So, it appears that Pelosi landed in Taiwan. This is a HUGE victory for the invincible USA and China with all its hollow threats has now lost face. That is how those evil commies are – they only understand the language of force, and when faced with the united forces of democracy they cave.
Right?
Right?!
Well……
Yes, if your expertise in international relation, military matters and China (or Russia) come from reading Tom Clancy’s books, then yes.
But there is another way to look at this:
First, in objective terms, this visit is a pure provocation with no practical effects whatsoever. Pelosi is as much a old teleprompter reading hag as President Brandon. Whatever real dealings the USA and Taiwan had to discuss, they would have done that either remotely or by arranging a meeting between people capable of thinking.
Second, just like Russia many times in the past, the Chinese drew a red line and then let the US cross it. Being the narcissistic civilization that it is, the West only saw this as a sign of “weakness”, “indecisiveness” or even “naivete”. What these folks fail to even think about is this: how do you feel most Chinese will react both to the visit and to the lack of Chinese reaction (so far!)? They will get mad and express their frustrations. Now look at it from the Chinese government’s point of view, rather then spending billions on anti-US propaganda they, instead, let the US humiliate China and thereby solidifying the Chinese population for the day when the real confrontation will take place.
[Sidebar: there is a direct connection between years of Kremlin’s rather weak and mostly verbal protests and the “sudden” appearance of the Russian ultimatum to the West followed by the SMO: the Kremlin literally “cooked” its own public opinion to the point were IT *demanded* strong action. Far from alienating or frightening most Russians, the SMO came as a huge relief to them: “we are FINALLY putting the foot down and taking real action”. That would not have been possible before 2018. Those in the West who saw Putin’s “indecisiveness” simply don’t understand the Russian mindset anymore than they understand the Chinese one. Simply put: you cannot prepare for war without preparing your own population for it! That is what Tom Clancy does to the brains of those reading him]
Third, let me ask you a simple question: who decided on the timing of Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan? The answer is obvious, it was the leaders of the USA. And you can bet that they had everything carefully lined up to make that visit happen in the best of possible circumstances. Now, a BASIC principle of warfare is that you do NOT let your enemy chose the time and place of the battle. Yes, yes, yes, in the western culture any “affront” (real or perceived) demands an immediate reaction. But the Chinese have been at this for many millennia, not just 200 years, and they know better and you can be sure that THEY, not the USA, will chose the time, place and mode of retaliation.
In sum, the woke-soaking narcissists who run the USA can celebrate how they chose to show “them Chinese commies” who is boss. Just like they did with Russia between 1991 and 2021. And then, when the Russians decided to act, Uncle Shmuel was caught totally off-guard and clueless as to who to deal with this sudden and direct threat.
Last but not least. That kind of imperial arrogance is something which not only impact (the already pretty angry Chinese population), it also infuriates all of Zone B, thereby creating the conditions for more defeats for the USA in Asia, Africa, the Indian Subcontinent, Central Asia and Latin America.
Most US Americans have absolutely no idea how offensive their condescending arrogance, constant flag waving, talks about their messianic mission for mankind and general narcissism is offensive to the rest of the planet. But when you look objectively at the endless list of US failures pretty much anywhere on the planet, you can tell that there is something deep going on here. For some reason, the “Yankees go home” thing seems to be very contagious.
I think that Nancy Pelosi deserves our profound gratitude. She should get at least two medals:
- One from the CP of China in gratitude for her endless efforts to rally the people of China around their government and
- One from Russia, for her endless efforts into solidifying the Russian-Chinese alliance.
Truth be told, between Bliken and Pelosi the national security interests of China and Russia are in good hands :-)
Andrei
Se guardiamo gli investimenti cinesi negli usa e il numero di cinesi che vi abitano oltre agli importi di esportazione verso gli usa direi che gli uni sono dipendenti degli altri,
Accidenti al meglio.
————–
Google translate from mod:
If we look at Chinese investments in the USA and the number of Chinese who live there in addition to the export amounts to the USA I would say that each other are employees,
Damn the best.
My Italian is a little rusty but, I read that as saying each are dependent on the other.
Considering the upcoming midterms, the Democrats are quite busy creating endless enemies. Moulding the minds of Americans to forget their own problems and concentrate on nuclear confrontations with dictators and unfriendly regimes.
It may seem like there is more to the geopolitical strategy currently filling our news outlets and tv screens but in reality, the demons only care about maintaining power and have focussed all their energies on this outcome. Don’t read too much into it, the real game is obvious.
That’s what the elites of the British Empire thought of Imperial Germany in 1913. We’re the largest recipient of their exports. The Kaiser will never go to War with us.
Dear China,
I forgive you for allowing Pelosi to return to USA.
Excellent point and very well explained. Thank you for this insight.
Exactly my thoughts. It will be foolish and against everything one knows about china to make any move today.
Pelosi’s visit will mark the beginning of the end to the Taiwan Saga. There is a “Rock paper scissors” game going on between Russia, U$A–Private Financial Empire and China, with “SURPRISE” the key driver. Russia is driving surprises against the Private Financial Empire/NATO/U$A, the U$A is driving surprises against China, and China doesn’t want surprises, but continue on its current trajectory. For now, Russia has been doing the heavy lifting.
Official statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian:
“Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan will be a gross interference in China’s internal affairs, and will lead to very serious events and dire consequences.” Let’s see China’s response.
China can end buying of U$ treasuries and accepting $ for its goods and manufacturing services. Why use private money 💲? What % of China’s trade is in the US$? Time for China to challenge the Empire in the Financial arena. This will weaken the Empire and strengthen China’s position. The EU won’t have an excuse to sanction China but will have its euro strengthen. China can demand Apple to pay for iPhone manufacturing in 元, cancel license of the U$A financial companies, stop selling rare earth minerals to the U$A (as the U$A is stopping selling of semiconductor manufacturing equipment),… Chinese can unite and boycott American companies products like iPhones, MacDonald, Starbucks,… Time for China to show its resolve has arrived!
China’s Contemporary Amperex Technology, the world’s biggest maker of batteries for electric vehicles, has pushed back announcing a multibillion-dollar North American plant due to tensions raised by Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan!
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-02/pelosi-trip-spurs-china-battery-giant-to-pause-plant-unveiling
China said there would be consequecnces, including military consequences, but never said what, where or when. Now China is sitting quietly, biding her time for the moment to act. Meanwhile, the US struts about as an ignorant fool boasting how they won and China lost – yet in fact the US has no idea what the consequences of her foolish actions will be.
The reality is that the actions of the US have changed the situation on the ground – the rules of the game have changed; the balance of credits and debits have changed; opportunities, hindrances, costs and profits have changed. The entire terrain of the US-China engagement has changed, yet the US has no maps, no potos, no glimpses, not even a glimmer. The only one who knows the new terrain is China, and she can reveal as much or as little as she likes at any time.
In short: the US doesn’t know what hit them, and won’t know until after it happened. Can they brace for the change? How can they prepare if they know nothing about it?
Looking at the comments on RT, it seems like a LOT of anti Chinese and pro US rhetoric is being shoveled on there. I wonder if the ferocity of the anti chinese rhetoric was timed with the landing of Pelosi?
Cambridge Analytica, Strategic Communications Laboratory and Rendon Group are interesting reads.
Essentially SCL and Rendon are two shadowy groups used to ‘spin’ public perception, Cambridge Analytica was apparently a spin-off from SCL.
https://rendon.com/contract-vehicles/
https://www.scl.us.com/our-clients
I notice that some client data has now been removed from both websites :-)
A former marine told me once, “When there’s a doubt there is no doubt.”
A while back, sometime in 2021 maybe, RT changed their entire commenting software to Disqus which I absolutely hate. I stopped commenting on there but continued to read the comments. At some point it became clear that the comment section was becoming analogous to anything you might find under a CNN or Guardian article.
I don’t doubt that the comment stream is entirely programmed. For an analysis that I found useful, here is Scott Ritter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg163VUGkgM
ps: As Scott Ritter says in that interview, China is (hopefully) not going to escalate because of an 82 year old alcoholic….he makes several excellent points including the fact that China’s response to Taiwan is already baked into their Constitution. There is not even any need to discuss things with the Politburo.
RT (English) is catering to the Western audience. That is why it is in English. Eh.
And now it is mostly blocked in Europe, it is even more US-focused reg. readership. Many wise men in US understand US needs Russia to compete/fight with China. Despite the current US course. And those are often the people who would show on RT comments.
This article talks about Russian and Chinese general population views. Those folks do not traverse RT English.
IF, and that is unlikely, anyone in power in the Biden Administration has read the Art of War, it is pretty obvious that they didn’t understand what they were reading. Probably read the Cliff notes version at the bookstore and decided not to buy the book.
They neither know themselves and their own capabilities (demonstrated in the last 20 years for everyone to see), nor do they know the enemy’s motives and capabilities.
“The Art of War” is only 72 pages – no need for a Cliff Notes version.
There are no chapters on Hybrid Warfare, Asymmetric Warfare or Trade War.
“Never interrupt my nap while confusing the enemy with tactical mistakes.” ~ Joe Tzu
The Chinese had found old documents of Tsun bin 孙膑 in 1973, He was a strategist disciple of Tsun Zu and He was more complex, they had been studying them since then.
To understand the Art of War, first read the Dao de Ching. I’ve run across many military officers who ‘studied’ the Art of War without understanding the underlying philosophical precepts.
