Remember Quemoy And Matsu?

If you remember the Kennedy - Nixon debates in 1960 then you’ll remember Quemoy and Matsu—two groups of islands over which the Chinese Nationalists have retained control after being driven from China. They’re called Kinmen and Matsu now, and they’re still part of Taiwan, er, The Republic of China.

Kinmen is located just 6.2 miles from China, with a direct ferry connection to the major Chinese port of Xiamen. There’s also an underwater pipeline from the Chinese mainland through which water can be delivered. On the other hand, Kinmen is located 116 miles from Taiwan—meaning, it’s far more connected to China than to Taiwan. These two maps are instructive—the inset brings Taiwan into the picture:

The PRC did actually make an attempt to invade Kinmen, but military matters have been calm since 1979:

Historically, Kinmen County ("Quemoy") and Lienchiang County ("Matsu") served as important defensive strongholds for the Kuomintang during the 1950–1970s, symbolizing the frontline of Kuomintang resistance against the Communist rebellion. They represented the last Kuomintang presence in "mainland China".^[41] The islands received immense coverage from Western (especially United States) media during the First Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1954–1955 and the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1958. They were very significant in the context of the Cold War, a period from 1946 until 1991 of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union (and its allies) and the United States (and its allies).

The Matsu Islands are far less geographically significant—they contain only 11.5 square miles of territory with a small population (somewhere between 10-20k).

These islands were of symbolic value during the Cold War but have little to no military significance in the present day. Nevertheless, the Neocons hanker for the old days, even while having their hands full with their war on Russia and the entire Middle East:

Carl Zha @CarlZha

US just deployed Special Forces on long term basis to Kinmen island, on the doorstep of Xiamen, a major Chinese seaport. These Green Berets won't be able to stop PLA landing at all. They serve as "tripwire" to be sacrificed on the frontline to bring the US into war with China

Quote

Taiwan Defense Update @TaiwanDefenseU

US Army Special Forces (Green Berets) will be stationed with the Republic of China Army's 101st Amphibious Reconnaissance Battalion on a long-term basis on Kinmen and Matsu. (TVBS)

6:14 AM · Feb 7, 2024

I can’t think of any parallel that would communicate just how provocative this move is to a proud civilization like China, but think of the reaction if Chinese or Russian forces were stationed on Staten Island, Vancouver Island, or the Channel Islands off California. The idea of stationing US forces in such locations around the world for the sole purpose of offering a ready means to ratchet up war tensions when needed—who thinks this is a good idea, to force our military tripwire presence on others as a reminder that they’re under our gun at all times? Remember the context for this move—the US military has been predicting that the US will go to war with China by 2025. Yeah—less than a year from now. China would be crazy not to be alarmed, which is exactly the reaction the US is aiming for. Never mind that serious people recognize that War with China would be an unmitigated strategic catastrophe. Not to mention, pointless.

In 1960 we had a great televized, national debate on these matters. In the 21st century with information at our finger tips, how many well informed people are even aware of these matters? Exactly how does this promote international cooperation? Answer: It doesn’t, and that’s the real point. International cooperation presupposes international law that applies to all. American Empire presupposes an American Rules based order, in which the Empire calls the shots. Cooperation is not the point—coercion is.

Of course Putin and Xi get this. They see it happening especially in the Middle East:

NEW: China tells UN Security Council that the recent US airstrikes “constitute a grave violation of the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Syria and Iraq.” 

“The situation in the Middle East is on the verge of extreme peril...”

“Who is creating threats, whether in the Middle East or elsewhere? Who is engaged in the excessive use of force? And who is misleading public opinion?...”

“The US purports that it does not seek to create conflicts in the Middle East or anywhere else, but in reality it does precisely the opposite...”

“The US military actions are undoubtedly stoking new turmoil in this region and further intensifying tensions...”

“Underneath the rising tensions in the Middle East over the past few months, the fundamental reason is the failure to implement a ceasefire in Gaza...”

“All parties should heed the strong call and overwhelming consensus of the international community and support the Security Council in taking strong actions to promote an immediate ceasefire...”

“We call the country concerned to demonstrate political will and determination, take more practical actions to safeguard regional peace and stability, make less selfish geopolitical calculations, and play a constructive role that is expected of it...”

Putin recently:

You know what the problem is? I can tell you, as a former citizen of the former Soviet Union. What is the problem with "Empire"? ... They think that they are so powerful that they can afford mistakes here and there. No worries--these guys we will buy off, these we will scare, those we will come to an agreement with, these we will buy them trinkets, these over there we will threaten with our navy! And it will be alright ... But these issues accumulate until eventually they become unsolvable. The US is confidently striding in the same direction as the Soviet Union.

This is the mindset of our ruling oligarchy. And it applies to domestic matters as much as it does to international matters. Sheer arrogance. They treat free citizens of the American Republic just like they treat foreigners to be bullied at will. It won’t end well.