#1394 - Ballast

Upon receiving the news, Barack was so enraged that he shattered the glass he was drinking from.

The U.S. military had assisted the Australian army in suppressing the rebellion, and in that process, the U.S. military had suffered casualties.

Fortunately, however, those military expenses and compensation were paid by the Australian government.

Upon learning that the Australian Navy had dispatched two-thirds of its strength to intercept the Lanfang Navy, Barack called the Australian Prime Minister, demanding that the Australian Navy immediately return to avoid military conflict with Lanfang.

Unexpectedly, the Australian Prime Minister had readily agreed verbally, but it wasn't long before Barack received news that the two sides had exchanged fire.

In less than a day, Barack received news that two-thirds of the Australian Navy had been destroyed.

Not only would Christmas Island be occupied, but the Cocos Islands, Cartier Island, and other islands would also be at risk.

These islands are sparsely populated and usually unimportant.

However, once occupied by Lanfang and turned into military bases, these islands would become very important, posing a direct military threat to the Australian mainland.

The loss of two-thirds of the Australian Navy's strength meant an imbalance in the regional navy and a deterioration of the situation.

However, the loss of Australia was also unacceptable to the United States.

This is because it is an important strategic pivot for the United States to control sea lanes to South America. As long as Australia is in hand, the United States will have sufficient strategic advantages in South America.

Moreover, with the Australian continent, U.S. strategic nuclear submarines can freely enter the Eastern Pacific or the Southern Indian Ocean!

Barack was very angry, thinking that even a pig commanding such a fleet would not have been wiped out in less than a day.

"Incompetent yet eager to play," that's Australia in a nutshell.

Moreover, Lanfang had annihilated two-thirds of the Australian Navy's strength, severely damaging the Australian Navy.

Faced with Australia's declaration of war, Lanfang also declared war without hesitation.

The aircraft carrier fleet annihilated two-thirds of the Australian Navy and quickly seized Christmas Island.

Subsequently, the Lanfang Navy dispatched naval warships and armed ships to sweep away other islands, taking possession of them.

Faced with pressure and warnings from the United States, Lanfang remained unmoved.

When the sky falls, naturally there are taller people to hold it up.

As the saying goes, soldiers against soldiers, generals against generals, Lanfang only needed to deal with Australia.

Without the Australian Navy, those islands were defenseless, and the remaining strength of the Australian Navy huddled in naval ports, afraid to engage the Lanfang Navy.

The Lanfang Navy did not rashly attack Australian naval ports, after all, Australia still had air force assistance.

The conflict and friction between Lanfang and Australia, which attracted global attention for a few days, was no longer the focus.

After all, although both sides were not small in size, they were both on the periphery of geopolitics, and their usual presence was not strong.

In addition, with conscious control and cooling down from above, the two sides were not referred to as a war, but as a conflict or friction.

Watching China's special reports, the United States also understood and quickly followed suit, defining the relationship between the two sides as conflict and friction.

After receiving the news, Liu Tao did not expect that the Australian Navy would dare to fire the first shot, not knowing whether to say it was the ignorance of the Australian Navy or the arrogance of the white race.

However, the timing was not yet fully ripe, and it was not appropriate for both sides to completely tear their faces at this time.

If they were to completely tear their faces, even if they could win, it would be a pyrrhic victory.

No need!

Time is on their side!

In order to cope with the somewhat tense situation and to calm the tempers of all parties.

The third Type 003 nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, which was originally planned to be delivered later, was delivered to the Navy in advance, which also allowed the Chinese Navy to publicly announce that it had a fourth aircraft carrier fleet.

Moreover, everyone knew that, according to this progress, the 'Australian ship' could also be delivered to the Navy at any time.

Although, normally speaking, after an aircraft carrier is delivered, it takes about two years to initially form combat effectiveness, and another two or three years to be considered combat-ready.

But now, who would use common sense to infer China?

Previous cases had long been slapped in the face.

The U.S. Seventh Fleet, which had originally received orders to go south to support, was unable to move.

The U.S. Seventh Fleet, belonging to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, is stationed in the Asia-Pacific region, with its headquarters in Japan. Its original responsibility was to be responsible for the defense of the western Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean.