In this case, China reacting to a clear provocation would be to fight on the enemy territory while the enemy is prepared and expecting. China can continue to play the long game and choose to fight when the advantage is theirs.
To be honest, the decision to take a country to war should never be made without serious consideration, a comment that the current US government should reflect on.
Understand the dao de ching?
If you could do that you probably wouldn’t need to read the art of war.
The Dao is one of my favourite philosophical (pseudo-religious) works, in my opinion much better than the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. You cannot follow the Dao while thinking in the linear western format, which is actually why I agree with your comment in many ways.
Having a Chinese born wife actually descended from Liu Bei, and spent considerable time in very ‘out of the way’ places there, I am in a bit better situation to understand their philosophical outlook than most, but even western style thinkers should be able to understand the concept of ‘balance’.
Having a Chinese wife or living in China doesn’t make you an expert on Chinese philosophy.
Sun Tzu’s book became a classic because its lessons can be applied in warfare as well as in personal life. As Andrei Martyanov has pointed out, modern warfare is a more complex business than what’s described in ancient texts. Therefore, such texts should be considered only as a general guide.
True, it is best for Beijing to choose the time & place to fight. However, when the Chinese government declares USA will “suffer unbearable consequences” but nothing happens, Beijing’s credibility is at risk. Even Kadirov hinted at this.
That said, will Beijing follow international law, withdraw its ambassadors from USA, expel USA diplomats from China, & issue a formal declaration of war?
” However, when the Chinese government declares USA will “suffer unbearable consequences” but nothing happens…”
Yet.
The “Yet” is important.
Keeping the US guessing not only about the what but the when.
Nope. They’ll stop exporting rare earths to Taiwan. Suddenly, all these nice chips won’t be produced, save in friendly states.
Expect many techical failures in digging and processing, sooner rather than later.
Perhaps. But I predict China will reveal soon financial and other economic consequences–serious but not enough to destroy the U.S. market that has been a golden goose to China over the past three decades–and at least some military consequences. The one military consequence that would injure very few but send a powerful message would be to send a few cruise missiles aimed at Taiwan’s military airports, in the processing destroying a few planes on the ground. Taiwan would quickly realize its air force (and other defenses) are useless against modern Chinese military technology and it would force the U.S. to either defend Taiwan and enter a war against China or lose total face since Biden has already mentioned the U.S. would defend Taiwan if attacked. Carrier-based aerial assets are much more vulnerable than land-based ones so I believe that the U.S. would not risk any confrontation with China near its mainland. But if Xi Jinping does nothing he will definitely lose face before an important National Party Congress this fall. Just as Khrushchev lost face publicly during Cuban Missile Crisis and was subsequently deposed–even though the secret deal was advantageous to the Soviets–so, too, would Xi’s future be placed at risk if the absence of any important retaliation.
China should not have launched its week of doomsday rhetoric which climaxed with Pelosi ignoring the “no fly zone” China said it imposed, landing in Taiwan, and giving Xi a big middle finger.
You can give me all the five dimensional Chinese checkers rationales you want, but to the average Chinese in the street – and anybody else keeping an eye on this – it will look as if China got its rump kicked here.
Please let us know what the average chinese are saying about this event. You obviously know about these matters.
” William Quick on August 02, 2022 · at 7:15 pm EST/EDT
China should not have launched its week of doomsday rhetoric which climaxed with Pelosi ignoring the “no fly zone” China said it imposed, landing in Taiwan, and giving Xi a big middle finger.
You can give me all the five dimensional Chinese checkers rationales you want, but to the average Chinese in the street – and anybody else keeping an eye on this – it will look as if China got its rump kicked here.”
so i guess you didn’t read the article fully on what the saker said…
“[Sidebar: there is a direct connection between years of Kremlin’s rather weak and mostly verbal protests and the “sudden” appearance of the Russian ultimatum to the West followed by the SMO: the Kremlin literally “cooked” its own public opinion to the point were IT *demanded* strong action. Far from alienating or frightening most Russians, the SMO came as a huge relief to them: “we are FINALLY putting the foot down and taking real action”. That would not have been possible before 2018. Those in the West who saw Putin’s “indecisiveness” simply don’t understand the Russian mindset anymore than they understand the Chinese one. Simply put: you cannot prepare for war without preparing your own population for it! That is what Tom Clancy does to the brains of those reading him]”
so i guess you’re one of the tom clancy guys that the saker is saying…. hmmm…
Was the “no fly zone” rhetoric put out within China for the Chinese public, or only announced in the U.S?
The two different possibilities lead to entirely different ramifications and interpretations.
Credibility with whom?
Chinese credibility in zone A ?
Hello Lenning,
This is my view………..
The call between Xi and Biden was the edge. It was the bell ringing and the actual start of the real conflict. So appearances, atmospherics and the rest nolonger count. It was on like Donkey Kong before Nancy P. landed. The warning was to President Biden and his crew, that applied to any further stupid moves they may make, not just her landing.
I think the truth of it is that the Chinese playbook was already set by the time of the meeting in Alaska. Everything after that, leading to this point and future ones was just letting the US move deeper into the prepared ambushes. The Alaska summit was a 1:12 video but, in many ways much more ominous than what was related in the most recent China communications. China representatives told the US flat out they were already prepared so don´t get stupid and that warning went right over US heads, completely unseen and at MACH 12. I highly recommend to anyone who seriously wants to understand what is currently going down, that they watch the entire Alaska video. The older writings are probably very good to read but what happened at that summit leaves an absolutely crystal clear picture of consequences for bad behavior.
My guess is that China already decided, maybe even years ago, how they were going to handle things. They just waited for a few more details to go their way. This is not going to be pretty, not so much for the common man but, for the elites as they are going to scream endlessly. All of the targets have been picked out. It was easy. Like shooting dead fish on the beach. How did our leadership get to be so blind?
I wish well to you Lenning.
You gotta love the show. Being alive now to watch it is a real treat.
We do indeed live in very interesting times, but seeing it as a “treat” is perhaps a touch naive. Life as we know it could get very unpleasant very quickly as the supply chains on which our comfortable existences depend fray and break.
I do agree with you, Niccos. So many things going on now that hurt us plebes directly, it’s great to see something finally come along that makes the elites squirm for once. There will be a Great Reset, but not the one they ordered and paid for. The preppers will be challenged to the extreme, but once you’ve built a boat, it’s nice to have a chance to test it.
Only fragile egos lash out violently against a perceived ‘affront’ and the Chinese demonstrate their ability to rise above childish behavior. OTOH this represents a hard turning point in their relations with the West that will resonate in many other areas politically, economically and militarily.
It is foolish and unfortunate for the US and Western powers to demand having their way, as shown with the sanctions as well. We will need future help and cooperation as our own economies face enormous challenges and sink as a result of decades of bad management and government corruption. We have turned the new confident Eurasian community against us, and powerhouse China will be the spearhead of that movement.
Athough I hate Pelosi, and believe that she’s foolhardy in the extreme, her landing there DOES demonstrate Taiwanese sovereignty. And that’s what has got to piss off the CCP.
Other than that, the entire thing is an own-goal by Washington DC.
Biden gang is truly destroying and leaving flat literally all pro-west small factions in Russia and China. Things are even better if fools in west are thinking “how strong and determined” we are. But think about Taiwan if certain critical strategic resources stop flowing from Russia, China, Belo Russia and Venezuela.
The whole episode just underlined the panic in western hq’s. Their house seems to be burning.
China and Taiwan; US and Cuba. Same circus, different clowns. I was 15 at the time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vasily_Arkhipov
Will we be so lucky this time?
Patience is a virtue which Russia and China display .
The shrinking “west” have little concept of that. The west has zero understanding of China and its culture.. We judge China and (Russia) using our failed and failing values imbued in our distorted self-righteous cultures.
Thats why we (west) are losing on most fronts and they (east)/south are climbing and gaining political and moral support from their peer nations.
The geopolitical world is divided under current political leadership s …. and that divide is deepening.
You are right on. This day will shape the future to come. The people of Taiwan will regret THIS day
And the anglozionist empire will live a short glory.
. You named the CPC correctly . Very respectful , congtats
this comment has been flagged as of little/no value (possibly troll) by the saker
Give me a break. China wussed out, and it IS a big loss of face. Part of being a grown up is admitting when things don’t go your way.
Pfft. When you are in a real battle, psycophants are poison. In the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, Arab command realized this and started off by getting their battlefield intel from intercepted Israeli communications rather than listening to their own butt kissing junior officers. It worked!
The word you are looking for is (probably) “sycophant”. The dictionary is your friend.
@LordBaldric – which movies have you been watching recently?
The superlative arrogance of Mrs. Pelosi is paid by small people like me, she surely not.
I, probably like many Americans, thought that yes, the Chinese lost face here. They look like so many impotent ants swarming around Taiwan putting on their military drills. But, after reading your comments I have to agree with you. Very illuminating —thank you!
Andrei is a genius. Thank you for your words.
Great Analysis. As many Saker readers are aware, the current tensions with China over Taiwan go back decades, to the Truman Administration. See- Brian Berletic lays all of this out in his latest video- New Atlas LIVE: US-Chinese Tensions Over Taiwan Mon, Aug 1, 2022; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-c0qd7g1c
From the WSWS-
‘Clearly, the Biden administration wants to provoke some sort of military conflict with China. If it did not, it would not allow the risk of Pelosi’s trip.
