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What is the USA's goal in Taiwan? Why should USA risk WWIII because of it? And what is the USA even doing in China's sphere of influence, if not provoke? Do yo

What is the USA's goal in Taiwan? Why should USA risk WWIII because of it? And what is the USA even doing in China's sphere of influence, if not provoke? Do you see Chinese shipps patrolling the Mexican bay?

whynotminot 4y ago
USA's goal is Taiwan that continues to govern itself freely. This has been stated many times over. China's sphere of influence? Are you also an apologist for Russia's adventures within their claimed "sphere of influence" ?
- wheelerof4te 4y ago
  I see how the Ukraine is governing itself "freely", ever since the coup in 2014th.
  - whynotminot 4y ago
    > the Ukraine If it wasn't already clear, you've pretty much outed yourself.
- mytailorisrich 4y ago
  The Kool Aid is not to be drunk. What you state is the PR for the masses, not what the game is really about. The US's objective is to keep China divided and as weak as possible. Taiwan is at at important strategic location and it suits the US's interests that it does not reunite with mainland China and stays dependent on the US. The type of government in Taiwan is irrelevant (as long as it's not communist) and really it's only desirable that Taiwan be governing itself in that it implies weakness. In any case, it is extremely unlikely that the US would attack China in case of an invasion of Taiwan.
  - whynotminot 4y ago
    Taiwan not being part of China does little or nothing to "weaken" them. It's sort of like arguing that Peurto Rico being independent would destabilize the United States. China chooses to make Taiwan a big deal to them, but it really doesn't have to be. The United States for decades has tried to make Taiwan not a big deal, creating policies of strategic ambiguity, cozying closer to the PRC, while still standing up for Taiwan's right to be independent. If you wanna try to go all real-politik here, sure it's useful to the United States to hold something back from China that they're weirdly fixated on. But these days the real value of Taiwan is mostly about semi-conductor supply chains. China's antagonism and petulance toward Taiwan is an own-goal they choose to continue making. It's not the United State's fault, and it doesn't have to be this way.
  - seanmcdirmid 4y ago
    China would inevitably get into conflict with the USA in the event of a Taiwan invasion because the USA has focused much of its military resources in asia in the Ryukyus (on purpose).
    - mytailorisrich 4y ago
      The Ryukyus are not part of Taiwan so can sit comfortably and watch along with the US troops stationed there. China is not going to attack them. The US have no troops stationed in Taiwan equally on purpose: to make sure they will NOT be dragged into a war with China.
      - seanmcdirmid 4y ago
        The ryukyus are adjacent to Taiwan. That no troops are station in Taiwan proper is just a formality that gives mainland China face (which it finds very important).
        mytailorisrich 4y ago
        Adjacent means nothing. It's outside of the conflict area and thus it wouldn't be touched, especially since neither the US nor China want a war with one another. It's not just about face. Neither side wants to escalate the situation or to be dragged into war. NATO is adjacent to Ukraine. Has Russia attacked them? No. Has NATO attacked Russia? No. Neither side are suicidal. So it remains a proxy war. The same would happen over Taiwan. Geopolitics 101, really.
- FearlessNebula 4y ago
  Devil’s advocate: Surely we wouldn’t go to war on Taiwan’s behalf solely to support their independence. It would be to guarantee our access to their microchips. So why not produce those ourselves, and end our dependence on both China and Taiwan.
  - trashtester 4y ago
    Obviously that process has already started. So if Xi is smart, he delays the invasion until the US and Europe have enough domestic fabs to be independent of Taiwan/TSMC.
    - whynotminot 4y ago
      This would be the smart move for Xi. Well, the smartest dumb move, anyway. The Chinese fixation on claiming Taiwan is already a serious waste of their mental energies, but the real cost for making such a move at any time would be massive. Even without Western involvement. Never the less, we've seen men do stupider things for pride. See: Ukraine.
      - trashtester 4y ago
        > The Chinese fixation on claiming Taiwan is already a serious waste of their mental energies, but the real cost for making such a move at any time would be massive. Different people seem to have different value systems. The "costs" involved may not concern Xi all that much, provided he "wins".
        whynotminot 4y ago
        I sometimes wonder if Xi has realized that Taiwan is more valuable independent. Xi gets to sell his populace on the idea of a united West intent on shaming and restraining China, and can point to Taiwan as a tangible embodiment of this. Hell, we've got genuine believers (...or shills) even in these comments talking about how US support for Taiwan is all just a ploy to weaken China. If Xi makes a move on Taiwan, he turns China into a Russia-like pariah to the West and bears an immense cost in lives and materiel. For what gain exactly? Taiwan is worth more as a bogeyman he can point to for nationalistic rallying than as an actual possession.
jeremyjh 4y ago
The US goal has been the same for 70 years: to maintain its global hegemony.
mensetmanusman 4y ago
Taiwan has asked the US to be more helpful there. Countries can have preferences outside of supposed spheres of influence.

