[ctdonath2]

Is the USA really serious about protecting Taiwan? Everything sounds good on paper ... until Tsum Chai Neese decides to call our bluff. Are we really willing to risk one soldier - or nuclear war - to defend an island 8000 miles away? More relevantly, is the President (Bush? Kerry? Hillary?) willing to?

Just asking ... and not liking the likely answer.

[JOAT]

I think we already know the answer.

We will NOT protect Taiwan from Chinese aggression if they do not attack a carrier group first.

That being said, I think it is safe to assume we will use naval power as a show of force leading up to any invasion, and China may 'sunburn' a carrier group. That would certainly alter our stance and force us into war with China.

Thanks to Bubba and the current wave of 'outsourcing,' the Chinese have advanced so rapidly that they will be a problem, if not now, then within 5 years certainly.

[baltodog]

I believe that war over Taiwan is inevitable.

Should the US allow a democratic country such as Taiwan to be taken over? No, IMHO.

China would then have control over the 9th largest economy in the world (not including Hong Kong), China would have control over 90% of the Pacific trade rim, China would therefore be in a position to take over Japan and Guam.

We know a battle is coming, we need to face up to these people and let them know that we will deal with what we have to.

Let us not forget that Communism cannot exist side-by-side with democracy. The goal of communism is world domination. China will be in position to take control of literally over half the world if they take back Taiwan.

We should not betray the trust that the Taiwanese have in us.

Agree? Disagree?

[hedgetrimmer]

I think they are serious. The current wargaming in the Asia Pacific is all about preparation and deterrance.

[ampat]

If a dem is in power, they will start slowly to demonize Taiwan so that eventually they will convince the sheeple that Taiwan isn't worth it.