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Taiwan is behind schedule in preparations to fend off Chinese invasion

washingtonpost.com

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Re: Taiwan is behind schedule in preparations to fend off Chinese invasion

#11

Im kind of surprised that Taiwan has never pursued a nuclear arsenal. They have the resources and technology to do so. A few nukes is going to be more of a deterrent than any number of reservists. The past few decades has shown that the greater powers of the world have no problem squashing you — unless you possess nuclear weapons.

Good point. Probably the Americans have dissuaded them from building a nuclear warhead in exchange for guaranteed protection?

Re: Taiwan is behind schedule in preparations to fend off Chinese invasion

#14

Im kind of surprised that Taiwan has never pursued a nuclear arsenal. They have the resources and technology to do so. A few nukes is going to be more of a deterrent than any number of reservists. The past few decades has shown that the greater powers of the world have no problem squashing you — unless you possess nuclear weapons.

If anyone should get one it's SK given NK is basically a lost cause but that's probably an even more volatile gambit than Taiwan

Re: Taiwan is behind schedule in preparations to fend off Chinese invasion

#15

Im kind of surprised that Taiwan has never pursued a nuclear arsenal. They have the resources and technology to do so. A few nukes is going to be more of a deterrent than any number of reservists. The past few decades has shown that the greater powers of the world have no problem squashing you — unless you possess nuclear weapons.

Would Taiwan have time to “pursue”? CCP will see this as deal breaker and with the level of spy infiltration Taiwan can’t keep this a secret.

Edit: USA will see this as a huge red flag as well. Remember USA only want to deter but not a real war

Re: Taiwan is behind schedule in preparations to fend off Chinese invasion

#16

Im kind of surprised that Taiwan has never pursued a nuclear arsenal. They have the resources and technology to do so. A few nukes is going to be more of a deterrent than any number of reservists. The past few decades has shown that the greater powers of the world have no problem squashing you — unless you possess nuclear weapons.

Good point. Probably the Americans have dissuaded them from building a nuclear warhead in exchange for guaranteed protection?

Which makes it critically important to see through to the end that Ukraine wins. Otherwise South Korea, Taiwan, and others would be right in recognizing that a nuclear arsenal is the better option.

Re: Taiwan is behind schedule in preparations to fend off Chinese invasion

#17
If there ever was a major conflict with a diplomatic alternative, this is it. China's attitude towards Taiwan is mostly petty and dates back to the drunken bar fight with Chiang Kai-shek, who's been dead for 50 years.

The key to peace is the general understanding that the two countries will be reunited at some unspecified future point. Historically, this has been the keystone that let the doves carry the day. In the 2000s the Taiwanese were floating the idea of an EU-style arrangement, which could be the bridge there.

We keep letting Putin's stooges egg us on against China, which he needs to do to keep it firmly in his camp. I wouldn't be surprised if confrontational fervors in Taiwan were being stoked by outside sources.

The one thing that's changed the most in recent years is that China's military might has been increasing steadily. This both increases the risk of war and is motivated by the antagonism. De-escalating the Taiwan Strait with diplomatic means can pay off handsomely.

Re: Taiwan is behind schedule in preparations to fend off Chinese invasion

#18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You underestimate the US military industrial complex.

Today it’s less an industrial complex and more a graft and lobbying complex. Look at the amount of equipment US has lost in Vietnam - 10,000 aircraft, including strategic bombers! incomparably more ammunition. Those losses were considered sustainable! Now it can’t produce enough dumb artillery shells!

US military doctrine doesn't _use_ dumb artillery shells, because it assumes total air superiority.
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