Elite Navy Seal Team Prepares for Potential China Invasion of Taiwan

On September 11, the Financial Times published a headline that combined elements of fear-mongering from the "global war on terror" era with hints of an impending major war: "US Navy Seal unit that killed Osama bin Laden trains for China invasion of Taiwan." The article reveals that Seal Team 6, the covert US Navy commando unit responsible for Osama bin Laden's death in 2011, has been preparing for potential missions to assist Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. The elite Navy special forces team has reportedly been planning and training for a Taiwan conflict for over a year at Dam Neck, its headquarters located about 250km southeast of Washington.

Training for Amphibious Assault or More?

However, it is also suggested that this could simply be standard training to repel an amphibious assault landing of PLA forces on Taiwan's shores, a task that would not primarily be carried out by a small Seal team, regardless of their elite status. In recent years, the Pentagon has sent more regular special forces to Taiwan for missions that include training the Taiwanese military. The activities of Seal Team 6 are far more sensitive due to the highly classified nature of its covert missions.

Preparation for the Next War?

The real question arising from such a headline, which manages to include bin Laden, elite Seals, military preparations, Chinese aggression, and Taiwan all on a day of national remembrance, is what is the American public being prepared for? The unfortunate answer may be that the US national security state is already looking for its next war, even as two others continue. Washington is currently involved in the Ukraine and Gaza wars by proxy, neither of which are going particularly well.

China as the Long-Term Threat

Over the past year, CIA director William Burns has consistently stated that US intelligence views China as a more significant long-term threat to the United States than Russia. In response to this perceived threat, the CIA's budget has doubled over the last three years, with a significant increase in resources committed to China-related intelligence collection, operations, and analysis globally.

Focus on China

Both Burns and MI6 chief Sir Richard Moore have recently emphasized the need to focus on China, warning that President Xi Jinping is likely China’s most powerful leader since Mao Zedong and has an ambitious domestic and international agenda. This agenda often contests Western interests and values.

Anti-China Propaganda?

Some China analysts have warned that a newly passed Congressional anti-China bill will result in a wave of hawkish China/Taiwan-focused media stories. This could be the result of the newly authorized $1.6 billion allocated to deliver anti-China propaganda overseas, which could inevitably impact the American populace.

Seal Team 6's Role

The Financial Times article suggests that the scenario of Seals training to counter a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could be somewhat routine. As a tier one force, "Seal Team 6" is given missions by the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), which regularly prepares elite operatives for a wide range of contingencies.

Preparing for Great Power Competition

As the threat from terror groups has receded, special operations forces, along with the rest of the US military and the intelligence community, have intensified their focus on China. However, an expert on JSOC suggests that the nation's most elite counterterrorism units are seeking roles in the arena of great power competition, as this path leads to relevance, missions, and funding.

Bottom Line

It appears that the stage is being set for the next war. The question is, are we ready for it? What are your thoughts on this matter? Please share this article with your friends and join the conversation. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.