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US Republican Michael McCaul (picture from 2016)
Photo: Mike Segar / REUTERS
According to a leading Republican foreign policy maker, the United States must prepare for a military escalation of the Taiwan conflict.
"There's a very good chance we're going to see a conflict with China and Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific region," new House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Michael McCaul told Fox News.
If China cannot take control of the island republic without bloodshed, he says it will consider a military invasion.
"We have to be prepared for that."
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'Hope I'm wrong': US Air Force general expects war with China in two years
McCaul was referring to a recently published assessment by a four-star general in the US Air Force, who had predicted a war with China in 2025.
"My gut tells me we're going to fight in 2025," General Mike Minihan had written to the leadership of Air Mobility Command, which he heads.
He argued that upcoming presidential elections in the US and Taiwan next year would provide China with an opportunity for military action.
The People's Republic regards Taiwan, which is supported by the US, as its own territory.
"I think he's right"
"I hope he's wrong," said Rep. McCaul of the general's remarks.
"But I think he's right." The Republican accused the administration of Democratic President Joe Biden of showing a picture of weakness after the hasty withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan.
That could increase the likelihood of a war with China.
The US Department of Defense said Minihan's comments were not representative of the Department's position on China.
cgu/Reuters