The American ruling class sees no other way of maintaining its global hegemony except through confrontation with China. From the standpoint of US military strategists, a war with China is not a matter of if but of when.
Beyond geopolitical considerations, the recklessness of American imperialism is driven by domestic factors. The deeper the economic and social crisis in the US, the more it is inclined to escalate international conflicts to the point of war.’
See- Nancy Pelosi, stay out of Taiwan! US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will arrive in Taiwan in the next 24 hours, flanked by a US aircraft carrier, a destroyer, a cruiser and dozens of F-35 aircraft in a deliberate effort to provoke an escalation of the US-China conflict. By Andre Damon Aug 2, 2022; https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2022/08/02/pers-a02.html
” ‘Clearly, the Biden administration wants to provoke some sort of military conflict with China. If it did not, it would not allow the risk of Pelosi’s trip.”
That appears to be a logical conclusion indeed not if but when. But the logic also bears out that the U$A’s only capability to hit back would be on a nuclea level. From the research I have been doing relative to current conventional U$ war-making capacity, if the result is in any way accurate China will overwhelm conventionally
Any China/U$A war would be sort of Amargeddon by all appearancess. It therfore also means that the AngloZionists have alsp reasoned out that they will have no world but an Anglo Zionist hegemony
China has neither the the sea-lift nor amphbious capability to overwhelm Taiwan conventionally.
With current assets, it would take them months to land the number of troops that the US and Britain landed in Normandy on D-Day. And that’s assuming zero losses AND immediately capturing and holding a port in Taiwan.
China wants the Chip-making plants. China’s problem is that the only capability they have at the moment is obliterate everything and everyone. Even an intact chipmaking plant, without the engineers & technicians who work there, is just a building cluttered up with worthless equipment.
Good points. I can only add that Russia has been doing the heavy lifting as regards ending US hegemony while China drags its feet. This offense may change that.
There may be some leaders in China who adhere to Deng’s advice to lay low and wait. I think China is guilty of wishful thinking if they cling to any hope of seeing their $1 trillion in dollar reserves again. And they drag their feet on digital yuan – which should be all over the 3rd world by now. And they could demand yuan for exports, at least gradually, Their action is overdue.
Andrei: I really love the consistency with which your analysis punctures the false consciousness that seeks to dominate the West. You constantly draw an illuminating line between sanity and illusion. I agree with everything you have said about this Taiwan drama. It is great to have you back. Thank you.
China promised a military response? How about:
Supplying ammunition to the newly liberated republics of Ukraine? Build bases and military infrastructure for them?
Step up cooperation/supplies to the Serbs?
Give the Iranians/Venezuelans/Cubans hypersonic carrier killers?
@littlereddot
Don’t hold your breath. Even with “better than an ally” Russia, China had been passive and playing goody two shoes with their “peacemaker and moral” rhetoric. Until I see decisive action from China that REALLY hurts the USA(military, political, economic), so far it’s more bark than bite. Russia has earned my respect with the SMO. I am still waiting for China to prove its worth.
No one is expecting China to supply arms to Russia(Russia doesn’t need it). I would expect strong economic support, not mere refusing to sanction Russia. Recognize the independence of the Donbass republics. Cut ties with Ukraine. That’s what allies do. ‘more than allies’ but China hasn’t had the political will to stand by Russia enough. So it’s mere talk with little substance.
I can understand how a formal Sino-Russian alliance complicates Chinese ‘moral arguments’ with regards to Taiwan. China wants to have this narrative that it is a “peaceful and anti-war” power. That it respects the sovereignity of nations Vs belligerent, warmongering and invasive USA. Many Pro China sites continue to contrast Ukraine as an ‘invasion by Russia’ albeit for ‘legitimate Russian security concerns” Vs Taiwan as a rogue province of China and thus USA interference of Taiwan is an “invasion ” of Chinese sovereignity. In other words, China actually plays by Western narrative of ‘morality’ and yet supports Russia(in a very subdued non confronting the West way) to counteract USA. This is akin to trying to have risk free geopolitics, taking advantage of both blocs. China is very sensitive about how it portrays itself as a “peaceful non invasive” superpower, champion of the global south etc. It is sensitive of USA pointing fingers at China as hypocritical if it has an alliance with Russia. I also suspect Chinese elites are not keen to anger or sever ties with USA and EU over Russia’s SMO. The economy of China is still too symbiotic with the West – and Beijing fears economic retaliation of the West leading to domestic economic troubles the most. This is China’s weakness – this Chinamerica “symbiotic economics”.
The Chinese cannot have it both ways. China must take a side , and formally does so. This goody two shoes Chinese policy is a weakness exploited by USA to China’s detriment and the detriment of dethroning USA hegemony for a multipolar world order. Truly be a formal ally of Russia or be a paper dragon and always be played by the USA/collective West is my take on China.
Just my thoughts.
For all who thought the PLA would attack the US Navy or Taiwan or some nearby US assets, realize this is China.
Not a Dragon in the military field. More Panda than Dragon, except in very limited border skirmishes.
China has a long history of patience (and being invaded and taken over). Somehow, it always decides not to act in any manner, and to throw words at the threats that come its way.
What should it do now?
It’s strongest weapon is very weak right now. The economic flow of cheap products to the US.The China economy is slowing, and it needs help. But it is a good weapon against the US.
Currently, Biden is tempted to pull off the tariffs to make imports cheaper in the US.
So, the question is can the Chinese people take more unemployment and less growth for a few years, allowing the Chinese exports and supply chain to shrivel?
The result would be calamity for the Biden administration the next two years.
There is one war the US has no weapons for and that is domestic consumption of foreign cheap imports.
So, President Xi can do this very asymmetrical thing and deny the US cheap products across the board.
The American economy will scream and policies will change.
Let’s see if Xi dares to use the Chinese economy to wage war against the American economy.
It would be a very Panda-thing to do, since the Dragon is cozy back in its cave.
By the way, Putin did this with oil and with natural gas. Europe is screaming and hurting and policies are buckling, and winter isn’t even here yet.
Yes, my friend, likely that China will use economic penalties, we can make educated guesses what these will be.
Two economic consequences are very certain as fallout from Pelosi’s provocation.
1) Chinese financial investments in NATO countries will unwind surprisingly rapidly over the next 9 – 30 months. Chinese investment in hard assets ( real estate abd industry ) will also be unwound albiet much more gradually.
2) De-dollarization will accelerate big time.
The Chinese government doesn’t need to “sanction” the US. A billion people will naturally prefer not to buy products from that insulting country.
Just imagine a time, there won’t be a new iPhone, iPad, Macbook, Windows laptops, especially the Microsoft’s own brand, and such like…China suddenly doesn’t want to produce them for the US companies. Also, Taiwanese laptops, tablets, phones etc, which is also made in mainland China. What is China doesn’t want to produce sport shoes and such like for the US companies, but would produce their own. Most of the EU is dependent on made in China medicine, so what happens, when those companies stop taking contracts?
Wouldn’t exactly that be a blessing? Modern medicine does nothing else than suppressing the symptoms and slowly poisoning (killing) the patient. Such action by the Chinese would only hurt Big Pharma so please do!
To Larchmonter445
You ask: What should it do now?
Note that Xi is soon up for election for an unprecedented third term. This fact could have had material input into his decisions made today and going forward until reelection is secured.
Actually, the timing of pelousy trip is curious Why now? Could it be that brandon handlers were actually trying to seed unrest in the chinese people on hope that they would see Xi as a weak leader before next election and regime change him? It is a small risk, if any, to gamble that Xi will not shoot down the plane or otherwise start ww3. Neither the leadership of RU nor CH are impulsive. So no real risk here. Whatever response is to be made will be made after reelection is secured. So they have a window of time here in which to pummel the propaganda against Xi and that program began with humiliating Xi as a leader in front of his own people with the pelousi visit.
There are 3 world leaders that the US hates: Putin, Xi, and Khamenei. And the reason is: they can’t be bought like so many others.
Keeping in mind the larger aims and concurrent balls being juggled, this may be more an indirect attack against the US people.. US is as reliant on China as Europe was on Russia..
The Young Global Leader Euro technocrats unleashed the sanctions from hell against Russia, knowing it would primarily rebound & harm European energy, food and supply chains, businesses, trade, movement and connectivity, standards of living, etc.. iow, Suicide by cop. No elite on either side of the Atlantic serve their people. Now, through goading China, the Eugenicists work to complete the job on the other pillar of the West – USA.. they want plausible deniability for the arrived Dust Bowl and other travails.
Nevertheless a world of hurt, of asymmetrical punishment, is coming USA and Taiwan’s way.. it may not have had the shock value of JFK’s assassination, but feels a similar watershed moment, that a Rubicon has been crossed. Chinese now have no option but to respond, their culture, and prestige itself within Asia demands it. But on their terms and timetable.
Even militarily before the hot phase starts, it will cause overstretch as PACIFICOM is forced to increase resources and readiness in that direction to ward off a blow that can come at any time. As Russia maintains unrelenting pressure via the SMO, so will China through changed postures, bellicosity, messenging. Distracted, the Ukraine will slip away even faster now.. A Chinese death by a thousand cuts unfolds
Everything is pointing to the west running thin on resources abroad, and escalating domestic troubles then toppling the already top heavy political system with the last straw on the back being financial.
Don’t know about the timing, the hour is late, but the day is long.
