Reprinted from Bracing Views with the author’s permission.
I caught a couple of news items yesterday. The first was a secret Pentagon memo that indicates China is now America’s foremost threat, especially because of fears of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The second concerns Code Pink, those intrepid pro-peace activists who have the temerity to exercise their right to free speech in the halls of power. Code Pink is now being smeared by the likes of Tom Cotton as accepting money from the Chinese Communist Party.
Well, duh! It’s right in their name: they’re commie pinkos! Thanks for nothing, Tom Cotton.
I have a lot of respect for Code Pink. They stand up to be counted, and they don’t give a damn when they’re arrested. We need more women – and men! – like them.
And so I ask myself: what’s up with all the China references, the fear mongering, the smearing of sensible activists? I think the answer is obvious: the Pentagon needs a “big” enemy. Trump is trying to forge a peace in Ukraine with Russia and Putin, so the usual Red Menace and Evil Empire won’t do. Iran isn’t big enough to justify colossal military spending. But China – CHINA when Trump says it – is perfect. Powerful economy, a military that’s growing stronger, an expanding nuclear weapons program: bingo! In the age of DOGE and budget cuts, China is exactly the kind of “threat” that can be hyped so that Pentagon spending continues to soar.
China a threat? Say it ain’t so, Winnie the Pooh
So many items I buy are tagged “Made in China.” Now the Pentagon’s most convenient enemy of the day is literally made in China. China truly is the workhorse of the world – and a convenient stalking horse for the Pentagon and its desire to dominate the world (and federal discretionary spending) at any cost.
William J. Astore, a retired lieutenant colonel (USAF), professor of history, and a senior fellow at the Eisenhower Media Network (EMN), an organization of critical veteran military and national security professionals. His personal substack is Bracing Views.
