It was not just the first time that Chinese bomber aircraft have flown within the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone that made this a unique, escalatory threat–it was also the first time Chinese and Russian aircraft have taken off from a Russian base. The bombers flew togeher off the U.S. coast to send a clear message that our two enemies are closely allied. Worse, these nuclear capable strategic bombers flying together was a clear threat of alliance and willingness to jointly fight the U.S.
The big question is why do this, and why now? An obvious possibility is that:
- Russia will do exactly what they have been threatening: use nuclear weapons in Ukraine and against NATO countries providing weapons to Ukraine that are used to attack targets in Russia.
- China will do exactly what they have been promising for decades: retake Taiwan.
What is most amazing about this blatant threatening move, was how the Biden Administration reacted, downplaying the threat and risks. The Secretary of Defense said he was “concerned about China providing support to Russia’s illegal and unnecessary war in Ukraine” not concerned about nuclear attacks on the U.S. On any threat we face, the first and overriding objective of the government is to assure the public that they are OK and being taken care of. That’s why the Center For Disease Control calls H5N1 “low risk” while the former Director of the CDC calls it a grave threat, an inevitable coming, disastrous pandemic.
In contrast to U.S. Government, “don’t worry, be happy” messages, retired four star General Jack Keane described the two Russian Tupolev Tu-95 and two Chinese H-6 long-range, nuclear-capable strategic bombers flying off our coast together as a clear threat. The aggressive, joint flights were a clear threat and sign of their alliance—which includes Iran and North Korea. Three of these countries have nuclear weapons, including ICBMs that can reach the U.S. and easily destroy our electric grid—and Iran may soon (or already) be the fourth. General Keane sees a “real likelihood” of the U.S. being involved in “multiple theaters of war.” General Keane sees this alliance as “aggressive, confident, and looking to exploit U.S. weakness.”