To Ahh
I thank you for your most profound post. I had gotten distracted. Now i have more clarity. Some articles ago i posted about a 1993 article by Coleman who revealed it all. EU and US were first in the agenda. You are safe, for now, if my memory is correct that i read you live on the continent of A. I ask: What would you do if you lived in the belly of the beast as do I? One cannot just place finger on map and make proactive choice. Once the ball gets rolling, it will gain momentum on its own. Ova before u know it.
To Ahh again
The Coleman article and a really good discussion occurred at July 26 SitRep article. See: Soleii on July 26, 2022 · at 2:06 pm EST/EDT
“By the way, Putin did this with oil and with natural gas”.
Actually, still better – Europe was manoeuvred into doing it to itself. Now that is strategic genius.
do you consider it a possibility that given all the growth coming out of sco, afghanistan, brics+, iran, bri, africa, africa, middle east & the global south that the loss of natostan as a market mightn’t be a loss bt rather a factored in gain? china, russia & other friendly think forums may’ve foreseen this fumble by brandon & are ready to play it. certainly the items traded to natostan are different, bt some markets will soak up the spill, opening a new world of new orders, new tastes…exotic & familiar & long loved throughout global south. it mayn’t be a good time in the west to be selling or owning outdated tech, or what fills most lush condos in geneva or the palisades.
To emersonreturn
Yes, i agree. You are quite correct. All the action and sunshine shall be on the other side of the pond. But what are people to do who live in US&CA?
Hello, for sure no dragon. I had the impression Chinese leadership fell into the provocation to some extent and overstated a bit their threads, feeding expectation for some sort of showdown, which implied some lose of face.
US will for sure brag about it. Also, I think we can expect other anglo-zionist vassals to replicate the move US did in the next months. Chinese is for sure more informed than me about their state of their military, but if they want to prevent a major war against the combined west, they should act before the Taiwan regime become overconfident, better armed and aggressively secessionist.
Brilliant take, Andrei. The galvanizing effects on Chinese and Russian population centers from all this is something that hadn’t crossed the mind of a knave like me. Thanks for the lesson. Andrei. When only the best will do.
China does/did not have to do this. As soon as I saw all that armor being paraded around I went – please…that shit don`t float. Not a hunnerd mile offshore under fire.
Set up a doode with a US made manpad along the runway. Plausible deniability. Rid the world of that terrible hag. Most of the US would break out in celebration – as the rest of the planet. Yeah, innocents get in the way.
I do not have a dog in that conflict(though I think, that a referendum would be the way to go – just as EVERYWHERE), but a landing is NOT militarily feasible. Even without US help. Can not be done. Do not even try it. It seems, China will have controlling share of the place soon enough – if they(China) last a few more election cycles.
China did the right thing – although sometimes think, eh, eff it! It is worth it. Let`s get it over with mofo.
I WOULD take the job with the manpad – as a person with a conscience, but I I have no desire to involve too many others. Therein the rub though ain`t it?
I have no love for China either. Or any other place. Kinda like the Taiwanese though from afar, they seem nicer, than average. Just me.
It was silly.
Funny thing – just about as the witch was about to land, power went out at my place. I`m like no effin way – wrong again, since I did not think Putin is gonna cross the border in February.
Good thing, I`m offgrid…I thought, then started with an iodine pill and washed it down with a beer…good to go… 🤓
Look at pelosi – They live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inZUDMGJsKo
Did you know that Taiwan is full of Chinese people?
Kinda like saying you like Rhode Islanders, but not USAmericans.
Another question is: Was pelosi actually sober when she got there? (No, I don’t mean on the political alcoholism hubris front as I haven’t watched any of it).
A baited trap appears to have been sprung. Easy to waltz in.. what will be the price to get out? And when will the thief be permitted to get out? This is getting juicy – countless ways to humiliate & regain face without giving them the Pearl Harbor event they desire
I was just thinking that a suitable response would be to destroy the runway on which her plane landed with a rocket attack. Minimal casualties, but leave her trapped there.
Both Pelosi and Biden (family) have deep pockets filled with Chinese gold. Whatever she is doing is not against China’s wishes. Seems both sides can use this drama to drum up mutually antagonistic perception as part of a dynamic which will lead to further sanctions and bifurcation between Eurasia and Western axis.
Chinese police have been cajoling lock-down resisters with the reminder that ‘don’t you know we are at war with the Americans?’ This kerfuffle will further that sort of narrative. The Chinese are getting their people ready for war but I suspect they are doing so in a pas de deux with the Americans.
This is a managed controversy no doubt part of the economic and political take-down which will provide the pretext for some sort of Great Reset in which both China, Russia and the West will participate.
I am with you on this point. Both this and the Russian SMO were easily avoidable conflicts.
After the overstating of the plague of the last 2.5 years (Reset Phase 1) and wherever these conflicts go (Reset Phase 2), there will be a new global rule set, including a new Bretton Woods type global financial regime.
After experiencing the rationing and other hardships of war, the majority will welcome whatever techno-fascist control system they decide to implement.
The U.S. decided that they would send their manufacturing to China so the elites could reap the rewards of cheap labor and maximization of profits. What the west didn’t realize that the Chinese played the long game by building and modernizing their military and creating a higher standard of living for their people. The new world order “geniuses” thought that the Chinese would remain subjects to the west’s rules and comply with the edicts handed out to them. I would assume that the Chinese are watching the U.S. and the west destroy themselves under debt, and corruption. The western so called elites are nothing more than narcisistic sociopaths who believe their own BS.
I think China will respond small to satisfy the Chinese people, but will continue to watch the demise of their enemies by their own hands.
Everyone on Wall Street, is a treasonous bastard, because that’s where each corporation’s decision to send manufacturing to China was made.
Andrei your closing statement is the truth. “I think that Nancy Pelosi deserves our profound gratitude. She should get at least two medals:
One from the CP of China in gratitude for her endless efforts to rally the people of China around their government and
One from Russia, for her endless efforts into solidifying the Russian-Chinese alliance.
Truth be told, between Bliken and Pelosi the national security interests of China and Russia are in good hands :_+-++++++++
And since true what does it mean when the Collective West is served by Ignorant Hirelings serving a Transnational objective of totalitarianism? What greater benefit to Russia and China arises with American policy? Do the Chinese simply ask and Biden sends Pelosi over to ease the reintegration of the rebel province?
Who knows how the Chinese government is going to respond to such a flagrant, stupid, irresponsible provocation. It seems like the senile democrats in the US are on a suicide mission: what do they have to lose? A few miserable years of life left? Why should they care about some 7-plus billion people on the planet now facing more and more apocalyptic dangers? There are no fools like old fools. There are no meaner people than old, dying politicians. To hell with the planet.
I think it is too early to judge ‘if’ the Chinese will respond. They said there would be consequences ‘if’ she landed. On these grounds, they could not act before she landed or even while she landed (to prevent it). They gave her the choice. She took it. She landed. We have to wait and see what will happen.
Yes, she has to fly out of Taiwan tomorrow. Will she be allowed to do so?
…I think chinesse will delay her departure( did anyone notice she had more than few drinks)….I believe today Xi start reset relationship with with neocons/warmongers/khazars – Russians did in the February…Xi openly today…will be this end of Brandon/Pelosi/Blinken…????
In October 2019, Jake Sullivan, who became U.S. National Security Advisor in 2021, stated in an interview that the U.S. needed a clear threat to rally the world and play the role of saviour of mankind and that China could be that organizing principle for U.S. foreign policy. In the 2019 interview, he acknowledges that the problem was that people were not going to believe that China is a global threat, that their view of China is too positive and that the United States would need a “Pearl Harbour moment,” a real focusing event to change their minds, something he calmly stated that “would scare the hell out of the American people.”
—
“Thus, when Jake Sullivan observes that there is not enough anti-China sentiment to bolster an image of the United States as a “saviour of mankind” against China and that America is in need of a “Pearl Harbour moment” I would be very wary.
The circus around Pelosi’s trip to Taiwan in the coming days, and evident glee that is coming forth from many of these neocons frothing at the mouth over this prospect is a clear sign that something incredibly reckless and stupid is about to happen.
Pelosi’s airplane might indeed be shot down on her completely irrelevant and unnecessary trip to Taiwan, and if it is, don’t be surprised if it was the Americans themselves who are behind it, who have shown they are willing to do anything for that “Pearl Harbour moment.”
https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2022/07/30/is-pelosi-trip-to-taiwan-pearl-harbour-moment-jake-sullivan-called-for/
I’m no fan of Sullivan, but he said there were many people in the establishment who held this view, and he said that he did not agree with it. He might have hedged a bit later to imply that he was against it for now, but he did say he was against this stance.
Can anyone help? I tried to go to Frankies site in SC and got this: What does it say (google wont translate) and how to correct the 403 error?
403
403 Forbidden
В доступе на страницу отказано
vip80.hosting.reg.ru 02 Aug 2022 22:10
Что случилось и как исправить?
— Неверные права на каталоги или файлы
Верные права на папки: 755, на файлы: 644. Если у вас назначены другие, исправьте по инструкции.
— Ограничение доступа через .htaccess
Переименуйте файл .htaccess. Например, в .htaccess_old. После проверьте, работает ли сайт.
—————————-
Google-translate from mod:
The access to the page is denied
vip80.hosting.reg.ru 02 aug 2022 22:10
What happened and how to fix it?
– Inappropriate rights to catalogs or files
Trust rights to folders: 755, to files: 644. If you have others, fix according to the instructions.
