American Thought Leaders

Former US Army Pacific Chief Reveals What’s Missing in US Taiwan Strategy | Gen. Charles Flynn (Ret.)

Dec 13, 2025
Gen. Charles Flynn (Ret.), a former four-star general and Pacific commander, delves into the intricacies of Taiwan's defense strategy against China. He highlights how China's rapid military mobilization could threaten Taiwan and stresses the importance of a strong U.S.-Asian alliance. Flynn warns of the urgent need to adjust military resources and strategies to counter China's regional ambitions. He also discusses the necessity for partner nations to bolster their own defenses while advocating for innovative military diplomacy and public-private partnerships.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

Land Forces Are Central To Indo-Pacific Strategy

  • GEN Charles Flynn argues the Indo-Pacific is a joint, not just an air-sea theater, and land forces are central to regional security.
  • He sees a "strategic land power network" of US and Asian armies as essential to deterrence and early warning.
INSIGHT

PLA Ground Mobilization Is The Real Center Of Gravity

  • Flynn warns the PLA must mobilize, load, and cross the Taiwan Strait to invade, making the army the invasion's center of gravity.
  • He fears China could execute that mobilization in as little as 96 hours, stressing the need for early indicators.
INSIGHT

China Uses Integrated Unrestricted Warfare

  • Flynn frames China's approach as integrated "unrestricted warfare" across information, legal, economic, and military domains.
  • He cites island-building, lawfare, media control, and economic leverage as coordinated tools of power projection.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app