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Fighter jet on a US aircraft carrier in the Pacific
Photo Credit: IMAGO/Mc3 Joseph Calabrese/US Navy/ IMAGO/ZUMA Wire
A four-star general in the US Air Force has told subordinates that war with China is imminent.
"I hope I'm wrong," writes Mike Minihan in a memo from Friday, from which the US broadcaster NBC News and the Washington Post quote, among others.
»My gut feeling tells me we will fight in 2025.«
Minihan argues that the US will be "distracted" by the 2024 Taiwanese and US presidential elections.
This gives Chinese President Xi Jinping the opportunity to take action against Taiwan.
The message signed by Minihan is addressed, among other things, to all commanders of the so-called Air Mobility Command (AMC), which has its headquarters in the US state of Illinois.
Minihan urges subordinates to report to him by February 28 on any progress made in preparing for a possible battle with China.
The AMC is responsible for almost 50,000 soldiers and almost 500 aircraft, it is responsible for transport and air refueling.
"Aim for the head"
During February, according to Minihan, all AMC soldiers should “fire a clip into a seven-meter target, fully aware that unrepentant lethality is paramount.
Aim for the head."
Also, troops should update their records and emergency contacts.
A representative of the US Department of Defense confirmed the authenticity of the letter.
But it was "not representative of the ministry's position on China."
Concerns about a conflict with China relate primarily to a possible invasion of Taiwan.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said earlier this month that "the Chinese armed forces are showing very provocative behavior".
But he "seriously" doubts that an invasion is imminent.
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