– Limiting access through .htaccess
Rename the .htaccess file. For example, in .htaccess_old. After check if the site works.
Take this conversation to the MF Cafe – its off-topic. Mod.
Need a vpn to access the site.
Other options, psiphon at psiphon.ca, will reroute your traffic.
Heard could use safaria (or is it opera), has build it vpn, not confirmed.
To Joe, thank you for trying to help. It is sincerely appreciated.
This is DNS hijacking, I think.
DNS just translates “cnn.com” to something computers undertand: numbers.
Your DNS server is mapping strategic-culture.org to 31.31.198.41, when it probably should point to 151.236.80.5.
You could change your default dns server to 1.1.1.1 which appears to work correctly, or add an entry to your hosts file to override DNS. That file is (if I recall for Windows) in c:/windows/system32/drivers/etc and named “hosts.txt”
Here’s a better description:https://www.partitionwizard.com/clone-disk/win10-hosts-file.html
I’d google around for details but if you are careful, add some lines at the end of the file like these:
151.236.80.5 http://www.strategic-culture.org
151.236.80.5 strategic-culture.org
Now when the real strategic culture changes hosting, this will break because the IP will be wrong. Hope that helps!
To bobzibub
I am most grateful for your kindness of a reply and for trying to help. I am sincerely appreciative.
“Pelosi’s airplane might indeed be shot down on her completely irrelevant and unnecessary trip to Taiwan, and if it is, don’t be surprised if it was the Americans themselves who are behind it, who have shown they are willing to do anything for that “Pearl Harbour moment.” ”
The same thought crossed my mind. This isn’t over yet.
In 2021 the submarine USS Connecticut did hit ‘an uncharted seamount’ in the South China Sea, while being submerged underwater. The damage done to the submarine was explained away by the US as a one-sided accident. The more probable explanation – the submarine was hit by a Chinese submarine with a brute force no American submarine ever experienced – never did surface. I guess that the Chinese will use a similar tactic this time by moving the ‘uncharted seamount’ right in front of an US aircraft carrier.
By all standards, it is a major victory for the US.
When a bully screams and rants and yells, people give him leeway, but he has not won anything. He has no principles, honesty, integrity. Do I respect a screaming drunk, I am careful and patient I do not have to sink to his level.
He has not won anything just shown how low he is.
It is way to soon to say….
Not all ‘standards’. The US just spat in the face of China, and on the chinese people.
The US just destroyed its long beneficial relation with China. For what ?
China did undoubtedly lose face in the short term at least. That said, this isn’t a football game. Making another country lose face shouldn’t be the goal. It’s hard to say what China will do, but ultimately the juice might not be worth this short term squeeze. At best relations will be damaged for nothing more than a political stunt designed to prop up the Dems before midterms.
If we are going to use a sporting analogy, baseball might be the best sport. If a batter shows out too much and shows up the pitcher after a home run, it is customary that the next time he gets up to bat, the pitcher puts a 95 mph fastball in his ear hole. China will respond. I hope it isn’t too damaging.
The article is a bit too harsh on Americans. Most of us see this for the shallow and unnecessary political stunt that it is.
Re: “One from Russia, for her endless efforts into solidifying the Russian-Chinese alliance.”
This shameful act of unprovoked aggression of my own government has implications that reach far beyond just CH & RU. It can tip the hand of IN, with whom US wants to maintain allegiance. And countries of Africa and S America (& elsewhere) are watching and no doubt thinking: If with them, then why not also with me.
Betrayal and an abusive disrespect riddle all dealings with US. No contract or treaty is sacrosanct but can be overturned upon their whim. If you stand up for the rights of your nation as sovereign, they will not hesitate to asassinate you, your top government scientists and officials, even your holy men (Soleimani). They recognize no borders (US boots now on ground in Yemen and bombs in Somalia). They feel no moral pang upon their overt piracy of your natural resources or upon their nuclear attack on even their own citizens, let alone those of another land. They are rich beyond imagination yet they deprive the poor of a minimal sustenance of food. They believe that they are entitled to depopulate you and cause you all kinds of lethal diseases by poisonous injectables and genetically altered food because, in their opinion, you are a “useless eater.”
In Oliver Stone’s dated movie JFK, the DA Garrison uttered a line that was impossible to purge from memory: “Sometimes I’m ashamed to be an American.”
This is so damn frustrating. 3/4 of Americans would be fine with them shooting down that satanic witch, but because of that nasty old mummy, we are going to end up getting a National black eye or worse.
I wish I was president so badly. “They shot her down? Then they nuked Los Angeles, Seattle, and Portland? Tell them that we are willing to let bygones be bygones, if they are.”
One of the reasons that Liu Bei did not become emperor of all China is that he failed on a couple of critical occasions to listen to Kongming, choosing emotion over thought. Sima Yi managed to outplay all the players, placing his grandson on the throne.
Hey, don’t leave out SF, NYC, and some small stuff in Foggy Bottom, Capitol Hill, and Langley.
@ Saker
I think that Nancy Pelosi deserves our profound gratitude. She should get at least two medals:
One from the CP of China in gratitude for her endless efforts to rally the people of China around their government and
One from Russia, for her endless efforts into solidifying the Russian-Chinese alliance.
Truth be told, between Bliken and Pelosi the national security interests of China and Russia are in good hands
:-)
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Brilliant!
Why shoot down an old hag that would awaken commiseration all over, and condemnation for the “cruel Chinese communists,” if her visit only adds up to the insults China has to “suffer”?
Biden and la Pelosi are ready for hospice care, why make a martyr of her?
Russia and China have no time to waste on adventurism, they are leading a world-wide revolution against a decaying world order.
Cheers.
Lone Wolf
Lone Wolf,
Terrific comment! However, I still believe that China will respond — probably with an economic measure that will destroy the dollar faster, thus taking the ‘world-wide revolution against a decaying world order’ a bit further.
Regards.
China has to respond. Because thats how thugs are respected. If Russia and China want to weaken the US hegemony and create a credible alternative, even a bloc, they need to show others they mean business. Russians have done that twice already (in Syria and Ukraine). Chinese have not done anything.
US calculations have to be ignored. They dont make sense anymore from their strategic interest perspective. Hard to read who controls the blob now.
Biden and Pelosi are due for eternal torment.
I’ll bet you an inflating dollar that China’s response goes well beyond cutting of agricultural imports from Taiwan. For example, a much busier ADIZ. Of course, I was wrong once, in 1927, and I suppose it could happen again.
Look at it this way, Fred:
There is nothing China could do that would be more destructive to the USA than letting her continue to live.
“and they know better and you can be sure that THEY, not the USA, will chose the time, place and mode of retaliation.”
The pendulum is slowing as it reaches its limit. Every day that passes sees China stronger and us loosing yet another military/civilizational confrontation that we initiated. China gets a nice measured dose of revenge every second of every passing day, when it swings back the other way, look the __ out.
Could all this school yard bravado come from having some very potent bio-weapons that we could soon taste? This sticking your thumb in the opponents eye when they have a loaded revolver stuck in our mouth is brazen.
Wonder if listening to the live feed of the awacs monitors would have cut through her fog? That expression locked on always gives pause when you listen to it happen. Very little ambiguity, eerily cool, but terrifying if you are the target. We could be dead. Used to be able to do a pretty good imitation of a Bat-6 I think they called it. Not to mention a Victor, changing depth, speeding up and turning all at the same time. Ending with dead silence. Big racket then gone.
So we just crossed another red line, that won’t help sleep come any easier. If it turns out as well as the last one our lifestyles will certainly suffer.
Time to go fix the truck and pack my tools for tomorrow. Oh one last word. We love the Saker team, so don’t worry about the blog being perfect. Perfectionism is always a death rattle. It’s the mocking brag of an entity about to get slammed. Look how awesome we are, snuff.
Stay human, it suits us all just fine.
To frankly
What a great post you created. I could feel your humanity — an articulated expression of emotion. It was artistic. Thank you.
I was able to initiate a really good discussion on the SitRep article at end of July. Lots of good ideas and clarifications from different points of view. Of particular interest is the Coleman article which, although published back in 1993, describes events to come that are happening now. Horrifying. Just horrifying. Of particular concern is the fact that the bioweapon program to eliminate people was set to commence in EU and N America. Your fears about the next bioweapon attack here in US are well founded.
I wish that i was able to go get my tools and go out and fix my truck. I think it was in presstv.com that i saw a picture of Leader Ali of Iran planting a tree. My recollection is that the caption read something like: “Planting a tree at this time in the world is an act of defiance.” So, go get your tools and fix your truck in face of the knowledge that a next bioweapon attack is imminent. It is an act of defiance.
See:
Soleii on July 26, 2022 · at 2:06 pm EST/EDT
Tempest in a teapot. This geriatric wine grandmother’s vist to Taiwan changes nothing in the grand scheme of things. Militarily the situation remains unchanged.
Economically both China and the U.S. appear to have massive fundamental problems atm but for different reasons. China possibility has a roadmap out of it’s difficulties with the BRI where things look a bit more challenging for the hegemon.
Most likely there will be war in the near future or the US will abdicate its hegemonic status in the far East. Chutzpah seems to be the way of the Neocon so I would bet on war.
I think China made the right move with Nancy Quixoti. Whatever we think of her, Pelosi is too big of a fish to take on directly and the MIC is looking for an excuse to divert attention from their losses is Ukraine. Attacking the old bat, will just further galvanize the Woke. China can keep its hands clean and outsource the pain administration to Putin.
