China

[dawg80]

We also say Taiwan is part of China. Dumbest policy ever.

Most pundits predict Trump will sacrifice Taiwan, just as he did Ukraine. I agree. Taiwan is toast. They might as well bend over, grab their ankles...and their leadership class better leave now and seek asylum somewhere. The best that will happen to them will be 20 years in a commie re-education camp. But, most likely, they and their combined families will be executed.

And I suppose "the west" had better start right now finding a way to replace all those chips manufactured in Taiwan. The Taiwanese government said they would destroy the chip plants rather than allow them to fall into commie hands. I suspect the Chicoms will send in agents first, make deals with Taiwanese turncoats, and try to prevent the destruction of those plants. Either way the chip supply will either dry up or get VERY expensive for the West. (and Japan, Australia, India, etc.)

Happy days ahead, eh!

[dawg80]

Is this it? According to Japanese and Australian intelligence reports, the Chicoms are gearing up for their invasion of Taiwan. Satellite images clearly show massive movement of Chinese troops to three port cities which are expected to be the jumping off point for their troops heading to Taiwan. China has been building troop transports and has also converted about 50 former civilian ships into troop carriers. If China does invade Taiwan, these are the ports Chinese troops will board transports. Now, is this just another training exercise? Could be, but in previous such training exercises the Chicoms limited it to division-size movements (about 12,000 troops). This appears to be as many as 6 divisions moving toward the three port cities.
.

Appears, at this point, to be just an exercise to train troops how to move from interior bases to the ports and load on transports. Chicoms are working on their logistics for when the big day comes. Latest intelligence shows about 75,000 Chinese troops sitting in camp at three ports and there aren't enough transports there to embark those troops. Another training exercise apparently.

[dawg80]

Historic event I did not know about. Watched a movie titled "The 800." It is the true story of the Chinese 524th Regiment, 88th Division who occupied a Coca-Cola warehouse in Shanghai, during the Japanese invasion of 1937. Just across the river was European-held colonies and the Japs, at that time, did not want to provoke Europe or the US, so they left that sector alone while they decimated the Chinese side of the city. Crazy stuff. People, including many westerners, watched the battle daily unfold just across the river and it became a spectacle as hotels and restaurants, and large casino, owned by Europeans, made a mint with "tourism." Movie is on Prime and if you're into history, it is worth a watch. Today, that bombed-out Coca-Cola warehouse is a shrine, akin to The Alamo.

[dawg80]

Chicoms now building large landing barges designed to link the landing crafts to the shore of Taiwan. Several of each type have been built and are operational and are now being used in training exercises.

China has already converted 50 "civilian" ferry boats to accommodate military use. I put civilian in quotes because, as it turns out, they were all originally designed and built to function as army ferries. These ferry boats have large engines, and the deck can accommodate two rows of heavy vehicles, like tanks. They have been functioning in a civilian capacity transporting cars and trucks, but they were built to eventually carry an invasion force to Taiwan and to other countries. The landing barges will serve as the bridge connecting the ferries to the rocky shores of Taiwan. They will serve during the follow up phase of the invasion, landing armored brigades.

Most of Taiwan's coast is rocky and steep, not conducive for an invading army to land. There are only two beaches on Taiwan where a Normandy-like invasion can take place, and both of those are heavily defended by Taiwan. So, the Chicoms will land elsewhere and also try to force their way up rivers and land troops further inland.

Clearly Xi is proceeding with the buildup and plans to invade Taiwan, and other regional nations.

[dawg80]

Things are getting serious for Taiwan. China is continuing their training regimen, each time with more ships, planes, personnel and each time a different phase of their invasion plan. Right now, there are 25 Chinese ships circling Taiwan, including an 8-ship carrier task force, the Shandong. Xi will just stroke Trump's ego and then invade Taiwan.

[dawg80]

The single best report I have seen on the Chicom threat on Taiwan and how the Taiwanese are dealing with reality was produced and aired on a PBS station...even a blind squirrel can find a nut.

