The $14 billion arms sale to Taiwan isn't just a transaction — it's a test of American credibility in the Indo-Pacific. China's daily grey zone aggression and military provocations make clear that deterrence depends on action, not promises. Holding up congressionally approved defensive arms while Beijing watches only signals weakness to Xi Jinping and emboldens further coercion.
Arming Taiwan under the guise of defense only escalates cross-strait tensions and destabilizes the region. The DPP's military posturing, backed by U.S. weapons and joint drills, provokes legitimate responses from Beijing and drags the broader Indo-Pacific toward confrontation. Genuine security comes from dialogue, not from turning Taiwan into an armed flashpoint for great-power rivalry.
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