“BY acting in Venezuela and aiding the Iranian opposition, Donald Trump might have prevented an imminent invasion of Taiwan. Beijing needs oil that is not subject to US pressure. That means Russia, Venezuela and Iran.
“China has been buying 60-90% of Venezuelan and 85-90% of Iranian crude. That’s 30-35% of China’s present oil importation. Another ~35% of China’s oil comes from Arab suppliers subject to US guidance or pressure.
“With new governments in Venezuela and Iran, the US will be able to regulate up to 70% of the CCP’s present-day oil needs. CCP war planners cannot execute against Taiwan under those conditions. This takes pressure off the US in the Indo-Pacific for a while, to the net benefit of American NATO commitments in Europe.”
— Michael Waller, Senior Analyst for Strategy, Center for Security Policy
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