Why Invade Taiwan When Bypassing Taiwan Works?

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang inspect honor guards during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Oct. 9, 2019. Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

Even as Russia has pivoted to a full commitment to invade and crush Ukraine, Russia is a mere tributary vassal (as are Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela) to China. Don’t be distracted. The main event is China. China, China, China.

The Inchon Model—a Possible Model for a Strategic Maneuver to Bypass Taiwan

U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur devised and implemented a brilliant move against the communists in 1950 during the Korean War. He swooped all the way around and up the Korean Peninsula to land deep behind enemy lines. The Inchon landing worked dramatically well and collapsed the initial North Korean gains into a chaotic retreat, back toward the Chinese border, at which point the Chinese became openly and decisively engaged in the war. It was a historic strategic maneuver. Clausewitz and Sun Tzu would have been proud.