Chas Freeman talks about America’s relationship with Taiwan, which the U.S. has long considered an official part of China. Since 2018, however, our stance has begun to change in what Freeman considers a dangerous way. Because American policy prevents direct arms sales to China, it’s in the interest of the military-industrial complex to promote Taiwan as a sovereign entity. This might be fine if all one cares about is democracy and self-governance, but it could be extremely hazardous in the event of a war between Taiwan and mainland China, where the U.S. has pledged military support to Taiwan. Freeman says the domestic unpopularity such a war would vastly eclipse Vietnam, with the added problem that China has nuclear weapons capable of hitting any American city.
Discussed on the show:
“Taiwan Arms Sales and the Erosion of US-Sino Diplomacy” (Antiwar.com Original)Taiwan Relations ActTaiwan Travel Act
Ben Freeman is director of the Foreign Influence Transparency Initiative with the Center for International Policy. Read his work at AntiWar.com and follow him on Twitter @BenFreemanDC.
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Scott Horton is director of the Libertarian Institute, editorial director of Antiwar.com, host of Antiwar Radio on Pacifica, 90.7 FM KPFK in Los Angeles, California and podcasts the Scott Horton Show from this website. He’s the author of the 2017 book, Fool’s Errand: Time to End the War in Afghanistan. Visit https://scotthorton.org