As 2024 comes to a close, global tensions are running high, with experts raising alarms about a potential conflict involving the United States and China. Renowned analyst Gordon Chang has expressed serious concerns about the possibility of a war breaking out before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2025. His warnings highlight strategic geopolitical risks, cyberattacks, and military preparations that demand urgent attention.
Rising Tensions: The U.S.-China Standoff
Chang emphasizes that China’s strategic maneuvers, particularly its influence over critical regions like the Panama Canal, signal preparations for potential conflict. With reports of increased cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure and the alleged presence of Chinese-controlled facilities in sensitive areas, Chang warns that Beijing may be positioning itself for a confrontation.
Key areas of concern include:
- The Panama Canal: China’s growing presence in this critical trade route poses significant risks. Chang explains that China’s dual-use infrastructure in Panama could be leveraged for military purposes during a conflict, effectively cutting off a vital U.S. supply route.
- Cybersecurity Threats: Chinese hackers have allegedly targeted U.S. critical infrastructure for years, outnumbering American cyber defenses by a staggering 50-to-1. These actions are seen as groundwork for potential disruption in the event of a conflict.
China’s Military Ambitions
The expert highlights China’s accelerated military buildup, the largest since World War II, and Xi Jinping’s directives to prepare for war. From stockpiling grain and commodities to mobilizing civilian resources, these actions suggest a nation bracing for large-scale conflict. Reports of drone sightings and cyber incursions on U.S. military bases further underline these preparations.
Chang also points to China’s ambitions to reclaim Taiwan, a key U.S. ally. He warns that an invasion of Taiwan could trigger direct U.S. involvement, escalating tensions into a broader conflict.
The U.S. Response: Calls for Preparedness
Chang criticizes the current U.S. administration’s passive approach, arguing that it has emboldened adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran. He calls for stronger leadership to address these threats, emphasizing the need for strategic preparations such as:
- Securing Critical Infrastructure: Measures like reclaiming control over the Panama Canal and boosting cybersecurity defenses are vital.
- Strengthening Military Readiness: Chang advocates for increased investment in U.S. military capabilities, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
President-elect Trump has reportedly outlined a proactive strategy to counter these challenges, including proposals to reclaim the Panama Canal, establish an “Iron Dome” missile defense system, and enhance U.S. influence in geopolitically strategic regions like Greenland.
