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Home / Taiwan / The trouble with Taiwan
Taiwan, China

March 12, 2023

The trouble with Taiwan

By Lyle Goldstein

What is arguably the most important bilateral relationship in the world teeters on the brink of catastrophe as the Taiwan issue threatens to precipitate a war between the two nuclear-armed superpowers of China and the United States. Beijing demonstrated its determination to pursue unification with Taiwan during August 2022 by shooting ballistic missiles over the island. Meanwhile, the Ukraine War has increased Washington’s resolve to confront perceived Chinese aggression. There are many dimensions to the unfolding crisis over Taiwan’s future status—and the wisest US policy is one of realism and restraint in order to avert a disaster of global proportions.

Read at Bulletin of Atomic Scientists

Author

Photo of Lyle Goldstein

Lyle
Goldstein

Director, Asia Program

Defense Priorities

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