"Philippines Prepares for War Over Taiwan"

I am using the same language used by the media management of the company that posted this YouTube video:

Brawner: Philippines Prepares for War Over Taiwan; U.S. OKs F16s, NMESIS｜Taiwan Talks EP600


Text that is shown as describing the overall content of the material being presented in this video:

Apr 7, 2025

As regional tensions rise, the Philippines’ top military chief has for the first time told his troops to plan for a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan. The remarks came as Taipei condemned China’s major blockade drill around Taiwan and after Beijing earlier flew nuclear-capable bombers near Scarborough Shoal ahead of U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s visit to Manila. Hegseth and his Philippine counterpart Gibo Teodoro agreed to accelerate their defense partnership to meet their greatest challenges. Are we seeing the first signs of Trump’s “unprecedented shift” to the Indo-Pacific?

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A bit before the 15-minute mark a very critical issue is raised, and a brief quote (exactly as the Google software is displaying the transcript) from that will highlight the issue I am focused on right here:

... the US stance towards Europe and NATO i [14:37] mean it seems to be a world of difference well I think that's precisely the point i mean what we see is the US [14:43] has used as one of their main justifications for in a sense pulling back strategically from Europe is to focus here on Indepacific region and certainly uh JD Vance had said this when he was running um with President Trump for office and I think we're seeing a fruition of that right now so um of course there are challenges in terms of what they're doing with um Europe particularly what's happening uh in terms of Russia uh and um and Ukraine but here I think in in Pacific region the messaging from the US has been remarkably consistent on security and ...

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I fully understand that most of those participating in discussions in this Community remain focused on U.S. politics, but those of us that live in Asia are growing more and more concerned about issues related to that which is discussed in that YouTube post and if you folks in the U.S. aren't keeping up with what's going on in this area of the planet, you might be unpleasantly surprised/shocked when things get 'hot' in our area and the U.S. has to add to an existing military posture in this part of the planet.

I will also add that if any of you wish to ask me specific technical questions related to our U.S. military posture in various regions of this part of the planet, I would be willing to share what I might know that isn't general knowledge. I have served on active duty in Asia and have served as GS and under contract auspices for the U.S. government in Asia and two other governments.

I hope the Philippines wait to make sure they're not alone.

Because Trump won't lift a finger for Taiwan.

Hamish Howl said:

I hope the Philippines wait to make sure they're not alone.

Because Trump won't lift a finger for Taiwan.

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You've got that bit of information incorrectly registered in your thought processes. I can assure you that bad - bad- bad will be the result of any military actions directly on any of the Taiwan presently controlled islands.

Yes, there are question marks on that which relate to the islands closest to the mainland, but I can assure you, President Trump and our DoD folks are not going to ignore active military deployment onto Taiwan controlled territory.

What is provided in that video should be one big clue for that conclusion. Why would we be spending huge sums of money to train with the military of those nations in that exercise coming up soon in the PI, if we aren't serious about what needs to be done to answer any aggression by the mainland China leader(s)?

Are young Americans anxious to become involved in a war to protect Taiwan from China?

medi said:

I will also add that if any of you wish to ask me specific technical questions related to our U.S. military posture in various regions of this part of the planet, I would be willing to share what I might know that isn't general knowledge. I have served on active duty in Asia and have served as GS and under contract auspices for the U.S. government in Asia and two other governments.

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In regards to the above, what thoughts do you have on the heretofore unprecedented move of so many of our B-2 bombers to Diego Garcia? When I read about this last week, my first impression was that Trump was preparing for a stealth attack against Iran. I can't help but suspect that I'm not alone in being left with that impression.

MamboDervish said:

In regards to the above, what thoughts do you have on the heretofore unprecedented move of so many of our B-2 bombers to Diego Garcia? When I read about this last week, my first impression was that Trump was preparing for a stealth attack against Iran. I can't help but suspect that I'm not alone in being left with that impression.

