Revenge of the Panda Hugger (The Bush administration's China policy is hardening)

The Weekly Standard ^ | February 27, 2006 | John J. Tkacik Jr.

[neutronsgalore]

"But more likely the Bush administration is near the end of its rope with China, which now looms as a new "peer competitor," against which the United States will have to devise a new Western Pacific strategy."

I'll believe that when GW pushes for formal recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign nation and establishes full diplomatic ties.

[CrawDaddyCA]

I'm currently on a dive boat in the Gulf of Mexico, and since there's not much else to do aboard, I'm re-reading Jeff Head's 'Dragon's Fury' series. It is almost frightening how accurate Jeff's vision is concerning China and the Middle East.

World War III is coming, and it will be war on a scale we can't even imagine.

[Dustbunny]

World War III is coming, and it will be war on a scale we can't even imagine.

Yep, it just might be the 'end times'.

[Thunder90]

They are also waking up to hugging that grizzly bear to the north of the Panda. The Grizzly is wearing his Stalin coat again.

[Thunder90]

Watch out for the Russians. They want a piece of the action against us.

[Thunder90]

See post 6

[CrawDaddyCA]

And in the series, Jeff predicted that the Russian Bear would, at first, be a neutral party (but supplying weapon's to America's enemies) in the struggle.

Hopefully Russia will see the error in their appeasement of terrorists, but a lot of suffering will take place between now and then.

[Thunder90]

I think that Russia will play an active role. They will not be neutral, but will directly side with the Chinese, and hold our fleet off from defending Taiwan.

[DeweyCA]

It's about time that Bush woke up to the threat from China. I don't like the fact that Zoellick has been on the Board of Directors of the World Wildlife Fund. They are another of those fuzzy-thinking environmental groups. We need some clear thinking realists to see the real threats.

[Malesherbes]

The United States did more than any other country to promote the rise of Red China from an economic backwater to a major power. We bought their goods in massive quantities, supplied them with technology, promoted their membership in international trade organizations - all the while pretending that all the Chinese companies owned by "The Peoples' Liberation Army" were in fact capitalist entities.

We brought the problem on ourselves and now we are stuck with it. Our best allies in the 21st century will be Japan and India, both of which are threatened by China.

[Knitebane]

...and hold our fleet off from defending Taiwan.

Ummm. With what?

[A. Pole]

"...and hold our fleet off from defending Taiwan." Ummm. With what?

Economic sanctions?

[Jeff Head]

Amen. Hopefully he wil prove to be the realist we need.

[Jeff Head]

RWR8189 , great article, I recommend everyone reading it.

Knitebane, as regards the Chinese PLAN capability. The Chinese are deploying more and more dangerous diesel/electric subs. WHile in the open sea they are no real match for our nuclear attack boats, in litorral waters, where they can wait for us to come to them, they can be very dangerous. They do not have the speed to manuever or intercept on the high seas, but they are very, very quiet.

In addition, the Chinese on the surfrcae are deploying more and more sophisticated and deangerous surface combatants in some numbers. Particularly the Sovs that they are buying from Russia. The Moskit missile is a very dangerous and capapable weapon system for any vessel that gets within range of its 250 km capability...and is able to be targeted thereby (which is the real issue for the PLAN). In addition, there new type 52C and 51C area-air defense, Aegis-like (sophisticated battle management PAR radars, vertical launch missiles, etc.) are also a concern because we have to achieve air dominance over the straits.

You can see and research most all of these things on my site (and elsewhere):

THE RISING SEA DRAGON IN ASIA

And, as CrawDaddy pointed out, you can read about a possible scenario where it all goes bad for us in:

THE DRAGON'S FURY SERIES

If the Russians add their subs and surface combatants to that mix, it just makes the nut that much harder to crack.

The Chinese are developing their capabilities, rapidly, to challenge us. My bet is that that challenge will not come until several other things take place. To white:

• We get emroiled in at least another major regional war, perhaps two. Iran and Korea come to mind.
• They hold their Olympics in 2008 giving them time to field many more of their new platforms and technology.
• After they see how the 2008 elections in the US turn out. If we get a Clonton-like democrat...then, IMHO, the probability for a major moveby the Chinese communists goes way up. If they feel they can get it doen based on number one, they may try anyway.

Now, it is my hope that the Bush administration will continue to develop a strong response to this. The Chinese are getting in bed with every adversary we have (Iran, N. Korea, Venezuela, etc.) and setting themselves up to be in a "blocking" position as regards our strategic interests. We need to address them like Reagan did the Soviets in the 1980s. It will be painful at this point, but not nearly as painful as what happens if we do not.

Sorry for the lenght...just my opinion.

Thanks CrawDaddy, for the very kind words about the series. Please consider a review here on FR to that effect if you are so inclined. Again, thanks, and God's best to you and yours.

[Paperdoll]

Hark! Hark! Dost thou tell me the apple hast fallen far from the tree?

[Jeff Head]

oops...sorry, that first link is:

THE RISING SEA DRAGON IN ASIA

[Jeff Head]

oops...sorry everyone, that first link is:

THE RISING SEA DRAGON IN ASIA

[bvw]

We have to allow that this is simple tactics in time of war.

[RobFromGa]

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