A four-star US Air Force general has warned that a conflict with China, presumably over Taiwan, may occur as soon as 2025 and has instructed his commanders to push their units to attain maximum operational readiness this year in preparation for the clash.
The director of the Air Mobility Command, General Mike Minihan, said that the primary objective should be to determine “and, if necessary, defeat” China in an internal document that first surfaced on social media on Friday and was later confirmed as legitimate by the Pentagon.
“I hope I am mistaken. My gut tells me that in 2025, we will be in conflict, “Minihan stated. Minihan stated that next year’s Taiwan presidential election would provide a pretext for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s military action, while the United States would be preoccupied with its own White House race.
“By 2025, Xi’s team, logic, and opportunities are aligned,” he added.
The message further instructs all personnel of Mobile Command to go to the firing range, “fire a clip” at a target, and “aim for the head.” In response to an AFP email inquiry about the memo, a Pentagon spokeswoman stated, “Yes, it is true that he delivered it.”
Senior American officials have recently suggested that China appeared to be shortening timelines to assume control of Taiwan, a self-governing democracy claimed by Beijing.
China carried out major military exercises in August last year, seen as a rehearsal for an invasion after a defiant solidarity visit to Taipei by then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who was second-in-line at the time of succession to the White House.
The United States switched recognition of Taipei to Beijing in 1979 but sold arms to Taiwan for self-defense.A growing number of US lawmakers have called for increased assistance, including sending direct military aid to Taiwan, saying the Russian invasion of Ukraine underscores the need for early preparation.