The war in Ukraine is far from decided when a top US general is already outlining the next major armed conflict. According to Air Force General Michael Minihan, in two years the United States and China will be locked in armed conflict. The officer writes this in a memo to the commanders of the so-called Air Mobility Command, from which the US media quotes. The troop section is responsible for transport and aerial refueling.
“I hope I’m wrong, but I have a feeling we’re going to fight in 2025,” Minihan said. He refers to the ambitions of China’s head of state Xi Jinping to “integrate” the island of Taiwan into the People’s Republic – if necessary by force. Xi secured his third term and convened his war council in October. “Taiwan’s presidential election will be held in 2024 and could provide Xi with an excuse. The US presidential election is also in 2024 and will distract the country. Xi’s team, cause and opportunity are all heading towards 2025,” the general said.
The US and its partners fear that Beijing may attempt to invade Taiwan following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. China is also accused of pursuing expansion efforts in the South China Sea. The Americans keep emphasizing that they will stand by the island republic in the event of an invasion. However, Minihan fears that his country is not paying the necessary attention to the conflict.
The general also directly asks his subordinates to practice shooting: “Fire at a target seven meters away, aim for the head. Unrepentant lethality is most important.”
Apparently, the memo will not be distributed until February 1, according to US media reports. An Air Force spokeswoman confirmed the authenticity: Minihan’s instructions “support efforts to prepare the Air Mobility Forces for future conflicts should deterrence fail,” the letter said. The Pentagon says China is the defining challenge for the Department of Defense and that the US is working with allies to “maintain a peaceful, free, and open Indo-Pacific.”
Sources: “Washington Post”, NBC News, DPA, AFP
