Posted on 08/17/2011 9:34:48 AM PDT by sukhoi-30mki
Obama forfeits respect in Asia by letting Taiwan down – hard
Vice President Biden is expected to apprise China of the US decision to deny F-16 fighter jets to Taiwan. The dire implications of this should not be played down. It leaves Taiwan vulnerable and the US underpowered in Asia, as Washington looks to be walking away from democratic values
Andover, Mass.
Over the past three decades, Taiwan has been in many tight spots in mounting a credible defense against the People’s Republic of China. Yet none has been as uncomfortable as now.
The island republic is staring into a very near future when it can no longer defend its own airspace, and when deterrence across the Taiwan Strait morphs into military dominance by China.
The trends would be less worrying if the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979 were taken more seriously in Washington. But the US role as guarantor of Taiwan’s ability to defend itself under the law is under steady assault, both from within the American bureaucracy and foreign policy community and from furious lobbying by Beijing.
RELATED PHOTO GALLERY: China's military muscle
For its part, Taipei has gone public in recent months as it became more doubtful that the Obama administration would accept their most urgent arms request, the purchase of new F-16 C/D jet fighters.
But its pleas are being ignored, despite the backing of the US Congress. Each house of Congress has sent letters to President Obama signed by nearly half of the elected representatives from both political parties. The letters urge him to follow through with the weapons sale.
The crisis has been long in coming. Taiwan has been trying to acquire the newer C/D version of the F-16 since 2006, along with upgrades to its older F-16 A/B models and more sophisticated radar
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
If I was Taiwan, I would announce that without the F-16s the only resort was to move forward with a ballistic missile program.
All part of Obama’s plan to de-fang the free world.
That SOB is really pissing me off right now. I want to know his rationale for denying Taiwan the fighters after Congress has requested in writing for him to follow through on the deal. Who the hell does he think he is?!?
Father in heaven, I CANNOT wait for this clown to be out of our lives forever!!!
Mark these words down in posterity because i will only say them once.
“If Obama somehow gets re-elected in 2012, Tiawan will fall to mainland China during or shortly after his second term.”
I hope I am wrong but I can’t see Taiwan remaining free for long with an avowed Marxist in power.
Ron Paul, calling Ron Paul and his minion - any comments guys ?
The CSM is ripping 0 on defense?
Color me amazed.
Leaves Taiwan vulnerable? Bovine scat alert! Taiwan always had been and always will be vulnerable! Gimme a break!
[ If I was Taiwan, I would announce that without the F-16s the only resort was to move forward with a ballistic missile program. ]
In a way that would be dumb becasue then our leadership would see this as an opportunity to cut all ties to Tiawan in the name of “Peace and Social Justice”.
Because we can’t have a democratic republic like Taiwan having ballistic missiles, those are only for Theocracies like Iran or crazy dictatorships like North Korea.
If I were them, I’d go nuclear as quickly as possible. Heaven knows it may be too late by this time.
The reason they want the upgraded F-16 in the first place is that they have had a lot of troubles with their Mirage 2000-5s. I know the French would sell them Rafale, but who would run down to the Ford dealership to replace their Pinto?
One thing the demonRATs are very, very good at- kicking our allies under the bus. Israel, Taiwan are just the latest victims of leftist policy.
Remember South Vietnam?
All the world is marking time until the great revolution of November 6, 2012.
Just who does Obama think he is? Ron Paul?
How many jobs and locations are there for American workers for these 66 NEW F-16s, weapons, and maintenance/parts, etc.? I assume TX and GA would be the major manufacturing sites?
China is not starting to build Aircraft Carriers for nothing.
What Taiwan needs is a Carrier killing missile.
It’s part of the deal Biden was sent to China with.
China will buy more debt now because we sold out Taiwan.
And while not directly on point, how many jobs here at home does this snuff out.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.