Retired General: War with China Likely in Next 15 Years
Retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, the former commander of the United States Army in Europe, thinks a military confrontation between America and China will likely happen. The timeline he’s given?
War within the next 15 years.
The retired general made the prediction while speaking at a security forum in Poland this week. The Military Times reports Hodges advised European countries that they will likely need to do more on their own as America shifts focus away from being a large anti-Russian force on the continent.
“I think in 15 years — it’s not inevitable, but it is a very strong likelihood — that we will be at war with China,” Hodges said. “The United States does not have the capacity to do everything it has to do in Europe and in the Pacific to deal with the Chinese threat.”
China’s recent displays of military might have been impressive. It’s become evident that large amounts of time and money have been spent building a large and professional military.
Video shows the number, precision, and near-fanaticism of some of the troops.
With over 3,000,000 troops and a manpower pool that goes much deeper, China’s large population has traditionally been a major threat for its neighbors and a bulwark against any potential invader.
Although the country has formidable numbers, America has always been able to outclass China where it counts — at sea. This may not be the case for long.
With leaps in Chinese military technology, the U.S. advantage is starting to slip.
Barrier islands being constructed by China serve as unsinkable aircraft carriers, able to exert a stronger air presence in their national waters. Unlike an aircraft carrier, islands do not need to be kept afloat or maintained.
China also boasts intermediate-range ballistic missiles dubbed “carrier-killers.” They are able to reach Guam and many other targets off China’s coast.
But the tide may be beginning to turn back in America’s favor. President Donald Trump’s already been sapping China with tariffs. Now that both countries on a more equal economic footing, any future war will surely be affected.
America also conducts freedom of navigation maneuvers around disputed areas in the South China Sea. China has not been able to retaliate against this, making it an effective strategy.
Despite this, much can change in 15 years.
With each country’s military numbering in the millions even during peacetime, the only thing a war with China is guaranteed to be is bloody.
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