Using the U.S.–Iran War to Wage Cognitive Warfare, CCP Deliberately Creates Topics

FILE PHOTO: The Virginia-class attack submarine USS New Mexico (SSN 779), arrives at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) for a scheduled maintenance period, Feb. 21, 2026. (U.S. Navy photo by Neil Boorjian)

[People News] The United States and Israel launched joint military operations against Iran. After an unusual period of calm in the Taiwan Strait in the early stage, CCP military aircraft resumed incursions into Taiwan starting on March 14 and 15. Official media also launched “cognitive warfare” targeting Taiwan’s purchases of U.S. weapons, claiming that “U.S.-made weapons are unreliable.” Experts say that judging from the results of U.S. military actions against Iran, there is a huge gap between Chinese-made and U.S.-made equipment, and the CCP is merely deliberately creating topics.

According to a March 25 report by Reuters, as one of the world’s main potential conflict flashpoints, Taiwan is facing increasing military pressure from Beijing. The report cited a senior Taiwanese national security official, who requested anonymity, saying that Beijing is trying to create the impression that when the United States shifts forces and redirects Indo-Pacific military power to the Middle East, it is an opportunity to generate tension and instability.

U.S. allies in Asia have also warned that the Iran conflict could weaken defenses against the CCP. However, the aforementioned source pointed out that U.S. cross-regional military deployments have remained balanced, so the Iran conflict is unlikely to create a window of opportunity for Beijing to attack Taiwan.

According to a report by The Epoch Times, Shen Mingshi, a researcher at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research, analyzed that in response to U.S. military actions against Iran, the CCP is attempting to create the narrative that there is a vacuum in U.S. combat power in the Indo-Pacific. It is also coordinating aircraft and naval activities in the Taiwan Strait to test responses from Taiwan and the United States. However, from the international situation, the CCP currently seeks to ease U.S.-China relations and, in theory, will not deliberately escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait to avoid U.S. pressure. At present, aside from the redeployment of THAAD systems and Patriot missile interceptors from South Korea to the Middle East, U.S. naval and air forces in the Indo-Pacific have not been moved, and forces stationed in Guam or Hawaii have shown no signs of relocation. The U.S. military is not bogged down by the Iran conflict and is not overstretched.

A senior military commentator, Mark, said that the outside world overestimates the CCP’s strength. Facing a domestic economic downturn, internal military discord, and large-scale purges of generals, these factors combined mean that Xi Jinping is unable to manage everything. The resumption of military aircraft harassment of Taiwan is merely a show of force to save face.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State also stated that the U.S. military remains “strong” in its ability to respond to simultaneous global threats and is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

In addition, according to an internal Taiwanese government memo reviewed by Reuters, Taipei authorities remain vigilant about Beijing’s use of the Middle East conflict to conduct cognitive warfare against Taiwan. For example, after the conflict broke out, AI-generated videos appeared online claiming that Taiwan faced a “devastating” energy supply crisis.

On March 25, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office claimed that improving infrastructure is a benefit of “unification” and proposed “fast transport links,” including a “Beijing–Taiwan Expressway.” Previously, the CCP had suggested that if Taiwan accepted Beijing’s rule, it would provide energy security guarantees.

The CCP has also used the Iran conflict to spread the narrative that “U.S.-made weapons are useless.”

Liu Kuangyu, a researcher at the Taiwan Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, claimed that Taiwan’s radar stations could face the same fate as reportedly destroyed U.S. equipment in Iran. Liu said in state media that under PLA saturation attacks, Taiwan’s radars would “instantly become scrap metal.” However, the United States has not confirmed such attacks by Iran. On the contrary, Chinese air defense equipment’s failure during strikes in Iran has drawn widespread ridicule.

Mark said that based on the results of U.S. military actions in Venezuela and Iran, the gap between Chinese and U.S. equipment is enormous. The CCP itself lacks confidence in its weapons and is simply creating topics deliberately.

Shen Mingshi said that the CCP’s distorted propaganda may have some influence on those in Taiwan who already hold “skeptical views of the U.S.,” but it will not have a substantive effect on many who understand the situation clearly. The CCP’s attempt to undermine Taiwan’s internal unity may backfire, prompting regional countries to heighten vigilance and strengthen cooperation and joint defense with Taiwan. △