Staff Reports
In a groundbreaking move, Congress is making the Pentagon get down to business and conduct a serious study on a potential smackdown with China in the year 2030. That’s right, folks, the House and Senate conferees gave the nod to a draft of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2024, which will force the Pentagon to dig into the nitty gritty of a potential showdown with the People’s Liberation Army.
Emerging defense bill mandates Pentagon study on war with China in 2030 https://t.co/RcDTCpJMT7
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 7, 2023
If that’s not enough, the bill also requires the Pentagon to take a good hard look at the economic impact of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. President Biden is already foreshadowing a strong U.S. military response if Taiwan comes under attack.
But wait, there’s more! The Pentagon’s Office of Net Assessment is on the hook for a whole year to delve into a potential U.S.-China throwdown and deliver the goods to Congress. And if that wasn’t enough, the lawmakers are putting the heat on the net assessment office, accusing them of churning out useless studies. The bill also gives the Pentagon a pat on the back for a job well done, requiring them to report to Congress on China’s activities in the drug trade, specifically the distribution of fentanyl to Mexican drug cartels.
This bill is packed tighter than a can of sardines with more than a dozen provisions aimed at China, and it’s got both sides of the aisle nodding in unison at the growing threat from the East. The House and Senate still need to give this legislation the double thumbs up, and if they do, it’ll be up to President Biden to give it the final stamp of approval.
Now, about that smokin’ study about a potential rumble in 2030 — it’s going to lay out all the possible moves China and the U.S. could throw at each other, including cyberattacks and messing with the electrical grid. It’s also going to crunch numbers on the military muscle of both sides and how it could shake up the balance of power in the region.
But wait, there’s more! The bill is also calling for a comprehensive study of the economic fallout if China makes a bold move on Taiwan. And get this — it’s not just about Taiwan, but how this could send shockwaves through the global economy, especially in the microchip industry. Taiwan is the kingpin in this game, so anything happening over there would send ripples through the whole tech world. The bill also wants the Pentagon to come up with a game plan to throw wrenches into China’s war machine before the shooting starts.
And that’s not all — the bill is not holding back, sparking a fire under the Pentagon to do a full-on audit of any money that might have gone to Chinese research labs, including the Wuhan Institute of Virology. You know, the place where some folks think the whole shebang of COVID-19 started.
What’s more? The military is being put on the spot to give a rundown of those sneaky Chinese operations spreading like wildfire in the Pacific, and how the PLA is cozying up to Cambodia and making moves in South America and Africa. It’s like the whole playbook is getting flipped on China, and it sure looks like Congress is ready to throw down!
