Like when UK handed Hong Kong back to China? Cause that worked out so well for Hong Kong, didn’t it?
Don’t think so. On Taiwan getting self rule under the chinese govt. That didn’t work out for Hongkong, Won’t work out here.
If you read a bit further, you’ll see what I think. But I note that I said hope in the post you quoted.
What makes you think that I think it will work out for Taiwan ?
But yeah, I hope it will. But I don’t think so.
The problem is the China has shown itself to not give a shit what the west thinks and will just do whatever keeps them in power, and will crush anyone that tries to bring change. Sadly hoping that China plays ball is effectively burying your head in the sand.
The best option is for the west to officially recognis both Hong Kong and Taiwan as independant nations and telling China that the west will do all they can defend the freedom of Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Anyway, no one will guarantee the security of the Chiang Kai-shek bastion of Taiwan, it is impossible under current conditions and everyone but Marshall Islands and Naurau + some other micro islands do not recognice it as a state. And everyone recognices it as part of China, so only matter of time before re-unification really. But I hope there can be found some sort of compromise, ideally some sort of federalism. But I am realistic, China is a growing Great Power on its way to being a Super Power.
No one will do that, Taiwan is part of China and no one will be willing to defend them except in special circumstances, certainly not against a full scale Chinese invasion. It is impossible militarily. I don’ think it is a good option at all. And when China is a on its way to super-powerdom and the US is in decline, no one else in the pacific is powerful enough to even consider it. I think you overestimate the power of the West in that area, it is not Europe. China is much too close, it has Area Denial all over Taiwan, western planes would be shot down if they attempted to land in Taiwan, all its airports are within ballistic and cruise missile range, everything is in range of basically all Chinese missiles of note.
Then additionally, there is the problem that basically everyone recognices China but not Taiwan.
As for Honk Kong, it is already controlled by China.
To illustrate before I am off:
Indevidually, no one country in the pacific is able to stand up to China, but you have to remember Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Philipines are all at loggerheads with China over fishing rights in the South China Sea and none of them want to see China gaining any more power or influence in the region.
Convince Japan and South Korea imparticularly that all of the other countries uniting to stand up to China is the best option to keep their fishing and trade rights in the South China Sea flowing without interruption and the rest will join up, but Japan and South Korea are the 2 that will need to lead to convince the rest it is worth them all joining together
You do it behind very thick locked doors. It’s not like the NRA and it’s biggest fans have been stirred up of late.
Yeah, I think it can be done diplomatically. But only as long as tensions are not too high and trade flows. But no one will want to fight a massive war against China over Taiwan other some guys in Think Tanks (who won’t need to fight themselves). Taiwan is just too close to the mainland and the economic and human damage would be too great.
But there are lot of ways to persuade China not to invade I reckon.
Anyway, that’s my opinion. Absolutely many think tanks that thinks a war with China can be won, but I am super skeptical, and particularly about the willingness of states to join in on such a damaging war.
I think (though I try very hard not to think about it) a civil war in USA will not be a civil war in traditional sense.
Firstly, there wouldn’t be a clearly defined battle-line. The federal and state institutes will continue to function while they fight insurgents from other side of political divide. Trumpist states will face Black Panther like groups while Progressive states will fight Proud Boys like groups.
Secondly, federal forces (Army, Navy, Airforce, Marine) will not get dragged into the engagements. While there might be greater deployment of those forces to protect KPIs (ports, power-stations/grids etc.). However, rogue elements will take part in the insurgencies and there will be pilferage of resources (both material and intelligence).
Thirdly, the acts of engagements will frequent, scattered and varied. Some Senator may be gunned-down in mob-style killing while another might be blown-up by IED. There will be cyber warfare to disrupt the operations of airports, ports, banks, power-grids etc.
Yeah exactly. And that washing away of the sandcastle is the starting point. You illustrate it as the withering away of any hope and integration.
It’s a fake tweet but still funny
How did you check it was fake?
Lots of wanking, probably.
Stop projecting 
I hadn’t seen this one yet…
“You want to say that that was a mob? You want to say that was a violence? No, sir, no, ma’am, no. We could have a Second Amendment rally on those same steps that we had that rally yesterday. You know, and if we do, then it’s going to be a sad day, because there’s going to be blood running out of that building. But at the end of the day, you mark my word, we will plant our flag on the desk of Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer and Donald J. Trump, if it boils down to it.”
The video is on the NYT, link below, transcription posted (emphasis mine) if you can’t access it.
This guy (Couy Griffin) is from the ‘Cowboys for Trump’, he is an Otero County commissioner in New Mexico, that is, he is an elected official.
@Arminius said it, I think…the scope of how deep and wide this rot has set in is likely unknown by those that should know…
EDIT; here is what he said…
Interesting read.
Hide the fucking thing in the library. Trump (or his lot) doesn’t go there.