Taiwan Crisis

This is the ripple effect of Afghanistan.  Our enemies are emboldened, and our allies wary. China is now trying to push the US out of the South China Sea.  They want to claim the world’s most important maritime trade route as an internal Chinese lake where they control who comes and goes. 

China’s recent exercises are designed to send Taiwan a message – they cannot win a war with China. China’s leaders have pointed to Afghanistan as evidence that the US will not come to Taiwan’s aid.  Better that Taiwan accept a fait accompli and agree to peacefully become part of China rather than resist.  I predict China moves to a full blown Taiwan crisis right after the Beijing Olympics.