American Prestige Bonus - The Unwinnable War in Taiwan w/ Jennifer Kavanaugh and Stephen Wertheim (Preview)
Aug 3, 2025
Dive into the complex U.S. debate over Taiwan's strategic importance. The conversation highlights how American policy is influenced by concerns about global stability and power dynamics. With escalating tensions between the U.S. and China, the challenges of maintaining strategic ambiguity become evident. The guests propose alternative strategies for engaging with Taiwan, moving away from the notion of an unwinnable war. Their insights provide a thought-provoking look at the future of American defense policy in East Asia.
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Taiwan as U.S. Strategic Linchpin
- Washington views Taiwan as the linchpin of American power in Asia and globally.
- Losing Taiwan would drastically weaken U.S. military power and alliances in the region.
Taiwan Debate Heightened by Global Events
- Taiwan's prominence in U.S.-China discussions rose sharply post-2019 and after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
- The issue sparked fears in Washington about a possible Chinese full-scale invasion of Taiwan.
U.S. Taiwan Response Options
- The widely framed U.S. options in case of a Chinese invasion are either direct military intervention or complete abstention.
- Abstention is assumed to lead to Taiwan falling quickly, which has fueled polarized debate.