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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

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.

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.