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Those aren't the only assets in the tactical sphere that have been moved around the planet. Your initial impression couldn't be argued against, but there is another aspect to this that is far removed from thoughts many might have on this.

Let me provide a recent article link on this extra point I am bringing up:


Let me also add that a deployment as we saw with those birds going into Diego Garcia is also great for training purposes. But there must be some very good reasoning behind a deployment like that, as that is expensive as heck. Those birds require serious maintenance upkeep and that means personnel and equipment moves, too.

I believe, though, I saw a headline earlier in my morning that Iran was agreeing to some sort of talks about things, although I did not take the time to read that article. If it is correct that Iran is willing to start talks, that makes the expense worth it, as talking is a lot less expensive than armed engagement with a foe.

As for your question, Individual, about what young folks may or may not be anxious to do; of course, a sane human, young or old, isn't anxious to be in any armed conflict. But this isn't just about Taiwan. Mainland China military moves are taking place in many other areas around this part of the planet. We have frequent confrontation type situations of a nature less serious than actual conflict between the Japanese SDF and mainland China ships. Air asset incursions take place, too.

And that business of mainland China creating islands down south and then making territorial claims on large areas of ocean waters based upon those new islands - - - well, that is mighty serious and has some mighty smart folks worried.

But as an old man, that question about young folks brings forth thoughts of when I was a young and a very naive human and reminds me now that it is usually a whole bunch of the young folks that bear the brunt of armed conflict; and that is a bummer to the max. Not meant to diminish the sacrifices civilian populations might be required to make, but the young - - - well, all death from this sort of mess is a bummer.

medi said:

You've got that bit of information incorrectly registered in your thought processes. I can assure you that bad - bad- bad will be the result of any military actions directly on any of the Taiwan presently controlled islands.

Yes, there are question marks on that which relate to the islands closest to the mainland, but I can assure you, President Trump and our DoD folks are not going to ignore active military deployment onto Taiwan controlled territory.

What is provided in that video should be one big clue for that conclusion. Why would we be spending huge sums of money to train with the military of those nations in that exercise coming up soon in the PI, if we aren't serious about what needs to be done to answer any aggression by the mainland China leader(s)?

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Trump will not do a damn thing.

Individual said:

Are young Americans anxious to become involved in a war to protect Taiwan from China?

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USA armed forces fight for the United States wherever they are and against whomever the enemy of the United States may be. The CCP-PRC is the mortal enemy of the United States and have no doubt of this. Which makes your question sophomoric and a fail.

Trump defeating Xi Jinping in a military conflict over Taiwan would make Donald J. Trump king and master of all the universe immediately and forever and ever. US and NATO forces could then enter Ukraine and drive the Russians out for good which would put Putin in his place so to speak.

This Donald could not resist. Canada would needs be submit and Panama would surrender the canal in a NY minute. Greenland and Denmark would accept the fates. Trump and the massively victorious US armed forces become BFF.

Everyone agrees it's Trump's decision and his alone to make about a military conflict over Taiwan.



"I think President Trump does not want to get dragged into a war anywhere, and certainly not against China, but that does not mean that he would opt to not defend Taiwan if China attacks," Bonnie Glaser, director of the Indo-Pacific program at the German Marshall Fund think tank, told Newsweek. This is consistent with Washington's decades-long policy of maintaining "strategic ambiguity" on whether it would come to Taiwan's aid, she observed.

Chuck DeVore, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and former California assemblyman, told Newsweek "President Donald J. Trump and his team have a steely-eyed focus on warfighting and deterrence. The big question being, will China implode economically before it decides to attack Taiwan?" Despite economic headwinds, including a prolonged real estate slump and local government debt, China continues to channel resources into military modernization. "Despite a failing economy, there is a conscious decision to fund military capability," former U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief, the retired Admiral John Aquilino, said last year.



