@lylegoldstein All these supposed “masters” of strategy—John Mearsheimer, Elbridge Colby, and others—are essentially the same kind of gamblers. By the way, Mearsheimer is remarkably clear-eyed about the danger of nuclear confrontation with Russia when it comes to the war in Ukraine.but China???
@lylegoldstein The mentality of today’s gamblers is very different: “I am willing to risk nuclear war with you, so you had better make concessions on what you regard as an existential interest, because it happens to be an important interest of mine.” What could be more absurd in logic?dangerous
@lylegoldstein Today’s strategists also like to call themselves realists. But realists such as Brzezinski and Kissinger began with the actual balance of power among all sides and sought a political arrangement that the major parties could ultimately live with.
@lylegoldstein The implicit message seems to be: “I am prepared to fight even a nuclear war with you if that is what it takes to prevent unification.” Is there a more dangerous game in the world than this?
@lylegoldstein I can understand why the United States pursued a hard-line policy toward China over Taiwan at a time when two U.S. aircraft carriers could effectively outmatch the entirety of China’s naval and air forces. But today, China is at the very least a peer competitor.