A provocative item by Conagher78 argues against US involvement in a cross-strait conflict between China and Taiwan.:
And as far as alliances go, why not try harder to see to it that China
becomes an ally? The twin prongs of a ready defense (of which I am
still in favor regarding China and everyone else) and engagement were
sufficient to end the Soviets … is it no longer good enough to
encourage freedom and democracy in China? Are conservatives ready to
shrug off the lessons we learned from Ronald Reagan before his body is
even cold? In any event, do we not still have plenty of military assets
in Japan and South Korea? Japan has always been the knife at China’s
belly. The edge is razor sharp thanks to America’s presence on the
island. Sacrificing American lives to retain a position on the island
of Taiwan, so far from the political heart of China in Beijing, is
scarcely worth it.
Some interesting points are raised in the full item. However, while I think an attack on Taiwan by China is highly unlikely, US ambiguity on whether it would defend the island has long been a bulwark against any Chinese attack. I can’t imagine a Chinese assault on Taipei anytime soon - if ever - but a clear statement that the US would NOT defend Taiwan would surely increase risks to the island.
Beyond that, defending Taiwan would be defending democracy. I believe that, more than strategic interests, is the driver of the current US’ alliances with both Taiwan and Israel. That may not be strategically sound, but it is morally correct. If the US is to play a role in unification, it should be - above all - to assure that the democratic gains of Taiwan are respected.
Also at the site, a good fisking of Bill Gertz hyperbolic rantings on China’s imperialist ambitions.
July 4th, 2005 at 5:07 pm
Thanks for the mention! I discovered your blog via another blog, I believe, and I like what I’ve read so far.
As far as defending democracy goes, I think the US has to examine what national interest the democracy in question serves if such a defense were needed. Defending democracy is a noble goal, but it’s not one I am particulary eager to engage in with the lives of American soldiers without some other compelling reason. Seems to me that a) if the UN is to have a purpose, it’s handling these sorts of situations, and b) the US would indeed be acting as “world police,” which is a prospect at which the paleocon in me rebels.
I do agree that the ambiguity of the One China policy has stabilized the Taiwan situation to some degree. Whether by accident or by design, the uncertainty of the American position has in some measure prevented the CCP from deciding to reclaim Taiwan.
I’m looking forward to reading more great posts here!
Regards,
Con