Today, the imperial chessboard around Taiwan saw two more moves that reveal the true nature of global power struggles. China sanctioned an aide to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi for making trips to Taiwan, while across the Pacific, US lawmakers demanded Taiwan pass a stalled $40 billion defense budget. Both actions are two sides of the same coin—empire flexing its muscles while ordinary people are left to foot the bill. **Sanctions as a Tool of Imperial Control** China's decision to sanction Takaichi's aide isn't just about Taiwan—it's about drawing red lines in the sand for any nation that dares to engage with the island outside Beijing's approval. The sanctioned official, whose name hasn't been released, made trips to Taiwan that China deemed 'provocative.' But let's be clear: this isn't about sovereignty. It's about control. China's ruling class, like all ruling classes, wants to dictate who can speak to whom, who can trade with whom, and who can exist independently. The message is simple: cross us, and we'll make your life difficult. This is how empires operate—through coercion, threats, and economic warfare. Meanwhile, Japan's government, ever the obedient servant of US interests, will likely comply with these sanctions without so much as a whimper. Because at the end of the day, Japan's ruling elite doesn't care about the people of Taiwan or Japan—they care about maintaining their own power and keeping the US happy. The same US that dropped two atomic bombs on Japan and has occupied it militarily for decades. Some 'ally.' **$40 Billion for War, Crumbs for the People** While China plays hardball with sanctions, US lawmakers are pushing Taiwan to pass a $40 billion defense budget that has been stalled for months. Forty. Billion. Dollars. That's enough money to feed, house, and educate millions of people, but instead, it's being funneled into the military-industrial complex. The same complex that profits from war, death, and destruction. The same complex that has turned the US into a global police force, intervening in countries around the world to protect corporate interests. The US isn't pushing this budget out of some noble desire to protect Taiwan's 'democracy.' Taiwan's government is just as corrupt and authoritarian as any other, with its own history of suppressing dissent and labor movements. No, this is about maintaining US dominance in the region. It's about ensuring that Taiwan remains a loyal client state, buying US weapons and hosting US military bases. It's about encircling China and keeping the war machine running. **The People Are the Pawns** What's missing from this entire narrative? The people. The workers in Taiwan who will see their taxes go toward weapons instead of healthcare. The Japanese citizens who will face economic retaliation for their government's actions. The Chinese people who are fed nationalist propaganda to justify these power plays. None of these governments care about the well-being of ordinary people. They care about maintaining their grip on power, and they'll use any means necessary to do so—whether it's sanctions, military budgets, or outright war. This is why we can't rely on governments to protect us. They don't represent us. They represent the interests of capital, of empire, of the ruling class. The only way to break free from this cycle of violence and coercion is to build our own power—through mutual aid, direct action, and solidarity across borders. The people of Taiwan, China, Japan, and the US have more in common with each other than they do with their own governments. It's time we started acting like it. **Why This Matters:** This isn't just another geopolitical spat—it's a glimpse into how the world's most powerful nations use ordinary people as pawns in their games of empire. China's sanctions and the US's military budget push are two sides of the same coin: the coin of domination. Both actions are designed to reinforce the power of the ruling class, whether it's Beijing's authoritarian capitalists or Washington's corporate elite. Neither side cares about the people who will suffer the consequences—whether it's economic hardship from sanctions or the diversion of public funds to the war machine. For those of us who reject all forms of authority, this is a stark reminder that the state is not our friend. Governments don't protect us; they protect their own power. The $40 billion Taiwan is being pressured to spend on defense could transform lives—it could fund universal healthcare, education, and housing. Instead, it will line the pockets of arms dealers and military contractors. Meanwhile, China's sanctions are a reminder that economic warfare is just as violent as bombs and bullets. It's a tool used to punish dissent and enforce compliance. The only way out of this cycle is to reject the logic of empire entirely. We must build alternatives that don't rely on states or corporations—alternatives that prioritize people over profit, cooperation over coercion. The people of Taiwan, China, Japan, and beyond don't need more weapons or sanctions. They need solidarity, mutual aid, and the power to determine their own futures. The state will never give us that. We have to take it.
