16 Comments
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Paul S Medus's avatar

Accurate summary of events. Thank you.

Alan Forrest Imhoff's avatar

China's patient approach, using lots of rhetoric and only a limited amount of weaponry, to reunification, may succeed peacefully if Taiwan's government is as corrupt, inept and unpopular as ours is here, and if its people realize it's in their self interest.

Yes, it would seem that Netanyahu has a desk in the White House, and that AIPAC, through Citizens United, wields grossly outsized influence in our elections by funding primary elections driven by propaganda and voted in by multitudes of susceptible dupes. Those same dupes may turn on a dime if their latent, endemic tendency to hate is exploited, a-la 1984.

Alan Forrest Imhoff's avatar

What's KTM? Kuomintang?

Neil Zhu's avatar

2028 is another around of election for Taiwan, if the KTM candidate don’t win. The situation will be worsen.

Alan Forrest Imhoff's avatar

I have done a little (accent on little) research. You meant KMT. I think.

The dyslexic agnostic didn't think there was a dog.

Neil Zhu's avatar

I just realized I typed in KTM, I meant KMT, 😞 sorry

Michael P Peck's avatar

China has easy clandestine access to Iran overland through Afghanistan. No telling what strategic materials could transit either way. First thoughts are missiles westbound and oil eastbound, but who knows? Why would China let anyone know? Makes perfect sense for China to sit on their cards.

Bruce Shigeura's avatar

The Iran war poses two major problems for China and the world. Iran can block the Strait of Hormuz--and Gulf state oil--with mines and speedboat attacks on tankers long after it runs out of missiles and its infrastructure is destroyed. This could collapse Western finance, developing nations' economies, and world trade. If Israel feels threatened existentially, it will invoke its Sampson option and launch nuclear weapons against all its perceived enemies. While China is winning the longterm peaceful competition and backs international law, the Iran war is potentially today's Spanish Civil War, the disruptive turning point leading toward World War III.

Neil Zhu's avatar

I was checking chinese stock market, solar power, petroleum related stock went up 10%. The market is reacting to this situation.

Steve's avatar

Is Iran not a BRICS member? Is Iran not a key component of the BRI? Yet China does not take sides between Iran and its mortal enemy? Is that wise?

stakx's avatar

ROC is watching the actions in the GCC and rethinking their strategy of being led and protected by USA against China. War as a thought exercise is fine, but it looks very different when real damage occurs.

Edijal Lowley's avatar

If China only ever stands for what it can get, at what point will it have to make a stand to really protect its strategic interests?

stakx's avatar

China stood up to the USA tariffs and further protects its interests by limiting export of important goods such as rare earth elements and other materials that are used in weapon systems. Kinetic means are not the only tool to take a stand. Taiwan is named by PRC as in its strategic interest, and it is willing to go to war to prevent its separation. Sovereignty is a noted key principle.

Mort Enerichzen's avatar

Nice to read a calmer take on the situation rather than all the "end of the world" comments.

Sarah Gillian Bower's avatar

Man, you are good. 👍