Cadence of Conflict: Asia, May 11, 2015

Cadence of Conflict: Asia, May 11, 2015

Taiwan makes headlines in KMT-Nationalist-related corruption, KMT president hopeful Chu reportedly speaking as if Taiwan is part of China, and China “droning” up to attack.

The Pentagon reports China preparing to bomb Taiwan, saying “Preparing for potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait remains the focus and primary driver of China’s military investment,” weighing cost and benefit like a business transaction.

Russia invited China to V-Day’s military saber-rattle parade. Japan rattles their own sabers, buying Osprey helicopters from the US and being as loud about it as possible.

China slams Japan for not being sincere enough in apologizing for WWII… While Beijing prepares to start WWIII over an island half the size of Lake Michigan.

Top

China preparing for Taiwan conflict: report

U.S. May Sell 100 Ospreys Abroad: Official

…including India, Singapore, Australia, Japan

Chu goes there?

…AP reporter in Beijing forced to retract… journalism’s inside baseball

If the Unthinkable Occurred: America Should Stand Up to China over Taiwan

Taiwan

China planning to build 42,000 drones, report says

A Rather Lackluster Performance by Xi During Meeting with Chu

…Chinese President Xi, Taiwan President hopeful shake hands… Why would this picture make anyone in Taiwan want to vote KMT-Nationalist?  · · · →

Cadence of Conflict: May 4, 2015

Cadence of Conflict: May 4, 2015

Japan gets US nod to respond in Pacific warfare, no longer needing Pentagon permission. An otherwise introspective week with analytical articles and lack of startling headlines, probably because Michael Cole wrote little.

China copied military tech, again, and claimed it’s superior to the US, again. Chinese corruption and environment shared headlines, again. More articles agree with foreseeable change in Taiwan’s 2016 politics; Beijing is angry, again. Reports show China’s influence in money and trade, again, this time, wine and Wal-Mart.

Top

The Battle for Taiwan’s Soul: The 2016 Presidential Election

…This could mean war! US and Beijing attempts to influence Taiwan’s elections probably won’t work; likely DPP victory in 2016

Chu trumpets fake ‘consensus’

…Taiwan’s own media openly calls KMT-Nationalist rhetoric “fake”

Japan

U.S., Japanese Officials Announce New Defense Guidelines

…Buried in the details, Japan can respond if China attacks Japan or one of its “friends” [such as Taiwan].

China

China’s advanced J-11D heavy fighter jet takes maiden flight

Crackdown on corruption at Chinese environmental risk assessment agencies

…Corruption and environment cross paths again in China.  · · · →