, the appeal ruling says, according to Kommersant. Reports of rampant corruption have long plagued the Russian military. Since the war began, reports have revealed that fuel meant for tanks was <a href="https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-troops-belarus-exercises-ukraine/31711282.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sold on the black market, </a>and soldiers were sent to the front line with<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/families-russian-conscripts-forced-buy-armor-clothing-chance-come-back-2022-10"> little to no equipment.</a>Earlier this month six Russian logistics officers were found guilty of stealing aviation fuel in separate thefts and earning millions of rubles from it, according to Russian outlet <a href="https://tayga.info/181236" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tayga.info. </a>The allegations of corruption in the Russian military are not new. In 2019, army officers from the same Southern Military District were convicted of a similar theft that Denisov is accused of, Kommersant noted.Russia is believed to have lost nearly 2,000 tanks throughout the conflict, according to open-source intelligence analysis by <a href="https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-equipment.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oryx</a>, which would make up roughly half the pre-invasion tank force.Retreating Russian troops have been reported to have left behind <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ukraine-armed-with-modern-t-90-tanks-captured-from-russians-2022-10">T-90 tanks</a>, which are among Moscow's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-t90-tank-is-struggling-in-combat-in-ukraine-2022-8">most advanced</a>.Over a year into the invasion, Russia's army has been forced to send older equipment, including <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russia-ukraine-war-cold-war-era-soviet-tanks-t54-t55-out-of-storage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">70-year-old T-55 tanks.</a>

You Searched For "Indian Army Southern Command" and got 7 results

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Top 10 highest-paid actors in India in 2024

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