The 10/8/21 dispatch.

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Hope everyone has had a great week!

Since my last post on Tuesday, I’m sad to say that things have gotten even testier with China. News broke that the United States ALREADY has troops in Taiwan, who are operating as advisors. This was previously unknown and certainly top secret information.

The Washington Post @washingtonpostChina warns U.S. over reports that American forces are stationed in TaiwanChina warns U.S. over reports that American forces are stationed in TaiwanThe revelation threatens to set off a spiral of military tension as the United States and its allies counter Beijing’s efforts to gain a military advantage in the region.wapo.st

October 8th 2021

37 Retweets96 Likes

There are reportedly roughly two dozen U.S. troops, including a Special Operations unit and a contingent of Marines, training military forces in Taiwan. Even crazier, they’ve been there for more than a year, the Wall Street Journal reported.

A couple of interesting things about the story, which I’m sure many of you have already seen:

First, the Washington Post story says that “Taiwan’s Foreign and Defense ministries declined to comment on the report,” which the Post took for confirmation.

Secondly, the Post says the Pentagon denied last year that Marine special operatives were training in Taiwan, but now there don’t seem to be any denials. In fact, it’s the opposite. The Pentagon said the following in a Reuters story:

"I don't have any comments on specific operations, engagements, or training, but I would like to highlight that our support for and defense relationship with Taiwan remains aligned against the current threat posed by the People’s Republic of China," said Pentagon spokesman John Supple.

Those are pretty strong words.

Remember, China believes that the island of Taiwan is a part of China. And even though 24 million people live in Taiwan, and even though Taiwan is staunchly democratic, China has for years threatened to retake the island if Taiwan formally states its independence. (The two countries have a long history, marked by war and decades of threats.)

It’s my belief that this news breaking that the U.S. has troops in Taiwan is NOT an accident. I think China’s recent moves of so many aircraft threatening the island has unnerved the U.S. to some extent (see below about tensions behind the worst in 40 years), and the U.S. decided to leak the information of U.S. troops there. Just as a not-so-subtle signal/reminder that not only will we defend Taiwan, but we literally already have troops there.

According to the BBC, Taiwan’s defense minister believes a full-scale invasion of the island could happen by 2025. I personally think China could have been looking at a mild form of escalation as a way to scare Taiwan back into its arms, and America back into its own hemisphere. China knows that in the long game, more countries are turning to face their frightening and fearsome growing power.

But clearly the U.S. is saying that a short-term escalation won’t work. The U.S. is signaling, “We’re here, we’re staying, don’t mis-read a single thing.”

BBC News (World) @BBCWorldChina-Taiwan military tensions 'worst in 40 years' China-Taiwan military tensions ‘worst in 40 years’Taiwan’s defence minister warns of the risk of an accidental strike amid more Chinese aerial incursions.bbc.in

October 6th 2021

138 Retweets324 Likes

Staying on the China situation for a moment longer, I found this story of a submarine collision just so, so interesting. (Mainly because any time I see a sub story like this, I immediately think up crazy plots like the Hunt for Red October. Except in this scenario, I imagine an American commander either ramming — or getting rammed — by some undersea Chinese sub. Okay, apologies for the crazy theories, but I am — after all — a fiction writer.)

CNN Politics @CNNPoliticsA nuclear-powered submarine struck an object underwater in the South China Sea US submarine hits underwater object in South China SeaIn this December 15, 2016, file photo, the USS Connecticut departs Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.cnn.it

October 7th 2021

36 Retweets85 Likes

In other matters, I was sad to read the below article. I can’t imagine how scared these women in Afghanistan must be.

BBC News (World) @BBCWorldAfghanistan's female lawyers are on the run from men they prosecuted Afghanistan’s female lawyers are on the run from men they prosecutedAs the Taliban swept through Afghanistan they opened the jails. Women lawyers are paying the price.bbc.in

October 5th 2021

153 Retweets268 Likes

The only good news out of Afghanistan (I kid, clearly) is that the Taliban is NOT messing around with drug addictions. If you want to see how a crazy, intolerant government uses religion to fix things, take a gander at this article.

