Reuters
Ian Easton, National Interest: Forget North Korea: A Chinese Invasion of Taiwan Is the Big Threat in Asia
China's rapid military buildup is focused on acquiring the capabilities needed to annex, or conquer, Taiwan. That's the truth.
It is clearly in the American interest to develop a nuanced understanding of the threat China poses to Taiwan, and to cultivate a strategy that takes this into account. Indeed, it is often the case that only by thinking tragically can tragedy be avoided. It is also true that in the absence of understanding many will buy into Chinese propaganda.
A Chinese diplomat in Washington recently threatened that China would invade Taiwan if the U.S. Navy sent a ship to visit the democratic island, something that Congress has called upon the Pentagon to do in 2018. Is this just empty rhetoric? Or does it reflect Beijing's actual intentions? It's actually a bit of both.
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Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- November 9, 2018
Thailand the missing link in China’s Maritime Silk Road -- Benjamin Zawacki, Asia Times
Chinese influence drives Australia's multi-billion-dollar pivot to the Pacific -- Stephen Dziedzic, ABC News Online
China Is Beating the US in the Rare-Earths Game -- James Kennedy, Defense One
Facing sanctions, Iran pioneers framework for cooperation with Russia, China and India: Analysis -- Micha’el Tanchum, Hurriyet Daily News
Is Iran's 'New' Jet Fighter or a Total Hoax? -- National Interest
Macron Finds the Immoral Way to Remember World War I -- David Bell, Foreign Policy
How the Swedish left moved right -- Daniel Andersson, Al Jazeera
Brexit Is Served, and the Menu Options Are Unpalatable -- James Forsyth, Spectator
Will Washington finally accept independent European defense initiatives? -- Ted Galen Carpenter, Aspenia Online
Video Commentary: America's new place in the world -- Peter Apps, Reuters
House Democrats Could Cancel the Pentagon’s Blank Check -- Fred Kaplan, Slate
Which Countries Are Most Likely to Fight Wars? -- Economist
