Well, howdy there internet people, it's Bell again.

So today we're going to talk about the US, China, a phone call, and a sign of the times.

On Tuesday, high-ranking commanders from the U.S. and China basically had a Zoom call.

The U.S. commander over the Indo-Pacific command and the Chinese general over their Southern

Theater command had a little chat. These two commanders

would be tasked with destroying each other's command if things ever got hot

between the US and China. But the video conference has a very different tone and spirit. The US

said the call was to quote, clarify intent and reduce the risk of

misperception or miscalculation.

The Chinese government said it was a conversation that shared, quote,

in-depth views on issues of common concern.

That's very sanitized foreign policy speak. What was it really? A

conversation to re-establish high-level military-to-military communications that make sure the two militaries don't accidentally go to war.

Back in 2022, Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan and then there was the whole spy balloon thing that led to a breakdown of the lines of communication that nuclear powers like to keep open.

This is the first step to re-establishing those ties.

Over the long term, this will help reduce tensions between the two countries.

Powerful militaries that have friction points need to have these lines open because powerful militaries often engage in exercises the other side's intel didn't see coming.

It's useful to be able to pick up the phone and call the other side and ask what's going on? This is especially true

when both countries are flexing in particular ways that are sensitive to the opposing nation.

The U.S. is continuing its support of Taiwan and

China is making moves near the Philippines. So far the bumps in the road or

seas in this case have stayed non-lethal and both countries misreading the

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