Its main tasks are to control maritime routes and key straits, protect U.S. Asia-Pacific allies, maintain U.S. maritime hegemony in the Western Pacific, organize alliance cooperation and implement deterrence in peacetime, and organize forward strikes and defense in wartime. For a long time, the Seventh Fleet has been the most powerful tool for the United States to expand in Asia and an important force for the United States to intervene in Asian affairs.

The U.S. Seventh Fleet is also very powerful, with 50 to 60 warships, an aircraft carrier battle group composed of one aircraft carrier as the main combat force, supplemented by land-based aviation and amphibious forces. It currently has one flagship (USS Blue Ridge), one nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (USS George Washington), 3 to 4 missile cruisers, 18 to 20 missile destroyers and frigates, 5 to 6 attack submarines, and 5 to 8 landing ships, 18 logistics support ships, and several hovercraft and auxiliary vessels.

Compared to Japan and South Korea, there is no doubt that Australia is not that important.

Now, discovering some movements is enough to highlight the importance of the U.S. Seventh Fleet.

If it were to go south to support, it might be ambushed halfway, and then it might face the danger of being completely wiped out.

Moreover, the entire situation in Japan and South Korea would be shaken to its foundations.

Barack had to transfer two aircraft carrier fleets from the Mediterranean and the Atlantic to Oceania.

However, it would take some time for the two aircraft carrier fleets transferred from the Mediterranean to reach Oceania.

Therefore, both sides were engaged in a war of words.

Lanfang took the opportunity to occupy island after island, thereby securing the benefits first.

Liu Tao made a special trip to Hong Kong, where he met an old friend from the United States.

As soon as this old friend met, he complained, pushing all the blame onto Liu Tao.

Liu Tao smiled and was not angry.

Americans just like this, as if they have suffered a great injustice.

In fact, Americans often gain great advantages.

Liu Tao treated this old friend to steak, excellent steak from Brazil.

After listening to this old friend's complaints, Liu Tao said: "My friend, how this matter is, we all know, this is not our fault, we China are the most particular about rules, it is the Australian Navy that does not follow the rules, first broke the rules, first fired the first shot."

"And also your Mr. Barack, excuse me for being blunt, he's too reckless." Liu Tao shrugged. "We have many channels for communication and exchange, and they are very smooth. There are no obstacles in our communication and exchange!"

Barack, after being turned away several times, put on airs, as if in a fit of pique.

But there's no helping it, Barack always likes to exaggerate.

You should know that that kind of trick might work on American voters, but on the international stage, countries emphasize interests, and talk about interests.

Trying to deceive, who can you really deceive?

Hearing this, Solace couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

Everyone naturally knows the situation, after all, at this level, intelligence is very accurate and fast.

As for his own Barack, Solace naturally knew the specific situation.

Barack's economic stimulus plan spent trillions of dollars in two years, claiming to focus on creating jobs, revitalizing the economy, and repairing the financial market, but in reality, how much was truly implemented, and how much ended up in everyone's pockets, is hard to say.

And Barack's healthcare plan, which was well-advertised, completely changed its flavor when it came to implementation, directly allowing healthcare giants to make a fortune. The amount of profit generated here is beyond what outsiders can imagine.

Moreover, Barack directly signed decrees to bypass Congress, which caused enormous damage to the consensus and tacit understanding that the American two parties had formed over a long period.

Furthermore, this time, the Australian Navy's actions were extremely dangerous provocations, and being wiped out was their own fault.

If it were like before, a confrontation, bumping ships, at most someone would be injured.

How could it be like now, causing such a terrible impact.

Really, speaking of it, even if the Lanfang Navy launched an attack on the Australian mainland, it would be legal and reasonable.

But now, the Lanfang Navy has only occupied some islands, which is considered a great restraint.

The latest novel is first published on Liu Jiu Shu Ba!

Many things, the attitude makes everything clear.

The Lanfang Navy's great restraint is actually giving all parties a way out.

But now, Barack wants to mobilize a carrier battle group to Oceania. What is this?

This is not about solving the problem by taking the opportunity to step down, but about adding fuel to the fire. Isn't this just stirring up trouble?

