John, I hope this isn’t too simplified of a question. After listening to this podcast today, I looked at a map of Asia. Taiwan is so much smaller in size than China. So why are the ramifications so enormous should China invade this “pee wee” country? I am thinking it is because of Taiwan’s proximity to the other countries in Asia. That it would a domino effect to invade other countries.
John, I know how busy you are. I am an average person trying to educate myself. I understand if you don’t have time to answer! I mean it.
But I hope your coffee was wonderful! I am sure a fresh ground Italian roast IN Italy is like no other!
Hi Terri, First and foremost, its great you looked at Asia on the map. Geopolitics has the prefix 'geo' at its front; geography makes sense of most of the world! Taiwan is indeed tiny, and certainly to immense, next door China. However, China, both its trade and its navy, are landlocked if they can't get clear of the first island chain next to them (running from Japan to Taiwan to the Philippines, before ending around Singapore and Malaysia at the Strait of Malacca). All of these countries are US allies (more or less) and the US fleet can keep China's navy bottled up in this straitjacket. Were China to dominate any of these countries in the chain, it could be broken and Beijing get its navy out into the deep waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. If this happens, China could well soon dominate East Asia, then the Indo-Pacific, and eventually the world. So you are on the money; its the map that explains why Taiwan is so crucial and will be so. Yes, just off to have an espresso; one advantage of living here is I now make a pretty good one, after a lot of Italian tutelage. Take care, thanks for the great question, and write soon! All best, John
John, I hope this isn’t too simplified of a question. After listening to this podcast today, I looked at a map of Asia. Taiwan is so much smaller in size than China. So why are the ramifications so enormous should China invade this “pee wee” country? I am thinking it is because of Taiwan’s proximity to the other countries in Asia. That it would a domino effect to invade other countries.
John, I know how busy you are. I am an average person trying to educate myself. I understand if you don’t have time to answer! I mean it.
But I hope your coffee was wonderful! I am sure a fresh ground Italian roast IN Italy is like no other!
Hi Terri, First and foremost, its great you looked at Asia on the map. Geopolitics has the prefix 'geo' at its front; geography makes sense of most of the world! Taiwan is indeed tiny, and certainly to immense, next door China. However, China, both its trade and its navy, are landlocked if they can't get clear of the first island chain next to them (running from Japan to Taiwan to the Philippines, before ending around Singapore and Malaysia at the Strait of Malacca). All of these countries are US allies (more or less) and the US fleet can keep China's navy bottled up in this straitjacket. Were China to dominate any of these countries in the chain, it could be broken and Beijing get its navy out into the deep waters of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. If this happens, China could well soon dominate East Asia, then the Indo-Pacific, and eventually the world. So you are on the money; its the map that explains why Taiwan is so crucial and will be so. Yes, just off to have an espresso; one advantage of living here is I now make a pretty good one, after a lot of Italian tutelage. Take care, thanks for the great question, and write soon! All best, John