No matter what Pentagon insiders say, Taiwan is convinced that the move to quarantine them by China has already started. Joe Biden is obviously a babbling idiot, our Defense Secretary has been hiding in the hospital and Congress can’t even keep America’s government open for business, much less help Ukraine, Israel or them. Those fancy balloons aren’t up there for a birthday party.
Taiwan getting tense
It’s clear to all the experts that “China is stepping up a campaign to coerce and intimidate Taiwan.”
That’s the whole reason behind “sending batches of spy balloons over the self-governing island nation.” It’s not like there was no warning. Beijing warned them not to elect a pro-U.S. president and they did anyway.
The Pooh Bear has been wafting high tech spy balloons over Taiwan controlled airspace “almost daily.” It started before the January 13 election and it’s still happening.
Why Chinese spy balloons are back in force over Taiwan https://t.co/xCeWrZX34B
— KRQE News 13 (@krqe) January 29, 2024
The only thing that’s changed is that since the election there aren’t as many of them. All the analysts are convinced this is simply “a new effort to weaken Taiwanese independence.” It’s working.
U.S. experts, like the RAND Corporation’s Kristen Gunness, note that when one floated over America and got shot down, Beijing claimed it was “a wayward weather balloon.” That excuse won’t fly now, “given the calculated use of the surveillance balloons over Taiwan.”
As Gunness points out, “China’s aerial actions” are an “extension” of “the air and maritime pressure campaign” and a “signal about increased surveillance.” Even so, she’s not worried about World War III breaking out over this.
A big deal
“Balloons are a big deal, but it’s not enough of one to be able to — especially if Taiwan isn’t doing anything about it — to provoke a conflict or crisis.” While she’s entitled to her opinion, there are others who disagree.
“However, experts are seriously worried about China eventually taking more aggressive action against the island, which it considers historically part of the mainland — especially after Taiwan’s voters delivered a blow to Beijing.”
U.S. Admiral John Aquilino isn’t surprised. He saw it coming from a long way off. As commander of Indo-Pacific Command, his crystal ball revealed that “China would step up its aggression following the election.” They do that sort of thing all the time.
NEW: Why Chinese spy balloons are back in force over Taiwan https://t.co/aUG7OZkWo8 pic.twitter.com/OWNrFsreYD
— The Hill (@thehill) January 29, 2024
“When something occurs that they don’t like, they tend to take actions.” This time, that action may involve absorbing Taiwan like a sponge.
An outright invasion of the island territory is pretty much out of the question, everyone agrees. That doesn’t mean the Pooh Bear is out of options. “U.S. officials have warned that rather than invade, China is likely to increase pressure on Taiwan for now.”
The Pentagon thinks “military action may come in 2027, the year Chinese leader Xi Jinping has said his forces should be ready.” The experts say he’s moving now while Joe’s still in command. When Donald Trump gets back, Xi will have a worthy opponent.