China Unscripted Trump's Golden Fleet—China's Worst Nightmare
Jan 29, 2026
Captain Jim Fanell, retired U.S. Navy intelligence officer and maritime strategist. He explains why naval power will decide Taiwan's fate. He outlines China’s counter-intervention modernization and sea-based strike threats. He urges rapid U.S. rebuilding of shipyards, merchant fleets, and a larger navy while using drones and AI as stopgaps.
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Naval Power Decides Taiwan's Fate
- Naval power, not land warfare, will largely determine a Taiwan crisis outcome due to sea-based invasion logistics.
- Jim Fanell argues the PLA tailored forces to deny U.S. naval access and thus stop intervention at sea.
China Built For War At Sea
- China has prioritized
Cold War Lessons From The Maritime Strategy
- Fanell recalls the Cold War maritime strategy that focused U.S. shipbuilding to defeat the Soviet Navy.
- He contrasts that past 600-ship posture with current neglect after the Soviet collapse.

