Book review | ‘When China Attacks: A Warning to America’ by Grant Newsham

A few years from now, in his scenario, the United States, due to her gross underestimation of the Chinese capability to execute the invasion, is taken aback by a Chinese surprise attack on Taiwan. Then, China’s friends start making noises, augmenting the Taiwan contingency into a global conflict.

North Korea launches conventional weapons into Seoul and attempts to launch some additional ones on Tokyo. Russia, grateful for China’s support during the Ukraine war, and Iran, causing their own problems — and maybe Cuba and Venezuela too — pile crisis upon crisis onto the US’s plate, scattering its focus away from Taiwan.

In order to remedy the situation, the US turns to its allies for help. Nevertheless, spooked by the destructive success of China’s attack, America’s once-thought-reliable allies, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines, all kiss the ring, acknowledging the fait accompli of the Chinese occupation of Taiwan.

For China, it’s “mission accomplished.”

The Scenario Doesn’t Stop at Taiwan

However, in Newsham’s disturbing scenario, China’s ambitions do not end in Taiwan.

After invading Taiwan, they then claim sovereignty and install military bases on a cluster of islands located in the middle of the first and second island chains claimed by China, of which the Ryukyu Islands of Japan are part.

The demands continue beyond half of the Pacific Ocean, which Xi Jinping once alluded to in 2014. The entirety of it cripples US influence in the Asia-Pacific, and dismantles America on the international stage.

As indicated by Newsham, the utter incompetence of the United States’ ability to deter Chinese aggression and its fallout could be attributed to a lack of determination. It also acknowledges how deeply Chinese influence has infiltrated societies across the world.

Chinese influence has especially targeted elite institutions within the US where a revolving door has been created between high-ranking government posts and experts backed by lucrative Chinese business interests. Also, educational institutions continue to be heavily reliant on Chinese students and money.

During the past several years — especially during the COVID-19 pandemic — Western media had demonstrated an affinity towards China. Many applauded Beijing’s draconian lockdown policies and took China’s story that the virus didn’t spill over from the Wuhan Lab at face value. (Notably, the latter theory has been gaining renewed scientific attention in recent days.)

Consequently, Newsham points out, the American elite’s dependence on China creates an environment where policymakers can’t outwardly criticize China, hindering preparation to mobilize adequate resources to prepare for war against China. This explains why Newsham’s reenactment of a war over Taiwan may well become a reality.

The Hollowing of America

The author points out that the American failure to confront China has come at a cost, even of American lives. According to Newsham, although acknowledged in private by the Department of State, the failure to publicly warn China of the safety standards of the Wuhan Lab may have led to the global pandemic. Public websites tell us that same pandemic has killed over one million Americans, and nearly six million more abroad.

Moreover, in spite of fentanyl taking the lives of Americans each day in numbers on par with the worst days of the Vietnam War, media organizations don’t dare mention the source of it. It is produced in China and smuggled through the southern borders of the United States.

Another vulnerability, Newsham points out, lies in US companies’ greed for profit and pursuit of efficiency. These have led companies to outsource millions of jobs to China, hollowing out local communities. More importantly, it has deprived the US of its capability to manufacture critical materials such as pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, outsourcing them instead to China, too.

Paving the Way for China’s Global Influence

The US’s failure to not only prevent China’s malign influence from her domestic society but also to act as a bulwark against it abroad has also had consequences in Newsham’s scenario. It has paved the way for strengthening China’s global influence.

In recent years China’s presence in international organizations has been enhanced. And the fact that along with China, most of the UN member states declined to outright criticize Russia initially when it embarked on its invasion of Ukraine is worrisome. The same dynamics may repeat themselves if China makes up her mind and invades Taiwan.

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