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The Coming War Over Taiwan
WSJ ^ | 8.4.22 | Hal Brands and Michael Beckley

Posted on 08/04/2022 3:33:10 PM PDT by Dr. Marten

The U.S. is running out of time to prevent a cataclysmic war in the Western Pacific. While the world has been focused on Vladimir Putin’s aggression in Ukraine, Xi Jinping appears to be preparing for an even more consequential onslaught against Taiwan. Mr. Xi’s China is fueled by a dangerous mix of strength and weakness: Faced with profound economic, demographic and strategic problems, it will be tempted to use its burgeoning military power to transform the existing order while it still has the opportunity.

This peaking-power syndrome—the tendency for rising states to become more aggressive as they become more fearful of impending decline—has caused some of the bloodiest wars in history. Unless the U.S. and its allies act quickly, it could trigger a conflict that would make the war in Ukraine look minor by comparison.

(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: asia; china; taiwan; taiwanchina; taiwanwar; war
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To: Ken H

For China elections....there is only one person on the ballot.

However, with Xi it now depends on what happens in Taiwan and on the domestic issues. He will probably still get elected and named “People’s leader” but with various issues, it may not be everyone votes for him (some may abstain or not be present).


141 posted on 08/04/2022 7:30:33 PM PDT by teacherwoes (I am Philip Nolan )
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To: Dr. Marten

Wait... what exactly is the US supposed to do about it? Are any of the WSJ writers prepared to sign up to fight in a war with China? Flyover country is sick and tired of having its young sacrificed in war.


142 posted on 08/04/2022 7:37:48 PM PDT by Pining_4_TX (Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. ~ Lewis Carroll)
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To: bigbob

What if the CCP already has its sleeper operatives in place, and all that is needed is the order to go. Then mai tais all around.

*****************

My biggest fear as well.

Imagine all the “sneak attack” scenarios China could employ to open hostilities. And our last line of defense — our “rifle behind every blade of grass” — is sitting on the couch with a beer watching Tik Tok videos.

Yeah, we have reason to worry.


143 posted on 08/04/2022 7:38:12 PM PDT by DNME (We are the militia, you and I)
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To: richardtavor

“many countries view war as not only inevitable, but profitable”

That’s how Howard Hughs made is money during WWII.


144 posted on 08/04/2022 7:45:02 PM PDT by UMCRevMom@aol.com
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To: ought-six

“China is looking to start something, as that is what internally weak countries with powerful armies do when they fear their internal power is falling...
going to war regardless of anything anyone else does”

My friend & coworker in NICU from Taiwan said it was just a matter of time.


145 posted on 08/04/2022 7:48:22 PM PDT by UMCRevMom@aol.com
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Comment #146 Removed by Moderator

To: ought-six

“The US military didn’t lose; the US government did.”

Truth.

My Dad would say: The military won the war and the politicians lost it.”


147 posted on 08/04/2022 7:52:48 PM PDT by UMCRevMom@aol.com
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To: Western Patriot

“If China can knock out the chip foundries from the get go we won’t even be able to build the weapons we need to defend Taiwan.”

Get the evil Putin misdirection for the Russian invasion of Ukraine!

PUTIN WANTS THE MINES!!!
The mineral wealth of the area remains the same strategic prize that Adolf Hitler recognized during WWII.
1- Donbas leads Europe in proven recoverable reserves of uranium ores, ranking seventh in the world overall.
2- Ukraine ranks second in titanium ore reserves in Europe, 3- Ukraine ranks second worldwide in explored reserves of manganese ores,
4- Ukraine is second in Europe in terms of mercury ore reserves.
[Natural uranium and low-enriched uranium can be used as fuel for power generation nuclear reactors, research reactors, military plutonium production, and naval propulsion reactors. Highly enriched uranium can power naval propulsion, military plutonium and tritium production reactors, and act as feedstock for nuclear weapons production.]

Titanium alloys are some of the most common metals used in military applications for everything from aircraft parts to missile housings, armor plating, naval ship and spacecraft construction. Many more civil applications contribute to demand as well.

Manganese ores are vital to steel production, corrosion-resistant aluminum and copper alloys, battery cathodes, and nutritional supplements.

Mercury ores are valuable in applications including munition fuzes, missile and space guidance system gyroscopes, infrared detection and lighting.

