Why the United States is Sending Half of its Aircraft Carriers to China's Vicinity

3 am. The Pacific Ocean.

Worn-out from a day of intensive training, the fighter pilot finally succumbed to sleep. The carrier's structure creaked reassuringly, with pipes occasionally rumbling.

Suddenly, an alarm blared. Startled awake, the pilot jolted upright, accidentally hitting his forehead on the bunk above. Grasping the wound, he struggled to open his heavy eyes and stumbled out of the room. Soldiers hurriedly dressed around him, propelled by ingrained reflexes from years of training. Guided by muscle memory, the pilot navigated through the bustling corridors.

The dormant ship gradually stirred to life around him. Machinery roared to action, causing the deck to vibrate with energy. What was once a gentle rumble from the pipes escalated into a cacophony of hissing and rattling. Amidst the chaos, the blaring alarm drowned out soldiers' attempts to communicate, necessitating gestures across the halls.

Then, a rush of fresh air greeted the pilot as he stepped onto the USS Theodore Roosevelt's deck. Despite its immense size, stretching a thousand feet, the ship seemed dwarfed by the vast expanse of the ocean.

Outside, the alarm's clamor subsided, replaced by the serene glow of moonlight. A gentle breeze brushed against the pilot's face, carrying the familiar scent of salt. Yet, beneath this tranquil scene, the alarm signaled something ominous: the onset of a Third World War and the end of decades of peace.

Swiftly, the pilot prepared in the cockpit—helmet secured, oxygen connected, flaps tested—as he anxiously scanned the horizon. Without pause, he taxied onto the runway, the familiar terror of launching in an F/A-18 gripping him. Despite countless repetitions, the runway's brevity and the icy Pacific's looming presence never failed to unnerve him.

Driven by instinct, he throttled forward, feeling the familiar G-forces pressing him into his seat. The runway vanished beneath him as the jet ascended, leaving the once-mighty carrier shrinking to a speck behind.

As he soared, the pilot spotted a massive shape lurking beneath the moonlit waves. Not a whale, but something far larger. Suddenly, the water churned, revealing missiles ascending into the night sky.

Grimly, the pilot peered towards the horizon, where China's glittering skyline emerged. Against the dark backdrop, he watched as tiny dots ascended, each bearing a nuclear warhead destined for cities he once called home.

Is China Poised for War?

Signs of impending conflict have surfaced. Despite recent diplomatic efforts, tensions between China and the US persist. While trade disputes initiated by Donald Trump have subsided, Beijing has markedly increased its military buildup, announcing a 7% spike in military spending. Though President Xi Jinping portrays this buildup as precautionary, the numbers hint at a significant military resurgence not seen since the Cold War.

Xi Jinping downplays these maneuvers as preparations for extreme scenarios, bolstering reserves of food and fuel to withstand economic sanctions. However, he refrains from invoking the term "war," instead advocating readiness for challenging circumstances.

But what perils does he anticipate? Who poses a threat to China?

No external threat looms. Rather, China emerges as the aggressor.

The conflict between China and Taiwan centers on a fundamental dispute: Taiwan's sovereignty. While Taiwan asserts its independence, China claims dominion, intent on eventual reunification, even by force if necessary.

Geographically, Taiwan lies a mere 100 miles from China, linked by the Taiwan Strait. Despite their proximity, China-Taiwan relations remain complex. Historically, Taiwan oscillated between Chinese and Japanese rule until the end of World War II, when it reverted to Chinese control under General Chiang Kai-shek. However, Chiang's government retreated to Taiwan following the Chinese Communist Party's victory in 1949, maintaining a tenuous claim over mainland China.

For decades, Taiwan's government, led by Chiang, asserted democratic control over China. However, China's Communist Party steadily eclipsed Taiwan's influence, culminating in Taiwan's diplomatic isolation and the US recognizing Beijing as China's capital in 1979.

Economically, China burgeoned into the "workshop of the world" since Chiang's era, wielding capitalism to amass wealth and military might. Consequently, China's grip on the global supply chain renders it a formidable force, indispensable to the world economy.

In Taiwan, sentiments of independence surged over the years, challenging China's narrative of reunification. Xi Jinping's soft power tactics, like economic incentives and media influence, falter in Taiwan's increasingly defiant populace.

Nevertheless, Xi's strategy pivots towards coercion, evidenced by escalating military exercises and patrols in the Taiwan Strait. Incidents like the drowning of Chinese fishermen intensify tensions, prompting China to augment its naval presence.

Amidst these maneuvers, the US makes a strategic move, deploying half its aircraft carriers to China's vicinity, signaling unwavering support for Taiwan's sovereignty.

Implications of US Deployment

The US's decision to deploy a significant naval contingent near China's coast carries profound implications. With eleven aircraft carriers—more than half the world's total—under its command, the US flexes its military might, deterring Chinese aggression.

Named after former US Presidents, these carriers symbolize American power projection worldwide. Spearheaded by the USS Gerald R. Ford, the newest fleet addition boasts unparalleled capabilities, underscored by nuclear propulsion, advanced weaponry, and expansive aircraft capacity.

By dispatching a formidable naval presence, the US reaffirms its commitment to Taiwan's defense, challenging China's assertive posturing. This maneuver underscores the precarious balance between China and Taiwan, exacerbated by US-China tensions.

Prospects of Conflict

As tensions escalate, speculations of conflict loom. China's economic slowdown and global isolation may embolden Xi Jinping to reclaim Taiwan, exploiting vulnerabilities amidst US global engagements.

However, military intervention hinges on Japan's response, tethered to its alliance with the US under Article 9. Though Japan remains ambivalent, a conflict could strain Sino-Japanese relations, potentially triggering regional warfare.

Amidst geopolitical uncertainty, the world braces for a tumultuous future, fraught with peril and uncertainty. As the Pacific Ocean's vast expanse envelops the aircraft carriers, the pilot gazes into the abyss, pondering the unknown that awaits.