A former Pacific military commander believes it's time for the United States to change its long-held policy of strategic ambiguity toward Taiwan amid increasing tensions between the U.S. and China.
Retired Adm. Harry Harris Jr., who led what's now known as U.S. Indo-Pacific Command from 2015 to 2018, provided insights on the latest aspects of the U.S.-China relationship to the House Armed Services Committee on Tuesday.
Over the course of President Joe Biden's tenure, he has said on multiple occasions that the U.S. would come to Taiwan's aid if China made a military move to take Taiwan, while administration officials reiterated after each instance that he was not highlighting or announcing a policy change. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, at a press conference on Jan. 11, described China's behavior as"very provocative" and said it was China's"attempt to re-establish a new normal. So we've seen increased activity in — aerial activity in the straits. We've seen increased surface vessel activity around Taiwan. And again, we believe that they endeavor to establish a new normal, but whether or not that means that an invasion is imminent, I seriously doubt that.
“I hope I am wrong,” Gen. Michael A. Minihan, who heads Air Mobility Command, wrote. “My gut tells me we will fight in 2025. Xi secured his third term and set his war council in October 2022. Taiwan’s presidential elections are in 2024 and will offer Xi a reason. United States’ presidential elections are in 2024 and will offer Xi [Jinping] a distracted America. Xi’s team, reason, and opportunity are all aligned for 2025.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Discount retailer won’t open in former Kmart; leases former Bon-Ton spaceThe discount retailer had planned to open a 22,000-square-foot store in part of a former Kmart.
Read more »
Trump moves internal: How the former president is focusing his attacks on former aidesFormer President Donald Trump is focusing his attention and attacks on his former aides whose names are being tossed around as potential 2024 GOP candidates.
Read more »
City-County Council to consider former IPS leader Dr. Eugene White for library boardDr. Eugene White is a former IPS superintendent and former president of Martin University.
Read more »
Senior Taiwan opposition leader to visit China amid continued tensionsA senior leader of the Kuomintang (KMT), Taiwan's main opposition party, will visit China this week and meet its top Taiwan policy-maker, the party said on Monday, amid continued military and political tensions between the two sides.
Read more »
U.S. firms in Taiwan making 'contingency' plans amid China tensionsAlmost half of companies surveyed by the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Taiwan are revising or plan to revise their business continuity plans amid tensions with China, while a growing number reported being impacted by those strains.
Read more »