1050: Taiwan provocation tests Biden. @YatesDCIA, @dciadvisory, @GordonGChang
Image: Fort Zeelandia in Taiwan, 1632 Steve Yates: 葉望輝, @YatesDCIA, @dciadvisory, former deputy national security advisor to Vice President Cheney and currently CEO of DC International Advisory; and Gordon Chang, @GordonGChang, Daily Beast; in re: China tests new US presidents (not Trump, of whom they were afraid). China thinks it’s their job to push, and our job to show where the limits are. The harsh provocations today are greater than in the past. Psaki: ”We’ll use strategic patience.” Exactly the wrong strategy. These are tense times. Taiwan is materially better armed than it was, but it hasn't kept pace with the challenges it faces, and the human part—no more mandatory military—is not good. The military reserve is less prepared than it was 25 years ago. In the US, hypercharged politics may prevent holding on to gains made. Systemic erosion. Things are as tense as any time since the Cultural Revolution. Danger. A unique moment when the US and allies must be strong together. https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/25/asia/china-us-taiwan-military-moves-intl-hnk-mil/index.html