Implications for Policymakers, Academics, and Practitioners

The mounting tensions over the Taiwan Strait present a significant risk to international security, and policymakers, academics, and practitioners need to take immediate action. The policy of strategic ambiguity should be maintained, but there is a need for accelerated preparations. This includes deploying a potent mix of weapons, both in Taiwan and within the United States Armed Forces, as well as rethinking and reorganizing the armed forces. The urgency of the situation requires multi-year changes, such as enhancing production capacity, securing supply chains, and strengthening civil defense. Time is of the essence, and decisive action is needed to change China's calculus and ensure deterrence.