Canada's one of the most powerful members of NATO? Really? Would have thought it would be the UK or Germany.
I'm talking the smaller members of NATO, those who desire good relations with Russia. NATO is quite divided over this Ukraine war.
Now the US is gearing up for conflict over Taiwan with China. Will these on the fence NATO members be happy if the US initiates anything, like another regime change coup in Taiwan to install neocons, that they will automatically be in conflict with China as well? And vica versa, will Pacific nations that may join NATO be happy to be dragged into European conflicts?
People seem to forget, Taiwanese are Chinese and a lot of trade occurs across that straight. They are very close culturally now China has opened up. To scare them about being taken over by authoritarian China used to be a reasonable argument, yet the US is quickly becoming authoritarian itself so an out of the pan, into the fire choice. Taiwanese do not want conflict with China, many have relatives there. You may not see the protests, but I do, including one in New York when their premier visited recently as well as back in Taiwan. Traffic through the strait has always been tickety boo, but US and lacky's (like Australia) have to sail warships through there because they are shit stirrers. Chinese warships should start sailing between Florida and Cuba to also ensure free passage. How do you think the US would react to that? Far more aggressively than China has to date I dare say. The US loves sabre rattling, but it is quickly becoming a death rattle as they lose international standing.
If, as I and many others predict, the US stops supporting Ukraine then Taiwan will notice and take note. The US are fair weather friends, and have a long history of cutting and running, leaving former allies in the lurch. Anyway, I'm fairly confident the US military machine will not be able to be financed soon. If Washington can't sort out the debt ceiling, I wonder what Americans posted in overseas garrisons will do when they don't receive their paycheck on time?

@puff How far does your imagination run into your fantasies? I start at the end and work my way back. The US has never missed a military payday (1st and 15th), they have never defaulted on their debt and won't in my lifetime.

What do you mean by fair weather friends? NATO is stronger now than it has been in 80 years. I know what own defense plans used to be for the defense of Taiwan. No one in China would like it, and 600 million plus casualties is the expected outcome.

With the demise of Trump the US is moving away from fascist authoritarianism. We have been more conservative than the EU but we have flashes of liberalism.

No one has forgotten trade between China and anyone so you need to get a grip. My DIL is Taiwanese, her mother still lives in Taiwan while her father and sisters live here, China would not be welcomed and would be resisted by most citizens of Taiwan.

Why do you hate the US so much, did we get your mother pregnant during Vietnam?

@glennlab The US has defaulted at least 3 times previously, I have also seen four times previously elsewhere. [techstory.in]

Sth Vietnamese
Hmong in Laos
Iraqi's during the first gulf war were told to rise up, they did, US never came and Sadam rounded them up in a purge
Kurds in Iraq and Syria
Afghanistan, especially the women.
Untold numbers in failed coup attempts in Sth America and Africa.
Fairweather friends at best. If Australia attempted to join BRICS, we would be your enemy tomorrow. Because you respect our sovereignty as you do all countries (cough cough)

Since Trump's removal there has been a strengthening of authoritarian powers with mandates, extra surveillance on the domestic population and foreign allies. You have heard of cancel culture? It's a booming industry with Biden. Locking up whistleblowers whilst alphabet agencies poke their pudgy fingers in social media. Free Assange!!!

600 million? Is that from your time at Guam from 40 years ago because the last couple of years the Chinese military has come a long way. You really think Nth Korea and Iran would sit by and watch? And what about India, the "I" in BRICS? Pakistan? If things start with China, it won't just be China and you may be very surprised who allies with them. I would say France for one.

Why am I not impressed with America atm? Probably to do with Nord Stream (You see, for plausible deniability to work the denial has to be plausible. The US had motive, flagged intention, had the ability, celebrated the act and have profited from the crime. No support for an independent UN investigation ie guilty as shit!!).
I dare say clearing US UXO in Laos PDR constantly for work didn't help. I will never forget drilling a water well for a village there, only to go back and collapse it because dioxins were detected in the water. Now four new bases in the Philippines. I am not alone in being over "American exceptionalism" bollocks, just look at all the countries wishing to join BRICS like Malaysia and Indonesia since we are talking the Pacific.

I also know people from Taiwan, China and read Asian news. China does not want to invade, happy with the status quo until a reunification can take place. But arse wipes like Nuland can't have that can they? Got to beat down all those advancing economies, threaten US homogeny don't they?
If my mother did get pregnant from an American in Viet Nam, at least you can say you did achieve at least something over there.