I am actually surprised that Pelosi landed in Taiwan. The US “leaders” are actually more childish than I thought they were. Her visit will have absolutely no effect except to strengthen China’s resolve.
@ Anton Gorbatow on August 02, 2022 · at 2:13 pm EST/EDT
Hi Anton, I have a reply for you in the former thread.
Cheers.
Lone Wolf
Lone Wolf, I read your reply to my comment in the former thread and left a brief reply to your reply.
@ Anton Gorbatow on August 02, 2022 · at 9:11 pm EST/EDT
Thanks, Anton.
Good way to go. Many years ago I had a similar epiphany while training Aikido, that the only one that I can change is myself.
Cheers.
Lone Wolf
Regarding the present non-response by the Chinese,
we may recall the ending to CV Cafavy’s poem,
“Waiting for the Barbarians” :
Because night has fallen
and the barbarians haven’t come.
And some of our men just in from the border
say there are no barbarians any longer.
Now what’s going to happen to us without barbarians?
” Those people were a kind of solution ! “
it’d be much more fun (and easier) just to stop her leaving!
I think it’s important to understand the mentality of policymakers in Washington. The old idea of the “US” doing this or that is not quite right. The federal state structure is what Michael Franzese calls a “Mafia Democracy” with a lot of rackets running wild. As someone familiar with the Washington “scene” I realized the mafia nature of all this stuff going down particularly after 9/11 when the “gloves came off” and attitudes within the security structures changed to “were going to f**k you up” kind of mentality and it doesn’t matter who, btw. Point these guys in some direction and they want to go.
The Pelosi trip is all about giving the finger to China and the Chinese will take it because it all seems so trivial and they would be wrong (from their POV) to take any major actions. Washington WANTS confrontation anywhere and everywhere because it keeps the rackets going and brings in tons of cash to various “captains” or “made men” within the whole system which includes various sectors not just the MIC. It’s the same sort of benefit the whole identity politics/wokeness trip does for the Deep State–it keeps people at each other’s throat over trivialities while the oligarchs laugh all the way to the bank–meaning not only cash money but power. Thus, it makes sense for all major figures within most cultural institutions to go along with things and pay respect to the bosses.
To be clear, I saw during the 00’s the fact that people in and around government really did not care about the US population except as chumps easily manipulated–fortunately that manipulation is breeding increasing cynicism with most people. For those of you reading this who are in Washington even if you are in opposition the scene is toxic so just get out. There is no hope in that direction for change or reform.
As a few others may have expressed, I’m inclined to believe that, if China does anything significant, she will wait until Pelosi has returned to Washington, DC and the US fleet has returned to home port.
Then, ideally in my opinion, while Pelosi is in the very midst of making victory toasts with her fellow political criminals, China should form a naval and air blockade around the island to keep the US and British out and then proceed post-haste to militarily take Taiwan. No European country would dare join the US in war or in bringing the same kind of sanctions against China that were implemented against Russia. If they did, the immediate crash of their economic houses would be heard clear around the world.
For icing on the cake, at the same time or very soon afterwards, Russia should mount a massive invasion of Ukraine designed to take the whole country and finish the war in a matter of days or a week.
Now I’m dreaming… but a simultaneous assault on the remaining US forces in Syria by Iran and Turkey would help to put a giant “paid in full” ticket in all three places.
I liked your ideas. Something similar could happen, I suppose.
When they put a carrier there you can bet an open war act will not occur.
The Russians did not move until they knew they could finish what they started.
The US needs an excuse to attack them and the Russians gave it. Biden’s capitulation is another double down. Like they can pull the adversaries’ plug anytime they want and finally achieve their Hollywood fantasies for real.
Problem is why should Russia stop eliminating an aggressor cabal that has shown provable intent to destroy any and all of humanity in the ultimate game of winner takes all. They didn’t start what they could not finish, the US did.
Why do some people think that China has egg on its face after making threats of retaliation? Because they think that China should act in the same rash ways of the Anglo zionists.
No. China will act and respond at a time and place of its own choosing. The Chinese response will be premeditated, calculated and subtle.
@ AHH on August 02, 2022 · at 1:35 pm EST/EDT
“A baited trap (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFe79kTDQWw) appears to have been sprung. Easy to waltz in.. what will be the price to get out? And when will the thief be permitted to get out? This is getting juicy – countless ways to humiliate & regain face without giving them the Pearl Harbor event they desire”
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Baited trap?
https://topwar.ru/199825-kitajskoe-komandovanie-zajavilo-o-nachale-voennyh-operacij-s-raketnymi-strelbami-u-beregov-tajvanja.html
The Chinese command announced the beginning of “military operations” with rocket firing off the coast of Taiwan
The Chinese Eastern military Command announced the start of “military operations” off the coast of Taiwan. These “military operations,” as the PLA uses the term, are linked to the visit of Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.
Pelosi arrived in Taipei at 17: 45 Moscow time. There, she was met by Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu and the “highest representative of the United States “(in fact, the Consul General or even the ambassador). Sandra Oudkirk.
The Chinese military command announces conducting “non-nuclear missile launches” off the coast of Taiwan, including from the eastern side of the island. For this purpose, warships of the PLA (People’s Liberation Army of China) naval forces will be involved.
Against this background, Pelosi herself said that she “did not violate China’s sovereignty” and added that her visit to Taipei “is an act of support for 23 million local residents in their struggle for democratic values.”
Pelosi:
The people of Taiwan made the choice that faced them. From autocracy and democracy, he chose democracy.
After this speech, the third person in the US hierarchy and her” entourage ” went to the hotel, where an entire floor was reserved for the American delegation – 48 rooms.
At the same time, the situation remains extremely tense. If the Chinese troops begin maneuvers with missile firing around the perimeter of Taiwan, then Pelosi’s plane may not leave at the appointed time. And the US delegation announced the departure from Taipei at 17:00 Moscow time tomorrow.
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https://topwar.ru/199823-soobschaetsja-ob-otkrytoj-strelbe-iz-aviacionnoj-pushki-v-nebe-nad-tajvanskim-prolivom.html
It is reported about the open firing of an aircraft cannon in the sky over the Taiwan Strait
Asian media write about a military incident over the waters of the Taiwan Strait. Realizing that the plane carrying Nancy Pelosi was indeed heading for Taiwan, the Chinese command gave the order to send PLA Su-35 fighters towards the island. At the same time, it is reported that combat aircraft of the Taiwanese Air Force flew out to meet them.
According to the latest data, over the waters of the Taiwan Strait was recorded shooting from an aircraft gun. However, the data varies. If some Asian sources report that we are talking about an air battle, others write that it was a “warning fire” opened by one of the Taiwan Air Force aircraft.
About what eventually resulted in the shooting, is not yet reported…..
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The Chinese are about to have fun with some military games for the delight of la Pelosi.
Enjoy the show.
Lone Wolf
An 82 year old imbecile US politician visits China’s Taiwan. Should China start third world war over that? of course not. It’s not really worth it. However, China must make sure its pledge to respond harshly to such a provocation takes effect as soon as possible. In fact, Beijing must respond strongly while she’s in Taiwan and not after she’s left. I don’t know about conducting military drills would be a strong enough message. For sure Chinese have many many more options including blocking Taiwan’s maritime shipping and or creating no-fly-zone over the island etc…
They had to divert attention away from Ukraine and all manner of other problems.
Andrei, many thanks for this timely article. I agree. The US certainly believe that they have succeeded in humiliating China, without realizing that China was wise and great enough to swallow their irresponsible behavior to avert WWIII. As a consequence, the Chinese people will be more united, now.
This was to date the most stupid stunt of the dying empire, and the whole world saw it. The US certainly surprised the whole world. Could we call this feat a geopolitical PR? From now on, China will be prepared for any event. This new imposing US posturing will be discussed in all quarters of the world for a while.
It was just a terrible day following every move through the Internet news, knowing that anything could happen since the US was on it. I know this is just wishful thinking but it would be a great relief for all if the US realized that the world has changed and that they must change too… But, even if this happened, the UK would likely replace the US in this bullying show for a while, as it is their specialty. These bullies must be defeated and removed from the podium.
The whole world expects the Chinese reaction, now. We can be assured that there will be consequences for the US, most likely economic. In other words, the end of the dollar is closer, now, and nothing could hurt the US more than that. And China will probably not be alone in making this happen.
The US could not have made a faster, more decisive move to finally dismantle their ailing empire.
If there was anyone in the Chinese power structure who doubted they had to ally with Russia to survive, they are now more than willing to admit their mistake.
If there was any head of state in the entire Eurasian region who doubted that Eurasia must unite under the umbrella of a strong Sino-Russia-partnership, they now know better.
If there was anyone in the global south who was unsure who is the mad, rabid dog endlessly inciting conflict, war and murder just about everywhere, they now have full certainty.
Indeed, Brandon and Pelosi deserve our gratitude to make things so clear for everyone.
The news showed Pelousy landing an hour ago – 10:45pm their time in Taipei. 12 hour difference to PST.
FauX news said there was a report out of Germany than Chinese military jets are on their way over.
I’d warn those who think China “retreated” to be careful with premature judgments.
China is like a Matryoshka doll of surprises.
