US Retired General Warns: Beijing Learning from Ukraine, Iran Wars to Bolster Information Warfare in Taiwan Strait Conflict
A retired US Lieutenant General warned that China is learning information warfare tactics from the Ukraine and Iran conflicts, bolstering its capabilities for information warfare against the US in a potential Taiwan Strait conflict, exposing weaknesses in US preparedness.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 19:37
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(Washington D.C. 8th, Comprehensive Foreign Report by Central News Agency) Hong Kong's "South China Morning Post" reported that experts indicate Beijing's study of the Iran and Ukraine wars could strengthen its information warfare capabilities against the United States should a conflict erupt in the Taiwan Strait, exposing weaknesses in US combat readiness.
According to the "South China Morning Post," retired US Lieutenant General S. Clinton Hinote stated he was "impressed" by Iran's propaganda tactics since the war began in February and warned that Beijing would adopt similar tactics if a conflict occurs in the Taiwan Strait.
He stated at a discussion forum held on the 6th by the Washington think tank "Special Competitive Studies Project": "This (propaganda war) will happen."
"Everyone is vying for the right to define 'what is truth, what is right,' and currently, there seems to be a lot of misinformation. I am concerned that American society as a whole is not resilient enough for what is about to happen."
Beijing does not rule out the use of force to achieve unification. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognize Taiwan, but Washington opposes any attempt to take Taiwan by force and is firm in its stance on providing military equipment to Taiwan.
Hinote, who previously served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Future Planning for the US Air Force, responsible for strategy and force planning, pointed out that China might "weaponize" social media and other tools, platforms that largely operate freely and unregulated in the United States.
He said: "You may not see anything now... but be prepared. China is ready to launch such attacks against Taiwan, and I believe these actions are now being heavily used against Australia, Japan, and especially against us, the American people."
After Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made remarks about "something happening in Taiwan" last year, China launched a large-scale misinformation campaign against Japan. State-run media and nationalist groups portrayed her as a militaristic right-wing figure determined to break the status quo. In a widely circulated cartoon on Chinese social media, Takaichi was depicted in a World War II Japanese military uniform, deliberately linking her to Japan's past aggressive history.
Ely Ratner, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs (now renamed the Department of War) at the US Department of Defense, stated in the same discussion that Beijing, after observing the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, would seek to take Taiwan without firing a shot, "not only shifting to cognitive warfare but also potentially initiating higher-level grey-zone operations."
Hinote frankly stated that China has learned from the Iran and Ukraine wars, and is likely "very impressed by the speed and precision of military forces." However, Beijing is also closely watching how the Iran war is depleting US ammunition stockpiles, "especially those weapons that would be needed in a Taiwan Strait scenario."
Ratner stated that Beijing has "studied these conflicts very deeply," learning lessons not only on the operational level but also on strategic and political levels.
He specifically pointed out that the war in Ukraine showed China how Washington mobilizes international support on diplomatic and economic levels.
However, experts do not believe that a war in the Taiwan Strait is inevitable. Hinote, who participated in Taiwan war games, stated that simulation results all point to the same conclusion: "If the People's Republic of China attempts to unify Taiwan by force, there will be no winners."
He said: "I hope we recognize the cost of this conflict, a cost that is both real and high. I hope they also see this cost, and when inevitable friction arises between the two sides, reason will ultimately triumph over impulse."
US President Trump is expected to discuss the Taiwan issue during his visit to China next week. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on the 5th that Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will discuss the Taiwan issue when they meet, adding that "China clearly understands our position... and we understand theirs."
He said: "I think both countries understand that any instability in that region is not good for either of us." (Compiled by: Ho Hung-ju) 1150508
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According to the "South China Morning Post," retired US Lieutenant General S. Clinton Hinote stated he was "impressed" by Iran's propaganda tactics since the war began in February and warned that Beijing would adopt similar tactics if a conflict occurs in the Taiwan Strait.
He stated at a discussion forum held on the 6th by the Washington think tank "Special Competitive Studies Project": "This (propaganda war) will happen."
"Everyone is vying for the right to define 'what is truth, what is right,' and currently, there seems to be a lot of misinformation. I am concerned that American society as a whole is not resilient enough for what is about to happen."
Beijing does not rule out the use of force to achieve unification. Most countries, including the United States, do not recognize Taiwan, but Washington opposes any attempt to take Taiwan by force and is firm in its stance on providing military equipment to Taiwan.
Hinote, who previously served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Future Planning for the US Air Force, responsible for strategy and force planning, pointed out that China might "weaponize" social media and other tools, platforms that largely operate freely and unregulated in the United States.
He said: "You may not see anything now... but be prepared. China is ready to launch such attacks against Taiwan, and I believe these actions are now being heavily used against Australia, Japan, and especially against us, the American people."
After Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi made remarks about "something happening in Taiwan" last year, China launched a large-scale misinformation campaign against Japan. State-run media and nationalist groups portrayed her as a militaristic right-wing figure determined to break the status quo. In a widely circulated cartoon on Chinese social media, Takaichi was depicted in a World War II Japanese military uniform, deliberately linking her to Japan's past aggressive history.
Ely Ratner, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs (now renamed the Department of War) at the US Department of Defense, stated in the same discussion that Beijing, after observing the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, would seek to take Taiwan without firing a shot, "not only shifting to cognitive warfare but also potentially initiating higher-level grey-zone operations."
Hinote frankly stated that China has learned from the Iran and Ukraine wars, and is likely "very impressed by the speed and precision of military forces." However, Beijing is also closely watching how the Iran war is depleting US ammunition stockpiles, "especially those weapons that would be needed in a Taiwan Strait scenario."
Ratner stated that Beijing has "studied these conflicts very deeply," learning lessons not only on the operational level but also on strategic and political levels.
He specifically pointed out that the war in Ukraine showed China how Washington mobilizes international support on diplomatic and economic levels.
However, experts do not believe that a war in the Taiwan Strait is inevitable. Hinote, who participated in Taiwan war games, stated that simulation results all point to the same conclusion: "If the People's Republic of China attempts to unify Taiwan by force, there will be no winners."
He said: "I hope we recognize the cost of this conflict, a cost that is both real and high. I hope they also see this cost, and when inevitable friction arises between the two sides, reason will ultimately triumph over impulse."
US President Trump is expected to discuss the Taiwan issue during his visit to China next week. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on the 5th that Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping will discuss the Taiwan issue when they meet, adding that "China clearly understands our position... and we understand theirs."
He said: "I think both countries understand that any instability in that region is not good for either of us." (Compiled by: Ho Hung-ju) 1150508
Stand with the truth, every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting journalistic freedom.
Download CNA "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.