Senator Warns That China’s Military Drills Could Be Prelude To Surprise Attack
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) is raising the alarm about a possible sudden strike from China in the Pacific, warning that frequent military exercises around Taiwan and Japan are designed to wear down defenders and mask future aggression.
Speaking on Hugh Hewitt’s radio show, Cotton described how China’s military tactics — especially its repeated air and naval patrols — serve as both preparation and cover. The Arkansas senator pointed out that Taiwan and Japan are under constant pressure to respond to Chinese aircraft and ships, limiting their ability to train or rest their forces.
Cotton noted that the danger lies in the routine nature of these incursions. He said China could continue this pattern hundreds or even thousands of times without incident, only to launch a real assault when defenses have grown tired or complacent.
The Republican senator also highlighted China’s growing use of “gray zone” operations. These are tactics that fall short of war but are more aggressive than standard diplomacy, and Cotton argued they are meant to slowly advance China’s goals without triggering a military response.
China’s posture in the Pacific has become a central issue for Republicans in Congress. Cotton’s comments come as his new book, “Seven Things You Can’t Say About China,” gains attention for its focus on Communist China’s expanding influence and threats.
Meanwhile, military analysts are warning that the U.S. could be repeating mistakes from the past. A detailed article published by a retired Air Force officer compared today’s complacency to the months leading up to Pearl Harbor. It argued that U.S. military planners may be underestimating the possibility that China could strike targets beyond the immediate region around Taiwan.
That analysis pointed to Chinese capabilities ranging from submarine-launched missiles to weaponized drones launched from container ships. These systems could threaten U.S. forces not only in Guam or Okinawa, but possibly even in Hawaii or on the West Coast.
Cotton said the international community has been lulled to sleep by the regularity of China’s drills. But in his view, what appears routine now may be the dress rehearsal for a future war.
