Defense officials claim that a security plan, which includes the use of ships and aircraft, is being developed by the Pentagon to ensure the safety of United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi if she pushes her trip to Taiwan with a congressional delegation.
The security plan for Nancy Pelosi Taiwan trip is being developed by the head of the US Indo-Pacific Command John Aquilino, who supervises US military operations across the region. Most likely, it would require the approval of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Furthermore, several US officials claim that President Joe Biden would probably also receive a briefing on key points of the plan.
One senior Defense official informed CNN any moment a senior US official makes a trip to the region, they are planning "how to make sure" that the official is "safe and secure" as expected.
However, the trip has heightened concern within the Biden administration, and Pentagon officials are secretly attempting to persuade Pelosi of the dangers a visit during a highly tense period between Taiwan and China may present.
US Army Ensures the Safety of Pelosi,Other Delegates
Concerns over military action in the area have also been raised by reports of a US strike group transiting the South China Sea and a Chinese weaponized drone flying east of Taiwan as the island nation began its yearly military exercises, as per a report from The Guardian.
The Navy already maintains a sizable force in the area. By taking up a position in the South China Sea, ]assets like the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, equipped with fighter and reconnaissance aircraft, may be deployed closer to Taiwan.
Additionally, the Air Force may be deployed for surveillance and to monitor airspace. Other military assets could be placed farther away, prepared to take action in case of emergencies.
A second Defense official commented that the type of planning has "always layers of force protection."
According to insiders, the Pentagon might also send reconnaissance satellites over the area to actively gather intelligence on Chinese military actions.
According to a House foreign affairs committee member, Nancy Pelosi has invited senior legislators to travel with her to Taiwan. It is the first apparent verification of the widely rumored trip.
Analysts believe that relations between the US, China, and Taiwan are at their most perilous point in decades, and the possible visit by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island is at the center of this.
Xi Issues a Stern Warning to Biden
Meanwhile, President Joe Biden expressed worries about Pelosi visiting Taiwan when he spoke to Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday. He claimed over the weekend that American military officials had advised him against traveling to Taiwan at the moment.
NBC News reported that Biden and Xi discussed various topics, including concerns about Taiwan. The Chinese used stern language in its readout of the two-hour-plus conversation to warn against any U.S. backing for Taiwan's sovereignty.
The Chinese statement reads: "Those who play with fire will perish by it. It is hoped that the U.S. will be clear-eyed about this."
However, lawmakers from the Republican and Democrat parties expressed support for Pelosi, encouraging her to visit and highlight American support for Taiwan.
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