They're definitely gearing up for major anti-China action, but I doubt Trump or the oligarchs are that keen to fight a war they'll lose even worse than the war with Iran. After that disaster, many of the US's potential allies in a war over Taiwan will not be keen on sticking their neck out. Without their support, the US has little chance at stopping China. It'd be much more convenient for them if Taiwan surrenders to China and they can virtue signal about authoritarianism. They might even get the computer parts on backorder for a few years.

The only reason the US would go to war with China is if Trump really is that stupid. In that case, nobody but his cult will really be happy with the outcome.

💯

These stories are only here to serve as a means to manufacture consent for US actions in the future.

These stories are here to remind that there is an elephant in the room. Fortunately it's only breathing loudly at the moment.

China has territorial ambitions regarding several neighbours (sea areas) and serious ambitions about Taiwan (taking it over) and unless the international community can help Taiwan and other countries achieve a peaceful co-existence with China (and this means backing them)...

(note: air raid simulations with 100+ aircraft testing Taiwan's responses or naval blockade simulations with tens of warships around the island are not peaceful coexistence, and China has been running such exercises)

...then we better start learning how to make microchips in every country and obviously pay for that. Because if war happens, Taiwan will be in ruins and China under a boycott, possibly with a few strategic locations also in ruins - and the rest of the world in a severe economic crisis due to lack of microchips. There is also nonzero risk of China attempting to conquer Taiwan escalating to a bigger war between coalitions of countries, with all the possible consequences.

If someone is bullying someone else, the wider community wold be wise to intervene early and dissuade agression.

So yes, what we are seeing is a prelude, which will likely lead, if not dissuaded, to agression against Taiwan at some day in future. What the rest of the world thinks about on that day, is not yet determined. The US and Japan and South Korea have previously made fairly clear what they will think, but recently the US is running headless.

liberals are fore front on manufacturing consent for that war, I am sure they will do anything to maintain their military base besides china.