[Tai_Chung]

I believe Taiwan did nuclear research many years ago with Israel and South Africa. They stopped after the US requsted it to end.

I don't believe North Korea is a direct threat to Taiwan, but the same players are involved (China, Japan, USA) so it has indirect influence.

I don't think Taiwanese missile can hit Beijing, but they can reach the economic centers of China. If we tried to put nuclear weapons in Taiwan, you must be ready for a "Cuban missile crisis" in reverse. China will blockade the island and the US navy would have to decide to either turn around or force our way through.

Aside from the issue of nuclear weapons, I do agree that Taiwan needs an offensive military capability against China and not just keep spending money on defensive weapons. The best defense is a credible offense.

[USNBandit]

If the Taiwanese want nuclear weapons they are perfectly capable of producing one on their own. They don't need our help.

[syriacus]

Yes!!! At least give them some short range missiles with nuclear warheads.

[Dog Gone]

I don't think we hand out nuclear bombs. Something about the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

[lyonel]

As a Southeast Asian, spending years in the US, I can understand the lacked of facts about Asia amongst some posters. Even if you give the Taiwanese nuclear weapon they will have hard time deciding whether to accept them. Bear in mind substantial portion of the people there favor a reunification in the future, will you want your offensive weapon there in the first place. It doesn't make good sense. Talks like these give bad impression about US and it defeat your goal to get friends in the region.
For your information, people here favor economic cooperation, they are working towards full development with specific goal and through cooperation amongst nations. Economic cooperation groups for North East Asia, East and Central Asia, Southeast Asia plus China,Korea and Japan, Mekong river basin economic cooperation group etc were the talks in the mass media here daily. Very little space given to saber rattling. I am sure it will be a different world if the trend continue without interference.

[Zeroisanumber]

That would trigger war with China.

[wolfcreek]

Taiwan attempted to create their own bomb 25 or 30yrs. ago using reactors leased from the US. A CIA informant there at that time, caught wind of the secret project and the CIA and State Dept. swooped in and sealed the reactors.