A four-star U.S. Air Force general said in a memo that his gut told him the U.S. would be fighting China in the next two years, inconsistent with U.S. military projections, according to Pentagon officials.
“I hope I’m wrong,” Gen. Mike Munihan, who heads the Air Mobility Command, wrote to his nearly 110,000-member leadership. “My gut tells me I will fight in 2025.”
The letter was dated February. 1 but was sent out on Friday.
The general’s views do not represent those of the Pentagon but show concern at the highest levels of the US military over a possible Chinese attempt to take control of Taiwan, which China claims as a territory. Both the United States and Taiwan will hold presidential elections in 2024, Minihan wrote, potentially providing an opportunity for China to take military action.
“These comments are not representative of the department’s view of China,” a US defense official said.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said earlier this month that he seriously doubts that increased Chinese military activity near the Taiwan Strait is a sign of an impending attack on the island by Beijing.
China has in recent years increased its diplomatic, military and economic pressure on the sovereign island to accept Beijing’s rule. Taiwan’s government says it wants peace but will defend itself if attacked.
Reuters reviewed a copy of Munihan’s memo, which was first reported by NBC News.
In response to a request for comment, Air Force Brigadier General Patrick Ryder said in a statement that military competition with China is a central challenge.
“We are focused on working together with allies and partners to secure a peaceful, free and open Indo-Pacific,” he said.