Is Taiwan Next?

US President Joe Biden said during his recent visit to Asia that America will defend Taiwan militarily in the event of a Chinese invasion. Although White House officials were quick to state that US policy toward the island had not changed, some think that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s increasing regional assertiveness necessitate a tougher approach. Project-Syndicate.org

Majority of adults would take up arms if China invaded

More than half of the adults in Taiwan would be willing to take up arms if China attacked the country, a survey conducted and released by the Association of Chinese Elite Leadership (ACEL) suggested Friday. Focustaiwan.tv

Survey Results
61.4% Willing to take up arms to defend Taiwan
25.1% Would Not

The ACEL poll was conducted from May 18-, targeting individuals aged 20 or older.
The poll received 1,073 valid samples, with interviews conducted via telephone, and has a margin of error of 2.98 percent, with a 95 percent level of confidence.

A Fight Over Taiwan Could Go Nuclear

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has raised the specter of nuclear war, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has placed his nuclear forces at an elevated state of alert and has warned that any effort by outside parties to interfere in the war would result in “consequences you have never seen.” Such saber-rattling has understandably made headlines and drawn notice in Washington. But if China attempted to forcibly invade Taiwan and the United States came to Taipei’s aid, the threat of escalation could outstrip even the current nerve-wracking situation in Europe. Foreign Affairs