China vs United States | Behind the Military Build-Up

The documentary is a powerful and emotionally charged piece of journalism that presents a strong anti-war and anti-US perspective. Pilger is known for his critical stance on Western foreign policy, and this film is no exception. The strength of the documentary lies in its use of primary sources, including declassified documents and interviews with survivors of the nuclear testing, which provide compelling evidence of the human cost of US military actions. The narrative is well-structured, moving from the broader geopolitical context to the specific case of the Marshall Islands, and then back to the current situation. However, the documentary is not without its biases. Pilger’s argument is one-sided, and he does not give significant weight to the US perspective or to the concerns of other countries in the region about China’s actions. The film also simplifies complex geopolitical issues, such as the South China Sea disputes, and does not address the historical context of China’s claims or the role of other nations. While the documentary is well-researched, it is not a balanced academic analysis but rather a polemic. The quality of the information is high in terms of the facts presented, but the interpretation is heavily influenced by Pilger’s political views. The sources cited are mostly interviews and declassified documents, which are credible, but the selection is clearly aimed at supporting the film’s thesis. The title accurately reflects the content, and the documentary is well-produced with high production values. Overall, it is a thought-provoking and informative film, but viewers should be aware of its partisan nature and seek additional perspectives.

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on the military buildup and tensions between the US and China.

7/10

The documentary is a well-produced piece of investigative journalism by an award-winning journalist, but it is clearly opinionated and presents a specific political perspective. It uses interviews, archival footage, and declassified documents, but lacks peer-reviewed sources and may omit counterarguments.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 00:00Introduction: The film sets the stage by showing media coverage of China's expansion and the US response.
• 02:00Pilger introduces the theme of the US encircling China with military bases.
• 05:00Discussion of the 'pivot to Asia' and the US military buildup in the Pacific.
• 10:00The film shifts to the Marshall Islands and the history of US nuclear testing.
• 15:00Interviews with survivors of the Bravo test and the cover-up.
• 20:00Exposure of Project 4.1 and the use of humans as guinea pigs.
• 25:00The story of the Rongelap people and their forced return to a contaminated island.
• 30:00The Greenpeace rescue and the ongoing struggle for justice.
• 35:00Return to the present: the US military buildup and the threat of war with China.
• 40:00Conclusion: Pilger's warning about the coming war and the need for resistance.

• The Coming War on China (2016) — The documentary itself, directed by John Pilger.
• Project 4.1 — Declassified documents revealing human radiation experiments in the Marshall Islands.
• Marshall Islands Nuclear Claims Tribunal — Official body handling compensation claims for nuclear testing victims.

• The Coming War on China (2016) — The documentary itself, directed by John Pilger.
• Project 4.1 — Declassified documents revealing human radiation experiments in the Marshall Islands.
• Marshall Islands Nuclear Claims Tribunal — Official body handling compensation claims for nuclear testing victims.

• US State Department response — The US government has denied allegations of cover-ups and human experimentation, as mentioned in the documentary.