@felipedana⁩ and gripping video by ⁦⁦⁦@AP⁩ Mstyslav Chernov⁩, as they, along with ⁦@samya_kullab⁩ tell a powerful story of how now in power, Taliban set sights on Afghan drug underworld (from @AP) ","username":"Kathygannon","name":"Kathy Gannon","date":"Thu Oct 07 18:08:34 +0000 2021","photos":[],"quoted_tweet":{},"retweet_count":24,"like_count":49,"expanded_url":{"url":"https://apnews.com/article/312374ad26... in power, Taliban set sights on Afghan drug underworld","description":"KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Now the uncontested rulers of Afghanistan, the Taliban have set their sights on stamping out the scourge of narcotics addiction, even if by force. At nightfall, the battle-hardened fighters-turned-policemen scour the capital’s drug-ravaged underworld.","domain":"apnews.com"},"video_url":null}">Kathy Gannon @KathygannonTruly brilliant images by ⁦⁦@felipedana⁩ and gripping video by ⁦⁦⁦@AP⁩ Mstyslav Chernov⁩, as they, along with ⁦@samya_kullab⁩ tell a powerful story of how now in power, Taliban set sights on Afghan drug underworld (from @AP) Now in power, Taliban set sights on Afghan drug underworldKABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Now the uncontested rulers of Afghanistan, the Taliban have set their sights on stamping out the scourge of narcotics addiction, even if by force. At nightfall, the battle-hardened fighters-turned-policemen scour the capital’s drug-ravaged underworld.apnews.com

October 7th 2021

24 Retweets49 Likes

Back to U.S. matters, seems the F-35 is still getting a little more operational. It’s had all kinds of pitfalls for years and it’s been a LONG journey for the jet, but maybe (just maybe), it’s getting there.

Military.com @MilitarydotcomThe Stealthy F-35 Fighter Jet Is One Step Closer to Carrying Nuclear Weapons The Stealthy F-35 Fighter Jet Is One Step Closer to Carrying Nuclear WeaponsWhen the F-35A receives its full nuclear certification, the Air Force will have a second stealth aircraft in its fleet that can carry nukes.military.com

October 5th 2021

13 Retweets37 Likes

Moving along, I thought I’d share something pretty deep that I came across. (It’s sort of about Facebook, but it’s about so much more. It’s about getting older, being isolated, how cruel we are as a society, etc. It’s absolutely worth the read if you get a moment. Warning: it does have some harsh language in it.)

Stan R. Mitchell, USMC @StanRMitchellWoah. This is like deep. And worth the read if you get a moment.

Stonekettle @Stonekettle

Stonekettle Station, Recap: October 5, 2021, a summary of the last 24 hours.https://t.co/NcIoqvFsm2

October 6th 2021

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If that link above doesn’t work, you can go directly here to read the post: https://www.stonekettle.com/2021/10/recap-october-4-2021.html

I’ll end this edition with some good news from science. Given how dry things are getting in the West, technology such as this could prove pivotal (as it becomes less expensive).

The Associated Press @APIn drought-parched California, some residents are turning to pricey machines that developers say can produce hundreds of gallons of water a day, literally out of thin air. In dry California, some buy units that make water from airBENICIA, Calif. (AP) — The machine Ted Bowman helped design can make water out of the air, and in parched California, some homeowners are already buying the pricey devices. The air-to-water systems work like air conditioners by using coils to chill air, then collect water drops in a basin.apne.ws

October 6th 2021

84 Retweets237 Likes

That’s it for this post. Stay safe and be kind. As always, please share this post if you enjoyed it.

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Every Tuesday and Friday, I write about conflicts and military matters that are happening throughout the world. Such as what’s happening in Afghanistan or Iraq. How we’re aligning ourselves to counter China’s growing influence. Updates on new military technology that we’re fielding.

As long-time readers know, I do all of this from a moderate perspective that focuses on unity in our country. I also don’t believe in clickbait, over-the-top headlines, or other tactics created to increase fear or panic, all in the hope of adding to web traffic. You will always get the sober, mature view, with a slight bit of my optimism peering through. 

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Semper Fidelis,

Stan R. Mitchell

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