They've Killed Osama Bin Laden. American Commandos Are Preparing for a New Mission

“The elite US Navy special forces unit, which is entrusted with some of the most delicate and difficult military missions, has been training for a Taiwanese conflict at its base (…) in Virginia Beach for more than a year,” wrote the FT, citing people familiar with the training.

See also: Taiwan and China – what's the deal? Is Taiwan a country and why is it so important? We answer

As noted by the FT, the Seal Team Six unit, which falls under the Joint Special Operations Command, is one of the most elite in the US military. In 2009, it rescued Richard Phillips, the captain of the container ship Maersk Alabama, who was taken hostage by Somali pirates. In 2011, its commandos killed Bin Laden.

Read also: Activity surges around Taiwan, China sends 26 planes in just over three hours

The British daily notes that the involvement of Seal Team Six in potential assistance to Taiwan shows that preparations in the event of a Chinese invasion are a priority for the American armed forces. Director CIA Bill Burns told the FT that the agency had doubled its China-related spending over the past two years.

The People's Republic of China views Taiwan as an “inseparable” part of its territory and promotes the idea of ​​”peaceful reunification with the motherland,” but it does not rule out the use of force. According to U.S. intelligence agencies, Beijing wants its armed forces to be ready for invasion by 2027.

See also: This is what a Chinese invasion could look like. A series that is supposed to be a “wake-up call”