Chapter 308: United States is Cooking
Chapter 308: United States is Cooking
The Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Reginald Thornton stepped forward and began explaining the Operation Falling Dragon.
"Operation Falling Dragon is the war plan we have developed in the Pentagon for a regime change in China. We are going to use the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands as our base of operations. With the cooperation of Japan, a Japanese submarine will covertly attack a Japanese patrol craft near the disputed island. Japan will then blame China for the attack, effectively triggering a war."
President Thomas Greene listened intently, his expression serious. Thornton continued, outlining the strategy in detail.
"Once the incident occurs, Japan will immediately mobilize its forces and publicly accuse China of aggression. The United States will support Japan through our satellite surveillance and air forces, ensuring that Japan achieves air dominance over the disputed region.
Our advanced satellite systems will provide real-time intelligence and targeting information to Japanese forces, giving them a significant advantage."
Thornton paused for a moment, letting the gravity of the plan sink in before proceeding.
"The ultimate goal of Operation Falling Dragon is to destabilize the Chinese regime by forcing them into a military confrontation they are not fully prepared for. The rapid escalation will put immense pressure on the Chinese government, both domestically and internationally. Our analysts believe that this pressure could lead to internal dissent and possibly even a regime change."
One of the senior advisors in the room, General Marcus Adams, interjected. "Mr. President, the reason why this plan was devised is due to the increasing threat posed by the rise of China. Their rapid economic growth and military advancements are projected to surpass the United States within the next decade.
If we are to engage in a conflict, it's strategically advantageous to do so now, while we still hold the upper hand."
President Greene nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "And what are the potential risks of this operation? How do we mitigate the chances of this escalating into a full-scale global conflict?"
Thornton addressed the concern with a measured response. "The primary risk is the possibility of escalation beyond the regional conflict we aim to contain. To mitigate this, we have diplomatic channels prepared to manage the international response. We will work closely with our allies, ensuring they understand the narrative and support our actions.
Additionally, our cyber warfare capabilities will be employed to disrupt Chinese communications and logistics, further hampering their ability to coordinate a large-scale response."
Another advisor, Secretary of Defense Linda Walsh, added, "Our European allies have been briefed on the potential for increased tensions in the region. They understand the strategic importance of maintaining a balance of power in Asia. We've received assurances of their support, both diplomatically and, if necessary, militarily."
"What are the chances of this plan being leaked to the Chinese? You know this is a plot that we made up. And if that is found out by China and revealed to the world, we will face severe backlash both domestically and internationally," President Greene stated gravely. "How do we ensure the utmost secrecy?"
Thornton nodded, acknowledging the president's concern. "We've taken extensive measures to minimize the risk of leaks. The operation details are compartmentalized and shared only on a need-to-know basis. Each component of the plan is handled by different teams to ensure that no single entity has the complete picture.
Additionally, we have employed advanced counterintelligence techniques to monitor and prevent any potential leaks."
General Adams added, "We've also put in place rigorous security protocols and constant surveillance of key personnel involved in the operation. Any suspicious activity will be dealt with swiftly. Our cyber security team is on high alert to intercept any attempts at unauthorized access to classified information."
President Greene still appeared contemplative. "And what about public opinion? If this plan goes awry, the repercussions could be catastrophic. How do we manage the narrative?"
Linda Walsh leaned forward, her expression resolute. "We have a comprehensive media strategy in place. In the event of any unexpected developments, we will control the flow of information through our trusted media channels. Our public relations teams are prepared to frame the narrative to ensure public support.
Additionally, we've coordinated with our allies to present a united front and reinforce our stance."
Greene exhaled slowly, the weight of the decision heavy on his shoulders. "This operation must be flawless. The future of our nation and the global balance of power depends on it. Proceed with extreme caution and ensure that every possible variable is accounted for."
Thornton nodded. "Understood, Mr. President. We will proceed with the utmost diligence."
The room fell silent as the enormity of the decision settled over them. The stakes were incredibly high, and the outcome of Operation Falling Dragon would have far-reaching implications.
"Thank you, everyone," President Greene finally said, breaking the silence. "Let's ensure that our nation remains secure and our position on the global stage is unchallenged. It's time we tell China that it won't be a contender on the global stage if it threatens our interests and those of our allies."
With that, the meeting adjourned, and the advisors and military officials filed out of the room. The wheels of Operation Falling Dragon were now in motion, and there was no turning back.
As the last of the officials left, President Greene remained seated, lost in thought. The enormity of the decision weighed heavily on him. He knew that even the best-laid plans could go awry, and the consequences of this operation were too significant to ignore. He needed this to succeed, not just for his presidency, but for the future of the
nation.
Thornton, noticing the president's contemplative state, approached him. "Mr. President, I assure you, every precaution has been taken."
Greene looked up, nodding. "I trust your judgment, Thornton. But remember, the world is watching, and history will judge us by the decisions we make today."
Thornton saluted and exited the room, leaving Greene alone with his thoughts.
Then moments later, CIA Director Turner arrived at the Oval Office.
"Mr. President, can I have a word with you?"
"Sure what is it?" Thomas prompted her to continue.
"Mr. President, in this upcoming operation which I was already briefed on, I'm thinking of getting one person into this plan that I believe would be invaluable."
"Okay…who is it?"
"Michael Reyes, CEO of the Reyes Corporation," Turner declared.