Additional Coverage:
- A Navy SEAL unit that killed Osama bin Laden is busy preparing for a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan: report (newsbreak.com)
In a recent report by the Financial Times, it was revealed that a Navy SEAL unit is actively preparing for a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Despite speculation, the US has not explicitly committed to defending Taiwan if it’s attacked. SEAL Team 6, renowned for its role in eliminating Osama bin Laden, has been involved in classified planning and training at its base in Virginia Beach for over a year.
Details of SEAL Team 6’s mission plans remain confidential, reflecting the unit’s standard practice for operations. Officially, SEAL Team 6 is tasked with testing, evaluating, and developing technology and tactics for naval special warfare, but it also partakes in sensitive global missions. Their involvement ranges from engagements in Afghanistan to operations in Yemen, Syria, Somalia, and the infamous 2011 raid in Pakistan.
The Special Operations Command, which oversees SEAL Team 6, referred questions about its activities in Taiwan to the Pentagon, which did not comment on specifics. However, a spokesperson confirmed the Department of Defense’s routine preparations for various contingencies.
Preparations have reportedly accelerated following a 2021 warning from Phil Davidson, the US Indo-Pacific Commander, about the possibility of a Chinese invasion by 2027. Rapid modernization of China’s military and increased drills near Taiwan signal potential aggression, though some experts argue that China might pursue coercion short of war.
In May, US Indo-Pacific Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo indicated that China’s recent drills seemed like invasion rehearsals.
However, the likelihood of US or allied military involvement remains uncertain. The longstanding US policy of “strategic ambiguity” provides support to Taiwan without a clear promise of defense if China attacks.
A June report from the RAND Corp suggests the US might have to act independently to defend Taiwan, as several major allies may not commit troops. The EU, acknowledging the People’s Republic of China as the sole legitimate government, indicated in July that it would collaborate with regional partners to deter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
Read the full article on Business Insider.