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https://voenhronika.ru/publ/vojna_na_ukraine/sojuznye_sily_rvut_vsu_pod_soledarom_bakhmutom_i_doneckom_jurij_podoljaka_poslednie_novosti_s_ukrainy_na_utro_3_avgusta_12_video/60-1-0-12738
“…The only one who has benefited from today’s air show over the Taiwan Strait is the Kremlin. Unlike China, Russia was not afraid to engage in a fierce geopolitical and military battle with the United States of America. The whole world perceives the Ukrainian war in this way.
In the long run, Russia will benefit from any development of the Taiwan plot. If China retreats again, and this is more than likely, Russia will gain the status of the undisputed leader of the “alternative” world, capable and, more importantly, ready to use force where it considers it fundamental and important for itself. For thirty years, only the United States could afford it.
Around this strengthened leadership, Russia will build new geopolitical configurations and balances of power in various regions of the world-from Central Europe, Transcaucasia to West and Central Africa. If China does not back down and starts an open political and economic confrontation with the United States, this will ease the pressure on Russia. “There aren’t enough Hymars for everyone.” (Mardan)
Lone Wolf
First, to get things on the lighter side, the Onion delivers again in brilliant manner:
https://www.theonion.com/china-threatens-to-retaliate-for-pelosi-s-taiwan-trip-b-1849343979
Now on to the grimey stuff..
For the passed few hours I’ve seen an avalanche of comments and posts across multiple comment sections and websites that the fact that Chinese allowed Pelosi’s plane to plane to land was:
1. A massive geopolitical defeat for the PRC.
2. The first step in the U.S. master plans to recognize an independent Taiwan.
3. Meant as a provocation, to instigate a violent lashing out by Beijing, thus helping the U.S. to rally the world into isolating China, and enacting massive worldwide sanctions on it which will inevitably cripple it’s development, thus giving the west the opening it needs to destabilize China and overthrow the CPC.
4. A sign of weakness and defeat which will diminish China’s standing in the world, thus weakening it in the eyes of the international community, and lead to the collapse of the Eurasian project.
5. A diminishing of China in the eyes of it’s primary geopolitical partner, Russia. Which the west will undoubtedly use to drive a wedge between China and Russia.
The one thing I saw very little of is sound, coherent analysis of what China’s real response to this escalation WILL be.
I say “will be” because no one with even a modicum of knowledge about how China conducts policy, either domestically or internationally, would expect an immediate violent reaction from China. In fact, it’s hilarious watching so many people tear their hair out about how China “blinked”, or how the U.S. is now emboldened to escalate the situation even further, or how this loss of face will lead to Xi’s inevitable fall from grace, thus derailing his plans, and on and on and on.
The Chinese, as the former Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif once stated, are like a super tanker. They don’t turn on a dime, but very slowly and methodically. The inference here is that it may take them awhile to enact the designated policy, but 2 things are certain; first, once the decision has been made, the policy will be enacted and nothing can prevent it, and second, once that policy is enacted, it will without any doubt reach its intended goal.
The Chinese mobilized in order to dissuade Pelosi from making the trip. This was NOT their response, it was simply a simple attempt to prevent the visit, and more importantly, to prevent their response being necessary. But, now that the die is cast, the response is inevitable, will be enacted per China’s timetable, and will be extremely painful and effective. Have no doubt about that.
@ Sam A. on August 02, 2022 · at 3:14 pm EST/EDT
The Chinese mobilized in order to dissuade Pelosi from making the trip. This was NOT their response, it was simply a simple attempt to prevent the visit, and more importantly, to prevent their response being necessary. But, now that the die is cast, the response is inevitable, will be enacted per China’s timetable, and will be extremely painful and effective. Have no doubt about that.
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Spot on.
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https://t.me/shuohuaxia/7174
Telegram
China-Nikolay Vavilov
A great power is one that wins a strategic confrontation and saves the lives of its army and people, and is not led to the provocation of maddened hooligans. China will give an answer-without fuss and clowning.
Lone Wolf
Dear Andrei,
An interesting take indeed! And you are likely correct.
However, I have to admit that I was quite(and that is an understatement) disappointed with China’s passivity /inaction.
I am hoping for a formal alliance between Russia and China with this incident. It is time China stop being so passive in their “more than an ally’ relations with Russia by maintaining somewhat ‘positive’ relations with the USA. This ‘strategic patience’ by China was understandable in that USA and China once shared a symbiotic relationship with regards to their economies. Actually it has now become a parasitic relationship in which USA is the parasite (not only of China but the whole world).
This is the coming messy breakup of Chinamerica, the beginning of a great economic decoupling. I hope the Chinese people realize that the days of China being the factory of USA are numbered, that their livelihoods depending on ‘rich Americans’ buying Chinese made products cannot be the foundation of Chinese economy. Such an economy was supposed to be transitory and it is time to build the Eurasian project, together with Russia and other countries in Eurasia, in earnest, no longer pussyfooting , no longer in denial that the USA is THE enemy. I hope China supports Russia more in this SMO and stop being goody two shoes with Ukraine. I find that policy and moralizing by China quite disgusting.
In this existential struggle with the Empire of Lies, so far only Russia has earned my respect, Russia walks the talk. And I am not even Russian, or have Russian ancestry, being an ethnic Chinese(but not from China). The days of diplomacy, of mere warnings and threats against the Empire are over for China. It’s time for China to take action and stop mere talking. I am tired of all that diplomacy. The West construes diplomacy as cowardice , as weakness. The West views compromise as a weakness and a signal to bully and be belligerent. Russia understands that. When will China wake up? The only thing that may( and that is a big if,
because Washington ruling elites believe their own hubris) beat some sense into the USA is a decisive humiliation for Washington. I have no desire for the destruction of the USA but unless the USA actually loses a major geopolitical confrontation with the Eurasia bloc, be humiliated and be weakened, there will be no multipolarity, and we shall forever be mere slaves and vassals of those elites in Washington.
Just my take from a person very frustrated with China. Sorry for venting this out. Hopefully this comment is OK with the moderators.
” I have no desire for the destruction of the USA but unless the USA actually loses a major geopolitical confrontation with the Eurasia bloc, be humiliated and be weakened, there will be no multipolarity”
With all understanding of your point, I’d like to wonder which ‘humiliation’ or ‘defeat’ will suffice. I reckon to remember a certain ‘leave’ from Afghanistan, where the US military had to FLEE for the Taliban, Saigon style, leaving military hardware of many, many billions, in chaotic disarray.
If that is not humiliation and defeat, then what is? And even more:
Did anything change (for the better, that is)?
Realizing this, I get the creeps to be honest.
Cheers and stay safe, Rob
@ Rob
You have a point there.
Perhaps humanity is indeed on the road towards extinction. Sorry for my pessimism.
Regards and take care!
Sinotibetan
Yes, Afghanistan was a humiliation, but the global Lugen Presse failed to give that reality its 15 minutes of infamy and so the required public understanding that it WAS humiliating never happened.
The humiliation of the USA will come with its inevitable implosion into a seething mess of internal conflicts driven by the unresolvable nature of its politics and cultural differences, all catalysed by a debt that is unpayable and energy that is rapidly becoming unaffordable for many.
The Chinese and the Russians must surely know this, and they have two of histories most powerful weapons, Time and Patience.
The die has been cast; the table set. The people of China now know the enemy. They will respond, but when and in a way we’re not expecting, and it’s going to weaken the US to preparation for what they now know is the inevitable showdown. And then they will take Taiwan.
If China wanted to take Taiwan they’d take it. Russia knows it’s enemies, fights them physically and still supplies energy to them. Such being the case, why would China want to hurt its largest customer base….to spite a hag on vacation?
Lots of theatrics, huff and puff….all show, all day long. Works for both sides to excuse excessive military expenditures. Why would China’s MIC be different than USA …except China taps the odd Oligarch or Politician now and again for graft. System Pigs are not solely the property of the USA no matter what light they are held to, nor country they are in.
Cheers M
Excellent perspective.
Teleprompter reading HAG….
Really Saker! What has gotten into you to rain down such late summer compliments?
This visit was set up by Biden under the vain hope that the Chinese would make a foolish move and then Biden could stand tall and make everyone forget about the Burisma war and relegate ZelenskyY to the trash bin of history.
First Winter Is Coming Joe | Snow Is Now Black”
well said.
No need for a military response – yet.
Just break off diplomatic relations.
And sell off a token $100 billion of US Treasury Bonds tomorrow.
“China’s final warning” is a Russian proverb that originated in the former Soviet Union, and is used ironically to refer to a warning that carries no real consequences.
The People’s Republic of China released their first “final warning” to the United States for their reconnaissance flights on 7 September 1958, during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis. At the time, the United States considered the Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of China, and conducted reconnaissance flights in waters controlled by the People’s Republic of China. The People’s Republic of China recorded such incidents, and issued a “final warning” through diplomatic channels for each incident. More than 900 Chinese “final warnings” had been issued by the end of 1964.
yes… there is for sure going to be some surprises coming from China…
when US least expect it (them)….
A review of the division of countries post WW2 is needed.
All of the divided countries have been problematic, deliberately or otherwise. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Taiwan_(1945%E2%80%93present)
The real one? Taiwan has been careless for years in entrusting its defense to the United States. And another: without resources, Taiwan cannot survive a single month without international resources; my academic background is in Economics and Geography; I can assure you, one thing was Ukraine, with huge international borders and which required very large front lines of battle, and another is the small island without resources, with 95% of the population living next to the sea. Russia is impregnable because of its immense territory, the size of South America and that it has vast natural and energy resources; in Taiwan the exact post is given. The island – unlike Ukraine – is small, has no coal, gas, oil, fertilizers, food and no proper water. It totally depends on a foreign trade that can be blocked.
