Subject: Re: It’s Not That The US is Withdrawing from World
1. What lesson will China draw from our abandonment of Ukraine vis-a-vis their designs on Taiwan?

We’re not “abandoning” the Ukraine. We’re seeking a negotiated peace, one in which the US will play a role.

Do you know who benefits the most from a protracted, grinding conflict in the Ukraine? The Chinese do.

1. They’re selling arms to the Russians
2. A weaker Russia makes land and resource grabs in Siberia - longer term - easier
3. The US and others are rapidly depleting war stocks that could be used against the PLA/PLAN

What in the hell do you think this “thing” negotiated in Riyadh- a capitulation to Russia, ( we’re even promising to help rebuild Russia’s economy) is going to do to our relationships with allies in the Pacific?

They can do the math also. They know that every artillery shell fired in Europe is one fewer that could be shipped to them in the event something happens. Every dollar spent bloodying Putin is a dollar NOT spent on

LRASMs to sink PLAN ships
NGAD (which, unlike the F-22 and its short range, is designed to fight in the Pacific)
Naval support facilities, fuel depots and logistics support across a 4,000 mile supply line

…and much more.