World War Two Politics and Command (1 Viewer)

[Capitolron]

Tex

China is starting a "Blue-Water" Navy - submarine technology alone is very scary what they are doing. As for Taiwan - this could be the single of the last gasp of the Chi-Com Government - kinda like a hail-mary pass to keep control. Taiwan has been a sore subject for the Chi-Coms and still is a active target for them.

Not sure on the timing issue - when they would go or not. But, if they needed to clap down - A War with Taiwan would give them that opportunity. If that happens then - not sure what the US would do - it depends on who is running the White House. Republicans would protect Taiwan - Democrats, well not so sure they would go to War for Taiwan?? Big political question??

Just because they are trading partners - does not mean they have forgotten their military aspects that brought them to power.

I guess we need to continue to keep an "EAGLE EYE" on them.

Ron

 

[binder001]

I do know that China seeks to aquire a blue-water navy. I am not sure if this was already mentioned, but I believe they purchased an old Soviet (Kiev class???) carrier to use as a "floating casino." They have a large force of destroyers and several cruisers, but I don't think they are nearly up to par with the USN (not for now, anyway.) I read the current biggest naval threat from China is from their diesel subs. China is a very interesting issue.[/QUOTE]

It IS interesting that the ChiComs are seeking more naval power. Even though China has been a mighty empire at times in the past, they are not traditionally a people who have projected power across the oceans. This is obviously part of the economic development. Nations seek navies to protect trade and/or enforce power.

Why does the USA pay the billions of dollars to aqcuire and maintain the carrier battle groups? Power projection. Within hours to a few days of a dictator or nation-state threatening hostilities the US can have one to five floating airfields in range. These are not governed by being on someone else's soil and are (so far) immune to truck bombs.

I imagine the ChiComs want a carrier or two for presteige. I don't see one CVBG being a huge threat at this point. The Russians learned early not to think they could drive the US carriers from the field with their own carriers. The key to getting rid of a hostile CVBG is your submarines and air-launched anti-ship missles. Even losing an SSN in trade for a CVN is a pretty good trade economically or militarily. Another Midway-style carrier-to-carrier battle would be very expensive for both sides.

If the Chinese can keep their house in order long enough, they can just wait us out and not worry about open conflict.

Gary

 

[Tex]

If the Chinese can keep their house in order long enough, they can just wait us out and not worry about open conflict.

That seems true. The only reason I have to doubt it is that I cannot think of a historical precedent for the current Communist Military/Capitalist hybrid state of China. It seems like a volatile mixture, and yet it has lasted for a while, now.
The one thing the US has on its side, I think, is that the US is the goose that laid the golden egg for China. Without us, their market shrinks dramatically. I would think that it is in their interest to keep the US economy good enough to keep purchasing all their stuff.
Historically, the US has been able to rapidly, dramatically boost its production capability in time of war. The Civil War, WWI, and WWII demonstrate this. I really don't know if it could still do so now, in the hypothetical event of war with China.
The US obviously relies on China for many goods, but even that would not necessarily prevent a war. The US went to war against Britain in 1812 despite the American reliance on British trade.

 

[eborris]

The real bummer would be that most plastic toy soldiers are made in China, oh man, I surrender.

 

[Tex]

The war has already started--lead in toys, mercury in toothpaste...

eborris--is your photo-avatar thing what I think it is? A man being gutted by round shot?

 

[eborris]

Yes it is, it's a plasticundeground Civil War figure converted to an Alamo Mexican. One of the more colorful figures out there I think.