Commentary
Within the deterrence geography of the Western Pacific, the “Second Island Chain” is essential for American and Allied forces to stage, base, and generate capabilities to discourage or defeat any Chinese language overt invasion of Taiwan or seizure of Philippine territory.
This Second Island Chain begins on the backside left with the Republic of Palau, adopted by the Federated States of Micronesia and the U.S. territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands.
Maybe much more regarding is the Chinese language finish across the backside of the Second Island Chain. Beginning with Palau, the Chinese language regime appears to be trying a “three-fer” by actively destabilizing the inner governance of the nation. Drawing a line from Palau, nearly perpendicular to the Second Island Chain, China has continued, very like Japan within the Second World Conflict, and has now consolidated and remoted the Solomon Islands, after which the place the Japanese weren’t capable of seize in World Conflict II, violent unrest has erupted in French New Caledonia.
Palau President Expresses Grave Concern, Seeks Assist
Solomon Islands Teetering on Fringe of Falling Behind Chinese language Iron Curtain
The Solomon Islands has been experiencing a disturbing trend started under the previous administration of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, who had signed a pact with Bejing for “police coaching” within the wake of violent protests by residents in opposition to his authorities for his closeness with the Chinese language Communist Get together (CCP). The police coaching situation was eerily much like the Hong Kong technique Beijing exercised by infiltrating closely armed paramilitary police into Hong Kong, changing the normal Hong Kong Police forces.
French New Caledonia in Turmoil
Finishing the “three-fer” flanking the underside of the Second Island Chain is the obscure and infrequently heard from French New Caledonia, a French possession from colonial days that has suddenly broken out in violent upheaval.
The Chinese language sweep across the backside or left flank of the Second Island Chain seems to be enjoying out. This marketing campaign has the added function of not solely threatening U.S. efforts within the Second Island Chain but in addition chopping off Australia from the USA.
Famous China knowledgeable Bradley Thayer instructed this writer the next: “In World Conflict II, the Japanese tried to chop the SLOC [sea line of communication] between the U.S. and Australia/New Zealand. Fortunately, they have been stopped. In the present day, the Folks’s Republic of China is trying to realize the identical strategic finish via totally different means. Up to now, they’ve been profitable at gaining affect with these governments and thus offering a basis for triumphing the place the Japanese failed. The PRC’s actions have to be reversed instantly.”
All viewpoints are private and don’t mirror the viewpoints of any group.
This text first appeared in Epoch Occasions and was reprinted with permission.