Chinese state media sets sights on Taiwan as US’ Afghan retreat stokes nationalism

It's time to stop mocking other nations, calling them "surrender monkeys". We have shown them all how the US can cut and run with the best of them all. The Tunnel Dweller

 Chinese state media sets sights on Taiwan as US’ Afghan retreat stokes nationalism | CNN  "The chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan has presented Beijing with a propaganda boost, with Chinese state media capitalizing on the crisis to trumpet the supposed decline of America and taunt Taiwan with threats of invasion.

"The jingoistic rhetoric coincided with air and naval drills launched Tuesday by the Chinese military, which sent fighter jets and warships near Taiwan in response to what it called the “repeated collusion in provocation” by Washington and Taipei.

"In recent years, China’s ruling Communist Party has sought to present the US as a fading global power. And now, the return of the Taliban to the streets of the Afghan capital is being touted by state media as the “death knell of US hegemony.”. . .

Chinese State Media Says Afghanistan a Lesson for Taiwan on How U.S. Abandons Allies - Newsweek   . . ."The Times then cited what it called similar situations, such as the fall of Saigon during the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 when the U.S. evacuated its citizens from the city. The tabloid also wrote of how the U.S. "abandoned their allies, the Kurds," when it withdrew troops from northern Syria in 2019.

""Some historians also point out that abandoning allies to protect U.S. interests is an inherent flaw that has been deeply rooted in the U.S. since the founding of the country," the editorial contended before claiming America betrayed France soon after the latter aided the original colonies in gaining independence from Britain in the Revolutionary War." . . .

Afghan chaos left by US should be a warning to Taiwan: Chinese media | South China Morning Post (scmp.com)    " ‘Ignoble’ pull-out hurts US credibility and would make allies doubt its commitment, observers say, as Chinese media sees proof of decaying US hegemony

"Wavering faith among regional partners could make the US ramp up efforts to counter China, caution analysts". More behind a pay wall...

China sends chilling warning to Taiwan over ‘bitter fruits of war’ | Sky News Australia   "China’s propaganda mouthpiece the Global Times has warned Taiwan that once warfare breaks out, the Island’s defences will “collapse in hours” as the US will not offer support.

"Afghanistan's capital Kabul fell to Taliban forces on Sunday as US and Coalition troops neared the end of their 20-year deployment.

"Former US President Donald Trump made the decision to withdraw the country’s troops from Afghanistan in his final year in office.

"President Joe Biden confirmed the move, announcing American troops would be entirely removed by September 11.

"The Taliban took advantage of the mass exit of foreign troops, and engaged in a cross-country onslaught seizing key regional centres before taking Kabul over the weekend." . . .

Afghanistan withdrawal has Taiwan pondering its alliance with the US – and China is upping the pressure (theconversation.com)

"By contrast, Francis Fukuyama has pointed out in The Economist that the desperate escape of the Afghans from Kabul is a strategic misstep which signifies the end of US global hegemony. He believes that this is as much determined by domestic challenges – such as the severe polarisation of American society at the end of the Trump presidency – as by any global power shifts.

"Former US national security adviser and secretary of state Henry Kissinger has argued in the same publication that the unilateral decision to withdraw could damage Washington’s relationships with its allies." . . .