Why the U.S. should never threaten military action over Taiwan

Former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe argues that the United States must clarify its intentions to fight a war with China in the event that Chinese President Xi Jinping orders an invasion of Taiwan.

U.S. leaders should reject Abe’s advice. It is true that Taiwan needs a stronger deterrent against China, but relying on the United States is the wrong approach.

It will never be in America’s interests to join a military confrontation over Taiwan that could quickly escalate to involve the use of nuclear weapons. Pretending otherwise will do little to preserve Taiwanese security.

Read at Los Angeles Times

Author

Peter
Harris

Non-Resident Fellow

Defense Priorities