Reports are too that the Boyz in Beijing are quietly and without any announcement passing on actually applying their 125% tariff on US goods on import. The CCP failing economy cannot sustain the added cost when there is uncontrollable deflation already because people are not buying. Chinese are saving their cash, gold and silver due the "major economic adjustment" correction that has begun at long last. Twenty five years of it is not such a long time actually izzzit.

Nations throughout the region over there have now taken to saying the only thing worse than a rising China is a falling China.

I think it is the book for North Korea to attack South Korea on the same day China launches their war on Taiwan.

The PRC is certainly poking their military noses into all sorts of areas around this area of the Pacific these days.

Let me see if I can find something I saw on NHK yesterday:


Quite surprised it was even placed on their English language page.

But don't be so quick to think the DPRK would coordinate with the PRC in any given tactical moves. They, the DPRK, just had a horrible launch of a new destroyer and are going to be busy trying to get that ship fixed and finding new "talent" to continue building such vessels. Old "talent" will be going to prison camps building canoes.

Plus, they (the DPRK) might be a tad short of some supplies because there may be a lot of stuff being sent to help the Russian Federation.

There is also the problem for the PRC that they really don't know how well their military would do in an actual combat situation. Sure, they have to project force elements out-and-about to play out this weird game we have now, but the actual opening of hostile action; not so sure they are ready for that.

Frankly, mainland China is not exactly a happy land right now. A whole bunch of folks out toward the western areas outside of the cities aren't doing so great and aren't super happy these days. And some of that discontent is appearing in the cities.

And the U.S. military strength might be a lot better prepared than some of you might realize. PLUS, it wouldn't surprise me one bit if the Trump Administration were to authorize the use of tactical nukes. And I think not only President Putin, but also the leaders of the PRC are wary of just how much they can trust that President Trump wouldn't use tactical nukes.

In addition, there was either a slip up by President Trump some weeks ago, or a cleverly placed hint, about something related to the U.S. military that you can be sure our possible adversaries picked up on.

BUT, the situation is quite uncomfortable in this area of the planet; that is true.

Individual said:

Are young Americans anxious to become involved in a war to protect Taiwan from China?

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"Are young Britons anxious to become involved in a war to protect Czechs from Germany?"

Appeasement and avoidance have worked out so well in the past.

Individual said:

Are young Americans anxious to become involved in a war to protect Taiwan from China?

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I have to offer an apology for not seeing your question until just moments ago.

Firstly, nobody is anxious about any combat situation. Old, middle-aged, or young. Well, I hope not. Those that would be I'd be in fear of.

Secondly, once in the military, your options to refuse to do what you are ordered to do are extremely limited. If the boss orders you into combat operations, you go. Then you quickly learn you are fighting for your own life, your comrades-in-arms around you - - - and way out on that list and later you realize you are fighting for your family back at home and your fellow citizens.

AND the U.S. military does a whole bunch of training and are also on patrol all over the planet 24 hours a day and when the shite hits the fan in any given AO it is easy to shift into "This Is Real." mode. The training kicks in, the reality kicks in, and you go to work. No time for being anxious during the first few hours, which are intense right from the start. Anxious doesn't hit until your shift is over and you hit the bunk and then it is too late to worry too much about being anxious, because you are super tired and sleep gives you relief.

Hamish Howl said:

Trump will not do a damn thing.

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Doubt he would! Isn't China planning to do to Taiwan what Trump said he would do to Greenland?

medi said:

You've got that bit of information incorrectly registered in your thought processes. I can assure you that bad - bad- bad will be the result of any military actions directly on any of the Taiwan presently controlled islands.

Yes, there are question marks on that which relate to the islands closest to the mainland, but I can assure you, President Trump and our DoD folks are not going to ignore active military deployment onto Taiwan controlled territory.

What is provided in that video should be one big clue for that conclusion. Why would we be spending huge sums of money to train with the military of those nations in that exercise coming up soon in the PI, if we aren't serious about what needs to be done to answer any aggression by the mainland China leader(s)?

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He has monetary interests in China. And Xi can easily bribe him.