War rages in the Middle East & Ukraine – but the temperature is slowly rising around Taiwan ⬇️

Reuters is reporting that military exercises continue to push boundaries and increase size and scope. We’ll add a link to the full article in the comments:

“Taiwan raised its alert level on Monday saying China has set up seven zones of reserved airspace and deployed naval fleets and coast guard boats in what a security source described as the first military drills across a broad swathe of the region’s waters. A senior Taiwan security official told Reuters that China currently has nearly 90 navy and coast guard ships in waters near Taiwan, the southern Japanese islands and the East and South China Seas, of which around two-thirds were navy vessels.”

Taiwan raises alert as China deploys 90 ships in likely exercises

Taiwan raised its alert level on Monday, saying China had reserved airspace and deployed naval and coast guard vessels in what a security source called the first military drills across a broad swathe of the region’s waters.

This is a concerning development – China has been slowly raising the temperature and increasing the freedom of action it has. Lulling the West into a false sense of security or a willing denialism was exactly what occurred prior to the invasion of Ukraine.

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) has a China Power mini site that focuses on the rise of China and the escalating grey zone tactics employed within the 1st Island Chain in particular. CSIS has produced an excellent series of infographic articles examining three key topics:

1️⃣ How China could quarantine Taiwan

2️⃣ How China could blockade Taiwan

3️⃣ How the Taiwan Strait propels the Global Economy.

Measures Short of Invasion: How China Could Threaten Peace in the Taiwan Strait

China has increased pressure on Taiwan in recent years, stoking fears that it could invade the island. Yet Beijing has options short of an invasion to coerce, punish, or annex Taiwan. This series examines China’s key alternatives to an invasion and their potential impact.

For good measure we’ll throw in one last stand out resource in the comments on Taiwan – and it is truly excellent. Council on Foreign Relations produced a stand out infographic article on why China would struggle to invade Taiwan. It is a reminder on how difficult a large scale amphibious operations of this type are to mount. If conflict is to occur, it isn’t likely to see a D Day style crossing of the Taiwan Strait as the opening battle.

Why China Would Struggle to Invade Taiwan

Although China’s ambition to gain control of Taiwan is clear, doing so through force would prove enormously difficult and costly.

🗺️ via Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)