The four-star US general said in a memo that his intuition told him the US would be at war with China by 2025. Reuters reported. He goes against the Pentagon’s view with his statements.

“I hope I made a mistake,” Gen. Mike Minihan, who heads the Air Mobility Command, told leaders of about 110,000 members. “My gut tells me we’ll be at war with the Chinese in 2025.”

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The general’s view does not represent the Pentagon’s position, but shows how the US military leadership is considering a possible attempt by China to gain control over Taiwan, which China considers its own territory. Both Taiwan and the United States hold presidential elections in 2024, at which time China may step in.

Another view

A representative of the US Department of Defense emphasized that the ministry clearly thinks otherwise. However, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he doubts China’s increased military activity around Taiwan is reason to expect an invasion.

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China has increased diplomatic, military and economic pressure on Taiwan in recent years to force the island into submission. Taiwan’s government says it wants peace, but the island will defend itself if attacked.