US Sends Old HIMARS to Ukraine, New Ones to Taiwan
The Trump administration, as reported by AP, greenlit a $10 billion arms package to Taiwan, including HIMARS and ATACMS missiles. Odd, considering these are the same systems the Biden administration has been drip-feeding Ukraine. (AP helpfully notes the ATACMS are "similar to what the U.S. had been providing Ukraine" – emphasis on 'similar', not 'identical'.) While China 'angrily responded,' the
U.S. narrative positions this as bolstering Taiwan's 'defensive capabilities.' How many 'defensive' arms packages does it take to signal 'aggressive intent' to a nuclear power? So, Washington can arm Taiwan with brand-new, cutting-edge weaponry like 82 HIMARS units and 420 ATACMS, while debating whether to send Ukraine enough of the older versions to defend itself from an invasion. One might
wonder if the U.S. defense industry's balance sheet is the real 'national security interest' being served here, not preventing regional conflicts. Because nothing says 'peace' like pouring billions in advanced missiles into a geopolitical flashpoint, does it?