whynotminot 4y ago

USA's goal is Taiwan that continues to govern itself freely. This has been stated many times over. China's sphere of influence? Are you also an apologist for Russia's adventures within their claimed "sphere of influence" ?

wheelerof4te 4y ago
I see how the Ukraine is governing itself "freely", ever since the coup in 2014th.
- whynotminot 4y ago
  > the Ukraine If it wasn't already clear, you've pretty much outed yourself.
mytailorisrich 4y ago
The Kool Aid is not to be drunk. What you state is the PR for the masses, not what the game is really about. The US's objective is to keep China divided and as weak as possible. Taiwan is at at important strategic location and it suits the US's interests that it does not reunite with mainland China and stays dependent on the US. The type of government in Taiwan is irrelevant (as long as it's not communist) and really it's only desirable that Taiwan be governing itself in that it implies weakness. In any case, it is extremely unlikely that the US would attack China in case of an invasion of Taiwan.
- whynotminot 4y ago
  Taiwan not being part of China does little or nothing to "weaken" them. It's sort of like arguing that Peurto Rico being independent would destabilize the United States. China chooses to make Taiwan a big deal to them, but it really doesn't have to be. The United States for decades has tried to make Taiwan not a big deal, creating policies of strategic ambiguity, cozying closer to the PRC, while still standing up for Taiwan's right to be independent. If you wanna try to go all real-politik here, sure it's useful to the United States to hold something back from China that they're weirdly fixated on. But these days the real value of Taiwan is mostly about semi-conductor supply chains. China's antagonism and petulance toward Taiwan is an own-goal they choose to continue making. It's not the United State's fault, and it doesn't have to be this way.
- seanmcdirmid 4y ago
  China would inevitably get into conflict with the USA in the event of a Taiwan invasion because the USA has focused much of its military resources in asia in the Ryukyus (on purpose).
  - mytailorisrich 4y ago
    The Ryukyus are not part of Taiwan so can sit comfortably and watch along with the US troops stationed there. China is not going to attack them. The US have no troops stationed in Taiwan equally on purpose: to make sure they will NOT be dragged into a war with China.
    - seanmcdirmid 4y ago
      The ryukyus are adjacent to Taiwan. That no troops are station in Taiwan proper is just a formality that gives mainland China face (which it finds very important).
      - mytailorisrich 4y ago
        Adjacent means nothing. It's outside of the conflict area and thus it wouldn't be touched, especially since neither the US nor China want a war with one another. It's not just about face. Neither side wants to escalate the situation or to be dragged into war. NATO is adjacent to Ukraine. Has Russia attacked them? No. Has NATO attacked Russia? No. Neither side are suicidal. So it remains a proxy war. The same would happen over Taiwan. Geopolitics 101, really.
FearlessNebula 4y ago
Devil’s advocate: Surely we wouldn’t go to war on Taiwan’s behalf solely to support their independence. It would be to guarantee our access to their microchips. So why not produce those ourselves, and end our dependence on both China and Taiwan.
- trashtester 4y ago
  Obviously that process has already started. So if Xi is smart, he delays the invasion until the US and Europe have enough domestic fabs to be independent of Taiwan/TSMC.
  - whynotminot 4y ago
    This would be the smart move for Xi. Well, the smartest dumb move, anyway. The Chinese fixation on claiming Taiwan is already a serious waste of their mental energies, but the real cost for making such a move at any time would be massive. Even without Western involvement. Never the less, we've seen men do stupider things for pride. See: Ukraine.
    - trashtester 4y ago
      > The Chinese fixation on claiming Taiwan is already a serious waste of their mental energies, but the real cost for making such a move at any time would be massive. Different people seem to have different value systems. The "costs" involved may not concern Xi all that much, provided he "wins".
      - whynotminot 4y ago
        I sometimes wonder if Xi has realized that Taiwan is more valuable independent. Xi gets to sell his populace on the idea of a united West intent on shaming and restraining China, and can point to Taiwan as a tangible embodiment of this. Hell, we've got genuine believers (...or shills) even in these comments talking about how US support for Taiwan is all just a ploy to weaken China. If Xi makes a move on Taiwan, he turns China into a Russia-like pariah to the West and bears an immense cost in lives and materiel. For what gain exactly? Taiwan is worth more as a bogeyman he can point to for nationalistic rallying than as an actual possession.

jeremyjh 4y ago

The US goal has been the same for 70 years: to maintain its global hegemony.

mensetmanusman 4y ago

Taiwan has asked the US to be more helpful there. Countries can have preferences outside of supposed spheres of influence.