Cleo Pascal

position and things that would hurt the U.S.

position.

So in terms of things that would help the U.S.

position, the Chinese Communist Party likes things to be predictable and President Trump is anything but predictable.

So unless they feel like they've got a control over the political situation, which would mean that the U.S.

wouldn't enter into conflict with Taiwan to begin with, or the kinetic situation, which is the U.S.

can't, munitions are depleted or whatever, that enter into a situation in Taiwan, then it makes it harder for China to move.

Also, the U.S.

is in the process of strangling some key allies.

fuel supply lines into China.

So not only out of the Middle East, but also the Venezuela move was incredibly important for that.

So those are things that might help delay Chinese decision to go across the street.

But another is, you know, if they think that the American population isn't going to push for anything else, if they think they have

the sort of tools available to them in places like Guam, for example, to be able to cut off a US response and buy some time so that the media narrative warfare campaign can take root and make it an almost fait accompli, then you've got something that would benefit.

And also remember that the Chinese are, there's talk about, you know, having to bring massive amounts across the street, how difficult that would be.

They can fly in on commercial flights, large amounts of what's required.

And also the Chinese organized crime elements in key ports within Taiwan are basically controlling the port.

So who knows what's coming into the ports anyway?

So when you're looking at assessing Chinese capabilities already in Taiwan, it's not only essential to look at that fifth column element, but also the role of Chinese organized crime in undermining Taiwan's ability to respond.

And again, the key, I think, is going to be delaying, making things go dark, creating confusion, making it harder for the U.S.