The Ghosts of Tinian and the Growing Cold War in the Asia-Pacific

https://archive.is/EQ0TJ

I heard one Chinese analyst speak truthfully - the end-game of these tariffs is war. Hopefully a 'deal' can be reached long before then but Trump's moves are a form of warfare - even if the bullets aren't flying yet.

In the meantime Beijing is taking in a larger set of factors and calculations - as is Washington, but the Western Establishment media won't talk about these things. They are hidden from the American public.

You can be sure Beijing sat up and took notice when the US decided to start re-building their old base on Tinian Island - the launch point for the B-29's that dropped the atomic bombs on Japan. It's highly symbolic to say the least and sends a clear message.

But the US is sure to dismiss any protests that come out of Beijing. The motives of the US are always pure. And yet imagine the response within the United States if China started to prepare a base in the Caribbean? It's unthinkable. And such arguments on the basis of equivalence are not allowed. They are in terms of the Americanist religion, a heresy.

And the idea that the US doesn't resort to coercive economic policies in order to get its way is pure mendacity. The article doesn't assert this but it's implied - and in keeping with established US narratives. In other words even this article in the Asia Times reveals American bias. It only took a few minutes to look up the editorial team and see why. Managing Editor Shawn Crispin is also a regular columnist at The Diplomat - a pro-Establishment publication based in Washington DC and in addition to this he apparently frequents think-tanks and gives talks to hedge fund managers and investment bankers. An impressive if revealing portfolio. Asia Times covers stories the mainstream ignores (as does a niche publication like The Diplomat) but the bias remains. That said, I frequent both websites and partake of some podcasts and have for years. The analysis often disappoints and frustrates but if you cut through the fog there's still a fair bit of good information. So it is in this case.

The island diplomacy is starting to turn into a regional Cold War with all the accompanying intrigue. The thing is - every move by China is devious and nefarious and every move by the United States is honest and true and for the cause of freedom. Informed and intelligent people will dispense with this silly narrative and understand the situation for what it is - cut-throat geopolitics and a clash of the powers. There is no morality here. Or to put it another way - it's evil vs. evil, clashing beasts vying for the mastery.

Is one worse than the other? Maybe, maybe not. But it doesn't matter because a lesser evil is still evil and so Christians have no desire to see either flourish or succeed. The Church may enjoy freedom under the US - but this has often not been the case under its dictatorial proxies. The Church suffers under Chinese rule. The truth is the Church does better in an adversarial role while the US corrupts it with decadence, liberalism, and the many heresies which emanate from its shores - many of which have already infected the churches of the Asia-Pacific region. These errors create a fog and confuse loyalties - resulting in many thinking it is the Christian position to support the American Empire. Such support is contrary to the ethical imperatives of the New Testament. We pray for our leaders whether we live in America, China, or somewhere else. We do not pray that they would flourish and increase wealth and strength, but that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives. In other words, we pray for peace and that they would leave us alone so we can go about Zion's business. All nationalism is heresy.