A set of interviews with key defense ministers and generals, as well as political leaders, focused on how Taiwan can deal with the pending Chicom invasion...slated for 2027 by the best guess of experts. First, as the overall Taiwanese commander, a general, said, thanks to the war in Ukraine Taiwan has gotten a much-needed wakeup call. Number one, we now know a big bully will invade a smaller neighbor. Some of our people, he said, were saying no way, not in today's modern world. Number two, our people now know the US will not save us with boots on the ground, as many were assuming. It is like waking up to a nightmare, but at least now Taiwan is waking up, before it is too late.

The report also focused on Taiwan's aging military equipment and infrastructure, plus the absolute resistance to serving in their military. All of that started changing during Trump's first term, one politician offered. We, he said, were encouraged when Trump began to rally US, and our, allies (the Quads) and we were encouraged if we did our part, we would not be fighting China alone. Trump wanted, and probably still wants, Taiwan to increase defense spending to 10% of GDP. That is virtually impossible as it would either bankrupt the country or cause civil unrest. Taiwan has more than doubled that spending from 2% in 2017 up to 4.5% today.

Taiwan has created its on domestic military industrial complex and is designing and manufacturing new military weapons/equipment as fast as it can. But, of course, China is outpacing them, and the world, in the biggest military buildup since the US's World War II buildup. Taiwan has had observers in Ukraine for two years and they are mimicking Ukraine's ingenious use of drones and other technology, plus there is a new focus on hand-held weapons like javelins and stinger missiles.

Taiwan's main battle tank is the Vietnam-era US built M60 tank, modernized, but now woefully antiquated against drones. They are addressing that. Taiwan has 160 F-16s and a stable of trained pilots. One defense minister said Taiwan was buying more from the US, plus keeping up with enhancements, but all of that was cut off, completely, during the Biden administration. They estimate they need 200+ F-16s with all the modern improvements to stand a chance against China's huge air force. Hopefully, since Taiwan is actually BUYING F-16s from the US, Trump will authorize that deal to resume.

Mostly, the invasion of Ukraine has both shocked and motivated the Taiwanese people into action. Many young men fled Taiwan instead of serving a mandatory 6-month training session and then being available for call-up should war start. Taiwan increased that to a mandatory 1-year training enlistment with monthly required reporting for additional training and readiness. The numbers of people, not just young men, showing up has been very encouraging. One commander, a colonel, said, "fear is a powerful motivator."

[dawg80]

Taiwan won't face the Chicom bully alone, the Philippines will get caught up in that war, whether they want to or not. Knowing that the Philippines are taking steps to enhance their defenses. They have ordered 10 brand new, state-of-the-art vessels, all built in South Korea, with delivery of the ships already happening. The first two vessels delivered to the Philippines are two guided-missile corvettes. To follow will be two frigates and 6 coastal patrol boats.

The Philippine defense minister does not toil under delusional optimism. He fully understands what China is capable of and admits that they and Taiwan cannot hope to win an all-out war against China. What he does hope for is assistance from other nations, namely Japan, Vietnam, and Australia all of whom have a lot at stake too. And that together they can make China pay a very high price that can lead to "victory" down the road for his country and others in the region. When asked about the US, he shrugged. He did state that the Philippines and the US has a signed mutual-defense agreement dating back many years (really decades), but they harbor no real hope of US involvement. He did mention the US has military bases in the Philippines so maybe they will be forced to defend those. Neither he, nor the reporter, mentioned Trump by name. They didn't have to. Trump has managed to alienate the entire world against us, including former allies. Basically, it's NOT that they don't want to be an ally, it's just they have no confidence they can depend on the US, as long as Trump is in the White House. However...this can be (hopefully) part of Trump's overall strategy to get our allies to spend more on their own defenses. It is working, if indeed that is his intention. Trump makes for a very good poker player, you never know what kind of hand he is holding.

Anyway, any hostile move by the Chicoms against Taiwan will provoke a wider war. That war might be confined to the Pacific region, but it will be a major war by historic standards.

