General Mike Minihan (right) walks with thenUS President Barack Obama (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
A fourstar general in the US Air Force said in a memo that his gut told him the country would go to war with China within the next two years, comments Pentagon officials said didn’t agree with the assessments of the US military.
“I hope I’m wrong,” General Mike Minihan, who heads Air Mobility Command, wrote to his leadership of about 110,000 members. “My gut feeling tells me that we will fight in 2025.”
The letter was dated February 1, but it was sent on Friday.
The general’s views do not represent the views of the Pentagon, but they do indicate concern at the highest level in the US military over a possible attempt by China to assert control of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as part of its territory. Both the US and Taiwan, a major global chipmaking hub, will hold presidential elections in 2024, potentially creating an opportunity for China to take military action, Minihan wrote.
“These comments are not representative of the ministry’s view of China,” a US military official said.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said earlier this month he seriously doubts increased Chinese military activity near the Taiwan Strait is a sign of an imminent invasion of the island by Beijing.
China has in recent years increased diplomatic, military and economic pressure on Taiwan to accept Beijing’s rule. Taiwan’s government says it wants peace but will defend itself if attacked.
In response to a request for comment, Air Force Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said in a statement that military competition with China was a key challenge.
“Our focus remains on working with allies and partners to preserve a peaceful, free and open IndoPacific,” he said.