In a surprising turn of events, the leader of China's military and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff engaged in their first direct conversation in over a year. The communication channels had been cut off by China following former Speaker Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. This development comes at a critical juncture, as reports suggest that China's president had boasted about a potential plan to attack Taiwan during a recent summit with President Joe Biden.
Speculations arise as to the reason behind this sudden dialogue between the two military leaders. Some theorize that President Biden might be seeking assistance in addressing the ongoing conflict in Yemen, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels continue to disrupt shipping routes in the Red Sea. As a result, major companies like IKEA have already issued warnings that the chaos in the region might impact their product shipments to stores.
The Houthis, considered a terrorist group in Yemen, receive funding, training, and equipment from the regime in Iran. This underscores a recurring pattern, as similar militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah have also received support from Iran. Former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortega points out that during the Trump administration, it took about a year to build the legal designation package declaring the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO). The process allowed nations to renounce terrorism and fulfill certain conditions to be removed from the FTO list.
However, according to Ortega, the Biden administration deviated from this process by abruptly lifting the FTO designation for the Houthis without any concessions in return. This move raises concerns about the negotiating skills of the current administration. Consequently, the Houthis continue to engage in acts of terrorism, supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Simultaneously, the threat posed by China's President Xi Jinping regarding Taiwan's reunification is also being taken seriously. While such sentiments have been expressed by Xi before, it is significant that he made the statement directly to President Biden during their recent conversation. It is reported that President Xi even requested a signed document from the Biden administration that would publicly acknowledge their agreement on the matter, though Biden refused. This boldness from Xi signals a perception of weakness and may be seen as an attempt to test the resolve of the current U.S. administration.
The situation in both Yemen and the Taiwan Strait underscores the challenges faced by the Biden administration in navigating complex international relations. As conflicts and threats persist, President Biden will need to carefully consider his approach to ensure the national security and interests of the United States.
