Steve Bannon: 'We're going to war in the South China Sea ... no doubt'

[rug]

Only months ago Donald Trump’s chief strategist predicted military involvement in east Asia and the Middle East in Breitbart radio shows

Benjamin Haas in Hong Kong
Wednesday 1 February 2017 22.55 EST

The United States and China will fight a war within the next 10 years over islands in the South China Sea, and “there’s no doubt about that”. At the same time, the US will be in another “major” war in the Middle East.

Those are the views – nine months ago at least – of one of the most powerful men in Donald Trump’s administration, Steve Bannon, the former head of far-right news website Breitbart who is now chief strategist at the White House.

In the first weeks of Trump’s presidency, Bannon has emerged as a central figure. He was appointed to the “principals committee” of the National Security Council in a highly unusual move and was influential in the recent travel ban on citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries, overruling Department of Homeland Security officials who felt the order did not apply to green card holders.

While many in Trump’s team are outspoken critics of China, in radio shows Bannon hosted for Breitbart he makes plain the two largest threats to America: China and Islam.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/02/steve-bannon-donald-trump-war-south-china-sea-no-doubt

[Sherman A1]

1. Charming

This guy really needs to find another job.

[neverforget]

2. The Nazi wants to fight China and Islam. Didn't he learn

anything from Hitler?

[eShirl]

3. yes and no

[rug]

5. !

[Raster]

9. winnah!

[teamster633]

7. That whole war on two fronts didn't work out too well for the Fuhrer, did it?

Perhaps der Trumpenfuhrer thinks that if he kicks in China's door the whole rotten edifice will collapse?

[Chasstev365]

4. I wonder if the CIA and military want to take orders from Bannon and Flynn

I'm betting not!

[C_U_L8R]

6. Does he think that's an isolated skirmish?

This keyboard kommando klown's
only real experience is playing 'Risk'
and watching 'Patton'.

[Lurks Often]

8. The South China Sea dispute has been going on for decades

and international law has found China's claims over the whole area to be invalid

Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spratly_Islands_dispute

I'm not defending Brannon, but I think regardless of who won in November an incident or hostilities with China is a strong possibility.

On edit: President Obama told China in the summer of 2016 that China's activities in the South China Sea were unacceptable

Link: https://www.ft.com/content/c63264a4-47f1-11e6-8d68-72e9211e86ab

[Initech]

10. We will lose this war. It is a terrible idea.