You should know that if a real fight breaks out, not to mention two carrier battle groups are not enough, even four carrier battle groups may not be enough!

"Solace, my friend, the ballast stone of our relationship cannot be moved lightly. Once it moves, it could cause an earthquake!" Liu Tao said with a faint smile, "It's so good for everyone to trade and do business peacefully and make money. If it really comes to a real fight, it may not be good!"

Having met, everything that needed to be discussed was discussed.

How to choose is America's own business.

If the Americans choose to fight at all costs in Australia, to escalate the war and expand it, then there's no helping it.

Heaven wants to rain, a woman wants to marry, let it be!

When Solace left, as soon as he got into the car, his face changed and became heavy.

This matter is not easy to handle, and carelessness can lead to enormous consequences, truly out of control.

Playing games with Europe, playing games with Russia, anyway, the United States has the upper hand, the most dangerous thing is to cede some benefits.

But the space for maneuvering in this game is not large.

If things are peaceful, people talk about cooperation and win-win.

But wanting to get something for nothing, don't even think about it.

As for choosing to escalate the war, tearing faces, Solace gets a headache just thinking about it.

After serving as a senior official in the US military, Solace has been in politics for several years.

He also has a force behind him supporting him, and it is precisely because of this force that Solace holds an important position and his words carry weight.

He knows very well how difficult the current situation is.

War is definitely something to avoid if possible. If chosen, the US military may choose to become the ballast stone for both sides.

It's just that some people don't know what they're thinking, clamoring for war.

The United States doesn't have an advantage in the war in North Africa, so it will have an advantage in the war in Oceania?

What are they thinking!

Solace didn't stay in Hong Kong for long and left Hong Kong as soon as possible to return to the United States.

After returning to the United States, Solace first went to Texas.

Lanfang carrier battle group.

A 'Sea Eagle' carrier-based aircraft took off and quickly ascended into the air, providing escort for the carrier battle group.

Compared with other aircraft, the advantages and disadvantages of the 'Sea Eagle' carrier-based aircraft, a vertical/short takeoff and landing carrier-based aircraft, are very obvious.

The biggest disadvantage is that the amount of ammunition and fuel carried is limited. Limited fuel means that the range will be shorter, belonging to short legs, and a smaller amount of ammunition carried means that the combat effectiveness of the fighter will be weaker.

But this is also relative.

If compared with countries without aircraft carriers, then it has a great advantage.

In addition to the 'Sea Eagle' carrier-based aircraft escorting the formation, there are also unmanned reconnaissance aircraft conducting aerial reconnaissance.

Unless it is a submarine, otherwise it is difficult for surface ships to approach within three or four hundred kilometers without being discovered.

In modern warfare, the importance of air supremacy is fully reflected.

Only with air supremacy can there be sea control.

Without air supremacy, there is no sea control to speak of.

Even submarines, facing helicopters conducting anti-submarine patrols, it is not easy to threaten the carrier battle group.

This sea area is less than 100 nautical miles from Sydney.

On the coast, this carrier battle group can be found through binoculars.

Even though the US military entered the city to maintain order, a large number of Sydney residents still fled.

The news that two-thirds of the Australian Navy's forces had been wiped out was also known to the Australian people through the Internet, causing an uproar in Australia.

Previously, the annihilation of the rebels made the Australian people feel very proud and happy.

Those people in the east were not considered human by the original Australian whites, so it was okay to destroy them.

But this is different, this is the most prosperous place in Australia.

Everyone is afraid that the war will suddenly break out.

I don't know how many Australians are cursing the government.

Not very capable, but very good at causing trouble.

Now it's good, war may break out at any time.

The planes in the sky are clearly visible.

Even with binoculars, you can see the shadows of warships.

Ordinary people shouldn't think they are very brave and their mouths are very tough, but when war is about to come, they are more cowardly than anyone else.

After all, war is about death!

The Australian army participated in the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War. The Australian people know very well how the soldiers will treat civilians when war comes. They will treat civilians as two-legged sheep and slaughter them at will.

Because the Australian army treated the civilians of Afghanistan and Iraq in this way.

They naturally believe that other soldiers will treat them the same way.

(End of this chapter)