GOOD MORNING FROM LONDON #103 5 JUNE 2021
Admiral Stavridis was the 16th Supreme Allied Commander of NATO + spent the bulk of his operational career in the Pacific. He writes;-
US Defence spending in 2020 was $714bn – China’s was $213bn. The US military is worldwide – China in East Asia only.
Re warships, China leads US 350 to 300 but US ships are larger with better defensive/offensive systems + more experienced crews.
Geographically, China has a big advantage with logistic support refuel/ammunition/repair facilities/shorter supply chains. The US is a long way from home.
China’s 10 newly built islands balance US bases in SK/Japan/Guam.
Can the US count on support from Japan/SK/Singapore/Quad just as China/Russia relations are strengthening?
Stavridis concludes; the US is stronger but the gap is narrowing. Alarm bells, he says, are ringing at the US Pacific Fleet HQ
This links with Biden Cold War demonising of China re China #1 Economy, Xinjiang/Uyghurs, Covid + “Reds Under the Beds”.
Preparation for War? Are you comfortable ruling out War?
Graham Perry