REMEMBER: Donbas in Ukraine is a major producer of neon gas critical for lasers used in chipmaking and SUPPLIES MORE THAN 90% of U.S. SEMICONDUCTOR- GRADE semiconductor-grade NEON, according to estimates from research firm Techcet.


148 posted on 08/04/2022 8:02:43 PM PDT by UMCRevMom@aol.com
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To: ought-six

Our Upper Class is taking advantage of Chinese Cheap Labor and out greed. The Upper Crust do not see themselves as Americans, they are Citizens of the World. They think Americans are stupid, Trump supporting Hillbillies, with a bottle of moonshine in one hand and a Bible in the other. They see them as worthless, easy to manipulate, a few TV adds and they will vote any way they wish. Only needed for manual Labor until they can be replaced with Latinx Peons.


149 posted on 08/04/2022 8:07:15 PM PDT by Forward the Light Brigade ( Ride to the sound of the Guns!)
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To: nascarnation

“It has to be coming soon, all their youngsters go to the very best US tech schools.”

My son majored in Physics while a university student.
He told me 18 years ago; What is scary, the U.S. does not have any top secrets. China has all data & info within 24-36 hours.


150 posted on 08/04/2022 8:15:13 PM PDT by UMCRevMom@aol.com
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To: kiryandil

“You’re not the sharpest bulb in the drawer, are you?”

How wrong you are kiryandil your own light is dim.
Take time to listen and learn from ought-six. His ‘brilliance’ will astound you!


151 posted on 08/04/2022 8:20:26 PM PDT by UMCRevMom@aol.com
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To: UMCRevMom@aol.com

Another YM.


152 posted on 08/04/2022 9:00:56 PM PDT by kiryandil (China Joe and Paycheck Hunter - the Chink in America's defenses)
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To: kiryandil

“YM”

My Mother is deceased. Do you have another issue?


153 posted on 08/04/2022 9:18:59 PM PDT by UMCRevMom@aol.com
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The bizarre Ukrainian trolling continues...


154 posted on 08/04/2022 9:50:46 PM PDT by kiryandil (China Joe and Paycheck Hunter - the Chink in America's defenses)
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To: blueunicorn6

And what would Americans do while Dying?


155 posted on 08/05/2022 4:13:52 AM PDT by ballplayer
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To: ought-six

I very much agree with you about the cheap crap from China. Granted there are some things that the Chinese do well and I appreciate them for that. But then there are other things that require very specific tolerances like auto parts, machine parts, and other things like that. And I hate to say it but the Chinese fail consistently when it comes to doing something perfectly.

When I order things for my cars that are actually made in Germany or Sweden they fit so perfectly you almost don’t even need to bolt them on. The Chinese stuff I’ve given up on.

Which is why I suspect too much of their military is using inferior products for their aircraft, ships, and armor. Just take a look at what the Russian army has had to face with cheap crap Chinese tires falling apart all the time.

I think these wars going on and the trade wars coming out of them are a blessing for the American worker and for the American consumer. Yes prices will be higher. But we will stop trading our birthright to our enemies for the proverbial bowl of soup.


156 posted on 08/05/2022 7:16:53 AM PDT by MercyFlush (☭☭☭ Soviet Russia must be destroyed. ☭☭☭)
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To: Forward the Light Brigade

I think you have the so-called “elites” pegged perfectly.


157 posted on 08/05/2022 8:49:13 AM PDT by ought-six (Multiculturalism is national suicide, and political correctness is the cyanide capsule. )
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To: UMCRevMom@aol.com

“What is scary, the U.S. does not have any top secrets. China has all data & info within 24-36 hours.”

I believe it. If it isn’t the Chinese “students” stealing our stuff, it is American traitors selling it.


158 posted on 08/05/2022 10:25:44 AM PDT by ought-six (Multiculturalism is national suicide, and political correctness is the cyanide capsule. )
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To: Rurudyne
Nixon should npt have gone to China... Clinton should not have extended MFN status to China... Fauci and company should not have been working with ChiCom biowar labs...blah,blah,blah

If your aunt had balls, she's be your uncle.

159 posted on 08/05/2022 11:05:46 AM PDT by Jim Noble (I’ve stumbled on the side of twelve misty mountains)
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To: Jim Noble

If you want to characterize something someone else says as blah blah blah that’s your right. But maybe separate your comment from something you quote a bit better so you’re not seeming to modify it?


160 posted on 08/05/2022 12:41:59 PM PDT by Rurudyne (Standup Philosopher)
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