Quote (DizzyBusiness @ 30 Mar 2023 20:25)
Impossible to know the specific strategy but I think there are benefits to the US in escalating the situation in Ukraine.
The US has to justify its use of force, it has the military capability to do just about whatever it wants but it is limited by public and international opinion more than anything, at least that is the lens I view it through.
The situation in Ukraine gives them an opportunity to get their economy on a war footing before they are in an actual war. I'd point to the US and its allies all ramping up arms production as an example. They are doing this to defend Ukrainian sovereignty, it would not seem quite as moral if the reason was "because we plan on a war with china".
They are also breaking down international supply lines and rebuilding them in ways that will insulate them more from supply chain issues when/if a confrontation with China does happen.
Somewhat related to the supply line point, it is causing countries to choose a "side" in the war between China and the US, they are essentially drawing the battle lines. I'd point to Africa, the Middle East and South/Central America as examples of that happening, a lot of things happening very quickly.
Finally, it is worth considering what is being sent to Ukraine and what it means. If Poland sends 10 tanks to Ukraine, the Polish army then has to buy or produce 10 more tanks to maintain operational efficiency and NATO cohesion. So US/NATO gets to burn off all its old cold war era equipment, replace it all with new and better equipment and US/NATI arms manufacturers will make huge profits.
Oh and LNG profits probably a nice bonus as well, get Europe off the Russian teat and make money while doing it.
I am aligned with this narrative. You need to be fully prepared for a potential all out conflict with China using Taiwan as a proxy.
I am not saying that the Chinese is stronger than US and the West Combined. But with China you need a lot more hardware as compared to Russia. And over preparing means you have a higher chance to guarantee an outright victory.
We might not admit it , we are already in a new cold war or sort of cold war. This time right it is way more dangerous than the last one.
The last cold war with the Soviet and Warsaw pact and Nato / West USA. Both sides economy are not exactly intertwined. There is a lot more to lose now. Furthermore it is going to be a diplomacy war with the third world countries now each side fighting out with one another and see who can get those non aligned countries to their side.
This post was edited by Hamsterbaby on Mar 30 2023 06:33am