China might retaliate in some behind the scenes manner, short of actual confrontation. But the fact remains, they drew a red line, made military threats, and even implied they would shoot the hag down, and then did nothing. They didn’t threaten sanctions.
Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba. Besieged in Barletta, so he responded to the Duke of Nemours (whom he would later defeat) who challenged him to come out and fight:
«Decid à vuestro jefe que Gonzalo de Córdova no acostumbra pelear cuando à sus enemigos se les antoja; se bate cuando la ocasion es oportuna y las circunstancias lo exigen: por lo tanto, que espere á que mis soldados preparen sus armas y hierren sus caballos».
“Tell your chief that Gonzalo de Córdova is not in the habit of fighting when his enemies feel like it; he fights when the occasion is opportune and the circumstances demand it: therefore, let him wait for my soldiers to prepare their weapons and to boil their horses.”
The people of Taiwan have been shown just how immaterial the wishes of the CCP are. This is a disgraceful lack of action from the CCP. As soon as the plane touched down, CNN were gloating about China doing nothing, noting how the CCP had never been on Taiwan and never will.
So it is obvious, China is weak and will never be a military force. The USA knew this, they know they are losing big time to the Russians, so they went after Russia’s largest supporter, the Russians must be tearing their hair out after bigging up China as a sovereign nation.
The Chechnian leader tweeted today, about 15 minutes before Pelosi landed, that the world would see in 15 minutes who was the great power, the US or China.
His post is on Intel Slava, well the LGBTQ brigade of the USA have shown just how little China is.
Russia cannot depend on China, the Chinese just want money, and will suffer all indignities to just be allowed to trade. Having China to cover your back is like the German 6th Army having the Romanians to cover their backs.
An emboldened US and Taiwan is what China has caused today, they are a disgrace.
China deserves to be torn asunder, they are not a sovereign nation.
Nancy roared into Taiwan like the CEO of the USA. She will return to Washington a hero for having defied China’s flack.
Biden will resign for health reasons. Kamala will resign. And, Nancy will become President.
The Chinese will weather short term ignomy, for having its “bluff” called. But then, that was all agreed to before the plane took off.
Is this the result everyone does not want to consider.
Spot on analysis on every point you made. Like Russia, the Chinese strategy is to win the war not just the battle. I think the USA is falling for the Chinese trap, like they fell for the Russian trap in Ukraine. In twenty years the Russian strategy, ihmo, let the the west think they are winning by overspending. They went from the richest country to the most debted one. I don’t know what Chinese will do, but I bet an equivalent or worse. The poker gambler need to quit and sober up. Even the Saudies and UAE say no to them and soon Europe will. Leave them, the winter will take care of them.
A Nothing Burger? Perhaps. My Thoughts on the Pelosi Saga are at the link for those interested, compiled from the MoA thread on the topic. Far more interesting and important is what Russia’s MFA had to say:
Then there’s this bit provided by Maria Zakharova during today’s briefing in her comment on the upcoming 55th Anniversary of the ASEAN:
Yes, timing, the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting is later this week in Cambodia. Wang Yi has already let it be known he won’t meet with Blinken during the event due to the Pelosi Provocation (PP). Has anyone besides me noted all the new nations rallying around SCO and BRICS+ wanting to become members? You get only one guess as to why.
Yes, Zakharova did get a question about the PP. Here’s the Q&A in full:
As I wrote in my linked comments, it’s more clear than ever that China and Russia are working this PP and Ukraine SMO as partners coordinating their actions and responses. IMO, that’s acting as a great attractor for other Global South nations ready to stand up and face down the global bully whose hegemony is now over cause Russia and China have said so. Oh, and China will act i response to the PP as I outlined in my commentary–nothing really dramatic but highly affective.
And you must see and save the cartoon penned by Latuff shown as the header to this article.
I see Maria has added her own commentary via her Telegram:
““It’s hot there now, in every sense,” Zakharova said on Telegram. “Lavrov brings not provocation, like Pelosi, but cooperation. See you there!”
And all those ASEAN folks watching the drama. I wonder how Blinken will be received in Cambodia.
“Just like they did with Russia between 1991 and 2021. And then, when the Russians decided to act, Uncle Shmuel was caught totally off-guard and clueless as to who to deal with this sudden and direct threat.”
Strategically an opponent is weakest when he/she believes they have “won”.
The “opponents” believed they had “won” in the period you cite (1991 to 2021) but some “Russians including Federated ones” did not wait until 2021 to act, but acted throughout the period informed by the same overall strategy implemented through tactics/trajectories according to context and facility.
” Uncle Shmuel was caught totally off-guard and clueless as to who to deal with this sudden and direct threat.””
The threat of transcendence through various increasing trajectories existed throughout the period, but was momentarily perceived by the opponents during the period you cite (1991 to 2021 particularly in 1994) and hence the threat was not sudden, only vaguely perceived to be so through interpreting notices of intent as “ultimata”, the varying modes of presentation/trajectories to date facilitating the continuing cluelessness of the opponents.
The PRC also understands that strategically an opponent is weakest when he/she believes they have “won” and that “winning” is not a sustainable purpose, only transcendence is sustainable through lateral processes of varying half-lives, and hence have chosen in the short-term tactics exhibited, as the Russian Federation did in 2014 to facilitate the “developments” of 2022 which were in development since at least 1991.
The perceived target audience of “The United States of America” is “The United States of America” and hence by way of their “winning” propaganda undermine the facilitation of their purpose, whilst simultaneous facilitating the purposes of others with the complicity of “The United States of America”.
One unrecognised war within which “The United States of America” failed to gain strategic advantage throughout the period from 1991 to date, was/is their ongoing war with the Russian Federation.
“Strategically an opponent is weakest when he/she believes they have “won”.
“So I think Russia didn’t intend to fight on the ground of cognitive warfare, she just encouraged the West to go all out, hysterically, giving a brutal show of dishonesty not only in the eyes of the people Russian reading western news, but also the rest of the world.
Russia made the West definitively trap itself in its own lies, no longer able to back down without losing what little credibility it has still with its own peoples. There’s nothing left but a headlong rush towards its perdition.”
Some cultures understand that doing nothing is doing something, whilst other cultures view this as an oxymoron, and interpret this as another culture not engaging in “cognitive warfare”/”perception management.”
Within cultures with limited evaluation horizons – also known as patience – which encourage seeking attribution and “controlling the message”, such interpreted/”perceived” lacunae on the part of opponents encourgages others seeking to control the message to attempt to “fill the voids”.
Mr. Lenin observed that “The capitalists will sell you the rope with which to hang them” whilst more contemporary practitioners observed that their opponents would furnish the rope free of charge.
“Now look at it from the Chinese government’s point of view, rather then spending billions on anti-US propaganda they, instead, let the US humiliate China and thereby solidifying the Chinese population for the day when the real confrontation will take place”.
In a very subdued, minor way, the same basic trick that FDR played when he forced the Japanese to attack Pearl Harbor and then pretended he knew nothing about the attack until after it had happened. He knew the American people and Congress were dead set against joining WW2, and found a diabolically clever way of blasting them out of their isolationist pacifism.
If anyone doesn’t yet know the story, read “Day Of Deceit: The Truth About FDR and Pearl Harbor” by Robert Stinnett.
@welsh: “If anyone doesn’t yet know the story, read “Day Of Deceit: The Truth About FDR and Pearl Harbor” by Robert Stinnett.”
Claims of Stinnett mostly debunked by historians. Compare him to Suvorov and his “Icebreaker”.
Lots of rationalizing going on here. Over at Intel Zlava they make it clear that China caved after all the empty threats. They cannot be trusted to do any heavy lifting such as actual fighting the West either directly or indirectly. Russia is being shown to be the only power in the world capable of facing the West and beating them. This problem with China is due to its passive cultural philosophy, always waiting for things to develop more and then changing direction. China should not have made the threats in the first place if they weren’t going to fight, Xi is not a good war time leader, he is a business man.
I don’t think they have a choice but to make a military response. The put the credibility of the PLA on the line, and their military will never be taken seriously again, unless they act. Ergo, I believe they will act. They may not invade Taiwan or shoot down Pelosi’s plane, but I imagine there will be some kind of military action. Perhaps they will seize the Kinmen or Matsu islands.
Alex
Who are “they” at Intel Slava that “make it clear that China caved”?
Not “Mr Slava” himself, that’s for sure.
I went through all his post from yesterday morning until now, and he has not said anything of the kind. What he writes is more or less the same as what is written here, by Saker for example.
Can you quote anything that shows otherwise?
So its “win-win”. If you say that China won, then so did the Pelosi election prospects and also the Biden election prospects.
But from my perspective its not a win that state
actors can win by gambling with the fate of the planet.
It cost 90 million tax dollars for Nancy’s trip to Taiwan to……visit a chip factory. She immediately called her husband to place bets on Wall Street in an emerging market (this is my guess as to why).
This is the same person affiliated with the party that supports a ‘Green New Deal’. There was nothing green about this trip and it cost the tax payers.
How much you want to bet on the US firing a missile on her return trip? Just so the US could blame it on China and start the war themselves. There has to be a reason for this trip and the official MSM narrative is never correct.
There is, to finance the lost war on chips.