Assessing the Risks of Global Conflict: Is Biden’s Foreign Policy Inviting Aggression?

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In a world fraught with geopolitical tensions, the question on many minds is whether the current U.S. administration’s approach to foreign policy is inadvertently laying the groundwork for a major conflict. According to Erik Prince, the founder of the private military-contracting firm Blackwater and a former Navy SEAL, the answer might be unsettling. In a recent interview with GBNews, Prince suggested that China could capitalize on perceived weaknesses in President Joe Biden’s foreign policy to take aggressive action against Taiwan as early as spring 2024.

The backdrop for this grim prediction is a series of foreign policy challenges that have seemingly eroded American credibility on the international stage. Prince drew parallels between today’s climate and the Carter administration, a time marked by significant international crises and domestic turmoil. This comparison underscores a sentiment that the current administration may be viewed as less assertive, potentially emboldening adversaries like China.

Prince’s forecast hinges on strategic timing, with weather conditions being a critical factor. He posits that if China were to attempt a forceful reunification with Taiwan, it would likely occur when the notorious winds in the Taiwan Strait subside, which typically happens around May or June. This window of opportunity, combined with what Prince perceives as an open door due to Biden’s weakness, could tempt China to act.

The potential for such a move has been underscored by recent reports from NBC News, which revealed that Chinese President Xi Jinping bluntly informed President Biden during a summit in San Francisco that China will eventually reunify with Taiwan. While Xi expressed a preference for a peaceful approach, his comments were delivered against a backdrop of increasingly aggressive behavior towards Taiwan.

Amid these developments, Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party is making strategic moves, nominating Hsiao Bi-khim, known as the “cat warrior,” as its vice-presidential candidate. Hsiao’s ties to the U.S. diplomatic community signal Taiwan’s urgency in seeking support from Washington. However, doubts linger about the effectiveness of such outreach given the current state of U.S. foreign policy.

Critics of the Biden administration argue that the lack of a robust response to various international provocations, such as attacks on U.S. Navy warships and actions by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists, exemplifies a broader erosion of American deterrence. Prince highlighted these incidents as indicative of a catastrophic loss of American credibility, which could have dire consequences for global stability.

While some may disagree with Prince’s assessment or his past role with Blackwater, his military expertise lends weight to his warnings. The saber-rattling emanating from Beijing cannot be ignored, and the possibility of a shooting war starting over Taiwan is a concern that must be taken seriously.

As the world watches and waits, the question remains: Will the Biden administration recalibrate its foreign policy to restore American deterrence and prevent a potential World War 3 scenario? Or will the current trajectory continue, possibly leading to a confrontation that could have been avoided? Only time will tell, but the stakes could not be higher.