{"id":15711,"date":"2026-03-19T09:25:13","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T14:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/esterlund.com\/blog\/?p=15711"},"modified":"2026-03-19T09:25:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T14:25:13","slug":"china-was-watching-every-mile-of-it-heres-what-it-saw-youtube","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/esterlund.com\/blog\/china-was-watching-every-mile-of-it-heres-what-it-saw-youtube\/","title":{"rendered":"China Was Watching Every Mile of It. Here&#8217;s What It Saw. &#8211; YouTube"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"China Was Watching Every Mile of It. Here&#039;s What It Saw.\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/BLNl8IQ7O4U?start=622&#038;feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div id=\"info-container\" class=\"style-scope ytd-watch-info-text\"><span class=\"style-scope yt-formatted-string\" dir=\"auto\">Mar 18, 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div id=\"expanded\" class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">America is winning the war in Iran. But while every camera is pointed at the Strait of Hormuz, something far more consequential just happened in the South China Sea \u2014 and nobody is connecting the dots. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">The USS Tripoli \u2014 carrying 2,500 Marines and 20 F-35B stealth fighters \u2014 just spent four days sailing directly through China&#8217;s front yard at high speed. Satellite trackers confirmed it passing Singapore on March 17. Beijing watched every mile of it. <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">This video isn&#8217;t about what the Tripoli is going to do in Hormuz. It&#8217;s about what it already told China, North Korea, and Taiwan before it even arrived. We cover: <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">\u2192 Why the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is the only forward-deployed rapid reaction force in the Indo-Pacific <\/span><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">\u2014 and what opening that gap actually means <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">\u2192 Why China imported 15.8% more oil before this war started <\/span><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">\u2014 and what the AEI confirms those reserves are actually sized for<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2192 Why China&#8217;s PLA incursions into Taiwan&#8217;s airspace dropped to their lowest level since 2024 \u2014 and why that silence is more alarming than escalation <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">\u2192 Why the USS Tripoli took the most visible route to Hormuz, not the fastest one \u2014 and what that communicates to Beijing <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">\u2192 The Korea 1950 and Kuwait 1990 precedents \u2014 the historical pattern every serious strategist recognizes immediately <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">\u2192 Why the US is depleting Tomahawks and missile interceptors in Iran at exactly the moment those systems would matter most in a Taiwan contingency <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">\u2192 The question that keeps serious strategists awake: what is China composing while America solves Hormuz? America sent China a message when the Tripoli sailed past Beijing&#8217;s front yard. China is composing its reply. The Strait of Hormuz may open before that reply arrives. Or it may not. What do you think China does next?\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\">\u2014 The Real Message Sent to Beijing <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=120s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"2 minutes\" rel=\"noopener\">02:00<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 Why the 31st MEU Gap Actually Matters <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=270s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"4 minutes, 30 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">04:30<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 The 3 Alarming Moves China Made Before The War Started <\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=510s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"8 minutes, 30 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">08:30<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 The MacArthur Precedent \u2014 History Is Repeating <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=710s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"11 minutes, 50 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">11:50<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 Why Tripoli Took the Visible Route \u2014 Not the Fast One <\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=860s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"14 minutes, 20 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">14:20<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 The Bet America Is Making \u2014 And Whether It&#8217;s Guaranteed <\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=975s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"16 minutes, 15 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">16:15<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 The Geopolitical Equation of 2026 SOURCES WITH TIMESTAMPS <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=6s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"6 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">00:06<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 CNN (USS Tripoli passing Singapore, March 17 2026)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"> <span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=128s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"2 minutes, 8 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">02:08<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 Operation Epic Fury \/ CENTCOM (17 days of strikes, missile production eliminated) <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=220s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"3 minutes, 40 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">03:40<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 CNN \/ Newsweek \/ Marine Traffic (USS Tripoli AIS active near Singapore) <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=290s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"4 minutes, 50 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">04:50<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 AEI \u2014 China &amp; Taiwan Update, March 13 2026 (China imported 15.8% more oil Jan-Feb 2026) <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=297s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"4 minutes, 57 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">04:57<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 Atlantic Council \/ Kpler data (China holds 1.2 billion barrels onshore crude) <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=314s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"5 minutes, 14 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">05:14<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 AEI \u2014 China &amp; Taiwan Update, March 13 2026 (reserves instrumental in Taiwan contingency) <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=348s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"5 minutes, 48 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">05:48<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 AEI \u2014 China &amp; Taiwan Update, March 6 2026 (PLA flew 147 sorties in Feb vs 300+ average) <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=381s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"6 minutes, 21 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">06:21<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 AEI \u2014 China &amp; Taiwan Update, March 13 2026 (Global Times analysis of US aircraft downing) <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=405s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"6 minutes, 45 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">06:45<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 AEI \u2014 China &amp; Taiwan Update, March 13 2026 (Jingan Technology AI tracking US buildup) <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=420s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"7 minutes\" rel=\"noopener\">07:00<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 AEI \u2014 China &amp; Taiwan Update, March 13 2026 (PRC studying Iran war tactical lessons) <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=650s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"10 minutes, 50 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">10:50<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 Military.com \/ Wall Street Journal (31st MEU Iron Fist 26 exercise, island seizure drills) <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=710s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"11 minutes, 50 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">11:50<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 US Energy Information Administration \/ Atlantic Council (70% of Hormuz crude bound for Asia) <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=720s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"12 minutes\" rel=\"noopener\">12:00<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 Atlantic Council (Taiwan 120 days oil reserves, Japan 150-182 days, South Korea 210 days) <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=860s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"14 minutes, 20 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">14:20<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 Newsweek \/ MT Anderson OSINT (USS Tripoli route visible, AIS active South China Sea) <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=890s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"14 minutes, 50 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">14:50<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 USNI News \/ Taiwan News (China sent Liaoning + 4 destroyers Dec 2025 over Japan PM comment) <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=973s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"16 minutes, 13 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">16:13<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 AEI \u2014 Five Takeaways on China and the Iran War (US depleting Tomahawks and interceptors) <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"style-scope ytd-text-inline-expander\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string yt-core-attributed-string--white-space-pre-wrap\" dir=\"auto\"><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"><a class=\"yt-core-attributed-string__link yt-core-attributed-string__link--call-to-action-color\" tabindex=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BLNl8IQ7O4U&amp;t=1002s\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"16 minutes, 42 seconds\" rel=\"noopener\">16:42<\/a><\/span><span class=\"yt-core-attributed-string--link-inherit-color\" dir=\"auto\"> \u2014 Time Magazine (closed-door Congressional briefing on US weapons reserves)<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mar 18, 2026 America is winning the war in Iran. But while every camera is pointed at the Strait of Hormuz, something far more consequential just happened in the South China Sea \u2014 and nobody is connecting the dots. The USS Tripoli \u2014 carrying 2,500 Marines and 20 F-35B stealth fighters \u2014 just spent four &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/esterlund.com\/blog\/china-was-watching-every-mile-of-it-heres-what-it-saw-youtube\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">China Was Watching Every Mile of It. Here&#8217;s What It Saw. &#8211; YouTube<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[25],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/esterlund.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15711"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/esterlund.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/esterlund.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esterlund.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esterlund.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15711"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/esterlund.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15711\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15712,"href":"https:\/\/esterlund.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15711\/revisions\/15712"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/esterlund.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15711"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esterlund.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15711"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/esterlund.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15711"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}