The back half of 2024 will be the very most dangerous period of the post-1945 era as Xi is fully aware that the position of China vis-a-vis the USA will never be stronger.

If he truly wants Taiwan, it's now or never.

Interesting times, these are, and parlous.

I will wager the various pieces on the gameboard, North Korea, Iran (and proxies) Russia and others will now begin to make rapid and dramatic simultaneous moves in advance of the final strategic event, the Taiwan Blockade Gambit.