[dawg80]

Australia tells China, "No thanks, we're sticking with Trump and the US."

Wow, now that's how an ally acts. This is in reference to a proposal China has presented to several nations to circumvent Trump's tariffs on China. Australia responded quickly and publicly. The other nations, which include Canada and Mexico, have yet to respond. If they are smart, they will follow Australia's lead and tell the Chicoms to "stick it!"

[PawDawg]

Most pundits predict Trump will sacrifice Taiwan, just as he did Ukraine. I agree.

So because Trump (and most of America) is not in favor of the unlimited billion$ you want us to send Z, Trump "sacrificed" Ukraine? Good grief!

[dawg80]

Looks like Trump has tempered his anti-Ukraine stance now that Putin is chitting on him. But yes Trump is willing to sacrifice Ukraine just so he can hang a trophy on the wall.

Some folks agree with your position of cutting off aid, but you can’t do that and then try to pretend Trump did not abandon Ukraine. It’s one or the other, can’t have it both ways.

[PawDawg]

Looks like Trump has tempered his anti-Ukraine stance now that Putin is chitting on him. But yes Trump is willing to sacrifice Ukraine just so he can hang a trophy on the wall.

Some folks agree with your position of cutting off aid, but you can’t do that and then try to pretend Trump did not abandon Ukraine. It’s one or the other, can’t have it both ways.

You and the Z worshippers have already decided Trump abandoned them. You Globalists are the ones wanting it both ways

[dawg80]

You and the Z worshippers have already decided Trump abandoned them. You Globalists are the ones wanting it both ways

Trump did abandon Ukraine briefly with cutting off the sharing of satellite intelligence. The Russians used that period to launch their counterattack in Kursk. Trump's advisors got him to stop being an ass and he reversed his position on that. As for the rest, NEWS FLASH! to all you with your heads up your asses, Trump has done NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING (yet!) in support of Ukraine. Let me repeat that for those of you with blinders on....NOTHING!!! The small amount of aid still flowing to Ukraine from the US, and it is a trickle, is nothing more than the deal Biden made with Ukraine. HELLO! Does this need repeating for you slow learners? And, here's another NEWS FLASH for you slow learners. This trickle runs out some time this summer, probably as soon as June.

So...let's see what Trump does. Okay? Let's all just watch and see what he does. It's on him now. I will repeat: if Trump decides to totally cut off all support/aid for Ukraine, which will make all you Putin-lovers happy, then TRUMP WOULD HAVE ABANDONED UKRAINE. I'm betting he won't though. Know why? Not because he gives a damn about the women and children in Ukraine being murdered by that thug Putin, but because Putin is making him look like the fool he is in this matter, and Trump's ego and narcissism won't tolerate that. Fortunately for Ukraine, Putin is stupider than Trump!

And, ya gotta love it! Now I'm a "globalist" because I KNOW how important it is for the USA to remain the BIG DOG on the porch. Man, you are reaching deep into your stupid bag. What, you want Putin and the Chicoms to dominate the world? I guess you, and Trump, must. Stop watching just FOX and worse! listening to the stupidest person on the planet, Tucker Carlson...what a moron!

I'll try to say this as s-l-o-w as I can, so even you might understand, this war is NOT about Ukraine. This situation would be EXACTLY the same had Putin chosen to invade Poland or one of the Baltic states first. Yes, I care that thousands of innocent Ukrainians are being murdered by an international criminal thug, Putin. I think that is wrong. But then, I also think babies being murdered via "abortions" is wrong. I guess you're okay with that too. But, again, this could have been innocent Polish people being murdered and I would support the "righteous" world, led by the USA, not tolerating that.

Yes, you and I are definitely different on this issue. And I am so PROUD not to share your view of it.

[PawDawg]

Somebody is depending on swamp friendly information sources only.

[dawg80]

This discussion should be on the "Russia" thread..

[PawDawg]

This discussion should be on the "Russia" thread..

You are the one who always brings it back to your hero Z. You did it in this thread by predicting Taiwan would suffer due to bad orange man’s policies.