Reckless U.S. Provocations Over Taiwan Risk War with China

As tensions heat up over Taiwan, everything the U.S. does is depicted as defensive while everything China does is framed as menacing, aggressive and authoritarian. But the island’s history has been totally left out of the coverage. How did Taiwan come to be? Is it part of China? How has the U.S. used Taiwan as a weapon against China both historically and today? Is there a similar situation with Tibet? With Xinjiang? With Hong Kong? Is this really about supporting self-determination and independence or part of a strategy by the U.S. to break up and weaken its greatest adversary? To discuss this, Rania Khalek was joined by Ken Hammond, Professor of East Asian and Global History at New Mexico State University and an activist with the organization Pivot to Peace. Listen to every episode of Rania Khalek Dispatches anywhere you get podcasts. Spotify: Apple: TIME CODES 0:00 Intro 2:04 The history of Taiwan and its relationship to China 4:53 The Chinese civil war and consequences on Taiwan 9:24 China during World War Two 11:44 Taiwan’s system of governance: Martial law until 1993 13:58 When Taiwan controlled China’s seat at the UN Security Council 18:42 What is the One China Policy and “strategic ambiguity” 23:10 US provocations: Dangerous and reckless 27:40 Hawkish elements in Taiwan 29:28 What would reunification look like? 31:25 Taiwanese intransigence as a function of US support 35:04 China’s behavior vs Washington’s: Who’s the aggressor? 37:52 Is Biden’s China policy different from Trump’s? 40:18 What’s really behind Washington’s anti-China policy? 43:43 Are there mechanisms for de-escalation in case of a military confrontation? 47:42 When the CIA trained Tibetan terrorists 56:21 US policy to balkanize China 1:00:48 The US cannot escape from its decline 1:03:44 Cold War politics in academia » Become a patron: -------------------------------- » Like us on Facebook: » Tweet us on Twitter: » Follow us on Instagram: At Breakthrough News we believe in the power of independent media. Five mega-corporations dominate the media landscape — controlling 90% of what we read, watch and listen to. They control the news cycle, to which social media and even most “alternative” media is forced to respond. We are breaking through that cycle. We tell the untold stories of resistance from poor and working-class communities — because out of these stories we will construct a different narrative of the world, as it is and in real time. People’s movements in every corner of the globe are changing history and shifting consciousness. But these movements barely receive any coverage from the corporate media. They need visibility. They need amplification. They need a media arm to break through. We can be that media arm, but only with your help. Become a Patron and join us on the front lines in the battle of ideas. Subscribe and follow us! @BTNewsroom #China #Taiwan #XiJingPing #Biden #BreakThroughNews #BTnews #socialistnews #socialist #raniakhalek #eugenepuryear