8 ms·

I don't think it reveals anything new about the balance of power. We know the USA is currently still the largest economy and we know China is in the ascendancy

by smcl 4y ago

I don't think it reveals anything new about the balance of power. We know the USA is currently still the largest economy and we know China is in the ascendancy and is on course to dominate the coming decades. As for giving confidence to allies - East Asia in particular is all to aware of how far the USA is willing to go to advance its interests and ideology in the region, having fought (and lost) two conflicts there since WW2. You seem to be brimming with pride at this gesture, I think this pride is misplaced. I hope nothing bad comes of this, but I cannot fathom the idea that increasing the chance of conflict with China being good let alone excellent.

nradov 4y ago
The conflict is probably inevitable anyway. Appeasing the Chinese Communist Party by acquiescing to their demands won't bring us peace in the long run. Better to do everything we can (short of violence) to humiliate, undermine, and disrespect them. This demonstrates firm resolve and helps to maintain confidence among our regional allies.
- okasaki 4y ago
  > The conflict is probably inevitable anyway. Appeasing the Chinese Communist Party by acquiescing to their demands won't bring us peace in the long run. Sure it would, but peace was never the goal of the US empire. > Better to do everything we can (short of violence) to humiliate, undermine, and disrespect them. This demonstrates firm resolve and helps to maintain confidence among our regional allies. I wish it was against the HN rules to advocate for public policies that wouldn't be acceptable on HN. For example, if I called you a stupid moron, an amoral cretin who should be thrown in a cell and left to die, dang might have a problem with that. And yet your equivalent suggested policy will pass without concern.
  - coding123 4y ago
    But the words "humiliate, undermine, and disrespect them" in the context of Taiwan is to visit them.
  - nradov 4y ago
    Well if peace is your only goal then sure we can allow China to take over Taiwan plus the rest of the first island chain, and dominate the entire Asia-Pacific region. Is that what you would prefer? Fortunately the adults in the room have realized that appeasing expansionist dictators like Xi Jinping never ends well. The social conventions of being kind and polite hardly apply to existential conflicts between superpowers. To pretend otherwise is dangerously naive. I would be quite happy if every single member of the Chinese Communist Party was thrown in a cell and left to die. Call that amoral if you like, but it would make the world a better place.

by smcl 4y ago

nradov 4y ago

The conflict is probably inevitable anyway. Appeasing the Chinese Communist Party by acquiescing to their demands won't bring us peace in the long run. Better to do everything we can (short of violence) to humiliate, undermine, and disrespect them. This demonstrates firm resolve and helps to maintain confidence among our regional allies.

okasaki 4y ago
> The conflict is probably inevitable anyway. Appeasing the Chinese Communist Party by acquiescing to their demands won't bring us peace in the long run. Sure it would, but peace was never the goal of the US empire. > Better to do everything we can (short of violence) to humiliate, undermine, and disrespect them. This demonstrates firm resolve and helps to maintain confidence among our regional allies. I wish it was against the HN rules to advocate for public policies that wouldn't be acceptable on HN. For example, if I called you a stupid moron, an amoral cretin who should be thrown in a cell and left to die, dang might have a problem with that. And yet your equivalent suggested policy will pass without concern.
- coding123 4y ago
  But the words "humiliate, undermine, and disrespect them" in the context of Taiwan is to visit them.
- nradov 4y ago
  Well if peace is your only goal then sure we can allow China to take over Taiwan plus the rest of the first island chain, and dominate the entire Asia-Pacific region. Is that what you would prefer? Fortunately the adults in the room have realized that appeasing expansionist dictators like Xi Jinping never ends well. The social conventions of being kind and polite hardly apply to existential conflicts between superpowers. To pretend otherwise is dangerously naive. I would be quite happy if every single member of the Chinese Communist Party was thrown in a cell and left to die. Call that amoral if you like, but it would make the world a better place.