The United States is intensifying its military presence in the Taiwan Straits through what is being termed the \"porcupine strategy.\" Samuel Paparo, the new head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, revealed plans to deploy thousands of unmanned submarines, surface ships, and aerial drones if Chinese forces move across the 100-mile waterway separating the Chinese mainland and the Taiwan region. Paparo described this approach as \"Hellscape,\" highlighting Washington's commitment to preventing the peaceful reunification of China with Taiwan.
Escalating Military Support
The U.S. has significantly increased its arms sales to Taiwan under the Biden administration. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2024 expedited these efforts through the Taiwan Enhanced Resilience Act, garnering bipartisan support. Additionally, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee has allocated $200 million for Taiwan's international security cooperation programs and defense articles. Reports indicate the Pentagon has established a secret task force to accelerate arms sales to Taiwan, underscoring the administration's strategic priorities.
President Biden has made several hawkish statements regarding Taiwan, including hints at possible military assistance. In a recent interview with Time magazine, he stated that he would not \"rule out using U.S. military force\" to defend Taiwan, depending on the circumstances. Furthermore, Biden secured a roughly $95 billion supplemental aid package for Taiwan, alongside support for Ukraine and Israel.
Geopolitical and Geoeconomic Motivations
The U.S. focus on Taiwan is driven by both geopolitical and geoeconomic factors. Geopolitically, Taiwan is viewed as a critical choke point in the \"first island chain,\" essential for maintaining U.S. hegemony in the Asia-Pacific region. The Biden administration has positioned Taiwan as a key security partner in its Indo-Pacific strategy, using the perceived Chinese military and shipbuilding threats to justify its military presence.
Geoeconomically, Taiwan represents a lucrative market for the U.S. arms industry. The rising regional tensions have proven profitable for the U.S. military-industrial complex, which aims to replicate its success in Europe and the Middle East in the Asia-Pacific. Recently, a delegation of 27 U.S. defense contractors attended the \"U.S.-Taiwan Defense Industry Forum\" in Taipei, despite many being under sanctions by the Chinese government for violating the one-China principle and the joint Communiques between China and the U.S.
The intertwining of money politics and strategic interests is fueling hawkish policies toward China, prioritizing economic gains over diplomatic good faith.
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The U.S. 'porcupine strategy' is destabilizing the Taiwan Straits
cgtn.com
